We bought two different types of sheets at a Ross Dress For Less (not nationwide) in the fall; before 2 weeks had passed they were pilled. (Two beds). One is microfiber, made in China of 55% cotton/45% polyester. Its label says DIVATEX Home Fashions, which didn't someone mention on this thread in a positive way? (I can't look back now, while writing this.) I certainly do not agree with that. The other is 100% cotton, made in China. It is textured, so to speak, made of little squares, matte and not matte, each a little less than 1/4" square. You can't feel the squares, of course. We had discarded the packaging and with the holidays upon us, we did not return them. We only use the fitted sheet and the pillow cases. They are pilled anywhere any part of the body has touched them. Ross is next to BB&B at a local shopping center and I spoke to the sheet department manager at BB&B. I told him what had happened. His responses were: 1. He had never heard of the issue of multiple ply yarns being used to deceive customers as to thread count. He did not 'understand' what I was saying. 2. He recommended high thread counts, and long-fiber cotton. Not Egyptian cotton, which is short-fiber. Pima or supima were his choices, also their bamboo and another odd material made by the Beech Company. 3. He would not comment on my mentioning my closet full of perfectly good cotton percale sheets, some decades old, which never pilled or stretched out, but were simply too shallow for our present mattresses. Muslin was 180, perhaps? Percale started at around 200? Or was it 120 and 180+. I found muslin itchy, but I find many things itchy other people do not. I threw away the fitted Ross sheet and am wondering what my chances of success would be marching in there with the remaining sheets and demanding, well, who knows what. We have had no pilling with two fitted sheets purchased last year, made by Home (and then a square with a circle in it). Also made in China, 100% cotton, RN17730, VN1124037. I am checking The Company Store, whose service I have always been pleased with. Anyone have any pilling experience with their basic Weekender sheets? Thank you.

Hi goils! Besh--your MIL is in my thoughts and prayers---(((hugs)))!! How is Happyto? I was thinking about her a while back, and was hoping that things were good for her-- Tikanas--happy belated birthday! :):) Well, I got the auction--I signed it on Monday, and have a good chance to maybe get the real estate--it's been rezoned as commercial, so it would be a goooood thing for me--and I'd appreciate any and all good thoughts for me to get this--it can literally change my life-- Things are good here--the weather is great--I can't believe it's this nice--78, and low humidity. Raeanne--since you liked my sticky chicken mishap, I think you'll enjoy this one--I decided in June to enter a cake in the KY State Fair (which started here on Thurs). So I sent off the $, got the rules, and waited until last Sunday morning to make the cake (it was due by Mon at 5pm, but I had to work...). Let me preface all of this by saying that I have never made this cake before--I found the recipe in a box of stuff that I bought at an auction(now, **that's** a surprise!), and so therefore had no idea just what I was walking into. On Sat night, after getting out of the bath, with wet hair and no makeup, I realize that I need a bottle of bourbon--well, actually, just 2 tablespoons. So, off the the liquor store I go, and find an airplane bottle of Maker's Mark, and then realize that I have no cash. So, I charged $2.50. I was sooo embarrassed. Anyway, I got up at 6am on Sun morning to preheat the oven, and off I go. I'm just a mixin and a stirin, and raisin all sorts of h3ll, and I pour the batter into 3 brand-new 9" pans, and they go into to the over for 45 minute. DING! They're done--whhoooboy--they are done--burned on the bottom, that is. I'm standing in the middle of the kitchen, hot, tired, and just bawling. I was just so mad--and I had a raging case of PMS to top it all of, and poor ol Rog--didn't know whether to hug or to laugh. He wisely chose to hug, and then told me that we can cut the botteom of the layers off, and noone would ever know (true.) So that was our plan. Now--to top all of this off, the entry department opened at noon, and I was supposed to be at work at an auction at noon, so I had to keep an eye on the time. I made the frosting following the directions, and dumped into way to much powdered sugar, which gave it that funny, sugar-y taste, so then I added more bananas, which changed the texture. THEN--my cat decided to love me as I was dropping in the yellow food coloring (did I mention that this is a banana cake?), which made my icing look like a horrible mustard color (made worse by the fact that it had lumpy stuff like toasted coconut and chopped pecans in it), only sicker. What a freaking mess---I wanted to throw the d@mned thing aqgainst the wall, but managed to refrain. I iced it, and it is sitting on my countertop, glowing like a d@mned lighthouse. Sigh..... Anyhoo--I hope all is well with everyone--and where is Amy and John??? Hugs, Maddie

