I still use checks, as well. Don't know how those of you who don't manage? Just today, I wrote a check to the builder who's finishing out our garage. It was either a check or cash but certainly not a debit card. I live in a small village with lots of Mom/Pop shops. They don't take plastic...so I write checks. My cleaning lady doesn't take plastic either & I don't always have enough cash. Same with the piano teacher. Anyway, I'm amazed that some don't write checks anymore. I'm a genealogist & my DH & I take frequent grave searching expeditions. On this particular trip...we started in NH, went to the northern most part of Vermont, headed down through MA, & then on to Pennsylvania returning through the southern tip of NY. We made this trip is just 4 days. We made purchases along the way with a credit card. In PA, at a gas stop our credit card was denied. We're both bankers so we weren't worried...knew why but still had to call the service. They said that they were concerned that our card had been snatched since we hadn't used it in a few months & purchases had been made in several states in just a few days. No problem. We were GLAD they were being attentive. As bankers, we're aware of the fraud that's happening. You just wouldn't believe how bad it's gotten. Not a week goes by without some new fraud scheme being detected at the bank. Our bank (and employer) has instigated new online protections that are almost onerous to use but I'm sure it will only become more so. We've stopped using online banking & DH IS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT! They try so hard to keep everybody safe but these fraud rings are getting very, very sophisticated. So many of the scams are coming out of eastern Europe. Somebody can steal your plastic (or just the number) here in the US & within 45 minutes an exact copy of your debit or credit card has been made in some place like the Chech Republic, & is being used in France that evening to purchase a diamond necklace...and that's no joke. You have my very best wishes for a speedy recovery. For those of you who rely on plastic to handle your finances...take every single precaution you can & still be concerned enough to pay close attention. Also, be familar with bank liability (or, the lack thereof) in the event a fraud scheme manages to find you. It's not their fault somebody gets a hold of your number & they're not always responsible. Tricia

We bought a Bunn about 3 years ago and love it. I can have a full pot of fresh coffee in about 3 minutes. Love, love, love it. Haven't had a lick of trouble. And, Lynn, ours DOES have a vacation switch. I found out by accident - it's on the side, and I guess I accidentally hit it once. Then when I couldn't get the thing to work, I thought it was broke! But it wasn't - I had just hit the vacation switch. It's on the side nearest the wall, and I just never noticed it before.

I am another one that does not like coffee, however, I have two new coffee makers out in the club house. I plan to go out one of these days and see what kind the single cup one is? I would have gone today, but the old back was hurting too much. Oh, we got a lot of stuff from our son in law's folks place when they moved out of their home. I don't begrudge any of you that love your coffee, just give a good cup or glass of tea. :) Sue

Hi Monica, Does one need both hands to lift that mug? Daughter gave me one with "A-R-I-Z-O-N-A" on it in large letters that go all around the large mug, a "leftie" like her getting to see the "A-r-i-" and a "rightie" like me getting to see only the dregs of the word, "-o-n-a": don't ask me the number of ounces of its capacity but it's about half as much again as an average sized mug. Such mugs need to be microwaveable! I'm a bit concerned about using it for coffee too often, for fear that it might make me squirrelly. Probably one of those unnecessary worries to which we sometimes subject ourselves. I hope that this week is bringing good things with it for you. ole joyful