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).

OK, the potluck has turned into not much of a potluck. Besides a pan of sausage, 1 of kielbasa, mac & cheese, baked beans and potato salad, looks like the rest of the contributions are going to be tossed salad, cookies, veggie platter, crab dip, jalapeno poppers (all BBQ type food - this was originally going to be a BBQ at my cousin's house, with them supplying the meat). So, family is still supplying the meat plus more - cousin bought 2 spiral hams (don't know how big - assume that's about 20-30 lbs?), her sister is making rolls (?! for 65 people and counting!), one of my aunts is making a "big" (?) green bean casserole, niece is making (we assume, I haven't talked to her) 24 chicken thighs I left her message that BJ's has that size package for $1/lb. I was going to make chicken thighs too, you think 24 more (about 18 lbs total between the 2 of us) is enough with the ham (other meats may just be enough for a "taste") or should I buy another package? DH thinks that 72 thighs (27 lbs) sounds like too much considering the 2 hams. I'm also thinking I should make a pan of oven-roasted potatoes? Oh, and we can use the oven at the club to warm things, but they don't allow sterno or candles, and the food tables will have to be in the middle of the room so no way to plug in crockpots, etc. The best we could come up with is to just keep warming things in the oven, bring potholders and trivets to put the hot pans on the table and after an hour or so check if things need to be reheated or if everyone's eaten we can pack them up in fridge. My cousin also wants to buy some cheese and crackers, chips and salsa, and potato chips to munch on - I don't know what time she thinks we'll eat, but I think 1. There are some appetizers coming already 2. Party starts at 1:00, if people have eaten already they'll just eat some munchies and want to stay for cake, but I'm betting most people will want to eat "dinner" right away. Oh, yes, I am bringing the Mr. Tea maker so we can make iced by the pitcher if people want that instead of hot coffee/tea, also picking up some jugs of lemonade, she has 5 2-liter bottles of Coke and is picking up some bottled water. I'll ask my dad to bring a cooler full of ice and I'll bring another. This post was edited by ajsmama on Wed, Mar 27, 13 at 12:51

Thank you everyone for the good wishes, kind words and for remembering my "big" birthday! Annie, we followed your suggestion by celebrating long and hard! The birthday kicked off with a "family" party on Saturday night at a sensational Italian restaurant. To make the evening even more fun, the star of "Castle" was at the next table! On Sunday evening we dined with friends. The company was great, the food was good, but the dessert was amazing! Drunken figs on a fudgy chocolate slice with berries and vanilla ice cream! Divine! Today DH took me to the Bel Air Hotel for lunch. It's a beautiful and peaceful oasis nestled in the hills and surrounded by homes of astounding size! Wolfgang Puck happened to be on site shooting some photos for an upcoming book. We chatted a bit and then enjoyed a yummy lunch topped off by a piece of gluten free chocolate cake that was fantastic! This delicious dining weekend added unneeded pounds, but really helped to ease my crossing the threshold of a new decade! This post was edited by compumom on Tue, Nov 5, 13 at 3:27

Wow, you folks are awesome, thanks so much for taking the time to post ideas and recipes, I really appreciate it. I'm going to ask tonight if eggs/egg whites are on the OK list because those macaroons are a great idea (and are a favorite of DH as well). Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It's also found in spelt, I've just learned. So all of those products are out, along with a laundry list of other foods that seem to cause her stomach to cramp up. I love to bake - bread a couple of times/week, cakes, cookies, pies, etc. I feel badly for my neighbor as she's basically given up on all baked goods, which is why I thought I'd see if there were any possibilities for her that she might have overlooked. publickman I've brought quinoa salad a couple of times and am not a huge fan, but it's a good fallback. bons thanks so much for the recipes. The brownies and macaroons look great (assuming eggs are ok, I'd have to leave out the nuts) but the 3rd recipe won't work as was pointed out (milk). mom4j47 yes, this is pretty drastic and not by choice but for health reasons. My neighbor gets very very sick when she eats something not on her OK list. All veggies and some fruits are always welcome so I often bring those. Annie I'll check out the cornbread recipes (and ask her if cornmeal is ok). The meringue cookies look good although no nuts. dcarch thanks for the hint about Asian groceries, I've got one nearby. I have no idea how to use these flours though - anything you can share about them? Wild rice is a grass and as such it's on her OK list. I haven't seen wild rice flour (if it even exists) but I've got a really good recipe for a wild rice salad (includes dried cranberries and almonds) that I could bring sometime, with the almonds on the side. cloud_swift the cholo tiki recipe looks delicious - I know DH would love to try that. Teresa yes, rice just an additional food she is sensitive to, which makes things difficult since it's often an ingredient in gluten-free flours and foods. tami_ohio thanks for pointing out www.diningdownloads. I have a Kindle and will check it out. chi83 I'll have to check with her on coconut milk. I'm assuming almond milk is not going to work. I didn't know that coconut cream whips. compumom thanks, I'll see if meringues will work for her. Becky thanks for the recipe! Jessica thanks as well, I'll ask about corn meal because your recipe looks great. cynic I'm going to see her tonight and so will ask about all the ingredients I'm not sure of. I didn't realize flour residue hangs around. She loves the gewurztraminer that DH brings on occasion, so arriving with baked goods is not really all that critical. Her basic approach is to make a soup that she knows she can eat and assume that any other contributions from guests are not going to be something she'll be able to have. If the contributions fit her diet, it's a bonus. This has been a real education for me, both in getting to know this neighbor and in all the posts here. Thanks again to all who commented.