I use a Mac and have noticed from time to time that in responses to my messages the font size of my original message is quite small (maybe 8 points). I don't know what that is and it doesn't seem to happen all the time. Your SIL should probably check with one of the forums dedicated to Mac users.

you did not mention if this is xp or windows 7 but doing a real quick system restore to the day before it happened might fix it and it won't hurt anything. here are the directions for xp. System Restore, accessible by clicking [Start] [All Programs] [Accessories] [System Tools] [System Restore]. then Choose from the bulleted options on the right you want to restore your computer to an earlier time. The calendar on the left will have dates in bold. Selecting a day will show the restore points available for that date in the breakout to the right of the calendar. Select the restore point you want and click This would be the day before your fonts changed. Then click next to restore your computer to the earlier date and time. Your pc will reboot just leave it alone let it do it's thing. That is it you are done. very very easy to do and all it does is put your settings back as they were on that date. If you are using something other than xp let us know so we can give you the appropriate instructions.

Ginny, I had this very question a while back and found a solution at userstyles.org. In Firefox I was able to accomplish this by 1) downloading the Stylish add-on and 2) going to this site: http://userstyles.org/styles/27916/bigger-gmail-compose-box-tested-2010-05-04 and clicking to install the script for Stylish. Works like a charm. My compose window area almost fills the page ! :-) Once the script is installed, you may need to go into Stylish on your browser and change the numbers to suit your preferences -- click the Stylish icon on the status bar or address bar (if it's not in either place, right-click on a browser bar somewhere and select 'customize' and drag the Stylish icon to a browser bar). Here is a link that might be useful: Stylish

Kent, it is not any of those. My top line has esc, but I would have to stretch to get to it. I don't have an x to close, and my Ctrl is a stretch at the bottom. Thanks. Kudzu, I don't often us the mouse pad, but want to if I need it. That can always be a possibility, but I have made huge attempts to avoid it. If I pause a minute, and sometimes even if I do not pause, my cursor goes to a different place on the page. I am afraid that gmail is not truly aligned with Windows 8.1. Without even pausing my cursor went to the upper paragraph and was after the word even. However, since I am on the Garden Web, gmail might not even be in control. Thanks for trying to help. Sammy