We use Thorne products. DS (8 yrs old) takes Thorne Basic Detox Nutrients. He takes 6 caps per day max, which is half an adult dose. Some days I only give him 3, just depends on, IDK, my mood, his symptoms? Our doc recommended these - DH and I take them, too. We order from Amazon.

My LLMD has done quite a bit of genetic testing due to the way I have responded (or not responded) to treating co-infections to Lyme. Some blood draws, some swabs. Most was covered because she is cost conscious, but once in a while she uses a specialty lab. If your DD has certain gene mutations, it can impact what treatments are best for her Lyme - or rather, what treatments will work best for her body as she treats the Lyme et al. As you treat her Lyme, don't forget to request more co-infection testing. While those tests may have been negative, something new can show up. Babesia Duncani did not show up for me till we'd fully treated Microti. LLMD finds that's not uncommon. But, overall, my genetic tests showed I was a rotten person to catch the Lyme buggies. Oh! And has she been tested for hypercoagulation? Big one there, in the Lyme world.

So many great ideas here! I haven't much to add, but wanted to reiterate Parrothead's idea of cooperative projects so the kiddos have to learn to get along. That was the first thing that popped into my head. Some kind of Sister Boot Camp - make it fun, put them in a position to depend on each other, help them laugh together. I don't have kids that close in age, so maybe I'm just dreaming, but it's what I kept thinking. Separating them makes sense, too, as a first measure, when things are at a crisis point, but at some point, giving them tasks that they must complete together might help. I'm thinking a Sister Scavenger Hunt, that kind of thing. For the tantrums... I have a DS who is 8, and he had issues with tantrums till not too long ago. For him, there was a physical cause - a med - that we didn't recognize. He also gets very cranky when his asthma is acting up. Food is a big thing, too, like Mrs. Mungo mentioned. So we worked hard on removing all the physical triggers, then we had to tackle the behaviors he'd learned while on the med that caused issues (he had learned that tantrums got attention, and he really didn't know another way to handle his anger). We read this book together and worked through the exercises. I worked it right into school time. It helped to give DS tools to manage his feelings, and to recognize when he needed to use them. It's been maybe 18 months now, and our lives have changed dramatically for the better.

Audrey ... Bravo!

It's a tough situation. Avoiding the drama would be tricky. DH thinks there could be fear that he is trying to ... I don't know, become part of the unit or that he wants something from them... When I think all he wants is to look at someone who looks like him, and maybe get to know them - like an extended family member, at best - like the 3rd cousin once removed one might see once in a while, if that makes sense. OP, didn't mean to hijack!

(Oops! Posted too soon.) Oh dear. The above is exactly DH's fear, re: his full siblings. He understands why some might feel that way, though. That, and his efforts to respect his birthparents' wishes keep him silent.

DH and I talk about this often. He has recently learned that he has many, as in more than 3, full siblings. He is (would be) the eldest of many. The siblings don't have a clue he exists. He is respecting the privacy of his birthparents, because that's the type of person he is. I can see the pain though, and the longing to reach out. Really, when does this story become his? In some ways, it still feels like it is his birthparents' story - their secret. DH is in his 40s. He has 3 awesome kids, an amazing career, he is a great person. That's because of his family, his real family, the one that raised him - but he sure would like the opportunity to connect with these birth relatives. Any of them. It would mean so much. So... All that to say that if you were to reach out to someone like my DH - he'd be thrilled! I think, since you know this person is looking, you have your "in." Just do it. :) At some point, this becomes your story, your half-sibling's story, and it moves beyond your father. (I like the idea of including an out, too, and letting them know that you are okay if they don't want contact. Being clear with yourself on your reasons for wanting contact is a good idea, too, just for yourself.

What a great idea! What about some furry fabric, too? Have you seen Being Elmo? It's on Netflix, and at the beginning there's a section about his growing up and making monsters. Might be some ideas in that section - it's been a long time since I watched, but that might give you some ideas, too.

Ooooh, this is good - thank you! We are ready to start baking, and I have been cruising the King Arthur Flour gluten-free recipes, but it's so much better when I know a real life person has tried these recipes! (As opposed to a test kitchen!)

You can watch Netflix or Hulu Plus, and I think the navigation is easier. Podasts - we watch nightly news on ours, it's free. All of your music, movies, shows from the cloud. DS uses it to watch home videos he makes with our iPhones and iPad. We use the photo stream option a lot. We rent videos from itunes. We don't have cable, only our Apple TV. :)

Didn't see this one mentioned: Brooks Bros. DH loves them, and they are so easy to iron!

Are we in the same area?! I have called several dance studios in our relatively small town and have had the same reaction. We could drive closer to DC for something, I'm sure, but that's really prohibitive at this point. You're not alone in this experience!

Silly to post this, but a while ago I posted that we were considering Balsam Hill for a new tree. I was nervous after reading some online reviews. After the replies here, I bit the bullet and ordered our tree. It's here, it's assembled and decorated - and we love it. Thanks to all who responded on that post, and especially to the person who had, I think, 4 of BH's trees. It was so helpful!

