Sylvia, I'm so glad you don't have to wait very long for treatment! You will be in very good hands at Mayo. The people in Minneapolis and the entire area were so friendly when we visited a few times. My son lived there approx 1990-95. The drawback is indeed the cold. But I was amazed at how warm we were indoors, no matter what building we were in. Even that huge Mall of America was right toasty! I found that I was able to stay warm outdoors as long as the skin was covered. My eyes were the only thing bare, and I wore glasses a lot too. I just wrapped that scarf around my neck, face and ears, and always had a hat on outside, and like Jan said, you must wear gloves. A warm hat or boggin is very important, because so much body heat is lost through the head. You also need more calories in cold weather, takes more to keep the body warm. Oh and they have good food too. Seems like potatoes comes with every dish you order lol ... an entire plate of them besides your entree at most places. I'm so glad your family can be with you. Maybe y'all can enjoy the city a bit before your surgery. The Nicollet Mall area has every kind of restaurant you can imagine, it's right downtown, and fun to walk around there if weather permits. Their city bus system is very good too. We rode it over to St. Paul Mall of America, and when the regular commuters were sitting in traffic, the buses have their own lanes, and just keep going, and they let you out right in the front. That's helpful because you can only imagine how big their parking lot would have to be! For such a large city, it's very clean too. I feel all the love and prayers going out for you too! It's like a big warm energy in my heart! And on the 12th, you will be on a lot of peoples' minds, and prayers will be constant that day! The power of prayer will multiply more times than we could ever really know. Keep up the good, positive spirit, because there will be trying days, but I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. You are a strong and beautiful woman, and there will be better days ahead! I hope that there's some way your family can go online, or call one of us at the forum so they can let us know how your surgery goes. If not, we'll just wait patiently until you can get word to us. Your family will be in our prayers too, love and best wishes to each one of you. We'll miss you while your gone, Sylvia, so hurry back as soon as you can after your surgery! Keep in touch until you leave! ~tenderlee

Yep - I know just what you mean, Wade. When I first thought about composting I read everything I could thinking "it can't be this easy?!" But it is - you're a good testament to that. Congrats on the steam! Val

I hope you aren't as slow as us either. Though part of the problem was we enjoyed the process...other people spend their weekend playing tennis or golf...we designed floor plans. But I think about some of those interim designs and we would not have been happy with the house had we just thrown in the towel and said build it. This was our forever home and we wanted to be sure we were going to be happy with our investment for a long, long time. Then again, friend of mine was ready to build and then was told that they couldn't afford the house they had planned so they picked up a magazine and built the house they found in it then and there and are happy with the results. Each to his/her own.

I appreciate all of your warm and thoughtful responses. I actually had a good day. I am off work tomorrow, and this was previously scheduled. I might not work at all next week, I haven't decided yet. Anyway, my work friends got together today when I was busy, and they gave me a musical card, two plants, flowers, scented soap and a candle, all wrapped and with bows! I was overwhelmed- my work peeps mean a lot to me, but I did not expect this. This world is full of nice, thoughtful people.