Hi @lazy_gardens...I have attempted to collect actual proof in the form of photos; but as involving someone else isn't really practical I've relied on selfies, which themselves can vary in lighting, the angle of my head and the distance of the camera. And I'm not tech-savvy enough to be able to do the overlays you describe on a computer screen. But I agree that this would be a way to tell for sure if there's an actual difference. More recently I've been taking measurements with digital calipers along with recording atmospheric data, but either there's too much user error (i.e., inconsistency in measuring) or the weather has not yet changed significantly enough to collect any real "evidence." My mention of sinus contraction and expansion comes from a recent paper I came across, which describes differences in the size and shape of the maxillofacial sinuses and the corresponding nasal cavities in response to atmospheric conditions (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.22655/full). However I wasn't sure if this was describing real-time changes taking place in a person's face or simply adaptive traits evolved in hot and humid vs. cold and dry environments. I have written the author for clarification but haven't yet heard back. Your point on bone movement being painful is well-taken, though; but I still wonder if the issue isn't related to the changing air pressure in the sinuses with changing humidity (humid air being less dense than dry air). I've also learned that blood pressure is lower in low-pressure atmospheric conditions, due to the relaxation of blood vessels, and wonder if this might also (or alternately) be a factor. I've started using a neti pot experimentally to see if different salt concentrations have any effect and may also try other recipes as well.

It does sound horrid, and I empathize about lack of sleep (if I don't get enough, I'm worthless). My mother has Restless Leg Syndrome (they make medication for it) and she does not stomp or thud around the house at night (or day). It's just as is sounds, her legs are restless during sleep and might involuntarily kick, jerk or twitch. I was thinking about the LL's perspective, tho. If I had a tenant that was disturbing others, but said tenant told me they had a medical condition that led to frequent need for nocturnal walks, I'd probably find myself in a pickle. Even if I knew the condition, and that symptoms or remedies didn't mesh, I'd still be in a pickle. I know this is a stretch, but say LL keeps after stomping tenant. Stomping tenant could well produce a doctor's letter that says 'my patient needs to walk at night for relief'. That's just something a LL really doesn't want to push, because pushing it hard enough might find them slapped with a discrimination suit or something. But obviously you can't continue to live like this. I'd suggest something along the lines of larke's suggestion. Be sure to let LL know you understand that she might be dealing with a tenant's medical condition, and you respect that. (That will help keep LL from being put on the defensive. A defensive LL is an uncooperative LL.) Then let her know that you are developing health conditions of your own, find that you can't perform your job as expected, find yourself nodding off at inappropriate times, your heart races at night when stomping starts, etc. (Yes, the hassle part of changing units would be as camlan mentioned in 1st paragraph, 12/5 post.) Despite LLs predicament, and upstairs tenant's stomping, you are still entitled to peaceful enjoyment. Hopefully you can get it with some good old-fashioned open communication and a little psychology thrown in when talking with LL.

Oh yes she will not let go... My husband and I went on a trip over Christmas. We went to Europe. She told her daughters how hurt she was and that she should be with him on this trip. They had planned to do this after the kids had grown up. Well my husband is retired Army after 20 yrs. She was in Germany with him and Hawaii. There are things that my ex husband does with his new wife that we may have talked about doing, but I would never tell my kids oh I am so hurt that was our dream. One is because any dream I have or had I don't want to be with my ex.. She is a Great Big Nut. Its been long enough she should be over the divorce by now, and for her to say these things to her children shows she is not over him, and I think it just makes the relationship with my husband and his kids as well as their relationship with me very hard.

It may be just my laptop, but I can only see the top foot or so of your fireplace, and a lot of wall above. I'm going to try to post your pic below, so more of the fireplace is visible. My only concern would be the marble hearth. Will you just put furniture over it so it can't be seen?