There is such a thing as "Recession" hair. That's where people can't spend the money to have their hair done as often as they used to. The save money by letting their hair grow long and have a simple straight cut. I've noticed that a lot of the "blondes" have dark roots showing and it is ok with me. Save money where you can and make it ok. See the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Recession hair

I have never experienced Black Friday although thru my Aunt who was a buyer for a big department store, i know how meaningful that day is! My kids grew up on military posts and the biggest "I want-need-want that!" years were overseas with little commercial influence. Now I am a grandparent (x5) and Oh, how different and fun this all is not being the Santa Claus! And this year I did lots of BF buying over the net....sales plus free shipping! I even have my new artificial tree up tho not decorated. Now, this artificial tree is almost a crime for me who delegated Hubby in charge of bringing in the fresh tree and to decorate it--on Christmas Eve! What a wonderful mad rush that all was! I think all my outdoor gardening has made this rather heartless transition to pretty but plastic easier and my bad-back guy just brought in a bottle of cedar spray to ease the tension of this less-mess "new". Guess we are getting delegated to the sidelines now, but still having great fun and have great memories.

I confess I have mixed feelings when I respond so positively to queries about soapstone. On one hand, I'm so pleased I followed my heart and instincts, did some research, and put it in my home that I'm eager to share encouraging info with people who are drawn to it. On the other hand, it's nice to have something that is different from what is in everyone else's house. Already, someone who went to look at our sunroom windows with our contractor came away dazzled and decided on a kitchen redo to include SS. Yeah!.....kinda.... I do like sharing my experience and delight with people on this forum, though. Seems the people who come here are really interested in learning about what will work in their kitchens and are investing their time in creating a special space. It's not so much a case of "I want what she has because she has it." I think SS will continue to grow more in popularity, but I don't think it will ever have the mass appeal that granite has had. I don't think it has the "Va Va Voom" that draws a lot of people to granite or the cachet that marble has. I'm happy that I got my slabs before it peaks,though, while there were still some to be had!

Anna, Figs almost seem to have personalities like people. Some varieties are slow to grow, need to be stimulated, while others are bursting with energy and grow like weeds. Then there's a particular tree of a known very vigorous variety that just has no energy or motivation to thrive no matter what we do to nurture it. As much as I like my fig trees, there are no freeloaders tolerated. If after a reasonable amount of time, and after every effort is made to help it along, if a tree is a poor grower, it gets discarded....hard to do, but what else is there to do? You do have to give such figs time, though, sometimes a few years. Baby figs are like baby anything. They need TLC. It's best to start training a fig tree when it is a baby. It's easier to just rub off a emerging growth you don't want than prune it away when it is 3' long. Remember too, a fig tree is not the most balanced looking tree even with the most careful training. They seem to have a mind of their own regarding where a growth will emerge. I go along with them to some degree, as long as they don't look too lopsided. Enjoy your figs! Moses