This is one of my all time favorite threads. lax, your husband is a lucky guy (and I will *not* be reading this thread aloud to my husband, haha) morgne, your post was hilarious -- classic statement on marriage (nearly every marriage): "I love the little booger. Too bad I also want to kill him." Everytime I think about it I start laughing again. Thanks! Crafty, I, too, am glad things are looking up. :-) Hang in there.

Scarlett, I had a c-section with my 3rd baby so while I was opened up they did the tubal ligation. There is actually something like a 3 percent failure rate on tubals, and before surgery you sign a release form releasing the doctor from responsibility if you would get pregnant and that you understand that there is a risk of pregnancy. Well today was the day that things really hit me and got to me. My mom was up and told me that my family is concerned about how DH treats me and how I do everything as far as the kids, house, and family are concerned with out much help. When I do get some help it is like we should have a party lol. I told DH I was fed up and physically exhausted and was a step away from calling our minister. Well I did call him and he came over and we talked for some time over the things that were happening, he even had my mom go out and talked to her about things. DH is going to be gone through Sunday but I am hoping that he will go and talk to Mel the minister sometime next week. The things that he doesn't understand are: The physical effects of pregnancy and breast feeding. Over the past 6 years except for 5 months I have either had a baby in my belly or at the boob. I am physically wore out. Hayden was only 5 months old when I got pregnant and Dr. was the one to recommend the tubal because my body had a hard enough time with the last pregnancy that she didn't know how I could handle another pregnancy, surprise baby comes in November. The effect of his actions and reactions on our kids as far as his spending time with them and yelling at me and our arguements. That even though I am a sahm I don't have to to everything for him, that he can help too. And that being a sahm is a job, and one that I work hard at. That because of my health, mentally, physically and emotionally, he needs to step up. I will keep everyone posted. He is at a conference all day tomorrow and leaves Thursday for Sturgis bike rally with his younger brother. So will be home alone with 3 kids for 5 days, will be tough. I think that they might go down to my sisters this weekend, and I might have the weekend to myself. Except for an hour this morning when I went to town to the pharmacy and grocery store, I haven't had a free minute with out one kid or another or all for months and I need a break. I will keep in touch and let everyone know how things are going. I am at the point where it is touch and go and I am just about ready to go. Stacie girlsingardens

I clean the house thoroughly when he's gone so I get a clean house to live in for a few days ;D I throw out empty boxes he collects, sometimes rearrange the furniture. Dig out his handkerchiefs from wherever he's stashed them, and toss them in the laundry, then finish off the laundry (somehow with him around, the hamper is never empty). Sort tons of socks into pairs. I clean and re-arrange his wardrobe. Once all that's done, I clean the microwave like a maniac to get the smell of popcorn out (he eats popcorn everyday!). I fish out the remote controls from under the sofa, watch TV, listen to the radio - at a volume appropriate for someone who's not deaf. Watch the Lion King, Bambi, The Seabiscuit and cry all I want. Eat what I want, when I want, where I want (not in front of the TV). I sleep soundly (nobody snoring/talking in his sleep beside me) and wake up refreshed bcoz there isn't that irritating alarm to jolt me awake. I laze around a lot. I have long conversations with friends and family on the phone. I buy only useful things when I go shopping. And I keep a good hot meal ready and make sure I look very, very busy doing chores around the house when he returns.

Perhaps you could use freejacks with a adjustable/directional low voltage heads. The freejack mounts to a standard 4" junction box with round plaster ring.The electronic transformer is included and fits in junction box. There are quite a few different heads available. There are quite a few different shades available too. The rods come in couple finishes. These are pricey but might be worth it if they work for your situation. Here is an example from Tech Lightings website: The ones below are their Sullivan head shown with a few different shades: