Thanks for an interesting post Rick. I do not suffer from SAD and thankful that I don't, but I do know it is a serious problem for some people. If you are one of our MARCHers that suffer from this, please get the help you need. I am sure it is miserable to have this problem. Barbara

we are thinking about switching from cable to satellite. does anyone here have direct t.v. or the dish network? if so how do you like it? our cable bill is so darn high (over 100 bucks) and that is for the lowest tier digital package. thanks mj

The following information is from the Mayo Clinic website. Like many people, you may develop cabin fever during the winter months. Or you may find yourself eating more or sleeping more when the temperature drops and darkness falls earlier. While those are common and normal reactions to the changing seasons, people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) experience a much more serious reaction when summer shifts to fall and on to winter. With seasonal affective disorder, fall's short days and long nights may trigger feelings of depression, lethargy, fatigue and other problems. Don't brush this off as simply a case of the "winter blues" that you have to tough out on your own. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression, and it can severely impair your daily life. That said, treatment -- which may include light box therapy -- can help you successfully manage seasonal affective disorder. You don't have to dread the dawning of each fall or winter. Signs and symptoms Seasonal affective disorder is a cyclic, seasonal condition. This means that signs and symptoms usually come back and go away at the same times every year. Usually, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the warmer, sunnier days of spring and summer. But some people have the opposite pattern, developing seasonal affective disorder with the onset of spring or summer. In either case, problems may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses. Fall and winter SAD (winter depression) Symptoms of winter-onset seasonal affective disorder include: Depression Hopelessness Anxiety Loss of energy Social withdrawal Oversleeping Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates Weight gain Difficulty concentrating and processing information There are treatments available for this disorder including light therapy and medications for depression. I mainly deal with this issue by trying to get outside some during the daylights hours. I also try to stay busy in the evenings. I have some advantage in that I work shift work and usually work inside under brighter lighting and I have some time off during the daylight hours. More information is available on this condition at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195/DSECTION=1 Are you affected by this unique problem? Let us know how you deal with it. Life is great, Rick

Me and my girlfriend both drink soda and not always diet. We both are in terrible shape afterwards from the gas and pain. Sometimes, it takes about two days to get rid of the gas from 8 oz. of soda. Sometimes I have to have it and I usually drink it once per week. I don't know if it stretches your stomach or not but it is another treat I allow myself.

Well Marchers, We have all gained so much this year already! What's left to wish for? We're all good lookin, healthy and not obese anymore!!! But we have to wish for *something*! So what's on your Xmas list? 1. What are you asking for that you will probably get? 2. What would your dream Xmas Gift be? 3. What would you wish for if money were no object?