We don't have the cushion any more. We had it ... then we lost it.

Absolutely. That gave us the extra cushion we needed. That was a tribute to how our guys can swing the bats.

The market remains very tight. There is a thin cushion of spare capacity. And the market keeps wanting to grow, even with these prices. Demand keeps going up, and there's the problem.

It's a magical start. It kind of gives me a nice little cushion there. If I just surf loose and get another result or two, then everything's lined up real good for the start of the year.

There's a cushion but it doesn't prevent the fall. It eases the pain but it's not the same as having the stability of a successful company.

Those goals were huge, especially Aiello?s first goal of the year. We were kind of on our heels, and he gave us the two-goal cushion again.

That was the difference in the game. They gave the starters a cushion at the start of the fourth quarter. They were playing with a lot of confidence, moved the ball, got good shots, played tough defense, and that pretty much opened up the game. So the starters got back in and put it away.

Mentally it always helps tremendously to get the jump right away. Of course, that helps the pitcher out too, knowing that she has a little cushion to work with.

The frog started to loosen last week and shed during the gallop, ... the cushion between the two heels on the foot that is like a shock absorber. It?s the first thing that meets the ground.

You never want to get comfortable. But we have a good cushion that, if we slip up once, we can still hold on to our spot.