I read articles about ebola every day - they come across my google news feed.

You might want to watch Under Our Skin, too. :) It does a good job explaining some of the denial. Hmmmm, it's been a while since I've seen it, might have to pull it off the shelf and watch again.

It's intense, isn't it? I cried my way through the first viewing, but have seen it a few more times since. It's amazing that it's on Netflix now, and readily available for all to see. I'm so glad about that. Haven't seen the sequel yet, but looking forward to it. Sadly, I don't really feel we've come a long way since it was made - I think there's a lot more awareness, but I'd like to see more changes from the IDSA, obviously. (Yep, I do some cussing when I see the IDSA docs, too!)

What makes you say there is a media black out? I read about ebola every day, so am genuinely confused by your choice of words.

I have been reading this thread, and there are so many, many great ideas, there's not much for me to add. But I wanted to say that your comment about the level and the protractor for the Christmas tree made me :lol: . In a good way. I could see that happening here years ago. If I were you, I'd be making a special, silly ornament for DH - one involving a level and a protractor. I'd give it to him as a joke, and that would be the opening to talk about how *not* to go there again. But that would work here - DH and I have weird senses of humor, and it would make us laugh. It would also be a great reminder each time we looked at the tree. But you know your DH, and I don't - so if it would cause friction, don't do it. Here, DH works from home. And we homeschool. And we're a one car family. So we are together all. the. time. It took some adjustment. We get out as a family a lot, so getting out every day for fun might help. We invite friends over frequently. Also, time out for your DH and/or you alone is a must. ...and, I just want to add that lots of teA for the holidays will keep mom & dad happier and more relaxed, too. Maybe there's a way you could devise a revised "holiday schedule" for the kids, together? Something that keeps your 5 year old on track and comfortable, and something that works for both you and DH? Oh, and I'm all for paper plates or whatever might make the time easier. Any short cuts to keeping everyone happy, during stressful times - well worth it!

Yes, be aware that Infectious Disease docs are not always the best option. Mine was missed by two of them. :( It sounds wrong to say an ID doc isn't always the way to go, but they often have a different take on Lyme. Watch Under Our Skin on Netflix, for some background. It's ... Complicated and political. And patients are suffering as a result. Rather than an ID, you might consider finding an LLMD.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. We redid our cabinets and they are beautiful. Now we are doing this to our kitchen chairs, but in different colors.

My SIL made these one year (slightly different version) and we love them! We have a big kit and a little kit and they are soooo much fun! Great family gift! She gave it to us along with a book about a snowman. :)

We're not doing that type of advent calendar this year, but in the past, I've written it on (or printed and cut out) little slips of paper and rolled them like tiny scrolls, tied with ribbon. If you want something more permanent, maybe you could get some little wooden shapes at the craft store and write on those? They make tiny stars and trees, you could paint those, then use a fine point sharpie to write on them. Just a thought, I've never seen this done.

Oh, yes. The kids from the first marriage!

If they were his biological children, would you be asking? Are you leaving out any other children? If all relatives children are invited, it would be odd to leave these out. Adoption means they are his children. (Stepparent adoption is no different from adoption by a couple that is unrelated to a child, it is as legal, and has the same ramifications - a new family is created.) Good luck with the reunion planning, and I hope it's a success!

What a happy story!

The kids decorated the Christmas tree. The house is sparkly clean. DH took DS to a doc appt that I was dreading attending (because it's dark and rainy and cold, and like a dummy I scheduled an appt during peak rush hour, oops!). DH is my hero. New relatives. :)

We have a Gotz baby and a Bitty Baby. Those are the only babies we have, and I'm not a doll girl, so I don't have much comparison, but DD (3 yrs) loves them both. The Gotz baby came first and while it's been adored, Bitty Baby has been the bigger hit only because she looks like DD. From what I can tell, they are both quality dolls and will last. Their clothes are interchangeable, which is nice. Have fun shopping!

