--"why OP is making a federal case out of unmade beds by young adults or teens is beyond me, and likely beyond her DH."-- I rather wondered that myself on the yardwork bit. If my husband was waiting for son to get up and outside to help, I'd pretty much figure that's their problem (and I am the bio-mom of the last son still in home). My husband is capable of getting Jr up and out when he wants help. I could see myself (which, yeah, has happened) picking up my purse and keys and heading out the door to run errands, have lunch and perhaps check out a few sales. If hubby was still sitting on the porch waiting for Jr to help or having done the work by himself when I got home, I'd pretty much not give a hoot...husband as I stated already is capable of dealing with any disrespect/behavorial issues between father/son all by himself. He doesn't need my 2 cents about it. But again, I think for OP it goes back to expectations. The lax expectaions in her new home are intolerable to her. She's use to children doing things her way and doing them promptly on her command. That worked for her in her old home, raising her own children...but it does not seem to be the way Daddy runs his home, nor appears he desires to (per their latest agrument between Daddy/OP). It rather seems silly and unproductive to me to be all in a fluster over a kid not being 'punished' for doing exactly what Daddy allowed them to do. Unless it personally affects OP what goes on between father/children are IMO between Daddy and 'kids'. If there is overly dramatics in the home perhaps forcing your own expectations and parenting ideas onto someone (husband) who does not desire your assistance in that area could be part of the problem rather than any type of solution. --" The only thing that makes sense to me now is to totally ignore them - have nothing to do with them at all."-- That's pretty much what the attitude should be when it comes to how Daddy finds it acceptable and has less expectations...let their father deal with them, not your 'kid' not your problem. If it does not affect you, why engage in it? But totally ignoring the children while they are in your home as long as they are being polite to you yourself while they try interactng with you will backfire in OP's face. I think deciding to remain but then treating them as the enemy and pretending they are not there because their father and they have different expectations and lifestyles than OP would be a mistake. Either work on a compromising harmony agreement between husband and you in the home together or cut your loses. Nobody is happy in a war zone or having to accept what to them are intolerable situations. I guess it kinda makes me wonderful how all these people got along during the meet and date period (hmmmm, now that KK mentions it, I wonder how long this period was) and why it was carried on into a married joint household if things were so intolerable for the OP from the get-go (these 'kids' did not develop terrible habits ...terrible in her opinion... over night nor did Daddy suddenly become a more tolerating parent with lax rules). If the OP knew there were major issues in expectations and parenting styles that she would not be able to live with but actually thought once she had a ring on her finger she'd change it all to her liking she's rapidly discovered differently. People, lifestyles and expectations don't instantly change just because a couple says 'I do'. If there is any chance (which she has not answered to as of yet) that OP was TOW and/or played any part in a 'nasty' divorce tossed in with the already different expectations of children and lifestyles, I can't imagine how OP thought this joint household was going to be a good idea. I'd think real hard about taking my cats and moving back into my old house (hopefully not sold yet)and considering the counseling idea. As OP states she is an intelligent woman, is not happy in the mess she got herself into.. and really, life is too short to spend it trying to change people and living unhappy...I'd take a step back and rereview what it is I'd gotten myself into and what I'm going to do about it. As it is now, it does not sound as if husband plans on parenting any differently just to suit your preferences (which he appears to not share based on his own statement) nor stepping up his already set expecations of his 'kids'. I wish the OP good luck and do have to suggest that she needs to stand back and look in a mirror to see if perhaps she herself is causing part of the stress and tension occuring in the home. One must realize sometimes that changes have to come from within one's self before one can expect changes in others.

That's just the nature of acrylic solid surface. Acrylic (or polyester) resins are basically solid plastic and not scratch resistant (or heat resistant). Dark colors show the scratches a lot more than light surfaces because the acrylic matrix always shows as white when scratched. Glossy surfaces show the scratches a lot more than matte surfaces as well. Now, those scratches can be professionally buffed out when they get too bad, unlike laminate countertops that when scratched are ruined. But this isnt' something you'll want to spring for every year as it's in the $300 range for an average counter. Even then, deep scratches will remain. Use cutting boards and trivets and try not to slide things across your counters. Pick the cups up and put them down, etc.

Hi Hyn Patty, this one was grown from one of KO's seed (Elegant Ballerina) I think it turned out much better then the mother/seed I purchased... I actually got 2 like this from one packet of seed & the others were similar to the mother plant. I sold off the others & kept the 2 bolder stripe ones for my collection. I love this flower too, the stripes are beautiful & it just screams tropical to me. I would love to try & breed a double of this flower one day. Below is a photo of the mother/seed I purchased from Mr Ko's website. Maybe you should buy a packet too. Rachel :) This photo is Elegant Ballerina & is taken from Mr Ko's website, to show the seed I ordered!

Thanks. Yes we have a hodgepodge of stuff - at some point I’ll reupholstered the dining table chairs and get a bigger rug or remove it all together. We have even more hodgepodge furniture in the bonus room upstairs and the front room ( for another discussion). I’m liking the idea to remove everything and get new furniture. It’s just not meshing like everyone has said. My husband sees no problem and I see a nightmare lol!