Hi Pam I went to vanguard.com and got a mutual fund. I don't have any money - but that's where I'm keeping the money for my 2nd PS since the home equity loan all came at the same time. I can get to it if I need it, but it's far enough away that I dont "see" it and won;t spend it. Plus, it's earning interest until time for the 2nd surgery. Good luck! Sharyn PS - wish I could get a raise - or a sugar daddy.

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is so WONDERFUL!!! I'm so happy for you!!! Pam

Pam, I know absolutely NOTHING about money! I hope you get some good ideas, maybe I could learn something. Wendy

Kerri, I'm so saddened to hear about what happened to your second cousin. Suicide is so difficult on everyone who loves that person. When i was in high school, one of my girlfriends commited suicide at the age of 16. She had just gotten into an arguement with her parents. They told her to do the dishes - and she didn't want to. Her parents told her that if she didn't do the dishes, they wouldn't give her a ride to karate. My friend ran away (really she was still on her family's property, hiding in a duck blind). They found her the next morning, having shot herself in the head with one of her father's guns. It was very tragic. She was so popular and involved in sports and other activities. Seemed like she had everything going for her and she had it all. It was over in an instant. And over what? No one ever saw that coming. Practically the entire town went to her prayers. Open casket. I remember kneeling beside her casket and being completely shocked by seeing the repaired hole in her temple. I just kept looking at her face, staring at her chest, waiting for just one sign that she was still in there - but she wasn't. What she did was forever. It made a very lasting impression on me. Just a couple of years later, another friend of mine commited suicide. He was only 20 years old. A couple of days before, he and i were talking in the break room at work. He brought his boom box in and played a song for me - he asked me if I liked it. I told him it was beautiful. He said "I'm going to play this song for Dianna and then ask her to marry me. I'm gonna get her a ring with my next paycheck." He was so happy and in love. Just a few days later, he found out that she was having an affair with our boss. He was so crushed. He drank a quart of motor oil and died a slow and very painful death. It was horrifying. He was such a sweet boy. I know that because I loved both of these people, I often wondered if there was a sign i should have picked up on. Did I miss a cue? Should I have known and somehow been able to prevent it from happening? I'll never know. I do know, no matter how unreasonable, I felt a certain measure of guilt. In both of these instances, everyone who loved them felt guilty. For some, it was so overwhelming and hard to accept that they wanted to place blame anywhere but on themselves - to find a way to relieve themselves of the guilt. They didn't realize what they were doing. They were just all struggling with the pain. In the end, pointing fingers didn't amount to anything. Their loved one made a decision and didn't include anyone else in the decision making. What was done was done. I, too, am very thankful for the life God has given me. I have five children - four of which are teens. I pray for them every single day and I am so thankful for every second that they are safe - especially after any struggles. I sincerly hope your family is able to find peace and healing. I will be praying for them all. You included. Lots of love and hugs, Pam

Hi Wendy! YAY!!! You made it to ONEderland. It's your last stop in reaching the 100's. Now don't go down to the 90's. I don't know what they call that. That's a very nice Thanksgiving gift to yourself! Way To Go! I am so happy and proud of you. Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday! Hugs and Love, Lucy