We have had a natural gas generator (at both houses) since the blizzard of '92. My family (mom/dad, sister, us) have always had Generac. Like stated above, size depends on your home and what you want to run. Doesn't mean you can turn on every light, HVAC, etc in the house at the same time. Be sure to get an automatic transfer switch installed by your electrician so that the generator will cut on automatically when the power goes off. Who wants to go turn it on in the snow/ice/sleet/lightning/tornado/rain/etc? I'm in the south, so natural gas is a given (heat, water heater, dual fuel cooking) so cost to run line isn't a big deal - it's already right there. fyi, usually you connect lights, outlets, don't forget the garage doors, HVAC for part or all, fridge, cooktop (if electric). Ovens are not usually added since they suck so much power. Washer/dryers sometimes. Depends on how much you want to spend. Our past prices reflect those quoted just above. You can usually find a local company to purchase/install. We are now using a man that is on his own now, but used to be with the company we used. Cost is about the same, but service is much better. The generator will test once a week. Always a good idea to have it test at a time when you are home, so you can hear it and make sure it's working/running - want it to start up when you need it.

I would. Acid free paper is good. Just be careful it doesn't smell. I put some fancy drawer paper in one chest and didn't realize that it had enough scent to transfer to my clothes. Ugh. Or you could use Cushy Cupboards too :)

Seriously? Someone invites me to their home for food/fun/party but I should run by Walgreens and buy them a package of napkins or a dusty candle? I, for one, detest "hostess gifts". Flowers!, "How beautiful!" Now I gotta run to find a vase, the flowers for the party are already on the table. I got 50 people arriving so I really can't take the time to cut the ends in my kitchen, already full of food stuff. I'm trying to find which toilet is clean enough, out of the party trail, to put the flowers in until tomorrow. Ohhhhhh, and the candles and trinkets. I've probably already been dusting and cleaning for days for this partay. Someone shows up with a "hostess gift" that is going to need dusting, cleaning, pruning, feeding, whatEVER! I still have to be nice. Think about it, 50 people, say 20 couples and some singles. They all bring a "hostess gift". What are you gonna do with that "stuff" the next day even after you get done cleaning up from the party? Since I got there, I have your address, since I have your address, I probably know your name. I would send a card after the party for a big thanks. That's about as "old fashioned" as you can get. No, I will never "stop off" to get a hostess gift. It's the thought that counts.

I'm 74 and have been exercising 3 times weekly now for 11 years. I really concentrate on my legs as they need to work for me when my poor old damaged lungs can't. I could still wear shorts in the summer until about 5 years ago when gravity finally got my knees. It was inevitable. I have very strong muscles in my legs but it's the skin, not the muscles. Yes, I have been a sun worshiper for many years. It doesn't help my skin but tanned saggy skin looks SO much better when it's tanned. At 60, you don't yet have the old bruised, scared legs that will appear over the next 10 years. Out skin on our calves thins and a small bump can result in a deep cut. My lower legs look like someone has been beating them with a stick! But when they're tan, they look much better and the scars and bruises don't show as much. It is very hard to age when one is vain. One must do the best one can and accept the rest with humility.