Skunks and highways don't mix well ... and when they've tried, usually there's a reminder for later travellers for a time. Coons don't, either. Or dogs, for that matter ... and this f c doesn't mind running angleways over the road, ahead of the car: she hasn't been trained how to manage, around cars. (Skunks, either, for that matter). I took the course that stockbokers take, thirty years ago ... but there was some downturn in the markets and brokers weren't hiring. I got on with a mutual fund broker a couple of years later ... compensation totally by commission ... but after a year I hadn't sold enough to suit the second tier guy above me ... so was "decommissioned". Some years ago a parishuioner in the post office one day thought it a bit odd that his clergy person subscribed to "The Financial Post" ... ... and I allowed as how it was my impression that bread cost me the same price that it cost him. So I worked for years as a personal financial consultant selling no financial products - folks didn't need to watch me closely, to see whether I was talking out of the side of my mouth that dealt with what was good for them ... ... or the side of my mouth dealing substantially with what was good for me. When I worked for the mutual fund broker, there was a guy there who'd been a fee-only planner for some time prior to that, and he said that was a good way to starve ... and I somewhat agree. People claim that they'd like unbiased advice ... but wonder why they should pay me ... for advice that they can get elsewhere ... for free. "Free", huh? Most financial planners are actually sales-peiople ... for insurance or mutual funds ... or, in recent years, stockbrokers, as well. I'm in London, need to get my diuretic prescription refilled, and meet the mutual fund guy in a half hour, so ... ... see you all later. ole joyfuelled

Every time I go to my mother's, I have to clean her computer up. I just laugh and feel proud that my mother, at her age, is computer literate. :) I feel for the daughter, having severe allergies myself, I understand what it is like to live with the hives. I saw her photo with the gloves on facebook and just laughed. Hopefully she can build her tolerance.

I also just started collecting and taking an interest in cacti/succulents. I find them to be so very unique, interesting & fun plants to collect. Being that I also live right of the Houston area, I to am looking around different places in hopes of finding unique plants to add to what I already have. Been reading here and getting to where I am making my own gritty mix as well for these plants in hopes of taking better care of my new babies. Can you send me some places that you have come across that have unique succulents? My usual places are just Home Depot & Lowes. I went over to Cornelius, but not very much of a selection on their succulents there. Good luck growing you new plants..

Yes waiting to go to Vegas is very wise. 100 degrees with two good feet is difficult! Take the time he needs to heal and start your retirement with ease. My DH retired last Friday and I think I am driving him nuts to slow down and take it easy as we hopefully will have nothing but time on our hands to do all the many things we dreamed and planned for. Wishing your DH a fast recovery!