Count me in as one of the old timers; though, you wouldn't remember me and my post count belies how long I've been around. I started visiting the original boards in 200something.

Aimee, I don't know about the hospice situation where your fil lives. However, in my state hospice can be either in a facility or in the patient's home. Professionally and personally speaking I've seen both work very well as long as the patient and all family members were clear on what hospice would and would not do/treat. In general, hospice wants patients to be comfortable and in control of their lives/end of life decisions. The best hospice companies work with their patients. I'm very sorry to hear of your fil's decline. It's just so damn hard. ((((()))))

Faith, so sorry to hear of your dd's back injury. My system has had lots of medics through the years out on OJI for back or shoulder injuries, a shredded Achilles' tendon, and (in one rather memorable incident) a hernia. It's a hard, dangerous game; there's no doubt about it.

Yes. This is what makes (pre)eclampsia so dangerous. It can happen up to 3 months postpartum.

Like TammyS and others we have mandatory quiet time in the house every day. The olders (14 & 12) use the time for reading, catching up on work, or on-line classes (depending on the kid & the day). The middles (11 & 9) are usually in the living room reading/listening to an audiobook. The youngers (3 & 5) are in their rooms. Most of the time they'll sleep a bit, then play quietly; occasionally, they won't sleep at all, but will play quietly or listen to an audiobook. This quiet time is mainly for parental sanity. Dh and I won't give it up easily. :)

LOL! I, erm, pre-date the Cabbage Patch doll frenzy. I remember what we now call Black Friday being a day to watch a couple of games and going out to look at the stores' holiday displays. I don't recall a lot of wild shopping, though there might have been some.

If I couldn't finish out the basement (to include the bathroom) and divide it into teen space & dad space for whatever reason, I'd probably move one of the boys into the basement. Like Melinda, I'd scavenge bookcases, curtains, room dividers, etc to carve out a space and move my son's stuff down there. This way you still have the toys, foosball table, etc out of the way. Then I'd redesign the now empty bedroom into dh's space. I also agree with Danestress that I'd brainstorm with dh about what he wants. It might "ruin" the Christmas surprise; however, your dh will get what he envisions. You mentioned that one of your sons has anxiety and insomnia. Would the other son be OK moving to the basement? I know my ds14 would big puffy heart love (in a 14 yo boy way ;) ) a space like that!

Not only the the best of the best, but a certain type of soprano voice. Many an undergrad and grad voice student has really set back their training because of trying to sing that piece. I know a soprano who could sing that aria and sing it well; however, she prefers early music. She annually sends shivers down the spine every parishioner during a Mass on Good Friday when she effortlessly floats a high C (yes, *that* high C) in Allegri's "Misereri".

One of the standard collections of songs for singers is the "Twenty-four Italian Songs and Arias" collected by G.Schirmer. These are pitched as varying ranges. Don't let the title throw you; many beginning singers use this collection. Of course, Schubert Lieder are nice, too. Look for collections of arias. There are generally different levels of difficulty within any collection of songs. Oh, and don't let anyone talk you into 'The Queen of the Night' aria from Mozart's "The Magic Flute". Sopranos love this piece, but are rarely able to sing it well and can really hurt their voices. And that's why having a classically trained voice teacher is important. Do you have a university with a school or college of music nearby? There are almost always starving grad students (in voice) willing to give lessons.

Well, sure they do. The altos and bass/baritones just tune (HA!) them out, though. The sopranos are too high in the stratosphere to even deign to notice them...or anyone else. (I hope you read all this in the joking manner in which it's meant. We singers always enjoy a wee spot of inter-section teasing.)

No one takes tenors seriously. ;)

I can completely relate to Frank. My professional emails are brief and to the point. People know exactly what the email is about and what I need or want them to do. No fluff. Most of my colleagues appreciate that; some don't. Meh. Also, I recently had a male supervisor get on me about "yelling" to make my point during a mandatory continuing ed day at work. I was too bitchy, apparently. I looked at him and said that part of his job was to help maintain order and set a good example. So, talking over me and ignoring me when I was attempting to get everyone's attention was probably a poor example of leadership. I also told him that I was a classically trained singer and had no need of yelling. It was hard on the throat. I explained that I was projecting and he should learn the difference. Went over like a lead balloon, let me tell you. My (male) boss also happened to overhear the exchange and backed me.

I don't know. However, my dh has been known to say to especially recalcitrant CS reps, "Look, Ms/man, don't make me get my wife. You *really* want to work with me."

So....um...she was cheating on Jesus... With her father. Do I have that right?

Although your concern is certainly valid, where my aunt and dad/step-mom live (which is one of the areas Joanne is considering) that is not an issue.

We have HughesNet and have been happy with them. Two of my kids take online classes and we haven't had any connection issues, including this past week with all the storms we've had. I can't say anything about Exede as I've never even heard of them.

Joanne, Assuming you're still where I think you are, my dad and step-mom bought a townhouse right off the Main Street coming from the museum district and my aunt recently leased a condo just across from Miller Outdoor Theatre. They all LOVE the area and wouldn't move back to suburbia if you paid them. Sounds to me like you know what you want to do. ETA: my iPad won't let me write Main Street without the capital letters. I think you know the street of which I speak.

Ooohhh!!! Thank you very much. The soup sounds wonderful! And, as we're a family of eight, the servings are good, too.

Sorry you're having to throw out your soup. It would make me sick to do so, too. Would you mind sharing the recipe? I'm always looking to expand my soup repertoire.

We're good. All the rain up in my area (7"+) had the added "benefit" of finding new leaks in the roof we hadn't known of. One of our creeks is rushing; the other just has some standing water. We were thinking about taking the kids to Bullock Museum's Spooktacular tonight; alas, however, that's out as we can't risk not being able to drive back home. How are you?

On the 100th anniversary of the Galveston Hurricane KUT (Austin's NPR station) aired a special documentary entitled "No Tongue Can Tell It". It was a collection of recordings from survivors of the storm made from, if I remember correctly, the '30s through the '60s. The recordings were interspersed with excerpts from "Issac's Storm" and interviews with meteorologists and historians. It was phenomenal! Unfortunately, several years ago I tried to find an archived recording from both KUT and NPR only to be told that one was not available.

True, Chris, it isn't a given. However, how would a lay person be able to discern between an informed and uninformed source?

Yes, I'm an introvert with hermit like tendencies with 6 kids. Yes, I find being around lots of people, including my family, exhausting. How I deal with it: little kids in bed by 8-8:30; big kids put themselves to bed between 9-10; Dh ensures all electronics are corralled and put away/charging and that the older kids actually go to bed. I retire to my bedroom between 9-9:30. Obviously, I think the question about family size is moot in my case. :) I don't generally encourage TV. Computer time is strictly limited and we don't have video games. I do encourage finding something to do: Legos, puzzles, reading, going outside, etc. I don't think I'm a particularly creative thinker. I'm pretty practical; though perhaps not "by the book". I do work outside the home and, in fact, am the sole financial provider. My job can involve intense involvement in people's lives on a short term basis and it can wear on me (being around people for periods of times, not what I do, per se).

Unfortunately, that assumes your or any insurance company wants to pay out money. If insurance companies don't feel they should have to pay (whether legitimately or not), they will go through the subrogation process. The individual policy holders have no choice in the matter.

Of course. <sigh> Teenagers.