Vacuums are the subject of countless discussions on the various Golden owners' mail lists. A number of people have been dissatisfied with their Dyson's, some people love them, and I caught someone talking about getting a Miele. If you can get subscribed to a golden list, you might enjoy it. Here are some recent comments, all from Golden breeders or exhibitors with multiple dogs: "I have all hardwood and tile and got a Miele canister. LOVE IT. Uses bags, but I bought a whole bunch on a buy 2 get 1 free deal. And I reuse the bags, at least once. When full, my husband empties it with his shop vac since it is mostly hair. When they are dusty looking I toss it out and use a fresh one." "I bought the shark rotator recently and have a lot of dog hair and carpets wood and concrete floors. First the power brush stopped working after a couple uses. Now I have a big clog up by the handle that I thought I pulled out but after another 5 minutes use got clogged up again.It was also much more difficult to take apart to repair. Also the cupholder is so tiny it requires me to stop frequently to empty. My Dyson dc14 is still going strong but it is a pain to untangle the beater brush. (because of my arthritis I bought a second vacuum to keep on a different floor) I think the choice of vacuum is dependent on each persons situation, number of dogs type of floor, daily or weekly cleaning but I appreciate the discussion" "Have both a Dyson Slim (10+years old) and a Miele canister vac (20 years old)-- and love them both! Use the Dyson on carpeting and the Miele for floors and everything else." "Traded in the dead Dyson for the Miele Olympus a couple of years ago. Why I love the Miele: lightweight, relatively quiet, easy to adjust suction for the area rugs with fringe, low profile fits under the couch, loveseat, most of the wood furniture, bags designed with flap so stuff doesn't spew out when you change it. Easy to change out attachments" Here is a link that might be useful: how to subscribe to G@H list

I too have a good amount of fine hair and although I used to go through all those rolling, pinning, perms . . . one day I just decided to get it cut and see what happened. I found out I had just enough wave/curl to not look so bad! What a relief. I can wash and semi dry and be gone. In the heat and humidity here anything I would try to do would be gone a minute after I walk out the door. It's nice that the older you get the less you feel you need to impress anyone with your looks. Not that I don't try to look my best when I go out among humans, but I just don't feel the need to make myself miserable doing it. I no longer suffer wearing good looking shoes either. Those orthopedic shoes are really comfortable! Yes, I do remember when I wouldn't be caught dead making a quick run to the store in curlers.

I know those who are gray might disagree but ......you can look good with gray no doubt, but you do look "older." While in a career, this might not be the best approach. Whether I am gray or not (I am) this makes me sad and angry regardless of whether it's true or not. Like so many other things, when will it change? Part of the power of change lies with us and the willingness to plow ahead and allow visual aging to actually happen. I colored my hair forever and just got sick of the constant upkeep to say nothing of the constant chemical exposure. I wear makeup every day, I style my hair pretty much every day, I work out, I care about the clothes I wear (although I'm far from a fashionista) and take care of my skin, hair, nails etc. so obviously am not saying we shouldn't care about our looks. Hair color is just another way to enhance or change our looks but NOT using it should not keep someone from a desired career any more than choosing not to wear nail polish or mascara should. When are we (people in general but women far more) ever going to be valued for what we bring to the table in talent and experience?

Odd facts, Historically the British and most Europeans never washed their hair-no kidding. John Evelyn the famous in his day writer and Gardner kept a diary and he mentioned starting to wash his hair as a new thing. His friend Samuel Pepys( the very famous diarist) made a note of it in his diary and was considering doing the same thing. Sam was a bit of a neat freak.. This was mid 1600's. Can you imagine never having washed your hair?