Thank you! What kind of hoop closures do they have? Dh likes hoops!

Do you have a favorite website that shows what the earrings look like in someone's ear? Even though many have dimensions, it's hard for me to judge whether the size would appeal to me without seeing the earring in someone's ear. I've watched lots of video clips at hsn and qvc, but there are few on those sites that appeal to me. I'm pretty conservative in my jewelry tastes --- at least so far, lol! Maybe after I get used to them I'll get more adventuresome!

I'm willing to maintain these new piercings, but I wonder if I'm in for more work than I'd anticipated. I was poking around on the internet, learning about different kinds of clasps, etc, and found some advice that you should NOT sleep in earrings (after the initial 6-wk healing period) because they can hold moisture/bacteria against your skin and it should air out at night. I kind of had in mind that I'd have a nice everyday pair to wear almost all the time, not unlike my wedding ring set and the gold chain I never remove (and I never have to look for!) I am conscious of the piercing studs I now have in when I lie on my side, but I just adjust my pillow so the earlobe hangs off a little. What do YOU do? After the initial healing period, do you worry about embedded earrings and backs? If I do have a pair to wear (almost) all the time, what kind of back is safe/comfortable? I purchased a pair with screw on backs, but those backs are so tiny I wonder if I'd have to continually check them to make sure they didn't get embedded. I saw some hinged hoops that were advertised as convenient because you don't have to worry with the little backs and you can put them on one-handed. They look like they might be more comfortable since there's no pointy part exposed when they're closed. Since I'm allergic to nickel and will want to buy gold ($$$), I want to know what to expect and how to care for the few pair I'm likely to own. Thank you!

Dd and I had our ears pierced last week. She selected 3mm birthstone studs. She convinced me I needed something larger because hers were so tiny. I went with 5mm cz studs. As soon as the piercing was complete, I noticed that they seemed to droop from my ears. The consultant said that was because they were new piercings. Could that be the reason? Or are they too heavy for my ears? (Maybe my skin is saggy at my age!) I keep looking at them and wondering if they're too heavy, even though I know I shouldn't change them for six weeks. Will they heal droopy? They look like they're perfectly placed, not too close to the edge of the ear, if that makes any difference. And maybe I'm unfairly comparing to my dd's and her tiny young ears. Mine are large and always stuck out. :glare: Any thoughts?

This sounds really lovely. The Mexican tile was installed 20+ years ago. I wonder if I could find a color that would coordinate ... The living room carpet is dusty powder blue plush -- solid. I'll update you after I go window shopping!

We're almost ready to move into my parents' old home. Now that Dad has moved out, we see some damage caused by a washing machine overflow. The wall behind it (backing up to the dining room) is black with mold. Unfortunately, it spread to the dining room wall and carpet in one small area. Ugh. Another expense. We have carpenters who will remove/replace/treat the sheetrock and now we have to think about the floor. The dining room is separated from the kitchen (Mexican clay tiles) by a door. It flows into the living room (carpet) but is differentiated by a single step. Can we get away with *only* changing the flooring in the dining room? Any suggestions on a transition from a traditional carpeted formal living room to the rustic look of Mexican tiles in the kitchen? Double ugh. I wish it were in our budget to change all three to ceramic tiles or wood flooring ... I've suggested doing something "cheap" that we can replace later, but dh doesn't want to have to replace it again before long. tia

We received so many precious things. Two that come immediately to mind: A door knocker engraved with our last name. A hurricane lamp with oil.

I have a Sony e-reader (LOVE it for the free classics available online!) and I know some libraries belong to a service that allows members to borrow/download books digitally. Our local library does not participate. Can I join another library system (I assume for a fee)? Can I convince my local library to participate?

I mean, for instance, if Mom has special earrings (pearl or diamond maybe), does she allow her daughters to wear those on a special occasion? Or is it a bad idea to share pierced earrings? Just curious since dd and I have decided to get our ears pierced together! (At 44, I wonder if I'll be the oldest first-timer!)

This is her first "job."

Today our dd put on her new uniform and headed to the local hospital for her summer volunteer job. She was so nervous/excited, she couldn't sleep last night and only sipped hot tea for breakfast. Dd is a shy but polite young lady and I thought a volunteer job would be a good experience to help build her esteem and prepare her for future jobs and college applications. I also assumed her presence would be appreciated and she would be treated well. I was wrong. After the four-hour shift, she walked silently to the car before bursting into tears. I know I'm only hearing one side of the story. But her side goes something like this: The volunteer coordinator led her and the other volunteers to their stations. Dd wasn't working with any other volunteers but was left at a cubby where the dept hospital workers came and went. A woman gave dd something to do (not quite sure what it was) and then noted that dd wasn't doing it right. She said, aloud to other workers in dd's hearing, "I don't know where they get these volunteers. They sure aren't like they used to be!" Instead of helping dd to understand, she took that job from her and said, "Here, count these spoons. We need 100 in each bunch." Or something along those lines. This ignoring alternating with disdain continued through the morning. I know my dd pretty well. She struggles with math and she is shy, but she is not incompetent. She works with the children in SS at church, helps with a bread delivery ministry, does chores around the house, and is eager to please. She attended school for several years, performed in dance and piano recitals, and sometimes made honor roll. She may not have been doing the job right, but she would have if she'd known what to do. Belittling her made her more insecure and frustrated. When we got home, she retreated to her bedroom (after a short explanation) and asked to be alone for a while. Dh later took her out for a smoothie and she's watching a movie. Her new uniform is crumpled on the floor and she says she's not going back. I said I'm sorry she had a rotten day, but that's all I've offered so far. I don't blame her for feeling this way! Other teens are hanging out with friends or glued to their video games and she wanted to volunteer her summer. Knowing her personality, I can't imagine how difficult it will be for her to overcome her nervousness now! I'm tempted to contact the volunteer services coordinator and ask that she be assigned to another area and supervised by someone more helpful. But I don't want to interfere . . . . OTOH, wouldn't that be better than their losing a volunteer and not knowing why? Help! I want to give her wings, but today she fell. :confused:

