I think the best way to start with a cleaning lady is sit down and discuss what you want her to do and what products you want her to use. Will she bring her own or use yours? Also, does she have insurance? Will she be able to come the same time every week? Some cleaning people will want to bring their kids, or if they are short on time they will want to bring someone to help them. Outline everything you want her to accomplish and if there is enough time for her to do it. I think I have the best cleaning young lady in the US! She was co-worker of my daugters at the local Vet Clinic. My daughter used to say she drove everyone crazy because she was always cleaning. I asked her if she wanted a job and she has now been cleaning for me for three years. I occasionally tip her or give her money for gas. I always recognize her birthday and give her a bonus for Christmas.

Soy can work for some women; however, for the vast majority, soy is ineffective. Also, it is important to realize that soy contains plant-derived estrogens called phytoestrogens. These plant-derived estrogens may be just as unsafe as the prescription hormones... we just don't know. If you need hot flash or night sweat relief and don't want to take hormones, learn the truth about effective non-hormonal hot flash treatments at MenopauseUpdate.com. Learning the truth means learning the results of well-designed medical research studies. This is what you will learn on MenopauseUpdate.com. You will also learn the truth about the serious risks of taking hormones, including "bioidentical hormones". Currently there are 2 effective non-hormonal hot flash treatments that have been shown to provide long-term relief; they are gabapentin and oxybutynin. Go to MenopauseUpdate.com to learn how you can get started on one of these treatments and start experiencing relief.

Or : A couple 3 gallon buckets a gallon on muriatic acid(MA) or the low fumes version. Same price at Lowes. a 12 lb bag of baking soda. three gallons of distilled water (provides the best potential outcome) a scotchbrite or sponge with a scrubby side. a sponge Large rubber gloves. Eye wear is strongly encouraged. Instructions: Gloves and eyewear please. Pool side Bucket 1: Mix 1 gallon of distilled water, Add 1 pint of MA. This will make an 8-1 mix of acid. Later, it may be discovered this is too weak. Add additional acid until the desired results are achieved, 8 oz at a time. Scotch Brite or sponge with scrubby side. Bucket 2: Mix 2 gallons of distilled water and 1 lb of baking soda. Sponge in this bucket. Scrub 10' sections twice with MA solution and then wash it down with baking soda solution. Check the results. If the difference is less than desired, add additional acid as stated before and try it again. Sometimes, it may take as much as a 4-1 strength to get it done. Better to get there slowly and use less if possible. Once done, pour the remainder of each bucket in the pool, around the deep end mostly. Rinse the buckets, the partly opened MA bottle, sponges, and gloves in the shallow end. Remember how much acid you added to bucket 1? Add a about a pound of baking soda per 8 oz of acid. Check the pH and Alk levels in 4 hours (pump on). Scott

Thanks everyone. I am still waiting on the tests. Thankfully I have not had to have a hysterectomy and was lucky enough to be 57 when menopause hit. Re the food and products from the health food store, I did try both both but couldn't handle the recommended foods (actually I used to eat a lot of them which contributed to my acid based kidney stone at age 40 - but, hey, I probably owe my skin to said foods). In Canada - at least according to my GP, the Gyno and the pharmacist I have to take both Prometrium and Estrogel - not just the Prometrium - who knows? I just hope the doctor was able to get enough from the biopsy that she did without sedation so that I don't have to go into the hospital for a larger biospy - I figured it would be under a local - nope they knock you out. I had the mammo last Tues. - the results will come in the mail with a copy to my doctor. I may end up like SunnyDJ - taking something every 3rd or 4th day depending on the results and how I fare without it. Of course a lot will also depend on my test results. Cost wise it isn't cheap but since they are my only prescriptions and I will be covered under my husband's office plan for 18 months I won't worry about that. Our provincial insurance does not cover the cost of prescriptions until you turn 65 and then only some are covered - and not fully, there is a deductible and they are about to cut back on a lot of them - somehow I don't think HRT will be covered! I guess I should feel grateful that I have never experienced a hot flash. I don't sweat - ever - which of course is not good and no doubt accounts for my high body acid. And why I love the heat - but not the sun.