I have the answer!!! We have 3 indoor dogs and 4 indoor cats. We have all wood or tile floors which are historically covered in dust bunnies, or in our case dust bobcats due to their size, despite daily vacuuming. Generally we have bunnies within a couple hours of vacuuming. Before Christmas this year, I was fed up and desperate to get the hair under control before holiday house guests arrived. We've never done professional grooming (too much hassle and I'm too cheap), just washing the dogs at home in a tub or shower a few times a year when they got stinky, or occasionally having staff at work (vet hospital) wash them there. Well, I was desperate to cut down on the hair, so I brought home the turbo-super-duper hair dryer from work for a day. Washed all three and then blew them dry (while brushing them out) on the back deck. The hair dryer looks like this: http://www.amazon.com/Force-Commander-2-Speed-Dryer-Motor/dp/B00063KHPE/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1455559283&sr=8-15&keywords=dog+hair+dryer They are about $200, and the one at work is at least 20+ years old and runs like a champ, so hopefully current ones last similarly. Anyway, the thing blows warm air SUPER hard. You brush or comb (a cheap human brush with wide space plastic bristles works great) while you are blow drying. Then at the end, you can use a "slicker" brush to catch remaining loose hairs. VOILA. AMAZING. After doing that, shedding dropped by at least 80%. I could vacuum once a day and the house would look TIDY all the time! I'm buying one for home use as soon as the snow thaws. You do NOT want to use that sort of hair blower in your house. Really, truly, don't do it unless you want to destroy your house, as you'll end up with dog hair embedded in every light fixture, ceiling fan, etc. If you don't wan to do it at home yourself, take your dog to a great professional groomer . . . but that'll be 100 each time.

I'll just mention that you can keep yourself and your family safe from harm . . . while still being free to send money, order groceries to be delivered, etc, as much as you can afford and want to do. I don't think you are obligated to do anything for someone who has clearly caused you pain and has not been a part of your life for many years. But, that doesn't mean you can't, as an act of charity and/or simple familial duty, contribute to your mother's wellbeing when needed to whatever extent you can afford and feels right to you and your spouse. So, I'd just leave *that* thought on the table for you if it is ever needed. I do know one woman who ended up being the caregiver for her mom for about a decade, even had her in her home and provided intense hands-on care . . . even though the mom had been rather horrible to her in the past. Once dementia sets in, people can change a lot. This friend of mine was also the only child, and she found closure and meaning in her "new" relationship with her mom. Her mom appreciated her and showed her love that she hadn't when she was well. I personally can't imagine having done what my friend did. For a loving parent, yes, I did it, for sure. But I can't imagine doing that for a cold, rejecting, or hurtful parent. I just bring this up to point out that sometimes old age does bring changes that can be game changing. (((hugs))) Sounds like you have a great spouse and five kids. . . I personally think you've got your hands full and will for at least a decade or two . . . and I would NOT take on caring for your mom (or looking for your dad, for that matter) at least until those kids are up and out. They come first, and you don't have time or mental space to handle your parent(s)'s needs right now.

FWIW, I rode horses for several years as a teen. Even though I rode nearly daily, the relationship with the horse -- grooming, cleaning tack, snuggles, etc was more vital than the riding. If I were you, I'd do anything I could to help her keep the relationship with the horse for a while at least.

I'll just say that I've tried the OTC stuff, an OTC "kit", etc, and for my girls, it was fine. For my son, it was NOT sufficient. And, a single trip to the dermatologist (one co-pay) and a few deductibles at the pharmacy (including one pricey one), and my kid's face is no longer a scary mine field. I wish I'd done it sooner. I kept thinking that if he'd just wash twice a day and change his sheets more often, he'd be fine. But, really, his skin was a different animal. RX topical medications have made a world of difference. For my easier to manage girls, a simple face wash (Neutrogena grape fruit wash is our fave), a Clearasil benzoyl peroxide ointment, and basic good habits (twice washing every day) worked great. So, anyway, with kid #3, I'll definitely jump to the dermatologist sooner if the basics don't solve the problems.

Definitely just get another charger with USB port(s). You can never have too many! Search Car USB charger on Amazon for tons of choices under $10.

Am I the only person who thought you just had your new fancy bras delivered? LOL WTM code words get confusing!

You can do both. No problem. BUT, IMHO, although the zoo is great, it is just a zoo. There are zoos all over the place. I'd aim for the museums or federal buildings, whichever float your boat. (Personally, I'm not that into monuments, so I'd go to a few museums.)

