By NICOLE HUTCHESON, St. Petersburg Times

My grandma told me a lot of things growing up, including never wear black stockings with white shoes, go out of the house in pajamas or bother your husband until at least 20 minutes after he gets home from work.

I'd like to think these lessons in beauty and, er, love served me right through the years.

The other tidbit from grandma: Use a silk pillowcase!

He was a guest on a local radio show, then interviewed on a Chicago radio show. That's after making appearances on local NBC, Fox and CBS news shows.

But Steve Valdez, an armless man who was unable to cash a check at Bank of America because he had no account there and could not provide a thumbprint, said he wasn't interested in the media attention he received Wednesday.

With the Environmental Protection Agency announcing stricter emissions rules for boat engines, lawn mowers and weed trimmers, some are grappling with just what the new rules will mean to them.Lawn care companies are worried about what the changes will cost them, while eco-friendly residents are eagerly anticipating the stricter guidelines.

It was one of those things you hate to hear. The dreaded two words that will forever stick to me like a double stack of buckwheat pancakes: maternity capris.The terror.

When Porcher Harris decided she wanted to breastfeed, her mother gave her a breast pump and her support.What she couldn't give the new Tampa, Fla., mom was advice. Harris' mother, Maxine, had never breastfed."She said the women in her day didn't think about breastfeeding," said Harris, 27, who is black and breastfeeds her 5-month-old daughter.

Travel in your future?If so, expect to shell out some extra bucks if you intend to check a bag. Some airline carriers are either charging for checked bags or have plans to do so. Charges are $15 for one bag, $25 for two.So what's an already cash-strapped traveler to do?Learn how to carry on correctly.