Hi Susan. Yes, there is a Spike Luckstone, sortof. That is the name of my Second Life identity, that much you already know...yes I am a real person in real life ("RL" in Second LIfe speak), and the short bio you reprinted is mine and real. Ronf gave a nice if brief description of Second Life. It's not easy to really explain all about Second Life (SL) to someone who has never seen it or been in it. It is an online virtual world, but it is definitely NOT one of those computer video game types of things that most people are familiar with, it is much more than that. It is known as the "game with no object", because there really isn't a goal or object, there's no bad guys to shoot or damsels in distress to rescue, although there are areas made for roleplay where you can do those things if you wish. I discovered SL by accident a little over 3 years ago when I stumbled across this article on Businessweek.com: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982001.htm It will tell you a bit about SL. SL may look cartoonish and silly to those who don't understand it or not been in it but the first thing an SL newbie learns is that although we are represented by cartooney-looking avatars, those avatars have real people controlling them with real personalities and feelings. Second Life is very much like this Real Life... except in SL we inhabit bodies made of pixels instead of flesh. Just like a really good book or movie can draw you in so you feel as if you're part of it, SL does the same. You are where your mind is. I've met many wonderful people in SL and have friends all over the world in SL. About the music... there are at least hundreds of clubs, bars, "outdoor" concert venues of all types and description and SL and as many musicians playing at them. The musicians may be anything from one person singing along with karaoke tracks, or accompanying him/herself on guitar or piano, to full bands playing live and streaming it into SL. Real-life band U2 has even done a live concert in Second Life. The google listings you mentioned of me (Spike Luckstone) playing in various real-life cities is a computer search-bot error, and understandably confusing. Weblogs of events in Second Life post event listing of who is playing and when, for their various SL venues. Somehow, search bots (little search programs designed to search and compile listings, in this case for entertainment) see these listings and somehow relate them to their cities. How that happens I couldn't tell you, but it is an error done by the website compiling the listings. No one in SL makes or wants these false and erronious listings, least of all myself, who supposedly am appearing or have played numerous places in real life that I have no intention of travelling to and I have no need or desire for false information or publicity of any kind. As for me, I am a semi-retired professional musician, I have never wanted to be a "star". My desire was to play guitar with good musicians, and play onstage with the "stars", not to be one myself. I did that already and don't need to do it anymore. I quit the road and settled down years ago. Playing in Second Life is nice because I can play whatever song I want, whatever instrument I feel like, can get bookings nearly any time I feel like playing, I have my own club where I can play any time I feel like it. I don't have to lug my equipment anywhere. I walk into my home studio and there is my stuff all ready to play. I can, and have, play a show in my pajamas if I feel like it. Another thing about music in SL, just about any wannabee can play in there... because of this you hear a lot of people who really are not professional-grade, but I'm glad they have a place that they can play and sing and for many of them it fulfills a life dream that they cannot do in real life. There are also some excellent musicians and bands in SL, as good as you'd find anywhere. I hope this clears up some of your questions. If I can answer anything else just ask. I do have a myspace page for my Second Life self at myspace.com/spikeluckstone if you'd like to hear some newer sound clips and it has a little more of my real life bio if you're interested. I do have a better-looking avatar now than I did when those videos were made. By the way, In Second Life, you can be anything or anyone you wish and no one expects your avatar to look exactly like your real life self. Why do that... SL is where you can be your idealized self so why not. :) You can see some screenshots and find more information at secondlife.com if you wish. Take care, "Spike Luckstone"

Eloise - boy did I sleep well. I was late getting to work!! But I needed it even without the raking. If you'll look, you'll see the time I did that post last night. It was entirely too late to be up. But, having problems going to bed - STRESS!!! My boss told me today that I should be looking for Plan B - she is. Our new VP is really making life difficult. We don't think she wants any of us there - so she can bring in her own people and also confirm herself to everyone. So, we'll see on that one. Let's just say though - not good at all. I'm too old to be considered a real candidate anywhere other that someplace 50 miles from home. That's the kicker, I'm 8 miles from home now - never had that before. Plus, I like the company. We just have a micro micro-managaing, self-absorbed, control-freak for a boss that is begining to remind me of a wicked witch! She is so much so that I don't trust her as a person. It's one thing to not trust your boss, but I don't trust her as a person - too high on herself and what she can do. No telling what she will do to prevent someone from seeing her faults. The bad thing - I think that's why she was hired!!! The other stressor - my folks. Found out today that they are OK -somewhat. They are being moved to the other facility to have more intense care - thank Goodness! But that's not saying things will be OK but I do feel better that they can be watched. My step-mom is becoming very manipulative and they are worried about my dad's safety. So, THAT saga continues. At least they are dead and my step-mom didn't kill someone!! Hey, I'm 139, I think. BTW, What's going on with TNMN2???? Check in Michael when you can. Miss you, big guy!!!