We fly infrequently enough that I don't mind spending $$ at the airports for tasty junk like ice cream, pretzels, fast food, whatever, or I'll even pay $$ for the overpriced hummus&pretzels in the to go containers. Besides over paying for mediocre food at the airport, I usually just jam the carry-ons with an empty wide mouth bottle (to fill with ice + water and/or lemonade after getting though security), granola bars, dried fruit leathers, and candy. :)

Statistically, I think that money does buy happiness up to a certain point of comfort and security. I.e., being actually fairly poor and worrying about food/housing/health/college expenses actually makes it pretty hard to be happy. So, getting past that point, statistically, makes for more happiness. Statistically, I don't think more money beyond that makes people happier. Personally, I know plenty of people who are well off (say top 5% of income/wealth). Many of them are happy; many are not so happy. Some have crappy marriages, some have mean spirits, some work way too much, some are just not mentally well or stable enough to have solid marriages or have screwed up with their kids. Some are awesomely happy. I think some people are gonna' be unhappy no matter their wealth. If someone is mean, hateful, greedy, mentally unwell, etc, they are likely to have unstable and unhappy lives. Some people are just unhappy period, no matter their wealth or blessings. A few people are going to be happy *no matter what*. Those few rare souls can be happy despite all sorts of hardships, you know those people you read about who count their blessings when their kid dies . . . Other people, probably the large middle of us, self included, "have what it takes" to be happy, and they are going to be mostly happy if life doesn't get in their way. I'm really happy. I was happy when we struggled financially as young business owners, and I was happy when we were going-into-debt grad students, but I admit that having a good amount money makes lots of fun happy-making things easier and more commonplace in our lives, and I don't discount that. If I didn't think money made it easier to be happy, I probably wouldn't go to the effort I do to ensure we have money! The times when we've struggled financially were definitely less happy due to the strain of not knowing if we were going to be OK. Being relatively poor grad students didn't make me unhappy, because I wasn't *worried* about our future. I was fine then, but I knew we'd have more later. I didn't worry about not being able to take care of my kids or myself. Being actually worried about taking care of my family financially when we were a bit older but taking a lot of risks financially to start up our business, yeah, that was painful and was nearly an all consuming stressor. I'm glad that recession ended and we got our business launched successfully, lol. For some families, those hard times go on and on and on, and so it seems obvious to me that it'd be a lot harder to be happy in those circumstances.

Wow, that is really scary. I'm glad you and your dog are OK! All concerned are very fortunate you were there and could handle it so well. I can't imagine handling it any better. I doubt there are many people at all anywhere who could have down what you did. Nicely done. Your dog is extra lucky that you are his owner since I expect you'll be able to handle any fear issues that come up. I love that you hung out for a while after all that to "normalize" things. I wouldn't have thought of that in the moment, but it seems really smart. I hope everything goes OK with your dog. The pit's owner sounds like a "stand up guy" which makes me guess this is the first time such a thing has happened with his dog. These sorts of attacks can really come out of nowhere with certain breeds in particular. My dh, the vet, has had many sad moments in his career, but I think the most traumatizing for *him* was when he went in for an emergency case in which an owner's dog had attacked and mortally wounded their other dog . . . They'd been living peaceably together for years . . . She lost both of her dogs that night, the one that was killed by the other, and then had to decide to euthanize her long-time-beloved dog. (They had a small child in the house, too, so they weren't taking any more risks after such a gruesome and unpredicted incident.) I think it was a Weimaraner but it was years ago, so I might be remembering wrong. Following up on the s/o thread, I have to admit that dh loves his pit patients . . . but I've read enough and heard enough that I wouldn't personally allow a pit, a rottie, or a chow to live around my kids. The occasional exposure to a well known pet is one level of risk, but every day . . . nope. There are always risks with pets, but certain breeds definitely have a higher risk of seriously injuring people.

