When I'm in the high desert, my heels crack even though I wear socks day and night, (so it's not UV light). When I'm in a more humid climate, the thick skin and cracking gradually reduce. Anything greasy helps. I use lanolin. I still have to scrape the thick callous off at least once a week when I'm in the high desert, or it will crack, grease or no. When I have a painful crack in my heel, what heals it quickly is to simply cover it with tape or a bandaid. I wash my feet, dry them (so the tape will stick), stuff a tiny bit of greasy stuff inside the crack, such as Chapstik or lanolin, and then put tape or a bandaid over it. Then I wear socks, of course. Within 8 hours it stops hurting, sometimes within 1 hour. Tape works even without stuffing a greasy dab in the crack, but not quite as quickly. Sometimes in the driest weather when cracks seem inevitable, I tape my heels preventively and it does work. My father used to get visibly thick cracked heels, in a humid climate in the US, but he never complained of them hurting, and i never saw him limp from it (so it's not only women, though it's true I've only ever had the discussion come up with woman friends or sisters).

I don't have wrinkles, yet; probably because I'm too plump for them to show! LOL As for the chins, and grey/thinning hair - that's me! And inside I am still 17. I have always loved, LOVED jewelry, any and all jewelry. I have a gypsy's soul and a magpie's love of the sparkly. A crystal to hang in the window, or a diamond on my finger...they make me equally happy. In my early years, I could not afford the types or amounts of jewelry I wanted. It was the 70s, and I was very happy with macramé bracelets, beads, and faux scrimshaw earrings. Still, I loved jewels and gold and sparkles. I certainly wasn't jewelry impoverished; I just felt as though I was. I had (and still have) a lovely amethyst ring from Grandma; a green-faced gold Seiko watch, a pair of pearl studs, a sterling charm bracelet, and a pearl pendant necklace. At age 27 I joined the Air Force and finally had the freedom and income to enjoy more "girly" things. I bought gold stud earrings, since we could wear them with our uniforms, a pair of diamond-cut gold dangle earrings (that I have worn every Christmas since 1984) a gold bangle bracelet and a couple vintage rings. I love them. After years of working and living in areas with more resale shops, I accumulated lots of shiny things, new and vintage, real and faux, many of which have now been shared with nieces and younger friends. I still have my favorites...a collection of costume jewelry brooches, "good" earrings, and a knotted/beaded Swarovski bracelet that has just the right amount (too much!) sparkle. Mom recently gave me her diamond stud earrings. I was speechless; I had always wanted diamond earrings but wouldn't buy them for myself. I thought they should be a gift from "a sweetheart." I was wrong; nothing can match the charm of diamond earrings from your Mom while she enjoys you wearing them. Wes has spoiled me with more "real" jewelry, three rings, an 18k gold chain and cartouche from one of his stints in one of the desert wars, and the freedom to look for vintage treasures as I like. I'd much rather have a vintage, well-loved piece of jewelry, real or costume, than the new items I see in the stores. I look at my well-used, worn, red, ashy hands and think, what a beautiful ring...it would have shown better on my "young" hands, but it still makes my "old" hands and eyes happy. And when a niece admires it with a magpie glint in her eye I will take it off and give it to her. Let her young hands enjoy it now. HeeHee, I know Santa Wes is giving me a pair of vintage late-40s, 14k gold, amethyst (my birthstone) and emerald (his birthstone) earrings for Christmas. I helped choose them, but I can't see or touch them until Christmas morning.

OH NO!!!! I am a business woman FIRST....I am not CRABBY; However; I am a PERFECTIONIST.... I EXPECT things to done right the first time! I tell you once.. that's the way it is........I have thought the plan out and it WILL go that way. Do not ask WHY? You will benefit...."good things come to those who wait!" Suggestions are welcome...don't be offended if they are not accepted. AB

Carla,, to answer your first question,"why did I warn her to pull the jars she had opened?", At the time I was not feeling particularly vindictive. I figured just the public embarassment of being caught in the act and facing both the store manager and their security probably would have been sufficient to convince her not to repeat the act in future, and if she was to actually pay for the items she opened it would be sufficient restitution... Now in regards to how much of the product that was removed from the shelves, I have no way of knowing because that took place after Jan & I left the store. Our Walmart store is less than 2 miles from our house and sad as I am to admit it, Jan & I probably go there 3 to 4 times a week, sometimes just to browse the store and basically duck the heat for a bit...LOL. On one of our subsequent trips to the store I once again ran into the manager, who tossed me a quick thumbs up when he saw me,,,LOL.. He and I talked a moment and I asked him what legal action they could have taken? I said that since she did not leave the store with any unpaid items it was not shoplifting or petite theft so what action could they take? He said, "you may remember a few years ago when they had a lot of problem with ppl tampering with over the counter meds by putting poison in some of them?" "Yes, I remember there was a problem with Tylenol and a couple other products" He said that as a result of that activity nearly all states have passed very strict laws about "Product Tampering". According to the manager when that womans case went to araignment court the next morning she fooishly pled guilty, no doubt thinking it is not a big deal. But the Judge took it real serious. He sentenced her to 5 yrs, suspended but she has to participate in a probation program for that 5 yrs and if she doesn't meet the probation rules she will have to serve the remaining sentence. In addition, she was ordered to pay a restitution to the store equal to the cost of all products that were subsequently removed from the shelf and she has a permanent restraining order prohibiting her from entering that Walmart store.