Memory Foam Matress

Jerry Novick says:

I actually had – yes had – the same problem. I finally went to Bed, Bath & Beyond where they have a very large selection of pillows. I ended up going with a hard “show” pillow as the base and a medium grade pillow on top. I like to be propped up, so this is working for me. My suggestion is this – sleep is extremely important, so don't cheap out on your pillow or your bed. You don't need frivolous bells and whistles, unless you like that sort of thing on your bed, but you do need maximum comfort. Don't be shy about taking the pillow from the pillow department over to the bedding department and laying down on the demo bed.
As for the down – I'm allergic too, so I feel Chris' pain while still seeing your side of things. Perhaps there is a special hypoallergenic sealing cover that can go on a down pillow (before the pillowcase) that blocks the down allergen. If BB&B doesn't have something like that, an internet search may turn something up. Or invent one and become The Pillow Guy, with infomercials on late night TV.

Jen Black says:

Apparently, the curse of the awkward first was something you passed down to me. While I was a bit less naive thanks to our 5th grade “girls in this room, boys in the that room” pre pubescent pep talk, I was armed with a little bit of knowledge and a box full of feminine hygeine products. From thick to thin, long to short, winged and not, Crawford Central armed us with an absorbant arsenal primed to combat mother nature's monthly visitor.

Of course this arsenal doesn't amount to a hill of beans if a. the box is collecting dust under your bed. Though in fairness, it's not like you can carry a box of maxis in various sizes around your neck like a cigarette girl b. you practiced with one, realized how ridiculously uncomfortable it was, but then decided they might make an interesting collage on the wall between your bed and dresser; especially convenient with their own adhesive (it didn't last long, mom) and c. you're not home to remove a piece of said wall art for more practical purposes.

I was eleven. It was the day before my first day of sixth grade when it happened. I was at Mason's while Mom and Dad were at work when I went into the bathroom and discovered that the cramps I'd been feeling weren't from whatever it was I'd eaten for breakfast but in fact Mother Nature slipped her monthly gift down my chimney. I really hope she's not Santa's stand in because frankly, she gives crappy gifts…non returnable!

Speaking of crap, I think that's what I muttered to myself as I blinked back tears. I had to suck it up and ask Gay (yep, her real name…I couldn't make that one up) if she had a pad. Standing awkwardly with my knees together in her tiny family room bathroom, I waited for what seemed to be an eternity for her to return with some supplies. I say supplies because in that moment I felt I needed my arsenal! Instead what I received was a tampon about the thickness of a pepperoni. It looked huge in my eleven year old hand and I remember staring at it for a second and then looking up at Gay…then looking back at this behemoth in my hand…then looking back at Gay with my mouth open. All I could manage to mutter was, “But I'm eleven,” and I think I dropped it on the ground.

Thankfully, she managed to find a maxi pad that was definitely more my speed, despite being the thickness of pillow top mattress. I spent the rest of my day miserable and walking around like John Wayne when I actually felt like walking at all.

If I remember correctly I started crying the minute I saw Mom (and Mom you might be able to jump in here) and said exasperated, “I STARTED MY PERIOD!” Mom gave me the “well, hello to you too” look before it melted into sympathy for my plight. I'm sure I got ice cream or something that night in addition to my very own box of maxi pads.

…and that is the curse of my awkward first. Thanks Mom.