I'd video tape future episodes. Just video it continuously for several minutes, eliciting the slurred speech, etc. I'm surprised that no evidence is showing up on imaging. It could be the imaging isn't timed as needed or isn't the right imaging. Is she seeing a neurologist or just a GP? If she isn't seeing a neurologist, then that would be one step to take if you want more advanced testing. That said, I don't know that there is anything MORE they can do. Getting hard evidence of a stroke can help open doors to certain services (hospice in my mom's case), but if that's not on the table, I don't know that there is much more they can do. Presumably, if she has/had risk factors for strokes, they'd already be being treated (high blood pressure, etc.) I'd say go to a good geriatrician and/or neurologist and ask your questions. Make notes, take up lots of time, etc. I'd estimate my mom's neurology appointments lasted at least 30-45 min on average WITH the doctor in the room. I asked lots of questions and pushed for answers. I got them. He ran late. He lived through it. All that said, it is all too likely that there is not much more/different that can be done. Love your mom. Keep her safe. Take each day as it comes. Protect her now, anticipating decline before it happens. (((hugs)))

Me!! 1) My oldest hs'ed all the way through and is now doing great at college, on a GREAT National Merit Scholarship package. She's happy, she loves us, she has made great friends and is staying true to herself while exploring the world. 100% happy with our schooling journey. 2) My #2, now a Junior at home, has been the only one that i've questioned my wisdom continuing hs'ing into high school. Main struggles have been difficulty maintaining social/peer relationships in a community where the vast majority of hs'ers move to brick and mortar by high school and where the few remaining hs'ing into high school are mostly extreme Christians, which we are not. Also, he was more resistant to Mom-teaching as an adolescent. We've muddled through using online AP classes and with extensive involvement in a fabulous FIRST Robotics team and with volunteering with local environmental education projects. He's succeeding academically, learned to self-teach since he doesn't want mom to teach, is happy socially and with mentors, etc in Robotics, and he scores very well on tests such that we are expecting him to also be a National Merit Finalist, thus opening many doors to free or nearly free college on merit scholarships. 3) #3, 7th grade, is a delight and will be surely homeschooling through graduation. She's already able to self-teach high school level courses extremely independently, so much so that I get lonely sometimes. Some key benefits to continued homeschooling for our family: + Ability to pursue serious extra curriculars like serious music study and extensive involvement in Robotics, volunteer environmental work, etc. + Ability to travel extensively during the academic year. Even now that oldest is in college, we are glad to be able to schedule trips around just HER academic calendar, allowing for family travel at Fall and Spring break, etc. + Ability to pick and choose courses/content to meet the needs of the child. + Ability to carefully protect/guide a child who is struggling emotionally or psychologically during a bumpy adolescence or during a family crisis/death in family/etc. It is nice to be able to adjust, tweak, drop/add/delay courses, etc, without the risk of a messy academic record that might mess up college or scholarship prospects. I can adjust things without it looking odd on a transcript or requiring explanation.

Try glycerine suppositories?? They work quite nicely sometimes, but I've never dealt with a severely constipated child. Or a simple OTC enema if the suppositories don't work? The glycerine suppositories are very gentle and safe. If they don't work, I'd take her into the pediatrician no later than Monday morning, as the longer you wait, the worse things will be, and you could end up with a lot longer course of treatment and/or longer term problems. If your pediatrician has office hours on the weekend, I'd get her in tomorrow.

Linen sheets will last approximately eternity. I have several in my "spare sheets" pile that are at least 50 years old and are in *very* great shape. Likewise, I have linen table cloths that are at least 90 years old (several generations back, I know which family because they are monogrammed) and have been used, hot water washed, and bleached hundreds to thousands of times and are in excellent shape. Anyway, if you can get linen sheets, then that'll do you. If not linen, I'd just suggest buying 3 or so fitted sheets to match whatever flat/pillowcases you have/buy, and then accepting that the fitted sheets wear out faster. Back in the day, we let our dogs sleep in our bed, under the covers. We went through fitted sheets very fast, always tearing. I feel your pain.

You can call your trash company about getting a dumpster delivered to your house. You pay a delivery/pickup fee(s) and then a daily (or monthly) rate. We had to do that twice during recent renovations, and I think it was 200-400 each time, for a huge dumpster. If you do that, then you just need to hire a couple strong boys (or girls) for a half day to a day to follow your instructions on what to haul where. If you can get someone with a chain saw, sledge hammer, or reciprocating saw (best bet), then that would make dismantling items into smaller pieces a bit easier. Or if you are handy with tools, you can start taking things apart into pieces. You could do that ahead of time.

FWIW, my son wore a 30x32 as a thin 5'10" kid. He's still wearing them at 6'0 and they are high waters. He needs 30x34, but I haven't managed to drag him to a store. Just for comparison/general idea.

yes. Baking soda and a wet sponge also works well.

LOL, NO. I think those women are either in very weird marriages or are just buying time or don't even want it, but don't want to say that to your face. In your situation, I would not hold anything. I'd just say, "Well, talk to him and let me know right away, because I can't hold it. If I still haven't sold it by the time you get back to me, I'd be happy to sell it to you."

