Regarding the Rinse Aid and Detergent being used, its really personal preference, how well it works, and price. When I got the Diamante installed, I still had a bottle of Cascade rinse aid (the blue stuff) and a box of the Cascade Complete Action Packs. So that's what I used. Everything cleaned well, but I noticed a bit of a chemical smell on (and inside) my plastic cups. I wasn't sure what was causing it, so I used up all the Cascade rinse aid that I had put in the dishwasher and when it was empty I filled it up with the Miele rinse aid (clear). That right there stopped the chemical smell I was getting on plastics and in the dishwasher. I continued to use the Cascade Complete Action Packs (as there was about 90 of them left), but the guy from the Miele store gave me a few samples of the Miele Detergent Tabs. I had read in here that most people just break them in half and use them, so I tried it like that, and half a Miele Tab worked just fine. So last week when my Cascade packs ran out, I went and purchased the Miele tabs. They are $30 for 60 full tabs, but when broke in-half, you really get 120, which are 25-cents each. The Cascade packs cost about 23-cents each, so doing it that way they are almost the same price per pack. Regarding the TAB option that is on the Optima dishwasher, the manual clearly states this is only to be used if you are using a tab product that contains rinse aid, as the dishwasher it WILL NOT dispense any liquid rinse aid. That is why I suggested that you turn the TAB OFF and use a liquid rinse aid with a Cascade or Miele pack. You can also try the standard Cascade loose powder that comes in a box, as some people like to measure how much they are using. "If the "Tab" indicator is not lit, the dishwasher is set for normal detergent. If the "Tab" indicator is lit than the program sequence is adapted to suit detergents than contain rinse aid (as well as other components where applicable). The rinse aid dispenser and indicator light are deactivated" The SiniWash and Pots/Pans cycles run the longest and use the hottest water temps. You might want to start with those and see what type of results you get. If you try everything we've all suggested in here, and still are having dirty dishes and everything being wet, then call Miele for a service apt. The unit might not have been installed properly, or maybe there is a defect with the unit (rare with Miele, but can happen to any built machine).

There's a lot of ways people age. People can become more difficult in old age because as we age, we gradually loose control of our lives and also gradually loose our sense of being important. A lot of that is societal, but some of it is just how individual people define power and control. I know plenty of seniors who still contribute to society even after they retire, by serving on boards and volunteering for community service. They relate to others as friends, not just as bosses. But some people, like my folks for example, who were bosses at work their whole lives and who define power and contol by being infallible, do not deal well with aging. I would say, generally, that controlling people have a very difficult time with aging, and get more and more difficult as time goes on. 72 is not that old, but some people act like they are going on 92 their whole lives. Which is ironic, because there are probably some spry 92 year olds out there! Bear in mind what others have said, you can't control your mom but you can control how you react to her. You have some rights in this situation, and she has some adult responsibilities. If she chooses not to act like an adult (assuming she doesn't have some kind of dementia), then you are not responsible for her problems. Choose what you will do, and make it very clear that you are going to do as you see fit and if she doesn't like it, that is NOT YOUR PROBLEM. That's the only way you can deal with co-dependent people. You're just going to have to accept that she is going to be elderly and difficult. There's a difference between compassion (which you should exercise with your mom) and co-dependence, and the key is to navigate the line between the two. Recognizing the problem, like you have, is half the battle. And I think it also helps to share the burden by talking with others who are going through the same thing. I know I get a lot of solace from comiserating with my friends who are also dealing with or have dealt with difficult parental relationships. (Just ask Annie, lol!)

Westsider--Yes, I found a Pratt and Larson tile. I was supposed to get a couple of samples in the correct size and color last week, but they messed up my order again. I'll post pics when it gets here, unless they have another "miscommunication" at the showroom. The party was a success!! I'm not sure what happened with the people who made comments over the last months about arugula being a nasty weed and that capers were sickening, but everyone ate, and ate, and ate, and enjoyed the food! The woman who couldn't believe she ate capers stopped in her tracks when I told her that she also ate anchovies in that tapenade so loved so much. I received lots of praise during and after the party. Thank you all for your help. Most importantly, everyone, including me, had a great time. The group was smaller than expected as none of the husbands came, and a couple of families had the flu strike them at school that day. I think it all worked out for the best as we women just gathered in the kitchen to laugh, listen to Christmas music, talk, and eat apps while I finished plating and garnishing the main course. It was just how I hoped it would be. I ended up spending more time the night before on my son's project and having another commitment at my son's school that day, so I had to adjust the menu a bit to accommodate less cooking time. For apps I did a sour cream, herb, and cucumber dip with fresh veggies and blanched haricot verts and asparagus as suggested. I also did tapenade with crostini and Kathy Casey's sexy baked olives and feta. For the main course I did the cold beef fillet with sherry wine vinaigrette served on arugula with shaved red onions, haricot verts with walnuts and lemon vinaigrette, scalloped blue cheese potatoes, and the citrus salad with mint sugar. For dessert, I made the eggnog tiramisu trifle, cream cheese swirl brownies, and leftover lemon ginger cookies. We drank lots of prosecco, wine, and the hot buttered rum I made for the first time. The kids drank the spiced apple cider. I also had a beverage dispenser filled with water, lemons, and cucumber a friend termed "spa water." Sounds so snobby to me. ;) For compumom, here are the three recipes for which you asked. Eggnog Tiramisu Trifle http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Tiramisu-Eggnog-Trifle-108981 Tapenade In a food processor, pulse 1 garlic clove and 1 t fresh thyme leaves until minced. Add 1 1/4 c pitted kalamatas, 4 drained anchovy fillets, 2 T capers, 2 t lemon juice, and about 4-5 T EVOO and process until coarsely pureed. It's best fresh, but can keep a couple of days in the fridge. Cold Fillet of Beef with Sherry Wine Vinaigrette

If you are used to cooking at home then, no, this doesn't make much sense. But if you have a small apartment or aren't very comfortable cooking or never feel like you have time to do more than heat up a can of soup, then I'm sure it's an attractive option. One of my co-workers is young, single, and works long hours. She goes once a week to one of these (Let's Eat!) and makes 2 complete menus for herself using all of their ingredients and cooking utensils. She has fun with the other people there at the same time. She packages them up in single service sizes and takes them home to her freezer. She usually gets 6-8 meals out of a visit. The staff does all the shopping and all the food prep (cleaned, cut, etc) AND all the clean-up. They even provide the take-home containers. How can all that be bad??? lol. She loves it and looks forward to her Tuesday evening sessions. It's not cheap but when she factors in the time she saves she thinks it's well worth it.