Sadly, a lot of jobs are lost which aren't hitting the news except in the statistics, such as my cosmetics saleslady after 13 years. On the other hand, my son produces tv ads and car dealerships especially are keeping him hopping (yeah, those annoying car commercials...lol). DIL left an unpleasant job situation last year to enjoy GD's last summer before 1st grade but luckily found new job with orthopedic hospital early this year...guess it's about as secure as any these days. They've just moved to larger house, partly because it was a very good time to buy at good price, but also because 2 teens (16 and 18) will probably now go to local University, while living at home. They feel fortunate but still having to consider economy in their decisions. DH is fortunate that the Assisted Living facility has cook-from-scratch meals...and I love to cook for myself and eat...lol I do know 2-3 retired couples who make the rounds of the various hospital cafeterias often...they say the food is freshly prepared 24/7, reasonably priced and under direction of qualified dietician. Plus there's often a friend/relative inpatient to visit. Certainly not my choice of venue but they seem to enjoy it. Since there is a wheelchair and walker involved, I'm told the disabled parking, etc. is well-planned, not true of many restaurants. A couple of the enclosed shopping malls here open early for joggers, walkers. Seems a good idea particularly for northern states. It's a safe out of the weather place for early morning exercise...and free if you just windowshop...LOL I've rebalanced my own budget considerably, cutting out cable tv, magazine subscriptions, and most regrettd: new plant orders. I've discovered using online news sources and spending time enjoying my existing plants to be good for both my garden and myself...LOL All too often those 4 inch pots didn't get cared for or planted properly. Plus I'm using up a lot of leftover seeds. I do need my housekeeper parttime...cleaning and errands, appointments, grocery shopping since I no longer drive. But if cigs go up again I might have to cut back more on wine, even tho they say it's good for you. Hard choices. lol Overall though I'm incredibly fortunate and I'm fully aware of it. I feel a little hopeful that slowly things are beginning to turn around but it will be a long struggle for so many folks...I don't know of anyone who hasn't been affected in some way and worried either for themselves or family members. Sadly, tea and sympathy aren't enough when you've lost your job, home, or even just the chance to go off to college carefree...whatever it might be. Sad times. josh

Yes - you're right. When you pull off the grid, you first use up your credits. Then you either buy additional power from the electric company. Or, if you generate more power than you use, you get paid for the excess by the electric company. I'd have to check my notes - I think it may be annually. If you think about it - the days are longer in summer, so you will generate more power. Days are shorter in winter, you generate less power. So you most likely will pull more power off the grid in winter, pull less power in summer. So things would even out over a year. The SRECs are completely different. And I still don't have my head completely wrapped around them. They are Solar Renewable Energy Credits. The utility companies are required by law to generate a certain portion of their electricity by solar. They buy these SRECs to comply with this requirement. If they don't have enough SRECs they are fined. From srectrade.com In SREC states, the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires electricity suppliers to secure a portion of their electricity from solar generators. The SREC program provides a means for Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) to be created for every megawatt-hour of solar electricity created. 1 SREC = 1,000 kWh of solar electricity = 1 MWh of solar electricity 10 kW solar capacity = ~12 SRECs per year The SREC is sold separately from the electricity and represents the "solar" aspect of the electricity that was produced. The value of an SREC is determined by the market subject to supply and demand constraints. SRECs can be sold to electricity suppliers needing to meet their solar RPS requirement. The market is typically capped by a fine or solar alternative compliance payment (SACP) paid by any electricity suppliers for every SREC they fall short of the requirement. The sale of SRECs is intended to promote the growth of distributed solar by shortening the time it takes to earn a return on the investment. Once the installation of a solar system is complete, the system must then be certified by the state(s) in which it is eligible to sell SRECs and then must create an account with the tracking platform used by that state. Once registered, every month, the tracking platform will issue SRECs based on the generation of your system. In some states, estimated generation is used for systems under 10kW, while all other systems are required to submit generation on a monthly basis. One SREC is created for every 1000kWh of electricity created. For example, a 10kW system can generate approximately 1 SREC per month. However, it is up to the solar installation owner to decide how to manage the SRECs that are produced. Some states will certify solar electric systems from out-of-state and allow the SRECs from those facilities to count towards the RPS. The map above shows what state individuals can sell their SRECs into. Here is a link that might be useful: srec trade dot com

This EF dress arrived today. It is VERY lightweight but not see through fabric. It is not a knit like I thought. It is described as ”seersucker.” Not really, but it does have a little bit of texture. I’m a little concerned about wrinkling. It has distinct fold lines that have not fallen out in the hour it has been hanging. Do any of you know about 100% Tencel Lyocel as far a wrinkles? Am I going to be able to rinse this out in the sink, roll it in a towel, and hang to dry and be able to put it on without further care? It looks good with my Munro sandals and also with the Jacks. Beige is not my best color but it isn’t my worst either. I’m definitely going to need to spark it up with some accessories. What are your suggestions for accessories, bearing in mind that it is going to be hotter than the face of the sun when I’m wearing it.

Jane, try a pair of Rothy's or Cariuma IBI sneakers in the knit fabric. I have a pair of the Rothy's slip ons and was just looking at the Cariuma -- they have them in Pantone colors (including Viva Magenta) as well as some prints. But Rothy's can be machine washed (cold -- too warm can cause them to shrink) and the recycled plastic thread they use shouldn't hold onto dirt even in white. I haven't washed my sneakers yet, but I have washed other Rothy's flats and that's why I decided to get the sneakers - white that should stay white.