Your work in progress that you are taking along... It will go a long way if it is the type of work you sell. People love to see the artist at work. :) One thing I can say, for sure, is it's a turn off (to many) to read in your booth. Or play on the phone/iPad. That's not to say people don't do it, just that it's one thing that many people find irritating at worst, or just uninterested at best. Also, I always found it helpful to introduce people to my work. If you say something like, "Let me know if you have questions," they tend to say, "Ok," and that's the end of it. And you've closed the door to further conversation - it feels awkward after that. But if you ask, "Have you seen my work before?" ... It leads to a discussion about your work, what makes it special, your unique process, etc. Then they get more interested, and if there is a personal connection they are more likely to want to take a piece of it home. Some of what you are selling is a small piece of yourself. There is more to your work than the piece itself. I could really write volumes about this, but connecting with customers in a non-obnoxious (not hanging over them) way is at the top of the list. BTW, I was raised in the art/craft show world, and after college I was a self-supporting artist in the show world for many, many years. My Mom, in her 70s, still does 30 of the top juried shows in the country. She is a firecracker of a metal sculptor. I was a clay sculptor, and did 36 - 38 shows per year. It was hard work! But worth it. Take a cooler with lots of water. And if you have kiddos along, a fort under a table is a great place for them to read, play with little toys, etc. Blankets and pillows under there make it even better. Ditto the advice on making sure everything is clearly priced. Oh! And... as mundane as this sounds... Signs are great for pricing. And on a sign, one can include something like, "Ornaments $8 or 3 for $15." It is amazing how a small price cut for buying in multiples will drive people to buy more. Suddenly, they will be pulling out their Christmas list and thinking, "Bus driver, teacher, etc." If you are personalizing items, I can offer tons of experience from trial and error on that one, too. But this has gotten way too long already!

Not sure about the apps, but iPod Touch has a camera and the Nano does not. Just one more difference to consider.

I'm not there yet, haven't BTDT, but will be someday. I don't see that it will be a big deal, any more so than having teens at any point in life. :) (And I have had teens, either as foster kids or as a stepmom, from the time I was 26 till just last year. I have lots of teen experience!) I promise I'm not trying to be flip, or to dismiss your concerns. Personally, I don't do the aging by numbers. My parents don't either. They subscribe to the notion that a body in motion stays in motion, and they are very young, well into their 70s. I plan to live the same way. My 30s were lost to a chronic illness that shouldn't have been chronic, and I am all about my 40s. 50s, too! Take care of yourself, stay healthy, watch your finances, and I think there's no such thing as being "too old" to parent.

We do a Christmas Tree Campout the night we decorate the tree. Sleeping bags on floor near the tree, hot cocoa and s'mores.

Yep. No problems here. :) Thanks, OP!

Funny, we just opened an account - for the same purpose. DH did the research, not me, but thus far we've been happy. However, it's been less than a week. :)

I don't love to cook, DH is our resident chef, but it's super easy to mix up dijon mustard and honey (even portions) and pour that over boneless chicken breast before baking. We also do something similar with yogurt and apricot preserves - I think there's more yogurt than preserves in that one, but just mix it up, pour it over the chicken then bake. I do blackened chicken a lot, too. And throw chicken and bbq sauce in the crockpot...

Funny, I was thinking of posting the same thing! Do we have the same dog? No health issues here either, so I am considering a higher quality dog food. Will be watching for more ideas!

That sounds like the Mediterranean Diet that my doc reccomends for detox. If you google Meditteranean Diet, there should be lots of resources, aside from the great ideas you've already gotten here.

We don't go to homes with cats. Last time we did, DS ended up hospitalized due to allergy induced asthma. It means we don't visit my mother, but she graciously comes to us, and even keeps a separate set of clothes here to avoid bringing in cat dander. Can you explain to your family that it's not just a runny nose allergy, but that it triggers her asthma?

Thanks for all your thoughts on this. I spoke to the doc, and will be getting in to see the neuro for a work up ASAP.

Hoping for some clarity while waiting on a call back from the doc. Can someone offer some ideas about what this might have been? DH thinks it was a seizure, and I have no idea. Also, any insight into how to handle it differently would be welcome. I awoke in the night with an odd sensation - like intense heat radiating from my spine, at the top of my back. It slowly spread all along my spine, and it was very, very hot. Shortly after that, all of my limbs began to tingle intensely, and burn. At the same time, I began to smell something odd. Shortly after that I became nauseas. Honestly, I had no idea what was happening, but felt that it might be an allergic reaction to (somewhat) new medication I'm taking. Last night was only the second night I'd taken it right before bed, but I have taken it in the past in the mornings. DH woke up (baby cried, I was trying not to wake him), and I told him what was happening. It was intensifying as we talked, and he went to get some Benadryl, thinking I might be getting hives. I went into the bathroom while he was gone, and looked in the mirror - aaack! I looked like a tomato. Every inch of my body was bright red and burning. Like a sunburn from the inside out. DH arrived with the Benadryl right as I was heading to the floor, so he eased me onto the floor. I *thought* I was going to pass out, as I have a history of passing out (this would not be the first time DH dealt with me on the floor in the night!)... But rather than passing out, I sort of went in and out of consciousness, and was vaguely aware of DH talking to me, in and out. I couldn't take the Benadryl, obviously, and could feel my blood pressure dropping. I remember thinking it was anaphylaxis (!) and telling DH to call 911. Apparently at that point I stiffened, went rigid, and my arms pulled in. DH thinks it was a seizure, as he's seen many of them (not me though). He got dressed, and I became able to speak a bit... somehow he got me downstairs so the paramedics wouldn't come up and wake the kids. Once I was downstairs though, with my feet elevated, I felt better and better (that's relative, of course, I still felt crummy)... But we decided not to call 911. The whole thing lasted maybe an hour? I was completely out for only 10 - 20 seconds. I have been waiting on a call back from the doc all day now. I have a vicious headache, the remnants of a cold, sick kids (same cold), and a night of not enough sleep. I've looked up all my meds (I'm on many, due to chronic health issues) and really don't know what caused this. [sigh] Anyone have insight? Does it sound like a seizure? Or something else? Thanks.