had to remove my jaw from my lap after seeing that Niwaki in Chi-town. How big is that hummer? Looks like it needs a whole team and a couple of cherry pickers to maintain it every year. Thanks for showing us this picture, Nate. As far as I'm concerned, this thread is done. ~Dave

Looks like we're all having a busy weekend! I'm happy to report my weight is shifting down - I've recovered from last weekend's visit with my pal and all that food. I've moved from 145 to 143/142ish. Quite happy with that. Slow and steady is my goal. I will stop losing when my body tells me to. I'm focusing on proper portions and healthier food choices. I figure I will settle on a weight when my food balances with my body. Anything around 130-135 is my goal to maintain. Anything lower than 128 I have to be careful because that is a teenager weight and not healthy for me at this age. Too easy to get sick and have little to help me recover from. Besides, I don't do 'thin' - I'm a curvy build and thin looks awful on me. Got there once in the military and everyone told me I looked gaunt. If I were born to be tall fine, but I'm not. My goal is to be able to garden without back spasms and be able to jolt up a couple of flights of stairs without losing my breath. Maintaining a healthy weight is the biggest challenge, not the weight loss. So I plan to be here for some time to come. We're off to the in-laws this weekend. DH's brother is moving back out west after a year of unsuccessfully seeking work in mapping. He's been working 'online' from his original job out west but since nothing has happened in this area he's moving back. He's been living in his parents basement for all this time - not funny. Time to go. I'll miss him but glad we had the time to know him better. Also going to drive a wee bit down a county road tomorrow to practice my driving. Looking forward to that too. I don't do highways because I am not comfortable making turns at higher speeds yet. Take care, I will try to get online this weekend. Cheers, Peggy

Thanks for the info Bumble. I may have to try that. I don't need a primer, but do get circles so the brightening might help. Shee - I actually have good skin but I am much older than you. My skin is getting drier and I have some slight discolorations I'm sure from the sun (I do wear sunscreen religiously now), and also I think a mixture of BC pills and sun. I've never had problems with acne, so no scarring. I'm just wondering though - have you used any retin-a products? The gal who does my hair is the one (and another gal in the salon) who recommended the products I have been trying. She is 25ish and has a few dark spots left from blemishes. So she says, I've never actually noticed them and she has been using the cleanser I got and the retin-a products (cleanser has alpha and beta hydroxy) and she said it has greatly improved her skin. My mineral make-up stays. Again though my skin is on the dry side, so that probably makes a difference. I'm on a mission to find a new one though because the one I've been using has gone out of business! I tried to find one that didn't use some of the ingredients that were irritating to some (I have sensitive skin). Perfectly matched my skin and I dread looking for a new brand. Another good thing though is how long the mineral make-up lasts. I'm with Jen on the less on my face. I do agree with Bumble about more products. I think it is important to work towards getting your skin in the best condition possible and then you won't need as much make-up. I can't stand the feeling of alot of stuff on my face. I don't wear colored shadows - just a lighter color (base), then a deep taupe and at times add a deep grey to outer corners. I like a soft, blended eyeliner. I like foundation/blush, etc. to look natural and then a sheer, bright lip. Looks best on me. I'm not going to be able to continue with this retin-A stuff - going to check and see if there is a formula with less percentage of retin-A or try the Replenish (Replenix?) that someone mentioned here. tina

I hardly wear makeup anymore. Recently thought I have noticed wrinkles when I have makeup around my eyes - they seem to be more noticeable with makeup on. I'm not a religious cream user although I have tried many products I tend to wind up using my hand cream. In the winter it's Vaseline Intensive Care Water Resistent formula. I figure every wrinkle is earned - a story behind each and every crease. I'd love to buy nice creams but I never stick to any regime. My favourite is Clinique daily moisturizer - I just don't have the stomach to spend the money on it these days.