Hi, Thanks for letting me know, although I don't know what I can do. Any ideas? Actually, I've had different ways of getting your messages, Melissa. Sometimes they have >in front of every line, sometimes there are spaces between each line for awhile, and then it is done right, and this time I wonder if I missed something. You said, "Am I missing anything? (specifically notes. Many days I suspect I am missing brain matter. . ." Either you or I are missing that brain matter, or something is missing before (specifically notes - I don't get it! I've had one really disgusting pump, and the adapter case was missing, plus the pump case was full of other assorted junk. I picked it up from the husband, opened it and said "Wow, this thing is really dirty!" Then I noticed the case was missing and so put the $20 deposit back in my pocket and told him I'd give it to him when they found the case and returned it. That was months ago. That one made me decide that I had to start giving more explicit written instructions about returing a clean pump or else, although I know it says something on the back of the yellow page. Of course I haven't got to that yet. I won't go without the deposit, though. People want that $20 back so they'll bring it back when they're done,rather than let it sit around and bring it back late and not pay for extra days they've had it out. Without the deposit, I could really see that happening. Of course if theywant to steal it, the 20 is a bargain. One customertold me that a doctor'soffice charges 100 for a deposit now after losing one. I figure that is what the loss waiver fee is for. I have no substations officially, although my partner has been one for months now, really, until we are set up. I am waiting for the papers to get everything turned over to the business from me. I don't see substations here. We have our office, and each of our three homes and that covers quite a space, plus everybody expects to come to Portland for stuff anyway, and there are pumps available outside our working area. Did you see the ILCA Globe? What about the conflict of interest with selling? I cannot count the times I have counselled women NOT to buy something they don't need. A doctor brought this up to us also, as a potential conflict that others may perceive. Who else is going to rent and sell? The pharmacy that rents a pump and tells the mother to go to the hardware store and get a certain piece of tubing to go with it? This really happened, and the mother suffered for a long time with a bf problem, which directly affected her ability to fix the problem, until finally she found my partner and got set up properly. Should I refer to a new doula service in town that advertises that they are studying to become IBCLCs and makes it seem like they already are? One has amaster's in marketing andtheother is a psychiatric nurse - no bf experience until recent months. In my opinion the only people selling and renting bf equipment are the people who know how to use it and are able to work with the mother from start to finish. Let's hear it for the assumption of a little integrity, although we all know there are people everywhere in every profession who abuse their position. Melissa, did I just get on a soapbox? Paula -------FORWARD, Original message follows------- Date: FROM: ID: Subject: still half message? -------FORWARD, End of original message-------