Barb, my advice to you is to go to a few Dr's, get a few opinions, have them make note of everything. Be sure to detail to them what you wrote here and type yourself up a health database in Word that lists Dr appts, main Dr's, Dr's consulted, medications, past medications (even if you've tried them & couldn't tolerate) any tests, as well as a detailed pain history - what brings it on, reaction to meds, side effects, and if you can, include pictures. You say arthritis in your hands- see if you can find some medical pics and edit them with a detailed legand like my & . Notice on the pics the marks are different colors, each color represents a different pain sensation (throbbing, stabbing, numbness). I have found that the Dr's I go to appreciate my pics & my detailed pain history chart. I just had my 2nd court hearing Nov 3rd. Yesterday I posted on another post in the health forum (link below). I hope that my fight will be over. One thing I had going for me was a few years back I had my neuro type a letter about how long I can sit or drive in a car. My Ex & I were arguing over where half-way was for a drop off point for my son. Even after mapping it, he still thought that since he couldn't take a direct route to get there that his time factored in. Anyway, at my last hearing, that letter along with a few others about my limitations may have gotten me disability since that vocational expert "found" jobs for me, like a bank teller,(ruled out due to medications) but since I couldn't walk fast, sit long, bend, those jobs were ruled out. He'd then suggest another list, which then got cut down from letter 2. Each letter's limitations were read, until we got to the last one. It was suggested I could be an "information clerk" (whatever that is) or an "order clerk". Information clerk was ruled out due to my divorce attorney asking where the jobs were located (he really rocked!), since they were out of my driving range, that went. The order clerk went after my attorney asked specifically what kind of store. He then ruled that out due to medications, & limitations. I'll say one thing, my disability attorney going on maternity leave might have been the best thing to happen to me. It just happened that my divorce attorney took on her work load for letters A through K. Since I know he can argue cases (haven't lost a case against the Ex) I wasn't worried going in there this time. I thanked him on the way out & told him how much better he was than her, he said she's a good attorney altho I haven't seen that. Punky, (((HUGS))) man, I could have written that post! I know all too well about emailing people, even people who also suffer from pain- they don't want to hear it either. I got an email from one "friend" who also suffers from pain. We used to vent to each other, I enjoyed chatting & emailing with her. One day, I made a post at another place about new problems (colon / stomach related) I was having. No one replied- I was shocked. They supposedly were my "friends" it was a rough time, I was at that place where you wonder why you stick around. We chatted & I mentioned no one replying, she then hit me with a wake up call, pretty much what you said. I don't remember if she even mentioned my new problems in that email, but I made a vow not to update everyone about my health. If someone emails asking, I'll say there is no change, or something to that effect but won;t get into it. I don't think anyone could prepare us for what this does to a marriage. This has to be the worst year for us, the 6 years we've been togather. He used to be patient & loving, now he's moody & loses his temper & throws things. Recently a "paver" came flying 2 ft to my right. It has been the worst year for my "dark cloud", I can't wait until 2005. Every time I turn around something else happens. I'm dealing with failed back surgery (fused Nov 2003), a daughter with problems in school due to ODD (funny, she's fine home), an Ex that blames me for her problems, a son who's father I fought & won for him to go to a really good art college, dropping out due to depression, my son then moving to CA to get away from it & having to move back for our next court battle against his "father" to enforce an order that he finish paying the loan he was ordered to pay. Unfortunatly he beat us to filing, & now my son is faced with the realization that his "father" cares more about $5,000 then him. Add to this my back problems got worse after surgery; all the 2nd opinions I went to said the fusion is fine, and my most recent colon / bowel / stomach problems. How much can a person take? I know there are people in much worse shape than me, but even knowing that doesn't help when hit with other things popping up that I don't need. I just want to be able to do things again, to go to work & have money to spend. I want to be able to go on an airplane & go on vacation. I want to take my daughter to the beach & swim in the ocean without worrying about the tide, or someone knocking into me. I want to take her to Great Adventure & ride a roller-coaster again. Heck, I'd be happy to walk the park! lol Who has $40 to rent a scooter? I'd love to bake & sew again & ride the Harley we bought right before I stopped working. Thankfully, there is gardening. The one place I can go & take my frustrations out on the dirt or prune the perennials down, or even rip them out when they get invasive. I save jobs like this for those bad mood days. I now pot up any invasive plants I pull out & will start selling them in the spring. I purchased a shelf / greenhouse from BJ's wholesale club & have it set up inside. I started trying to grow clematis from seed, it's actually coming up (let's hope it's not weeds). I also started a few rose cuttings, knock on wood, but so far they aren't dying- woohoo! I've been trying to root roses for years with no luck. I just harvested rose hips last weekend & will try to grow from seed. Hopefully, this will give me something to do in the winter months. This is the greenhouse I have if anyone is interested. I'm sure it can be found cheaper, I paid $25 for it. Best price I could find was $50, oh well, not allowed to mention the site here. On preview of post, it said this vendor not allowed. If anyone wants the link, email me. It is $49.99 with $2.95 shipping. I found a few on Ebay, but shipping kills you. You know, I'd really like to see a venting forum. Here is a link that might be useful: My responce on another post.

