I think the "Conversations" title of this forum can be misleading. It is difficult to have a true conversation when you can not see the other person's smiles or sympathetic nods, and you do not get immediate feedback. It is impossible to read and comment on everything that is said here, and I think we are all aware of that. I often write a post in haste, then I later think of other comments I meant to make. I think of all of you often. Here is a picture of the loot from my Home Goods spree of the last few weeks. Now, I am getting spring fever thinking of plants to fill them! I had a meeting this AM at DS's school with his "team", and it went very well. He is dyslexic, and gets a lot of help at school. It went well; they assured me he has made great improvements. They had a lot of positive things to say about him. The kids have state-mandated standardized testing in a few weeks, including a 5 paragraph essay. My DS can speak very fluently and intelligently, but he has a lot of trouble getting his thoughts down on paper; I was dreading that essay for him. Turns out they will allow him to have a "scribe", a teacher's assistant who will actually "take dictation" and do the writing for him; no editing allowed. What a relief! He has had his struggles at school, but the staff has been so helpful and encouraging to him - he still enjoys school and has a positive attitude about it. I made sure to let each of them know how much we appreciate the work they do. Deanne, one fruit salad coming up for Saturday. Looking forward to seeing everyone! Also, love the birdie pics, as usual. They actually do seem to pose for you! The blue jay with a mohawk was a riot. The "trick photography" with the pair of cardinals is amazing. Does that mean you can do that tabloid stuff like putting my head on someone else's body?! Babs, I think you have the key re: kids and manners, they need to know what is expected. My kids are not perfect, but good behavior in all situations is a must. From the time they could speak they were taught to say "please" and "thank you", and it went on from there. We would never think to allow them to get up and wander around at a restaurant, and they don't even know how to make spitballs (I hope!). When my DD turned 10, we actually took her and three of her friends out to lunch, and let them sit at their own table, within sight of ours. There was much giggling at the girl's table, but they managed to order for themselves and eat without incident. Martie, glad things went well at your brother's hearing. The job offer from the social worker is a real compliment on the way you handled yourself. I agree, a job like that would be way too heartbreaking. Eden, the cake is a masterpiece. (Cynthia, thanks for flipping the picture!) Bella looks like she had a great time, I'm glad all went well. Michelle, are you tired of painting yet?! V, Ken Druse at 8am - can I be you when I grow up? He is an amusing speaker. I am doing a reverse snow dance now, glad this is the internet and nobody can see me! T, so sorry about your goat. Hope to see pics of the twins soon! I hope every body's aches and pains are improving today, or at least you are finding ways to deal with them; recreationally or otherwise. Sending good thoughts to all who need them. I was re-reading the book by Thomas Cooper "Odd Lots - Seasonal Notes of a City Gardener" last night, and wanted to share his comment about spring in the northeast: "Spring appears on the calendar on March 20, but it doesn't show up at our place until a month or more later. I suspect that the earlier date is only the day when spring leaves South Carolina, or wherever it was playing golf, and heads north for the season." -Wendy

My suspicion is perimenopausal changes, but don't hold me to it :) I took soy supplements for about 3-4 years, but stopped for a couple of reasons. #1 they didn't really seem to help with any of my symptoms, and #2, after reading and reading about soy, it occured to me that assuming I still had some ovarian function and my own natural estrogen, I didn't want to take something that could compete with estrogen at the estrogen receptor site level. In other words, I would rather have my own estrogen binding to receptors, than an imitation that is not estrogen, but rather mimics it. Does this make any sense? My line of reasoning may be in error, but my symptoms did not worsen when I stopped the soy, so I can see no harm done. If I was going to try and supplement, I would go the bio-identical hormone route, or try some of the herbal supplements. Just my two cents, and probably worth about that much, lol. Mrs H

I'll resuscitate this thread to report on my experience with flax seed. To start, my flashes are minor compared to some of the stories I've seen. I'd have them anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours apart during the day, and maybe three or four times per night. They only last about a minute, and for the most part are no more uncomfortable than being quite overdressed in a warm room. But, the waking up several times at night was beginning to wear on me. I decided to try flax, since DH already takes it for his digestive system. The recommended 40 grams is an awful lot, and I started slow to make sure how my digestive system would respond. I started with about three teaspoons per day. In the morning, I usually eat toast with something on it. So after I toast my bread, I sprinkle the flax on, then spread on the peanut butter or cream cheese or whatever. The flax disappears. At night, I often eat a banana before bed. With each bite, I dip the end of the banana into the ground flax. Or I mix a teaspoon into a tablespoon of peanut butter. Or I just mix it into some juice and drink it really fast. It's not bad, it mostly just sticks to my teeth. And the result is, my flashes have diminished greatly with just the three teaspoons per day. Sometimes I go for hours and realize I haven't had one. Or if I feel it starting, it will die out before I get too warm. I am only waking up maybe once per night due to flashes, sometimes not at all. (Weird dreams are a whole different issue!) It is inexpensive, good for me anyway, and easy to take. I am sold on flax.

Camlan, yes I read in bed, as well as place a drink on the bedside table if I'm doing office work in bed. The table surface should be about 19.5"w x 18"d. If I go with Plan B, undercabinet lighting would probably be warm fluorescent as quite a bit of light is thrown out both to the sides and forward. A similar set-up was used in a bedroom for my son in my last home, and the reading light was fine. If I do Plan A, the wall cabinet height may need to be reduced to 30" to place the light at the right height. This is something I could live with. I guess my question is, do you think undercabinet lighting in a nice bedroom would shout "kitchen" as my designer seems to think? I do not wish to do both types of lighting as either one should serve my purpose so I do not see the need for both. And yes, lighting behind the valance is already planned, with the focus to be on a painting above the bed.