There is no large general abatement "program" for mosquitos or any other bugs. Abatement is driven by conditions, which usually means there is standing water which could be a breeding ground. Abatement usually consists of removing the water. The only spraying program (other than agricultural spraying) I'm aware of was several years ago when an introduction of non-native species was creating problems. Even then, it was limited to areas where needed. California is subtropical, and very arid in comparison to anywhere east of the Rockies, as is most of the West. This has a significant effect on populations of pests who thrive on moisture (of course, we've got other critters....like scorpions!). The warm water of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico (because of the Gulf Stream) causes the air blown inland towards the east coast, south and midwest to be very moist and much of the weather there is influenced by this (especially when it mixes with cold air coming from Canada...watch out!). However, west of the Rockies there is no influence on the climate of this warm, moist air. The Pacific is much colder than the Atlantic, so the air blowing inland contains far less moisture, and the dry, arid inland air (or air blown down from Alaska) keeps things dry. The most we get is thick fog ("June gloom") from the mix in spring and summer, as the ocean begins to warm up. So...we have far fewer rainstorms and less groundwater overall. Most of our water comes from the Sierra snowpack (thank you, Mr. Mulholland, and we're sorry about Mono lake). In the winter the Jet Stream shifts south, and winter storms come our way (usually, anyway), which is why it's our rainy season, and why some raging rivers dry up in the summer months. The further north you are, the more rain you'll have. Hence the greenery of coastal Washington and Orego (although inland Washington is much more arid than you'd expect, because some storms are blocked by the Cascade chain). So, because we are more arid, we have fewer pests that require standing water to breed. Nevertheless, have I mentioned the fleas? Or ants? Coastal regions are greatly influenced by the Pacific Ocean air, making these areas almost perfect, climate-wise. There are only a handful of places on earth with similar climates: the south of France and the coast of Chile. But you should not expect "tropical" here. The dry air greatly affects temperature, more so as you travel inland. There can be a 30 degree drop between daytime temps and nightime lows.

I feel like my life is tied to those books. They represent who I am. Is that why it's so hard for me to weed them out? Yes, that *IS* why it's so hard for you to weed them out. You don't want to let go of all of those identities. Thinking through that issue may help you. Are you *really* someone who will start a business? Or are you someone who will pipe-dream about it only (that's acceptable, btw; are don't need to act on every dream). I would say, don't go by cost. (do a Google search on "sunk cost"--the money is spent, don't worry about how much it was, bcs it's never coming back) Go by, "how much difference would it make in my life if I wanted them but didn't have them?" Will you be able to find info like it, in a book from the library? (even if the ones you donate aren't there)? Starting a business--there are tons of books in the library about that. Organizing--personally, I find doing it to be more useful than reading about it. Medical--I'd have said keep the ones you'd look in if someone was sick or injured in the middle of the night or weekend, but honestly I find very credible info on the Internet now, in just as much detail as you'd get from most of those books. How to write--are you writing? might you look up a grammatical turn of phrase? I might keep reference books. Diet--are there any details in those books that isn't covered by: "eat less, move around more"? LOL I would bet that you could get rid of nearly all of them.

"his ex hates my husband she is not sad they they are not together. She likes to cause trouble though." I didn't mean that she is pining away for him, but you said, "My husband was fooling around with the mother of his other child for years on top of everything to start off. I stayed with my husband because I believe in love and 2nd chances." & I thought you are saying that he was fooling around with the mother of this 8 year old & if he was doing that while he was seeing you, then yes this child saw his parents 'together' at least in some way, unless they were so sly that they hid it from their own child. And even if the mother hates him & is not sad, that does not mean she does not let her son know how angry she is (anger is also a feeling that is much easier to express than hurt, so who knows if she truly hates him or is hurt he finally ended it with her and married you) but I'm sure the child picks up on those feelings because children are little sponges & know more than most people give them credit for. If mommy is angry all the time at daddy, of course it's going to affect how he feels about daddy's house & the new wife, baby, etc. "I think that it's good to be proactive and encourage my stepson to be nice to my son. I don't try to force it upon him. To me to encourage him to love his brother should be a good thing. I agree that yes he is eight and may be frustrated which is understandable. I just don't think that it should be ok that he takes it out on my 2 year old son. If their our any mothers out there you know how you are protective over your children no matter who it might be. If it was my neice , my friend son. I would not stand them to be nasty to my children." If you want to protect your 2 year old, then never allow the 8 year old to be alone with him. It's THAT simple. If dad refuses to acknowledge the problem, then it rests with YOU to protect the baby & make sure he's always in your sight when big brother is around. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a happy little family, but if he (the 8 year old) does not want that, it is going to backfire to force it. I believe he does know right from wrong & he has anger, resentment issues... maybe from how his mother expresses, directly or inadvertently. He is manipulative if he changes face when dad comes around the corner & I agree with Sylvia that is a dangerous child that does that. (reminiscent of "the good son") Lovehadley has a great point that leaving is probably not the best idea since the child only comes over every other weekend and leaving could place the younger child in jeopardy when he would visit. The bottom line is that unless mom & dad are willing to work together to find out why their son is so aggressive & deal with it, then the only solution is to never allow your baby to alone with him. Yes, he was part of the package as you & your kids were part of a package, but YOU and your DH accepted each other's package... the kids don't get a choice. He didn't choose the package so how can you expect him to accept you as you've accepted him. You are the adult.

All good advice. I just wasn't ready to shop for a new master bedroom set since we have plans to redo our masterbath and likely will recarpet etc the master bedroom but not right away. I bought a very nice quality set and it has stood the test of time. @LES917: I am in love with Walter E Smithe. Haven't been there in years. I really walked around saying I like that and that and that. My husband went too and appreciated being able to see and sit and touch and feel which we hadn't been able to do with a decorator. Turned out the man who helped us with the store general manager and senior designer. You get special treatment when you show up at 10am on a Monday morning. The store was ours. @karinl: yes, it isn't a matter of the money really this time it is what to do, and do ONCE. I think I am just tired of looking at the guest room waiting for me to finish it. It's been painted and crown molding installed since April. I will admit I prefer the bedroom pieces to match. Nowerdays even within the same collection there are variations in pieces. I don't want to spend time coordinating things from this or that collection. I am old school I guess (even at 41!).