If, like me, you are a fan of the Atlas gloves discussed above, you will love the new Atlas NT370s. If you are not a fan, you may find that you also like them. They are made of Nitrile, the same substance of which many surgical gloves are made. At 20 years of age, I was a bare-hands gardener. For one, I loved the feel of the dirt on my hands; plus, gloves were so awkward that I invariably ended up taking them off. As the years have progressed, however, I have tired of the ailments and incidents that come with bare hands. So, over the years, I have gone from rubber to cotton to heavy leather to goatskin to latex surgical to Nitrile surgical, the latter of which I was very content with. Then, in the spring of last year, a booth at a local gardening event was selling nothing but this one model of glove. I put one on my hand and that was it, I was sold, it was sooo comfortable. Not only were they thin and light, but the nylon knit backs were very soothing and supportive of my hands. No, I don't work for Atlas nor any other business which sells these gloves. I am just a happy customer who wants to give the company credit for a really great product. Cathy

We had a service person out this morning to look at our Bluestar oven door. After a 15 second inspection (a.k.a. opening it once) he told us that it was supposed to work this way, and even called the flopping open a "feature." I have used another Bluestar and the door did not do this, nor did the door on this oven do this when first installed. So, apparently, it's a late-appearing "feature." My incredulity (and sarcasm) stems from several facts, not the least of which that this is the exact same service person who told me, 10 months ago now, that the Bluestar's simmer burner was "not designed for a low flame" and that the burners were "made by Wolf, only cheaper"--leaving my house after doing absolutely nothing about adjusting the burners. Eight months and much begging on our part later he returned, with a Bluestar manual this time, and adjusted the burners. But only after we'd proved to Bluestar, via a $40 service call from our gas company, that nothing was wrong with our gas pressure, and under pains that we'd be on the hook for a $250 service call if the service person found it was an "installation error." Also, I know for a fact that this man, the only service person Bluestar has ever sent out, has never seen a Bluestar other than mine. So, the problem--and this is what could pertain to other Bluestar owners, or potential owners--isn't that there aren't service people in our area (we haven't had problems finding multiple service people for other appliances) it's that 1) no one is familiar with this brand and 2) they won't work for what Bluestar pays them. I mention the latter because, when Mr. Bloodgood (former Bluestar service manager) couldn't find anyone other than the one-man company I described above to service my unit, I suggested the company that had fixed, promptly and efficiently, my Gaggeanu steam oven, also under warranty. After not hearing from Bluestar, I called the latter company myself and was told that Bluestar had contacted them but they wouldn't work for Bluestar's rates. I did not ask what they were, nor do I even know if they're unfair, but it does beg the question: How can I, or other potential customers, have any expectation of decent service if Bluestar insists on sending, again and again, people who have no idea what they're doing? It's not surprising, under those circumstances, that I've had dismal service and, therefore, a rather grim view of Bluestar in general. When you send out incompetent people, you really can't expect anything less. (The fact that anything at all was fixed, ever, is actually probably the surprising part.) Oh and, PS, my conversations with Mr. Bloodgood, which ended with the same service man returning last December, were that I had "maligned" this "very capable" service person and that I was "lucky" he was willing to return at all ... I apparently had "maligned" him by telling Mr. Bloodgood, exactly what he'd actually done/said. (The same service man wouldn't service my vent hood because it was on a dimmer, which he said voided the warranty ... Until I went online and pulled up the vent hood specs and photos, that showed the company itself, Prestige, SELLS dimmer switches to run the fan and has them installed that way in EVERY SINGLE advertising photo in their brochure.) Well, back to this morning ... The end result is that we had my one-year-old demonstrate pulling the oven door down on his head and the service person finally deigned to look at it. He tightened (or did something to) the hinges and it seems to be working again, though the service person (for what his opinion is worth) warned us it would probably come loose again with use. So, basically, as long as we don't open the oven door it works, I asked him. He shrugged and left. For us, unfortunately, that describes the Bluestar service experience to date in a nutshell. So, I gotta' agree with "mcmann," not that I have Bluestar's "white glove service," and it does seem like a step in the right direction, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't ensure that you will have actual COMPETENT service, or service at all even, in your area. -Susan W.

Nanajayne - the bride and all of the bridesmaids put handwarmers in their bras!!! Most of the groomsmen also put them in the back pockets of their pants! I had them in my shoes and bra, too, since it was only about 35 degrees! It was a wonderful day - I am anxious to see the photos from the photographer. She only posted 6 on her "preview" so will have to wait for the kids to get the CD! Bev, I am sure you will enjoy an extended stay if you come in May. The national park is beautiful at that time of year! Hard to believe she is graduating already! Enjoy your Christmas break with her! Sue

Penny, Your dress is beautiful with the Bridesmaids colors!! All of your pictures are so great! :) I am so happy that your wedding turned out lovely and that you got to swim with those dolphins!! -DuckyHead :)