It varies, but for the sake of throwing out numbers - we recently had a small kitchen, small family room, 2 stairwells, 3 baths, and a small hallway painted. I think it was around $7K. Definitely get bids. :)

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

What works for me - to a degree - is a combination of Axert (migraine med), Advil, and Valium - at night only, as I don't take Valium during the day - or caffeine during the day. I use Icy Hot or some sort of heating gel on my neck, into my hair. A neck/upper shoulder massage does wonders. Ice packs (the soft, squishy kind) are great and I'll take those to bed at night. In the past, I used Butalbital, but the above combo works better these days. Everyone's migraine is different, so the above might not work as well for you. Hope you get help soon!

I made bath bombs last year... I think i used the recipe by Martha Stewart, and I *may* have needed to order some supplies (maybe citric acid? Something like that.) I'm fairly sure I used Epsom and Sea Salts. The very best of the lot were the ones I used a "snowball maker" to mold. Don't ask me why we have a snowball maker. :tongue_smilie: I also made bath marbles using the little round plastic containers from a pack of Squinkies. Silly, but it worked. Some of the bombs crumbled, and after remolding them to salvage some, I finally crushed up the leftovers and packaged it in pretty bags with "bath salt" labels. The big hit here were the bath fizzies though. Those were on the Martha Stewart site as well, and they were perfect molded in those silicone ice cube trays. Much easier for me to manage.

What about a snowman? Or a winter scene? Penguins? My (orthodox) family would not go for this, but again, they are orthodox.

Are these the same as last year, or have they updated? We loved it last year, just wondering if there is new content...

Thank goodness you have an open-minded primary care doc, who is listening to you and receiving all the hard work you are doing in research. It is always the kids with Lyme who worry me the most. It must be so, so hard. I just want to hug them all and tell them it gets better. Many, many moons ago there was a teen support group for kids with Lyme... I think it was through Lymenet? I wonder if something like that might help her process some of what's happening? Just a random thought. I am so much improved that there's not much to complain about re: my current treatment. It's not terrible, but not fun either. At this point, I'm just grateful, deeply grateful, for my LLMD. Isn't it a crazy moment when just trekking the laundry up the stairs can make one pause and feel deep gratitude? :)

Please, please go easy on yourself. Personally, I thought taking your daughter for a fun night was a great idea. She probably needed the fun, and a break from everything else. We can't predict the way people will react every time. Your DD's body is changing, her body chemistry is changing, and her reactions will change. Just take it day by day, and do your best, making the best choices you can each day. You did that, and that's the best you can do. It's okay. Sometimes we have to balance managing the illness with leading a normal life, or with having life experiences. My LLMD was - and still is - big on maintaining quality of life while in treatment. I bet your DD is still glad she went! Maybe you can ask the LLMD about preparing for events - like the DC trip or concerts, etc - that might throw your DD into situations with her triggers. See what LLMD says - should you put stuff like that on hold for now, or go ahead and do it, knowing that there may be a cost? There could be some things you could do to support her body, and minimize any ill effects, like increased inflammation, etc. My LLMD often worked with me when we planned vacations, etc, but that was after I'd been in treatment a while. ...And then discuss with your DD that she might feel some effects, and see if DD thinks it's worth it. Is she capable of thinking through how she'll feel afterward? I guess I'm trying to say you don't have to be the bad guy who locks her up in the house, not a jailer... More like a gentle helper, who helps her make good choices and supports her body with good food, lots of rest, the right supplements, the right meds, and good guidance... Although that goal with a teen might be hard to reach! ...If she's in a good state, with no flare ups, a sleepover might be great. It could be good for her soul, and that's good for her healing, too. If she's sick this week, a sleepover might not be a great idea, but it doesn't mean that it won't work the following weekend... If you take it day by day... She'll still have hope. She needs that. So do you. :grouphug::grouphug: Ooooh, and a nest of ticks! Aaack! At least she's in treatment. Are you opposed to Buzz Off clothes? We use them. I don't like to buy the permethrin spray, as I don't want to handle it wet, or risk getting it on skin. But I feel ok about the dried product, and the treatment on Buzz Off clothes lasts longer through the wash. I'm right there with you on moving to Alaska. :tongue_smilie:

:grouphug: Hoping for the very best for her. :grouphug:

:grouphug: "Post Infectious Disease Syndrome." :glare::banghead: I'm sorry your DD is going through the misery. Do you have a good LLMD to work with her? The best one *you* can get? I hope so, and that she will be on the road to recovery. Hoping you have lots of support, too. (From another Lyme battler, currently back on meds for the newly discovered protozoa... Fun times.)

I'm 4'10" with a stackable set. :) I keep a stool in front of the set. But it's doable, most of the time, without the stool. It's only when something small is in the back of the dryer that I really need the stool.

