I wouldn't have a quite as much problem with this if this practise is disclosed before the fact, than if it is done surreptitiously. If the test is represented to a prospective employee as a screen for illegal substances, upon which employment is based....... and then used after the fact for other and additional purposes, then I do have a problem with it. It's a no brainer that smoking is a health risk, and any sector of a group with a higher health risk raises the costs of maintaining a group health care policy. But, other conditions as expensive or more so are mandated to be covered by group policies with companies hiring over 15 people, like women of child bearing age. Maternity benefits are not needed by a large sector of the population, but all members of a group policy must pay more because federal law mandates such coverage. In this same group, not paying higher premiums could also be drinkers, motocyclists who do not wear helmets, obese individuals, those with immune deficiencies, those with a strong history of familial disease, people who don't practise safe sex, couch potatoes. It makes me uneasy to know that at any given time, any particular group can be isolated as the current pariah.

Morning All!! Is everyone finished shopping? I'm all finished & everything is wrapped & waiting.They get to open one tonight after dinner,so they keep looking under the tree,trying to decide which one to choose. What's really great is they don't know about the ones in my closet!I'll bring those out AFTER they open the one tonight.LOL! I'm evil I know!Their uncle sent them cash,so the 2 oldest bought Heeleys.Pray that we don't spend Christmas in ER with cracked anything... We are making them wear their helments,but that doesn't protect the limbs!!! Guess I'll bake something sweet later on. My grandparents are coming from Alabama the day AFTER Christmas,so that's when we will have our big dinner.Pretty much the same menu as Thanksgiving. Maryanne & Bunny ~ glad your prizes made it safe & sound AND before Christmas! Dianne~feel better soon! Post your goodie box when you can.No rush!! All boxes have been sent & received!! later...April

BJ - you crack me up - but I think the Cheetos idea is actually a good one LOL. Amy - I am glad you posted too. I thought you might like the plum story LOL. NH Suzanne - can you recommend a good restaurant in Providence to celebrate DD's graduation - small group of 6 people. We have reservations for Al Forno's on Friday, but need a Saturday restaurant. I thought you might be able to help - we like all kinds of food, but I was thinking of a place on Federal Hill. The art show was a huge hit. We got a full page write up in the paper and that drew a big crowd, it is open for 3 days. I am not sure how today went, but last night it was packed. I got to overhear people talk about how much they liked my landscape - that made me feel good. It was very strange to have people come up to me and say "so you are one of the artists", at first I was like, "well no, I am one of the students". Have a great weekend.

I'm grateful for the feeling of community I experienced last evening when I joined some friends at a coffee house on Main Street where other friends were caroling. I sat at a little table with a close friend and her daughter, home from college, another friend's granddaughter on my lap. I felt as though I were in Gilmore Girls, gathered at a shop in the center of the village, knowing just about everybody.