You know, the ironic thing is, I *did* have opportunity handed to me. I was given 30 sem. hrs credit when I started college. I took classes in computer programming and accounting before settling on an English major (I was interested in everything). I was in such a hurry to get out of school, I graduated in 3 years. My scholarships would have covered 4! I could have doubled! I could have kept the computers or accounting *with* English and philosophy! My accounting and programming friends had jobs lined up before graduation!

Dh and I have undergraduate degrees in the liberal arts from private colleges and had no college debt when we married (hooray for scholarships!) However, within a year of earning those degrees we discovered we needed more education (or a skill) to obtain a job with a paying-your-living-expenses salary. We've been paying on dh's grad loans for years and added mine to the monthly bills in March. I *LOVE* the *idea* of a liberal arts education but I wish we'd had some other means of making a living as well. I do not know the answer for my own children, but I've watched relatives mortgage their homes to send their sons/daughters off to good schools for the whole college experience. Some spent 2-3 years wasting(?) time and money and didn't finish! Now they're working in mall stores or doing delivery (nothing wrong with that, but they didn't need years of college!), making peanuts and struggling with debt and young family expenses. They financially would have done better to go to a trade school and had some earning power earlier. I *hope* I can figure out a way for my dc to have both (but I adjust my expectations continually since I have 2 exceptional dc.) One thing I know: we've lived meagerly on one income for years and now I'm trying to supplement part-time. We will not be able to finance our dc's higher education, but we can provide their room and board (here) while they work part-time and attend cc or a state university. One or two (of our five) may be eligible for scholarships . . . We are NOT willing to go into debt for their schooling. If we had greater resources, we'd be happy to help, but NOT by increasing our debt.

I measured our space and it wouldn't fit. :glare:

For the past couple of days I've had allergy symptoms (runny nose). This morning I awakened with sharp tooth pain on one side (sinus swelling must be affecting tooth nerves) and thick yellow mucus. I am miserable! Is this a wait-it-out or see the dr? Any recommendations for the best otc meds for this pain?

We'll be moving to my childhood home this summer. Because Dad has moved out, we can move in before we fix up our current house to sell. We don't have to move everything because Dad has left some of the furniture he didn't need and that we could use. All the bedrooms in our current home need new carpet, and every room needs paint touch-up. If we move everything out, the carpet installation will be less expensive. I've heard, however, that a home shows better if it still has furniture. We could leave beds/desks in a couple bedrooms, tables/chairs in the dining area, and a sofa in the family room. Would empty and fresh show better? Or with minimal furniture and we pay the extra to fix up around the stuff? tia

I love that one!

I ADORE tea (the drinking kind, lol!) What a lovely gift! I'm enjoying looking at the photo!

http://www.treadmilldoctor.com/Elliptical-Review-Brand-Index

I called the SPCA and found a low-cost clinic ($8 for rabies vax -- required -- and $12.50 for heartworm test). What a relief! I know we need to prevent fleas since our infestation last year was awful. And heartworms are a concern in our area. I'll check to see what the cost is at this clinic or see if I can get a scrip from them. I appreciate your input!

I am not wanting to start a fight. I love my dogs. I want to take care of them. But our budget is tight and we are trying desperately to get out of debt. We are trying to stretch every food dollar and buy everything used/clearance . . . I went yesterday to purchase the dogs' flea/heartworm prevention medicine. I figure the cost will be nearly $200. But we got our tax refund, so we're good. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten they were due their check-ups last month. I can't get the medicine until they've had their heartworm check. I understand this. I want to do what's right. So I make the appointments to take them in. It will be $215 per dog. Ouch. This covers rabies, parvo, distemper, and the heartworm check. Maybe something else -- I was figuring in my head and stopped paying attention. Now the bill we're facing is over $600. Do my dogs need all this? They live in and out of our house -- fenced in yard that backs up to neighbors' fenced in yards. There are gray squirrels and birds around . . . Is there any discounted way to care for dogs? Should I shop around? Can I put off any of these vaccinations? I do not mean to neglect them. I'm borrowing from Peter to pay Paul and trying to figure out what is necessary and what is reasonable. I'm trying to pay our dental bills and just found out my student loan is due NOW (I was hoping to defer until I finished school but didn't get into the last class I needed this term . . . ) Our oven works when it wants to and the washer is hit-or-miss. I was waiting for the tax refund to make these repairs and get caught up a little . . . Please be gentle. :(

Sigh . . . :blushing:

she has a job interview this week. The pink has faded significantly, but is still visible. Should we try a hair color removal product? Or re-dye with her normal color? (The job application says "conservative hairstyles" are required and she really wants the job!)

but it doesn't *feel* like it's in the ear. It feels like it's behind my nose. The popping reminds me of the sound of something suddenly draining (even though I have no noticeable mucous) and each "pop" is associate with a brief, sudden and sharp pain. The headache is dull, all across the forehead, and lasts for days . . . The sharp sudden pangs are what I'd really like to relieve/prevent! Thanks!

Spring brings the sinus headache. I'm used to the pressure, but what is up with the sensation that something is "popping" in my head? My nose is not running. I can breathe. I just can't *think*. What kind of medication do I take for this?