I'm in much the same boat. As you know, I'm a frugal character, but that's not the issue with me - it's "wasting" Precious Petroleum. Plus adding to pollutants. And global warming. As I've said, part of my reason for fixing my 19-year-old car last year instead of scrapping it, at higher cost than I'd paid for it, was the amount of energy used, plus additions to global warming and pollution that are required to build a new car, and the proportion of another old car that I'd be using instead of fixing mine, that I believed would have quite a number of miles left in it. My Dad, a farmer, had trouble breathing in this part of the country over 60 years ago, so pulled up roots and moved to the west, where he had about exactly 40 good years of life, healthy. And liked his new life. I plan a trip through MI, WI, MN, ND to Sask for a family reunion (mother's side) at my brother's in early July. I'd hoped at one time to travel to British Columbia in June, visitng old colleagues and friends, but that's not going to happen. I'd thought once to maybe drive daughter back to AZ from the reunion (she booked her flight Phoenix - Minneapolis - Regina/return last week): would take too long away from work to drive. (Gosh, it's nice to be retired ... and enjoying continuing good health's a bonus). I'm to attend a reunion of former Korea missionaries in NC at the end of July, then visit niece's family in NW GA. It was at that gathering 3 years ago that, after a discussion of U.S. foreign policy, I approached one of the presenters, saying that it has seemed to me increasingly since 9-11, that had the U.S. treated Israel and the Palestinians much more even-handedly during the last 55 years plus ... ...that those planes would have never hit those towers. Looking at me searchingly, he asked whether our talk was off the record. When I asssured him that it was, he replied, "I agree with yu ... 100%", with some emphasis. To add to my dilemma ... my daughter has invited me to her "new" home in AZ to celebrate my 80th birthday next Jan. By plane? - hard on fuel, but I'll probably do that, for I don't have others to visit while in that area. To drive? - (my little car, standard tranny, that costs down hills and to yellow lights, though some say it's illegal)? I plan to do it ... but with some compunctions. We're stealing our grandkids' heritage (of which I have none). I could go to brother's on the bus ... but want to run around visiting friends. I may ride with others to NC - but then have trouble getting to my niece's. I could ride the bus to AZ next Jan ... and may well do that ... but daughter (different generation) takes for granted that it's to be by plane. Actually, I bussed to Edmonton (over 2,000 mi.) when that niece was married in '85 ... then rode with Dad back to Ont, when he came on his annual pilgrimage to visit friends and relatives. Actually ... I don't have much of a dilemma, for I'm going to make those trips, if I continue in good health. But I'll feel some guilty while doing it: one of the dilemmas of life. God trusted this precious world into our hands, to use its resources carefully , wisely and for the benefit of all: does S/He love some more than others? Not according to the Bible that I read. Not only that - my version of common sense says the same thing. Good wishes to all of you for a lovely spring weekend. ole joyful P.S. Sure am thankful that I got my driver's licence retreaded! o j

Dances-When I was 19 I was married and had my first baby!LOL I can't remember being as irresponsible as the younger generation is now.But,it's a whole different generation with different values.I was taught from an early age to take responsibility for things.My mom worked and I cooked and cleaned at an early age.Plus we didn't have "things" handed to us on a silver platter!LOL If we didn't work for it we didn't get it. Summer-I would have let them stay until he is deployed,mainly because he was going to find a job this week.I'm sure he wasn't thinking that far ahead but I do think he would find a home for the snake if she can't take care of it while he is deployed. I have really felt guilty about letting them both stay here and share a room all along because it is a moral issue with me.But,I figured they have been living together anyway and would be wherever they are.My justification I guess but it still bothered me. Anyway,I didn't know exactly what their plans were for her after he is deployed but they have been talking for the last few days like she might be planning to stay here.I wasn't going to agree to that but because of the snake incident I didn't have a chance to say anything to them.So I guess this is for the best in the long run.LOL Either way someone was going to be upset with me because I was going to tell them "It ain't happening"!LOL WE have had someone living with us for the last 2 years and are just getting rid of a DS and DGD. DH and I are looking forward to having our home to ourselves again. Lunchlady-The reason he isn't living with his mom is because she doesn't have room. He did text her and they are still in town but he didn't say where.He has a lot of friends here that they can probably impose on for a while.LOL Thanks again everyone.I'm still really bothered by his comment.

An article in my morning paper has me boiling....It is titled, "Experts: PSU could have avoided fallout".....It seems a PS detective wanted to charge JS will abusing an 11 yr. old boy in May 1998..... Ron Schreffler, a now retired university police detective who investigated the first formal complaint against JS, 14 years ago, told a Centre Country jury this month that then Centre Country DA, Ray Cricar overruled him when he wanted to charge JS with sexually abusing a State College boy in a university locker room shower..... This was way back in 1998????? How many younsters would have been spared????At least 5 victims said he assulted them after 1998.......... Heaven forbid anything be done to put a bad name on PS football or their coaches....Happy Valley certainly isn't or wasn't a very happy place for these victims that were assulted by JS..... Living in Pa., I have a son, and 2 grand sons that have graduated from PSU and each has gotten a very good education but it still leaves a very bitter taste....... Sorry to have gone on and on.......

As a woman I have experienced sexual harassment...it matters how you handle it and what you are willing to tolerate. Exactly. I have always been more comfortable around men. Men are going to try but the woman holds the power. You demand respect or you walk away. I am not talking about men who commit forcible rape. I am talking about men who are going to take advantage wherever/whenever they can. There plenty of women willing to have their moment and then regret it later and try to blame the guy for taking what was offered. These women were adults. Then decades later they are decide they were victims???? I knew at 15 not to take pills from a guy. I don't care what happened. The minute a women takes payment instead of using the courts she is no longer a victim in my mind. She is a prostitute. I walked out on a job at sixteen the first time a boss tried to intimidate me into having sex with him.