I'm so glad you asked this question. I'm wanting to have something done also, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I haven't even talked to my dermatologist about it, but he does something called CO2 Laser Skin Rejuvenation (DOT). I'm not sure if it's similar to Fraxel, but here's what their website says: DOT Therapy (Dermal Optical Thermolysis) is a new and exciting way of reversing the appearance of aged or sun-damaged skin, smoothe wrinkles, and reduce the appearance of acne or other scars. DOT Therapy is preformed using the SmartXide DOT laser system. Because DOT Therapy delivers the desired outcome with minimal downtime, it is rapidly replacing traditional laser skin resurfacing as the treatment of choice for mild to moderate signs of photo damage and aging skin. Generally one treatment is all it takes but more can be done for those with severe acne scars and wrinkles.

Just to let you know, don't have a facial less than a couple of days before you have to be "presentable" for a social event, big work thing, etc., unless you know how your face will react to that specific facial, since many facials can leave your skin looking "worse before it gets better". The only pictures of me at one friend's wedding are from behind because every time I saw a camera I spun around - I was invited to have a facial and mani-pedi the day before with some of the bridesmaids. (I was an "honorary bridesmaid".) The bridesmaids were "glowing", I looked like a ripe tomato! I piled on enough makeup for Tammy Faye to have stopped me to say "honey, you gotta lay off that stuff" :-) and still had people asking where I'd gone on vacation to get that sunburn. Same goes for the sugar or salt scrubs they do all over - when not done carefully you'll look and feel like you've got a nasty sunburn. I'm a total massage hound (I used to be a "practice body" at a couple of massage schools) so I'd be going for as many different types of massage I could get for the amount of the gift certificate. LOL I don't really think there is anything to the health aspects touted but reflexology feels divine, especially if your feet are, shall we say, in less than perfect condition. Sounds like you're already doing what the "deluxe European facial" describes - "cleansing, exfoliating, and hydration of the skin" is a fancy way of saying "washing your face with a scrubby stuff and putting on moisturizer"!

I am about to try Natural Progesterone for years getting progressively worse and worse i have had facial hair coming in which i will tweeze almost daily . it also grows as what men call a happy trail from my belly button to my pubic hair line and stray hairs in my aureoles.. i have not seen if this is related to low levels of Progesterone or not but intend on looking this up as well. it started about the same time as the facial hair in my mid 20's and by 30 it was more than 5 hairs now it is over 50 they grow over my lip on my chin and my neck. very annoying and embarrassing. i also have not been able to conceive..I have never had a child and did when i was 17 now 36 had a miss carriage have not had a pregnancy scare since.even during long term relationships with more than once weekly sexual relations. I also had a promiscuous ex husband who cheated on me and i though that the std he brought me home that was misdiagnosed for years as a yeast infection and badder infection was the cause of my infertility..lately i have been getting emotional , depressed and tire easily i attributed this to my new as of 6 mo ago night job. but I noticed a few menstrual cycles ago that i was having an irregular cycle i have always had a 2 1/2 to 4 day long period every 29 days to the letter.. very short.. and i have tried to figure out when i ovulate but have had no luck.. recently i have been having irregular cycles. and staining ..and pressure like menstrual bloating. especially over the last 2 yrs i have also noticed i am aging more rapidly my face is not a taught at it used to be the skin under my chin and on my neck seem to have lost some of it's elasticity and i have put on weight not a lot but a good 15 to 20 lbs.my sex drive also has gone way down..from where it used to be.. i can go months with out thinking about sex and don't feel like being touched it actually annoys me .after reading some of this book.. what your doctor may not tell you about premenopause by John R. Lee MD I am beginning to think that all my troubles are one in the same..I also have a sugar craving that sometimes is insatiable.. I have found all of these signs in Natural Progesterone web sites and this wonderful book I intend on doing something about this when i get my next pay check .. and get some wild yam cream Natural Progesterone I will post a fallow up if this page is still here as to if it worked.. I also intend on eating less sugar caffeine and non free range meats. I have almost cut out red meat all together as of now and have begun eating locally grown produce more regularly.. you will find this info also on myspace.. in hopes that it will help others who might be experiencing the same...good luck to all .. quantumdreamer Here is a link that might be useful: my myspace.

Thanks, everyone!! cyn, we bought that pheasant at an antique store that used to be local to us. Just called to get another one! It is so pretty. romy, not sure if you remember my garland dilemma. The lights on one I had and even a new one didn't match. So I ended up going fresh. I do love it, even though it is a bit messy. I mist it every morning but it is so dry! I also haven't accessorized as much as I would like but I am at a loss. Maybe next year! jjam, those shelves are going to be the death of me!! What you see now is finally fixed up! I agree they look pretty sparse. There are just so many shelves! I have left the top ones empty since I don't have enough to fill it. But something for the new year is to get more color up there. francoise, thank you so much! The "women in party dresses and smart looking men lounging" is the look I love! Very Dorothy Draper/Carlton Varney. Now, need to get on having that party!