A beautiful moment in your life, Mugsy. If only everyone could……….

You’re absolutely right about the maintenance part. I’m 81, he’s 83. If he hasn’t learned it yet, it may be hopeless, but I’m hopelessly optimistic!!! If he doesn’t cooperate, I may just resurrect Ann Landers’ wet noodle and get after him!

Bella Mia, my heart goes out to your friend. She is in a heartbreaking situation. The emotional factor will impact every decision. Hopefully she has a supportive family and many friends who will help and show compassion while doing so. One room at a time - done with sensitivity and common sense decisions. God bless your friend.

Eureka! I organized our garage - just finished this week. Being my husband’s domain, it was extremely cluttered. We had plenty of storage, but nothing was in it - it was basically on it (two workbenches) or piled beside it. With hubby’s permission to “touch his stuff”, I took one section at a time. I thought one side a day could be completed. I was wrong. It took a lot longer than anticipated. After two trips to Goodwill and three trips to the curb, all was neat. I completed the project by putting an area rug down at the entry leading into the house, placed a comfortable wicker chair and small table there and skirted my laundry tub. Probably nobody else gives a whit, but every time I come in that entrance, it cheers my heart. Viva organization! A great feeling of accomplishment and time well spent.

Botox already! When will you ladies learn to love yourselves? I know, I know - living under the microscope of the public eye. Very difficult. I read an article in the newspaper about a lady in S. America who holds the world record for cosmetic surgery. Would you believe 46? And the doctor who performs these delightful procedures on her is her husband. When I read about her latest surgery - the threads and wires behind her ears going up to the temple area , it fairly made me ill. But with 46 procedures/surgeries, she must be renewed from stem to stern. Different strokes for different folks. None of the above for me.

My all time favorite is Phantom of the Opera. The music is so haunting - it fills my soul. Our eight year old great-grandson can sing the songs from that musical with all the appropriate expressions, so I’m thrilled that that appreciation will continue on in our family. We live close to a major Performing Arts Center and are blessed to be able to attend regularly.

A friend of mine always jokes that chocolate is a vegetable because it’s made from a bean. I wish!

Suzanne, that is really heartbreaking. Reading is my favorite pastime (outside of this website). I will definitely check her book out. If an individual does want to have surgery done, checking the doctor’s background is key. Thanks for your input - I always enjoy your posts.

You have to reach WAY BACK to remember this song, but it goes like this: “No, no, a thousand times no, I’d rather die than say yes.” That’s the way I feel about botox, face lifts, tummy tucks, breast implants, etc. I will finish my life with the hand I was dealt. Case in point: Has anyone seen Priscilla Presley on Dancing with the Stars? A true beauty, poor job from a doctor from Hell. Still, if she wasn’t there, it wouldn’t have happened. Being in the public eye brings tremendous pressure. As for myself, I consider myself truly blessed - excellent health, for which I am truly grateful. Thank God and leave well enough alone. There is nothing wrong with growing old gracefully. I love this verse by Karle Wilson Baker: Let me grow lovely, growing old - So many fine things do: Laces, and ivory and gold, And silks need not be new; And there is healing in old trees, Old streets a glamour hold; Why may not I, as well as these, Grow lovely, growing old?

I would like to be Mother Theresa. Because of her work with the poor and unfortunate, she is surely a woman to be respected, revered and admired. Nothing on the mythical yet. When I get that far, I will post again.

I was the youngest of five children and raised in a home surrounded by unconditional love. My father passed away when I was 22. I loved him dearly, but my mother was the love of my life. To me, she was the dearest mother in the world. As I became an adult, she became my best friend. She went to heaven in 1964 and I miss her still - I guess I always will. I always thought my parents and my family life were the norm, but realize now that that was not the case. I was tremendously blessed.

Jan, Dear One, my heart goes out to you. I never realized so many children were sexually abused. I cannot think of anything more horrific for a child to have to suffer. How men can be such animals is beyond my understanding. I am truly sorry that any child would have to endure such pain and it seems like you read about it all the time. It seems to be getting worse and all the child pornography on the web only adds fuel to the fire. Your sister must adore you. Your name has been put on my prayer list.

GV, Thanks for the memories. Some that I recall were tree camps and underground camps in the woods behind our house. And a blanket over the dining room table made a fantastic secret hiding place. We had a swimming pool and everyday in the summer, the neighborhood children joined us at 1:00. Those were the days. The children nowadays miss so much. (We had two girls and two boys.)

Mouse, Dear One, do you have to wait til Earth Hour?

Thanks, GV. I have such delightful memories, too. We should write a book!