I think I should have explained that there are two different things - i.e. file size and picture dimensions. A picture that has file size of 1,831,690 bytes (which is quite a big file) probably also has large dimensions & should be quite a good picture. However, if it's file size is taken down to 60 bytes, it will certainly look terrible. What you should be aiming at is taking the file size down to about 60kb - i.e. 60 kilobytes, which is not 60, but 60,000 bytes. 2. It a picture still looks bad at 60kb, or is too big for you screen, you probably needed to first reduce the picture dimensions - which are not the same thing as the file size. Pictures from digital cameras are often quite big - e.g my camera gives pictures with dimensions of 2048 x 1536 pixels - far too big to fit on my computer screen. A good size for Hortiplex & for most computer screens is a picture 800 x 600.. Irfanview (mentioned by Carol) is a very good program for doing this. When you try it all again, I suggest you first use Irfanview to change the picture dimensions to 800 x 600 & save it at Irfanview's 'best' quality. This will probably still be stored as a file way above 60kb, but it should be considerably less than 1,831,690 bytes. Then use JPEG Optimizer to compress the file containing this 800 x 600 picture down to 60kb. Herb

I find Irfanview to be really good for this. The program is free and quite small. If you ever decide to do more with Irfanview you should also download in install the plugins. Open Irfanview, click File click Batch/Conversion rename... and follow along in the new window. You need to do landscapes separate from portraits but I am sure you are aware of that anyway.

Pants ... maybe ... ring ... no: haven't worn a ring in years ... so no worthwhile advice. But Happilady ... ... several years ago (like ... over 10?) you were wondering about hubby retiring early, largely due to some stress on the job (overseeing staff, which he wasn't used to?), I think. I've wondered how it turned out, what you folks decided ... and how happy you have been with your choice. Was it over on "Money saving tips" ... "Household finance" or, more likely, "Retirement"? Things move rather slowly, there, so your topic hasn't been deeply buried. I hope that you've been please d with your decision. As I've said on occasion, usually to folks worrying abut whether they'd find retirement a drag, and boring ... "What is it about freedom that you find disconcerting?". ole joyfuelled

It is much harder than one would think. The best thing to do would be to have his parents take some measurements and buy a current pattern that reflects those measurements. I've sewn for 50 years and I wouldn't attempt to grade patterns (changing them from one size to another) For instance, his chest measurement might be two inches bigger than a 4 year old, but certainly his neck *won't be,* and those two things have to be combined. Little kids' bodies change, too. A toddler pattern (can go up to 4T) is shorter, and sized to accommodate a diaper. Children's sized patterns are taller, maybe a touch slimmer, and labeled without the T. They could send you clothing that fits, and you can try to adjust the patterns to match the clothing. Why not just buy a new pattern? a See and sew pattern is $2.99, but even a full priced pattern would more than save the cost of wasted fabric for something that doesn't fit. Patterns are almost always in sale someplace. I would make a pattern from scratch rather than grade one to fit, 90% of the time.