No line. Walked in, voted. Easy peasy.

Co-infection testing can be tricky, just like Lyme testing. I mentioned your DD to DH - he was my rock through treatment, and is very intuitive about Lyme issues (my LLMD adores him :) )... He mentioned something I did not, in my earlier post (or if I did, I did not elaborate)... If she has active infection, then the fatigue and excitement of the night probably knocked her immune system down a bit. So whatever work her immune system was doing to keep the active infection in check, it has taken a hit, and is not working as well. So this might be what my LLMD would call a flare of symptoms, rather than, say, a herx. Have you read The Complexities of Lyme Disease: A Microbiology Tutorial by Tom Grier? I highly recommend it. It is posted on various sites, I just googled for a copy for you - you may find other sources. You might also consider downloading Dr B's Lyme Diagnosis and Guidelines from ILADS. There will be a comprehensive symptom list somewhere in that document. Lots of water, lots of fluids, extra rest. Keep up with that detox. If she takes something like Thorne's Basic Detox Nutrients, this might be a good time to make sure she doesn't skimp on her regular dose. :grouphug: When you speak to the LLMD, don't hesitate to ask how to manage symptoms... I needed options to get through treatment (migraine meds, etc) that I would not have needed otherwise. ETA: The Grier article is older, but he does a great job explaining what the spirochete does and how it works in the body. There is more recent info, obviously, which would be good to read, but this is a good one, too.

Glad you called her LLMD. Of course, you probably know that Bell's Palsy is a common symptom of Lyme, so there's that. Additionally, I had many similar experiences while in Lyme treatment, and can name several other friends who experienced similar. I would not ignore it, and would run it past the LLMD, but my guess is either herx, overexertion, the triggers you mentioned, etc... Or a combo of the above. One thing about treating Lyme is that odd symptoms, or old symptoms, can pop up again here and there. Rest, fluids, detox... And continued Lyme treatment. I can't remember if she has co-infections she's treating, too?

:grouphug: Is this the DD with Lyme?

No confrontation. But definitely the cold shoulder, which can last for years, even decades. Woe to the person who tries to change things by (heaven forbid!) talking about issues. This is not a pattern that began with the current generations, but one that has been passed along for many. Trying to be sure that it stops with this generation, and that future kiddos will be communicators.

I don't think it's necessary to send a gift to a couple when you've RSVP'd that you won't be able to attend. It's a nice gesture, and DH and I have done it, or sometimes we've simply sent a card, but as far as I know there is no etiquette rule that one must send a gift for every wedding invitation one receives. If your DH wants to send a gift, and you do too, then send a gift to the couple. Or just a sweet card. ...Or not. :001_smile: Brides get crazy. That's why I eloped!

:grouphug: This is much like one of mine. When I lost my best friend, for whom I was primary caretaker during her short and brutal illness, the days following her death just floored me. The sun still shone. People in the street laughed. Life went on. But she was gone. [sigh] ...That was 14 years ago, and it still hits hard.

I couldn't wait till Monday. :blush: I cleaned out our main coat closet, and freecycled all the outgrown warm stuff to people who will make sure it gets to the homeless. Everything that is not related to coats or outerwear is *out* of the closet and in its proper home! The floor is even washed - yay! Now I'll do that surface clean, that's a great idea.

:lol: :lol: OP, I keep checking in to see if you've spotted Walter. Really hoping it's a totally innocent, a-hem, home business...

Oh no! I just read that there's an exterminator truck that appears multiple times a week?? Oh my, now I am really onto the Breaking Bad theory. You are across the street from Walter. :D

Monday's the new start date? Works for me! ...In the meantime, I organized our studio bookshelves - a minor feat in itself - and sorted more kid clothing. I've also found someone who needs our glider rocker, and I am so happy we can give it to her. :) Oh, and I finally hung our AAS whiteboard - woo hoo!

I have no idea what they are doing, but every time you mention the RV, all I can think about is the show, "Breaking Bad." Have you seen it?? The characters use an RV as a rolling meth lab. :blink: I sure hope that's not happening across the street from you! (And, no, I don't really think it is.) ETA: Have you called the non-emergency number for the local police and just spoken with anyone? I have a dear friend whose husband is an officer... my instinct says that this is something he would look into further.

These are such important points. Anaphylaxis does not look the same in every person. It is so important to have an action plan, and a clear understanding of which symptoms and combinations of symptoms mean epinephrine is needed. If anyone has questions, I'd encourage a visit to an allergist who can give you a specific list of symptoms that mean it's time to epi. Then just follow the plan.

:bigear: DS just spent some time looking at the MCT samples online yesterday. I never thought we'd consider a switch from FLL/WWE, but I am pondering it.