Can Gordon Brown do that? (she says shocked that a non-aristocrat had that much pull with the Royals) I’ve always thought that Charles should abdicate to his son William after his so public second marriage. How silly that sounds…I don’t even follow much about the Royal Family. I think knowing that Princess Diana died on my birthday has kind of spooked me over the years, and I take note. CA

Kris, I love the Chihuly works in the Bellagio as well. Before those were installed he had an exhibit here in Scottsdale, AZ, and have been in awe ever since. Have you ever seen the PBS Documentary on the Chihuly pieces shown on the canals in Venice, Italy…Exceptional! I don’t know the link to find it, but maybe someone here on WoW does. Help! CA

Dona, We are doing a seven-day MEX RIV cruise out of LA. I think this is 16 cruises between the two of us, and like you we loved all but one of them. We have done this cruise several times. It only stops in Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Villarta, but we are going on a ship we have never seen before…that makes it an adventure. We planned it last June and picked a short one because 2010 will be QM’s 80th B-Day and we are planning on taking a 14-15 day cruise to celebrate. She isn’t sure she will be healthy enough to do anymore after that point, and wants to hit as many new ports as possible. We are leaning towards a Miami to San Diego Trans-Canal trip which will make our flight home very short. We both are like you…love cruising and love dressing up for dinner. We are so silly. We buy new evening gowns every year…as if we might be seen by someone in the same dress twice! LOL, CA

I agree Dona. When I mentioned my designers they were my ‘fantasy’ ideals…never being able to afford them except in an occasional high-end resale shop. I rarely go ‘out’ and shop. I shop on line for absolutely everything. After years of buying from the same sources I know what I order will always fit. QM (mom) and I have been in a shopping frenzy for a couple months in preparation for our cruise in April. In that environment we always dress ‘up.’ I don’t remember where I read it, but somewhere someone commented that if you wanted to be noticed as stylish, always dress one step up from what would be the norm and you will always be well dressed for any occasion. Oh shoot! I still have shoes and purses to match my outfits, wear or carry gloves, and am not afraid of hats, fashionable scarves, and tasteful jewelry. I think I am showing my age. CA

Chihuly currently has an incredible display of his work in the Phoenix (AZ) Desert Botanical Garden. They are beautiful in daylight and even more impressive when viewed lit at night amongst the desert flora. I will be sad when the exhibit moves on, and can’t imagine seeing it in a more beautiful setting. CA

I agree..let’s give Joan her dues! One of my fav’s is BALZAC at the Art Institute of Chicago. Thanks for the link. CA

Coco Chanel, Carolina Herrera and Valentino.

Where to start…Rembrandt, Marc Chagall (his stained glass is exceptional), Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and, Auguste Rodin, Giacometti, Calder(sculptors), and ditto on Ansel Adams (photographer). Lastly, my father-painter, sculptor and photographer, whose work lives on in my heart and mind and adorns the walls of churches and homes. CA

Yes and he hated it…we’ve been divorced over 20 yrs. CA

I use the Cancer Survivors Network to communicate with other survivors and their families and friends. Other than that, I have a large network of friends from around the world with whom I communicate with weekly or even daily. My male Navajo friend is my ‘brother’ and still calls me ‘sister,’ and my female friend in Taiwan remains ‘dear sister’ in all commuinications. That works well for me. CA

I don’t own an Apple anything, no MP3 player to my name. I think the original iPod Shuffle looks sturdier and would more than meet my needs. Small is nice, but I still break a bluetooth earpiece about everyother month trying to put it on to use with my cell phone. I still own vinyl and a turn-table, along with cassettes & CD’s etc. I don’t really want to tune out the world with the ease a MP3 players presents. I like hearing the world…not just the world I choose, but the whole darn mess. I like real paper books and newspapers. I must be old. CA

Diana, Thank you for the link. It was very informative and a good read. I agree…’it’s a start’, and a long time coming. CA

Have we all forgotten who sold the arms to Iraq and its dictator to fight against Iran? Opps! It was Donald Rumsfeld in that photo shaking hands with the Dictator on behalf of the United States. CA

Sharon, et al, I would like to add that I served MY country in the U.S. Army for 17 years. CA

‘you will be one of the ones getting slaughtered here in your own country…’

Sharon Jones, My dear, am I to understand that YOU are threatening me for my beliefs in the country that my family has lived in since before the Revolutionary War? Shame on you, Sharon! CA