You sound so upset -- try to calm down. The situation probably isn't nearly as bad as it seems right now, and even if it is, there are always ways to make things better. And don't beat yourself up about making the wrong choices. Everyone -- including design professionals -- makes decorating mistakes. Before you do anything, give it some time. The lighting may grow on you when the remodel is finished and the rooms are furnished. Assuming that you still hate your lighting after living with it for a few weeks, decide what bothers you the most (it sounds like it's the fixture with the umber glass) and tackle that first. There lots of ways to ways to fix it without breaking the bank. Does the manufacturer make this fixture in other finishes? Would you be able to purchase a white or clear replacement glass from the manufacturer to replace the umber? Could you sell the fixture on Craigslist or eBay, and put the money toward something you like better? (You'd take a loss, but at least it would be a start.) Could you find an inexpensive replacement that you like better at a big box store, Craigslist, eBay, or a consignment shop? Would you be willing to repaint the room so that it works better with the fixture you have? For the smaller rooms with the flush mount lights, could you use bulbs with a higher wattage, or use more energy-efficient bulbs that give out more light for the same or lower wattage? (Make sure that you don't exceed the maximum wattage for the fixtures -- the last thing you need is a fire.) Could you supplement the overhead light by adding table or floor lamps or wall sconces? Most people would prefer to have lighting from several sources, rather than from a single fixture, because multiple light sources reduce shadows and provide more flexibility. If you decide to replace the fixtures, remember that you don't have to replace them all at once. Take your time and watch for deals. Don't worry about the cost of hiring an electrician because replacing fixtures (when the wiring is already in place) is not at all difficult. You or your husband could easily manage it, with help of a good book. Just remember to kill the power at the breaker box first. Finally, if your husband has no interest in decorating, it's unlikely that you'll be able to change him, so find yourself a shopping buddy to help you make design decisions. If you've just moved and don't have any friends in your new neighborhood, join a Newcomer's Club or other organization and meet some new people. Even if your friends aren't great designers, they'll act as a sounding board and help you decide what you like and narrow your choices. Unless you expect to sell your home in a couple of years, decorate for your own taste and don't worry too much about what future buyers will want. Most design choices will seem dated in 10 years. P.S. Hope the link below helps you put your problems in perspective and make your laugh. Here is a link that might be useful: Top 100 First World Problems

Ahhh...so you've used Baquacil for the last 6 years until now? Yes? You didnt' say that in your first post. And right now you're using chlorine tabs in your skimmer and shocking the pool with a chlorine or non-chlorine based product for sanitizer instead of the Baquacil peroxide "shock"? Just trying to get this all straight. Are you in the middle of a Baquacil to chlorine conversion? That is a specific process, and it takes some patience to do, during which you'll see different water colors and clarity as you convert. Of course, as you already probably know using an OTO test (which shows yellow in the presence of chlorine and tests up to 5 ppm of Total Chlorine only)...a brownish red color means that you have a much higher level of Total Chlorine (Free Chlorine plus Combined Chloramines)in the water. You'd need to use an FAS/DPD drop test to very accurately determine up to 50 ppm how much Free Chlorine, Combined Chlorine and Total Chlorine you have. I use this test on my own pool frequently and it's very easy to use. I still stand by my advice. There are detailed instructions and help on TFP for Baquacil users who need/want to convert to a less expensive product, as well as immediate help with your specific issues. Cheers and I hope you get your problem solved and get back to enjoying your pool!

You might consider replacing the "boots" to a common size, then just purchasing standard size boots. You may come out cheaper in the long run and get a better selection of grilles. As long as the boots are accessible, you can easily change them. If you have wall grilles, it may be even easier since a "wall stack" is usually used. That's just a duct the size of the wall space. Take a grille off and see what's behind it. It may be easier than you think. Duct boots are usually just attached using a couple of roofing nails. Just stick a screwdriver behind it and pry a little. You can purchase the standard size boots at your local home center or just hire it done. Either way it might be cheaper. I've had to have custom grilles made and it's usually pretty expensive. Also, you might want to consider sealing your ducts while you're in there. . It will pay back several times during first year. Here's an article I wrote covering just this topic Duct sealing.