My DH & I don't have any biological kids of our own, I have my kids (17, 18, & 21 next week) and his DD lives with us, she's 8. But, I relate to the different expectations because at times, it's hard for me to be as tough with my kids because I haven't always been tough with them. (Especially the oldest) I was probably the toughest on my youngest, mainly because I had them when I was (too) young & didn't fully understand the importance of consistency. So, my kids grew up with more relaxed rules and I should have been more consistent with the rules. Over the years, I've gotten better about it and that's why I think my youngest is the more responsible one of the group. Then, along comes my DH with his 8 year old (5 at the time) and he had a very rigid schedule for her. He was very consistent, to a fault. So, together he's relaxed a little but we both have higher expectations from his DD because it's easier to teach them right first, than try to change their bad habits. With my kids, I've also been more consistent and have gotten some results but I'm sure my DH can relate to how you feel. He gets very frustrated and wants me to be tougher on them. It can be hard because when they are small and you get used to doing things one way, it becomes a habit. and even if it's a bad habit, it's hard to change. With your child together, you have developed your own habits and ways of doing things with her, including higher expectations (that he may have from you being his partner, that he didn't have with his ex & the older kids). A little bit sounds like he might feel guilty toward the older kids and let them get away with more. (I know I've felt that way too) I'm not sure I'd let a 12-13 year old move my car. I don't know if I have "advice" to give. I think DH needs to see that he's not helping his kids grow into responsible adults if he doesn't teach them boundaries. If his kids live with you full time, there should be "house rules" (even if it's only weekends, but it's more effective with full time kids) My DH and I took a parenting class for step families and while it dealt with the dynamics of step families, it also talked a lot about behavior of our own children and it made it easier to see what we were doing wrong with our own kids (He was being to strict, I was being too lenient)

It's me again..... I had the cataract surgery a week ago on ONE eye! Couldn't believe how the pre- surgery prep that morning took longer than the 10min. surgery itself & I was home in 3 hrs.! No, I didn't have the eye covered at all but did use the plastic eye covering while sleeping for a few nights to protect the eye in case I tried to rub it while asleep. I was surprised (& a bit disappointed! ) though that I didn't immediately see the drastic change as I walked out of surgery that so many had described- but guess my vision wasn't as impaired by the cataract as others had. Yes, the two different drops are not fun and they decrease gradually over the course of a month- & then I will have it to do over again for the other eye ... and then, go for a regular eye exam to be fitted for glasses to correct for the regular vision problem I had before the cataracts! I do want to wear the glasses all the time & not have to fiddle looking for them when I want to read something! My brother-in-law couldn't put the drops in his eye after surgery.. as each time he got close to the eye, it would involuntarily SHUT!!! .... so his wife had to administer the drops to his eye as he held it open! I read that as generations now live longer, that it is almost a 100% chance that everyone will develop cataracts, & in the sunny southwest: pterigiums, as Nature tries to protect the eye from the sun's rays. Thanks for all of your thoughts & encouragements ... the first surgery was a 'breeze' & glad I decided out of the cheaper ('two for the price of one' by my insurance) but ?riskier surgery (I have had herpes eye infections in the past!! ) -Vieja

What is the purpose of a chain link fence? Too keep animals in or out? How about simple vertical black iron fencing at the back? That’s what I had , but it would only keep larger animals out. It didn’t impact the view. I think the two side fences should match but something else on the back to preserve the view is fine , that’s what my house had.

If I have a stem with tubers at the end and then a tuber up farther on the stem, will it also have eyes? Can it be cut off with that part of the stem?