Kev, we should have followed your example last Sunday. Instead, DH and I made the 2nd of 3 attempts to make the 13-hour drive South to visit my family. The 3 dogs and 2 cats that like to travel go w/ us, and it's usually loads of fun - yeah, we're crazy, I know. We went 55 miles on a major Interstate, saw about 20 cars off the road, and I made an executive decision to turn around. White out conditions, w/ the highway patrol saying roads were "extremely hazardous," and towing services were prohibited(!?). The 114 miles took us 3 hours, and Iowa's roads were reported to be just as bad. The day before, 2"-3" of snow were forecast in MN, Iowa, and Missouri, so we postponed the trip. Then Monday, Iowa's roads were still a mess. Christmas day, I flew down, leaving DH w/ the critters 'cause it was too late to board the dogs. Nice snow pix, Scott. Also the ponies. Friends in PA have the little ones, and we got to hold a brand new foal one time. I didn't notice - do they have puppy breath? Have fun running amuck in Palm Springs. Tuezday, growing up, I wanted to be a horse and broke an arm trying to roll on a barrel the way they do. We were city kids, and all my allowance $$ went to a riding stable. Later, my sisters and I got to take riding lessons from a guy who'd trained horses for the Cavalry and had a high school act. Heaven. Whitecat8

For the last seven years I've done contract design work for the BOTOX® therapeutic division of Allergan, the company that makes BOTOX®. There are two divisions, Cosmetic (wrinkles and such) and Neurosciences (therapeutic). At my last count there were 118 medical uses including dystonia, eyelid spasms, excessive sweating, migraines, back problems and more. So much more than erasing a frown line. Jodi-

I am getting close to 50 and the biggest change I've noticed is my feet. I keep them well moisturized and do my nails same as always, but the foot itself looks bonier and thinner-skinned and just old. My toes even look longer. I wear sandals 9 months a year so this is hitting me where it hurts. I have had good luck with my skin, which I attribute to wearing SPF 15 every day since age 24 and not smoking. I just started to get a line between my eyebrows this year, even though I am a big scowl-er due and squint-er due to poor vision. I do wish I paid more attention to my manicure, but I don't. I buff smooth every Sunday night and leave it at that unless I am going to a special event. I think updating eyeglasses and shoes is important for me to feel my best. I am hunting for new frames now and always on the lookout for comfy shoes that don't read "old". Some funky/casual styles that gals with smaller feet can get away with look like orthopedic shoes on my size 10s. Others' responses remind me that I need to drink more water and sweat sometimes. My DDs are makeup hobbyists and they really like TooFaced, but it hadn't occurred to me to try it. Hearing that the lipstick lasts may send me rummaging through their stashes--pale lips are my genetics and I hate them!

I can definitely run errands and go workout and grocery shopping without makeup. I would not go to work without makeup. I am fortunate that my family genetically has good skin and doesn't wrinkle very much although now that I am in my 50's and menopausal I do notice some changes that have me a little concerned. I'm just overall less confident in my appearance. I don't know what I will do. Would I ever consider a filler or botox? After reading about it here, maybe. Oh well, I'm really too busy at work to even think about it. I am due for the dermatologist in May for my annual checkup and I'll maybe see how I am feeling about it then. We had someone interviewing for a faculty position, and I don't think she was wearing makeup. Of course, she was in her early 30's and naturally beautiful and confident and very tall, but I thought this was pretty cool.