Meanwhile, try this website for cheaper pricing and coupons. :) Also, if a Safeway is near you, it sure looks like they have the best price on this drug! http://www.goodrx.com/intuniv I'm SO SORRY for this trouble. I hate insurance companies!

ps. Check out home depot's prefab granite counter tops with integrated sinks for bathrooms. Super economical and easy DIY if you have standard vanity sizes. Gel stain the vanities and add a new granite/sink top and faucet, all under $300 or so per bathroom for a cheap and substantial upgrade. :)

Give us a link to your realtor.com listing, and we'll make specific suggestions! :) I lived in NoVA for many years, so I'm pretty familiar with the market. Personally, I'd get a new realtor. 6 months is MORE than fair.

Yup. This is why we have had a modest but significant (125k IIRC) life insurance policy on me since the first kid was born. Mostly, dh would have always been fine without me long term, as he wouldn't have needed to support two of us in retirement, and anyway, I'm high maintenance, lol. BUT, when the kids are young, he'd have been up shit's creek without me taking care of them. Some $$ to easily hire a nanny for a few years as his life settled and he got a longer term child care plan in place would be critical. Now that the kids are past the age of needing a FT nanny and we have some liquid assets, we could drop my insurance, and we would if it weren't so cheap.

LOL. We have nearly 2 million dollars in life insurance on dh at the current time. As you say, everything is relative. We only *need* about 1 million right now, but due to the nature of life insurance not always being available later when you need more, we have that amount now. :) It's complicated. To me, 500k would be very small potatoes. Our life is complicated . . . I look at our life insurance right now as essentially "high end of retirement goal + kid/college money". So, if I think I need 1 million dollars to support me in retirement (for the rest of my life, that is a modest goal, IMHO), plus 500k to take 3 kids through our commitment towards college/grad school . . . That's 1.5 million. However much I don't yet have in cash-out-able assets (i.e., not our house), I need in insurance. Say I have only 300k in assets, that means I'd need 1.2 million in insurance. If you're only looking at insurance as "get me by for a few years so I'm not eating cat food until the kids are in college" that's a whole different thing. We're looking at it as "totally support my survivors for life" perspective . . . We'll need less insurance as our retirement assets grow, so we'll be scaling back over the next couple decades. By age 65+, we should be fine without any insurance, although we'll have a little (500k) until age 70.

For decency's sake, I'd have to insist he wore something over the crotch. I really think the risk of having an "incident" that could really, really disturb others is all too possible with a young teen boy . . . I'd be very frank talking about that, as I've never been a boy, but IME as a teen girl, teen boys have erections approximately 67 times a day with little predictability or control. I can't see how he could go out in leggings without that being a risk. And, to me, that is totally indecent if that happened out where kids/etc could see. So, I'd have a frank and uncomfortable chat with my son about *that*. Now, if he is confident that there is zero risk of him having a visible erection out and about in the world, then I'd let him wear them. If he agrees that there is any substantial risk of a visible erection, then he'd *have* to wear some shorts or skirt or something over the crotch. Whether it's a gender identity thing or just a preference or a way to get my goat or just really bad taste in clothes, whatever, I'd bite my tongue and "allow" my teen to go out in public looking like a fool, or like a girl, or like a boy in leggings, or whatever. I'd get over it. It's not *my* body, so as long as what he is doing isn't putting him in danger (i.e., if I lived in some crazy place where I was afraid he'd get beaten or arrested) or "assaulting" others with unwanted sexual visions, then I'd back off and get over it. Hopefully, he'd get over leggings soon, but if not, then hopefully I'd learn to like them.

LOL, granted. That said, our life/disability policies aren't intended just to take care of our kids. They are also intended to take care of the surviving spouse without expecting a significant change in work/income. If I could have gone to work and replaced (or near replaced, or even approached) dh's income, then that would be a reasonable option, I suppose. As it is, our life insurance costs are low relative to our income/budget, so it is a no brainer to have the insurance we have. It protects my and my kids' lifestyle against unexpected early death. Similarly, disability insurance protects our entire family's lifestyle against the risk of unexpected early disability of the breadwinner. And, as our means/assets/income have increased over the years, so has our expectation for being able to support our children into young adulthood. Our own parents helped us a lot in our educations, co-signing loans, gifts, etc, and we would like to do this for our own kids. So, those expectations also influence our expectations/definitions of for financial security.