I think about how many times in that 20 year old's life he probably acted out in school and with others and somehow no one was able to help him deal with his anger and hate issues. The Old Testament says not to murder, but Christ expands that when He says that whenever you have hate in your heart, you are murdering, both yourself and others, I think. I didn't respond on the "what roses symbolize" thread, but roses are for me a reminder that there is a God who is creator. There didn't have to be any such thing as a rose with its beauty, fragrance, color. They have comforted me in hard times, encouraged me with their beauty, given me a way to share something valuable and beautiful with others, and taught me about patience. In the same way, in our souls, there doesn't have to be such a thing as kindness or love, but God has given us the ability to be that way. I feel terrible for that broken family the 20 year old came from, the families that lost their children, and the resulting fear and terror that will plague us because of it. Politically I hate what has happened to us as a nation because there is so much hate and anger between the two groups. That's the kind of thing that develops in hearts of people so that they want to shoot each other. I think about all the other kids and people that have those same hate and fear issues and think that for myself, I want always to forgive anyone who hurts me because it can grow into something ugly in myself if I don't. It makes me want to try harder to love those kids and people I'm not crazy about that are all around me so maybe they don't develop into people with those same hate issues. The rose I miss most in winter ? Funny, I miss a climate where the season is longer, but I don't so much miss them in winter because I think and plan a lot during the wintertimes, and anticipation is more than half the fun, anyway. Indulgences? I love to make Christmas table arrangements out of the evergreens all around me and give them to friends. And music ... it's not Christmas without John Rutter's carols and Handel's "Messiah."

DestinyVP - have you installed and used them yet? Quality control of the products at HD and Lowes aren't perfect, so I would imagine you get a lot more duds in the bunch at a store like that, but based on what you paid it's still probably a net win! good for you! Jujubean - once i learn a new skill i'm usually happy to share it, but in this case if i never see another lightbulb it'll be too soon. :) Basically, decide what color you want first as the same kelvin scale applies to all types of lights whether you get all CFL, all LED or mix and match. If you want soft white like incandescent, your shopping will be a lot easier! and if you're not in a time crunch that will make it easier too as you can order from lots of different places to get exactly what you want. Seww - "green built" homes in our area refer only to using materials and systems that are energy-saving. it doesn't factor in, unfortunately, anything else like wasteful use of materials on site, and we are not restricted to renewable resources or anything like that. Nonetheless, I'm so grateful we found a builder that's so keen on energy efficiency here.

So i realized today that I am about 1/2 way to wear I think I will be comfortable weight wise. It's been 2 yr that I have been focused on losing and I am down 68 lb. Still a long way to go but pretty much where I was weight wise in my late 30s.. and by 40, I was down to a comfortable weight (which I maintained until my late 40s). The target I am envisioning is still larger than most women would be happy with -- but I know I don't like how I look when "skinny". My bone structure is too big. I appreciate all the support from you all .. and it helps a lot.. but I am not happy with my appearance and I don't feel strong or fit. i recently passed an important personal milestone (the weight I was when I met SO) but I expected to feel better about my progress at this point. I was more fit then... but I was also in love lol so there's that too. I will keep pressing forward as I am seeking better health AND I want to look better. They will both come. I just need to stop focusing on my appearance. It is absolutely better than it was 68lb ago and I think it will change even faster over the next 68lb. It's funny, Niece#2 is struggling with the same. She's lost 28 lb since December but is currently stalled. I give HER all teh advice I should be giving myself. So now after I talk to her, I give myself the same pep talk I've just given her. And to you all.. we really need to celebrate our successes both healthwise and weight wise and stop undermining our progress with the "not good enoughs".

I think you can get other seasons on various streaming services that I don't have. But Netflix will have a couple of seasons at any time, which is enough for me. About Pearl Islands, Sandra got a lot of haters later on (she won twice) but she's a darned good player. And Pearl Islands had the BEST challenges, the pirate-themed ones, like firing muskets and making the loved one walk the plank. That's an outstanding season. And yes, Rupert!