Mary J P

I have a 2004 Ford Escape with approximately 120,000 miles. The car has done very well, except last year it started having the following issue in warmer weather. When I start the car in 65 + degree weather, it turns over and then won't continue running. It does this repeatedly when I try to start it again. When it cools down outside, it will start again. Someone suggested opening up the gas tank for a few moments, closing it, then starting the car. I have had good success with this on most occasions. What is going on? Any idea what it might cost to fix the issue? Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Our home needs a new roof very badly as there are several leaks. We also have a dormer window that more or less juts out of the middle of the roof. It is an odd shape (5 corners, I think) and looks terribly dated with a 1950's awning we also plan to remove. We would like to somehow change the shape of the dormer into perhaps an eyebrow dormer if possible. The chimney also needs some masonry work as we have found pieces of brick in our driveway. What kind of professional do I need to seek out to do all of the above or do I need various professionals?

A friend of mine who is 29 completed chemo for breast cancer in March and just completed radiation treatments about a month ago. She has been avoiding foods with fiber as she says it tears up her stomach and she passes what she states is "undigested" food when she has a bowel movement after consuming lettuce or other high fiber foods (sorry for the graphic description). My thought is that she is likely more sensitive to higher fiber foods after her treatments and needs to slowly introduce them to get her body more used to them. Her typical diet is not at all healthy (frequently processed foods, fast food, pizza, etc.) and I fear this is another reason for her not to try to eat healthier foods as it makes her feel uncomfortable. Has anyone else experienced similar issues after chemo and if so, any thoughts on how to resolve this issue would be appreciated.

Our poor dog has had two toenails removed by our vet due to the above. Other toenails look as though they are going in the same direction. I do not think this is due to an injury, as all of his toenails look questionable. The vet prescribed ketoconazole, which I think is for what she thinks is a fungal infection. I have not noticed any changes since he has been taking the meds (1 week) and I think it is likely he will eventually lose all his nails. This has been traumatic to our dog and he has begun having accidents in the house, likely because it has been too painful for him to go outside to do his business (we have ordered booties and are awaiting their arrival). Any thoughts/suggestions? Help!

I believe our house is made of cedar. The woodpeckers have made a hole in the side of our house and now there are birds living in there and "tweet tweeting" all the time. 1) What is a good way to keep woodpeckers away, and 2) How do I get these things out of the side of the house so I can have the hole fixed?

Must pay $9.99/yr. after the first year for first responders to access your info via phone or internet. Is this overkill?

We have 2 small children and an aging dog. Our current carpet needs to be replaced and I heard that carpet squares may be a good option in high traffic areas, and especially if any area becomes stained.

Does anyone have experience with this? If a good option, would purchasing extra squares be wise? Do they peel and come up at the corners with wear?

Thanks in advance

We are traveling from Rockford with a final destination in Ohio the Friday of Labor Day weekend. It is about 1 hour from our house to O'Hare. If we leave at 4 AM will we miss most of the really bad AM traffic? Also, is it best to stay on I-90 during this time?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Lately I have been going through every piece of mail and shredding any junk mail with my name and address on it, including ripping the labels off of magazines, catalogs, etc. prior to throwing them away or putting them in the recycle bin. Is it worth it to do this to prevent identity theft or am I wasting my time?

The remodeling project will include double sinks w/ granite counter tops, tile on floor and in shower, upscale faucets/shower head, new toilet, etc. We are not sparing much for expense and I think it will look great, I just wonder if it will look as nice to other potential buyers down the road without a tub.

I'm talking clean, not wholly underwear. Is this appropriate and/or accepted?

My family from Ohio is considering driving to see me in Rockford on July 4th. They will likely travel on I-90/The Skyway. Chicago traffic always stinks, but is there a specific time they should avoid traveling along that route due to activities in the city on that date? I would imagine they would leave Cleveland early in the AM and come thru Chicago around 12:00 or 1:00 PM. Would it be better to seek another route altogether? Thanks in advance for the input.

My husband is turning 40 this year and I wanted to get him an upscale watch. I am just beginning my research on this, so I have limited knowledge about specifics for watches. He has mentioned he likes Tag Heuer watches, and especially Breitling watches. From what little I know about Breitling, I am sure I would not be able to afford them. I am looking to spend about $1000 - $1500.

FYI, he swims and is training for triathlons, so I am thinking something sporty that he might be able to use. Can anyone make recommendations and also speak of the different types of movement (i.e., quartz and whatever else is out there for precision time keeping)?

Finally, is it best to buy from an aurthorized dealer or can I get away with purchasing from amazon or overstock.com. What art the advantages to a dealer? Thanks in advance for any info.

We have 2 daughters who have names that start with "J" and would like to continue to the trend if we have another girl. I'm leaning toward Jocelyn but would like input about Jacqueline also.

Middle name options for either name are:

Claire

Elise or Elyse

Faith

Thanks for the input!

Jolie ( I like the spelling but don't like that it would be associated w/ Angelina Jolie -- she's OK but that is not why I would like to name my daughter this name).

Joley

Joalie

Joleigh

Jolee

Joely (although I'm worried people would think it was pronounced "Jo-elly")

Any other ideas are welcome, thanks!

Does anyone know if Mary Poppins is one of the characters we might see at Disney World? We will be at the MK one day during the week before Easter. My 2.5 year old daughter loves her!

We are going 3/16-3/23. Any suggestions for a family beach location for a day trip?

Also, do they begin security checks before the gates to the park actually open? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks much.