I once went to a funeral where somebody's teen-aged daughter wore a black cocktail dress; I'm guessing she knew black was appropriate & respectful, & it was the only black dress she had, & she was doing her best. I once went to a funeral where the pallbearers, the teen-aged great-nephews of the deceased, wore starched white shirts, ties, & their best starched jeans, & I know it was because their great-aunt, knowing the family budget, requested it. I've been to several wintertime funerals & graveside services where the elderly ladies wore pantsuits & tennis shoes & warm hats, & I know they were showing their respects even though they must have been freezing & could have begged off on the basis of age & fragility. I was touched at all these people, doing their best even if it wasn't the customary attire. but I can't think of any excuse for ripped jeans, tee shirts with logos, or baseball caps. If I were a family member, I might be offended enough to ask the funeral director to not let them in.

Thanks, Michael. A few years ago, acid reflux became one of my best friends, though I didn't know it at the time. Rather than take medication, I decided to make dietary changes instead. Unless I wanted to feel like I had flaming daggers going through my chest when I went to bed, I eliminated creamy anything, such as pot pies. Most sweets, spicey foods, pizza, chocolate, and coffee were also either eliminated or significantly reduced until I was eating a somewhat bland diet for a while. Eventually I added most of these foods in small amounts, except heavy, creamy, fatty foods (except occasional fries). After a few years of this I eat moderate amounts and don't overdo it. As the "purple pill" ads say -- it's different for people with acid reflux, and it's true. I always think about how it will make me feel if I eat it, and that works to keep things in check. So, it's not that I have great willpower, just that I don't want to feel a buzz saw in my chest every day. :-) Suzy, that's a great story!! Sheila, that's what I'm going to do, feel comfortable. :-) The butt-ins are OK. :-) Thanks everyone! Jen

great idea, there, maifleur. I'm sure the sock idea would also reassure some frayed nerves. Actually I have had nothing but praise for our tent, a four-man Eureka! model. The only thing to ever get in other than some Canadian mosquitoes were those tiny, tiny , TINY ants at Mesa Verde. Unfortunately, over the years my husband has drifted away a bit from our shared love of "roughing it", and I fear he will in time become another of the RV/camper crowd. I may have to leave him.:) Wayne mo, I bet you know a thing or two about the road at LaRue/Pine Hills. Or is it Union CO. Conservation Area? I have already accepted the fact that if I ever make it there to watch the spring/fall migrations it will likely be by myself...the best pair of snake chaps in the world wouldn't get my hub to go.

I think it would depend on how fancy/formal the wedding is, and at what time of day. Just from "small church" and "southern california" it's hard to tell. Do you have the invitations yet? Venue and style can give clues. A nighttime reception at a country club, for instance, would indicate more formal to me, even if the invitations do not specify a dress code.