Russ, (about the earring and tie) yer right, I was a craven coward! Avoiding the responsibilities of (legal) marriage til the age of 41 can do that to you! I simply thought I would NEVER tie the knot. Got along so well with several live-in exes, I figured I made a better "best friend" than husband. To my shock (I almost passed out!) Heather proposed to me on about our third day together, and something in my head said, "Yeah! This is right." Boy it sure was. Luckiest day of my life.

Hey Spaw, I think (other than the pipe) I'm a lot like Jim. He knew she was makin' a good move!

Wesley, I had an experience SOMETHING like yours. My mother once cornered me and said (about the gorgeous charasmatic woman I was living with at the time) "Rick, be careful...she wants to change you...A LOT!" At the time I didn't recognize it, but oh boy was Mom right.

Rick