I find this thread discouraging. I started using Charlie's Soap due to recommendations on this forum, but the vehemence of the opinions here is hard to figure?! Does anyone consider why they have such strong opinions about laundry detergent? Or whether they feel these strongly worded comments are actually helpful to the forum? Clearly, some of the difference with results has to have something to do with the difference in water from one community to another. Hard water, soft water, heavily treated water have to make a big difference in how a detergent works. I have seen a few comments here that point out the basic reasoning that many people had in using Charlie's soap, but it bears repeating. Using a detergent that has fewer harsh chemicals and less negative effect on the environment and the water supply. And the second big reason was trying to escape the overabundance of products that cause reactions to the skin from who knows what ingredients. What I want to use as a laundry detergent, is a product that cleans clothes well but is made from natural ingredients that do not affect the water supply or the environment. And definitely, a product that rinses completely out of the clothes so that there is no residue to sit on the skin and either provoke a reaction or be absorbed into the body. It would be more helpful to me, to read comments from someone who actually knows and understands what is in these competing products and what affect they have on not just cleaning the clothes, but do they affect the environment and do they leave a residue that can cause a problem for the skin? And I'm also trying to avoid fragrances. I really dislike them across the board, unless they are natural fragrances, as in coming from essential oils or something. I don't wear perfume and I find it difficult to spend time in a room with someone who does wear it. Bottom line - this thread did not help me figure out which detergent is going to help me have the laundry experience I am looking for.

I took Paxil for a year and a half for depression. At first the it did indeed take the edge off the depression, for which I was thankful. *However,* during that timeframe I gained 40lbs !!!!! And I was not thin to begin with. So, my advice is -- consider switching to something like Welbutrin rather than taking an SSRI (Paxil, Lexapro, etc.) Cutting carbs and sugars is something we should all do, but I am the queen of carbs. It's a struggle, but one thing I want you to bear in mind is that in time, your hormones will stabilize and the terrible anxiety you are coping with will settle down. Anxiety can take control of your world if you let it. Don't let it. Get outside, take some walks, practice deep breathing. Here's what I did -- when I felt the panic kind of anxiety coming, I immediately took half of a 5mg Xanax pill -- and I told myself that between the medication and understanding what was happening, the panic attack would stop. And it almost always did. Things will get better!!

Thanks alisande. It actually feels like fluid retention because once it starts, I seem to blow up - don't laugh everyone because that's exactly what it looks like - LOL; like I could float away. I just had all levels checked and everything is fine. I do know I tend to carry a lot of fluid. I'm taking very small dose of meds for that but not regularly because it's way too much everyday. I end of losing too much magnesium (not Potassium, if you can believe that one). I've been using some supplements that have cut down on some of that. But nothing seems to help that tire area. Glad you mentioned this though. I feel so much better. Although I know that I have to watch the fluid retention and get regular bloodwork, at least it's something that I can deal with other than just gaining weight like crazy. BTW, I just talked to my siser who is really into holistic health, and she mentioned that since my A1c is only 6.4, I might want to try to reduce it further through nutrition. She knows people with much higher levels and on insulin, that have actually been taken off of meds. Diabetes is such an ugly disease - between it's damage and the meds. I put it up there with CA. I'm ready to try anything. Thanks so much for your suggestion!!

I-chic, I think you're right. Mixing finishes will probably date the kitchen so you just exorcised that particular demon for me. Thank you so much! I'm not going to use painted cabinets though, as beautiful as they are, because I'm just too hard on my stuff and I know I'll ding the heck out of them. I love how white quarter sawn oak can have a victorian feel to it, which I think will fit in nicely with the rest of the house. What I have in mind: Astidh, the prep sink is actually pictured bigger than it will be in reality. There's 4 ft of space on each side of the cooktop, and I was thinking a 13" prep sink installed only a few inches from the wall. I have been waffling between the layout above and the one below (which wouldn't need a prep sink). I would still find myself working where I do now which is to the left of the range, away from the corner, but that's not really a hardship. L-shaped kitchen So, where am I now? Thanks to igloo (btw, are you still in bed?) I know what I'm doing with the cabinets, but the question that remains is which layout is best. Pros of layout 1 No corners well defined zones with no one getting in each others way I love the symmetry on the cooktop wall I LOVE how open it feels it's not so run of the mill Cons of layout 1 gives up some storage space gives up some counter space but I think what you lose with the corner is gained by having 4 ft of straight run Pros of layout 2 more storage space sink isn't totally visible from dining room no prep sink needed Cons of layout 2 A corner I know I won't work in (but DH will) 4 ft of rather unusable space to the right of sink Can't do a farm sink (I guess I could move the sink down to where it is in layout 1 and keep the prep sink, hmmm) It would look like this: L-shaped layout with sink moved down (opens another can of worms...should the sink be centered in the run or with the opening to the dining room?) I'm beginning to believe there is no hope for me and that I will remain hopelessly indecisive. I'm really leaning toward layout 1, possibly without the prep sink (I could put a refuse receptacle there instead) but am not sure I should give up the storage/counter space of layout 2/3 (my cd player currently resides there). How am I ever going to make up my mind? Can anyone see any obvious reasons why one of these layouts would be superior to the others? All comments, even those which answer questions that weren't asked are deeply appreciated. TIA, again.