In an article by Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer, I learned that Designer influence is seeping into condo housing.

The Armani brand, in this case, was chosen for its muscular values. According to Arthur Gallego, the publicist for the marketer SHVO. "We knew it would attract a primarily male clientele," he says, "and Armani's very masculine palette was a good match."

As a single lady, I love condo living. I own the inside. Everything on the outside is the responsibility of the Condo Association, and I'm part of that too. For a nominal monthly fee, snow is shoveled, grass is cut, and exterior maintenance is shared by 28 units.

We are in a two-building gated complex in a small town. Each unit has its own garage. I know most of my neighbors by their first names. We meet twice a year to take care of business. The summer meeting is an outdoor picnic. The winter meeting is in the community room at a local restaurant.

I just picked up the mail and newspapers for Tom and Dorothy, next door, while they went on vacation. They will do the same for me. Linda is the single lady who lives above me. She keeps the bird feeders in the yard filled. Bonnie lives behind me. Sometimes people knock on my door, looking for her unit. It's cleverly hidden on the west side of the complex.

Since I have only one outside wall, my heating costs are low. (This is not a bad thing if you live in Wisconsin.)

We talk and visit, but no one is intrusive. We watch out for each other. Isn't that what life is all about?