:grouphug: The Lyme life is so tough. And we have to be aware, always, that symptoms can come back, that there's not a real way to be sure it's gone. I can't imagine watching a child go through treatment for chronic Lyme and co's. My heart just aches for all of you Moms of Lymies. Yes, I am much, much better but will always have "souvenirs" due to being undiagnosed/untreated for 20 years. I was treated for Lyme, Babesia (Microti and Duncani), Bartonella, Erlichiosis, Colorado Tick Fever (viral, but went chronic), chronic Salmonella (also transmitted by ticks), parasites, and ... there were 2 more chronic infections but I'm blanking them out right now. For the most part, we've got it all under control - it took almost 5 years on abx though, with lots of cycling through different combos. Now I am dealing with the Fry bug. Protomyxzoa Rheumatica and hypercoagulation. As a result of Lyme & friends, I have Addison's Disease now, Hashimoto's, POTS, sortof a constellation of related diagnoses. Plus, trigeminal neuralgia episodes that are excruciating. And I've had recurring C. Diff because I was not vigilant with taking S. Boulardii during treatment (I can't stress the importance of S. Boulardii enough to anyone treating long-term!). All of this is better than the state I was in pre-diagnosis, though, and the prognosis I'd received from 2 neurologists, a rheumatologist and a bunch of other specialist docs who missed what was going on. I am grateful every day for my LLMD! I hope your current LLMD is a good fit. I got so lucky with mine, and our whole family adores her. She's treated everyone in our family, at this point, and not just for Lyme. (Have you noticed that LLMDs are simply the most excellent, open-minded diagnosticians around? Something about continually challenging themselves, maybe?)

Beautifully said, Lizzie. And... :grouphug: . I didn't know you were treating yourself now, too.

:grouphug: I was a horse kid. Only now do I appreciate the agony my parents must have felt at times.

Happy Birthday to another coffee lover!!!!! ...Is this why they gave you the Keurig? How sweet! Happy day!

What's on your kids' lists? Anything funny? DD (3) has asked Santa to bring her a paper airplane. :lol: She also asked for a pink camera, so at least the elves have something substantial to work on, in the workshop. I once knew a boy who asked for coal. He loves the sparkles and the colors contained in it. Yes, he grew up to be an artist. Any other interesting requests this year?

Yes, they are. I liked your post out of sympathy for your son, not that I like that he has Lyme. Just making sure you know. To the OP, one small comment more: in the weeks/months/years that follow your son's Lyme treatment, please don't ever accept the words "Post Lyme Syndrome" ... continued or recurring symptoms mean the infection has been inadequately treated. LD is trickier to treat than most docs think, and there is an art to it. I know you said he has a great med team, but ... many of us did, and yet here we are, posting in every Lyme thread, trying to make sure no one goes through what we did/our families did. I hope the doxy does wonders for him, and that he has a speedy recovery with no symptoms ever again!

I could have written your post. :) 10 year old DS here, with lots of fun stuff already purchased, I could easily be done - he will love it all. But he's got a small wish list (3 items), and on it was a Playmobil set that looks like a lot of fun. I wanted him to have a toy, so I added that on, just yesterday. His other gifts are fun, but not necessarily what he'll consider a toy. My thinking is that this may be the last year he asks for Playmobil. He's growing up. And I'm all for play. (Just an FYI, I did get the other 2 items on his list, but they were pretty small). So, yes, in your shoes, I'd choose something from his list and add it in (or save back some of the other items, to preserve the budget). If the playmobil pieces get lots of play, and it won't break the bank, go with that.

We are all on different diets. DS is peanut, tree nut, sesame, wheat and dairy free, also free of all raw foods due to OAS. His anaphylactic allergies trump everyone else, and we don't keep those items in the house. The items to which he's allergic but not ana, we keep/cook for others. I am Celiac, allergic to shellfish, spinach and eggs. DH is basically paleo. DD can eat anything. Meals that we cook for the family are okay for everyone. If someone wants an addition that another can eat, we plan so it can be added at mealtime, to that person's meal. So if DD wants a wheat cracker with a meal, or dairy added to something, we do it during mealtime. Same for DH and me. We cook mostly from scratch, with a few convenience allergy-friendly foods thrown in here and there (GF breads, for one, because I have never mastered baking GF bread).

Yes. :) We gave 10 year old DS concert tickets last year. The concert wasn't till June. He was thrilled. It wasn't his only gift, but it was a big part of his Christmas.

I like the look you're describing, and from what I can see of your avatar - it looks great on you. Keep it. :) It's your style. I'm all for aging hippies. And I like long hair on older women. I've always had short hair, but would totally go long if I could pull it off.

Poor kiddo! A scorpion got me on the back of the head once - it was on the headrest in my car. I drove DH's car for months after that! I hope your guy isn't scared of bed tonight.