Mona, you're not crazy. I've had a little experience with what you're feeling. Older teen and young adult stepkids will sometimes feel threatened by a new family structure and they will try to assert control over activities and meals to "recreate" the old family structure. Often, Dad will pander to them because he's keen to maintain their interest in the family. However, kids can't run the family and we've had a few conflicts over the years, especially on vacations, when the big kid doesn't get her/his way. We've also had some problems with the big kid pressing Dad to spend money that he can't afford. You can solve some of this problem, to some extent, with advance planning. Prior to a visit, make sure that you and your husband have a plan in place for important meals (like Christmas dinner) and activities (like visits with relatives). If the big kids balk, be sure that you have an "out" for them so they won't cause problems (i.e. "We're taking baby to see Santa today at noon. You're welcome to tag along, or you can stay home and get some homework done"). Also, have a few pre-planned jobs in mind to keep them busy (i.e. they make cookies, wrap gifts or do a craft that you've purchased with the little kids). However, there will be times that you will just have to grit your teeth and bear it. That happened to me on Easter weekend when I was snafu'ed with an activity on Good Friday that I wasn't informed about and hadn't planned on. It didn't adversely affect my weekend, so I just smiled and went along. Rest assured, that the problem becomes less frequent as the big kids get older, and become occupied with their own careers and relationships.

I agree, the Pearl is too yellow. Still trying to decide between the Antique Parchment and Linen :). I reached a new low as I knocked on doors in the rain, asking if I could hold paint samples up to trim. For better or worse I told the installer we'd use the Teakwood! I felt relieved for about a minute....and then started thinking things like: is it too dark? Is there a PURPLE undertone???? Is the finish too flat? Ha! I might be certifiable! Wish I was someone who didn't care. I might have an ugly house, but I'd be blissfully oblivious :) Well, I guess another option would be having enough money to hire someone like Maria Killam... This line of siding is special order (the warehouse doesn't stock it yet), so we needed to order in advance. I worked up enough nerve to ask our installer (a relative) if the trim wrap was special order, too. It's not, so I have more time to think over the trim color! It's been rainy today and yesterday, so I'm especially glad to have more time since I'd like to be sure I like the trim color when there is some sun. I really wish we could do it all a step at a time - windows installed first, then siding up, then pick a trim color. Seems like it would be easier than trying to envision it ALL. Thanks again for all the help!

@megs1030 We have many full-sized Danby slabs on display at slab warehouses in Dallas, Texas, at the moment, so not sure what's going on there in the Northeast. It shouldn't be much trouble at all to get slabs transferred to you, as they are currently available on the market. I don't personally care for the Danby veining as much as Carrara or Calacatta, but Danby is reportedly one of the most durable marbles on the market today for use as countertop material, and if you haven't heard of Stoneguard, you might look into it, because a great sealer can go a long way. People who use marble for countertops sometimes make use of decorative trays to hold various items to keep them off the marble to help preserve the surface. It's also common to have resurfacing done for a couple of hundred dollars when desired, though that's not a requirement. Usually, any KD, distributor or fabricator wants a "hands off" approach to marble because they don't want to be blamed for perceived problems after installation, whereas so much of the marble experience depends on the individual, how the marble is used and cared for, and how much the user enjoys the look of real marble. I've run across several articles written by people who have experienced marble countertops in their homes for years, and despite some wear to the surface, they are still totally in love with the look. You could put in marble twice compared to the cost of some quartzites, and I personally think marble is prettier than most quartzites. I actually had one fabricator tell me recently that he's known of people who have marble countertops that are quite worn who still absolutely love them. You would want to look for a marble with a higher dolomite mineral content, as it is the calcite marbles that are more problematic. Some slab yards will even specify "dolomite marble." It is you who has to live with the counters, so I'd go with what you love personally rather than what the advisers want to sell to you. I even ran across a story recently of a lady who accidentally got yellow oil stains on a marble backsplash above her stove, and she was able to completely renew the surface with a poultice that drew out the staining, afterward protecting it once again with 3 layers of sealant, so there are all kinds of ways to learn to care for marble. If you're set against laminate, then it's correct you wouldn't want to spend the money on a temporary fix since laminate installation can take a huge chunk out of your real countertop budget. Don't give up on marble just yet! I'd encourage you to find a few of the positive stories online of people who have lived with marble and would put it in again if they had the choice.

Show some pictures of your spaces. If you are without reasonably sized area rugs, have no curtains? This makes a gigantic difference. Sounds bounce from windows and hardwood floors. Try noise cancelling headphones when you're working. You can connect bluetooth headphones to a tv , as well. A house with three boys will never be the sanctuary that an off site office would provide. Adequate "decor" and headphones as suggested.. You don't say how you are set up for at home work, and if you are not used to this type of endeavor it CAN be a very new experience, and is naturally more prone to interruptions.. Make certain you are not expecting too much sanctuary. ............no home is , unless free of children. Even then, lawn mowers, barking dogs, traffic, neighbors with children at play. ? It's all there at home. Some of this is just a question of getting used to working in the daily din of daily life : ) It's a good bet you never noticed it as much, pre Covid confines. A tv need not "blare", and asking for some "quiet time" from your three boys can also be accomplished. Some no tv TIME, lets,draw, color, use the ipad.....go OUTDOORS...... they need not have the run of the asylum, and wouldn't have it in school either.