The idea that you would be catching the clippings on 2 acres of lawn seems very silly to me. The wealth of the soil under that lawn is being robbed every time you take away those clippings, and that wealth is needed for the health of the lawn. I even think folks that rake up then haul off leaves from their trees are just ripping off their own yards. I think if I were you, I might take part of the lawn and grow something in particular that you want to use as mulch, buckwheat, clover, etc. You can grow it thick so it shades out weeds like dandelions. You'll be far better off with the lawn by leaving the grass clippings on the lawn. And look around for other possible sources of mulch in your community. There are so many people that just throw out stuff you could use. And if you ask, sometimes they will save it for you, bring it to you, call you when it is ready, etc. Also consider the amount of gasoline you are using to keep that two acres mowed - no amount of mulch is worth that...

Hi lagirl, As someone who has suffered from migraines in the past, I feel for your son. It's a pain beyond description. A normal noise can sound like canons going off, imagine it is unbearable for him to have it sound like the ceiling is going to come down. Based on your user ID, are you in Calif? If so, here is a link to HUD's site for tenant rights. Not to confuse, but that also leads to Calif's Landlord/Tenant laws put out Calif Dept of Consumer Affairs.Do read that handbook, it's got lots of good info, including when and how to approach your landlord. The first link above (HUD) also leads to legal services (including free), should you need advice. Hopefully those tools will help you out. What you want to look for is in your Lease. Most standard leases have a clause about the right to "quiet enjoyment" or something similar. I hope things work out for you and your son. ;)

The situation has deteriorated now to the point that she cannot manage herself. A month ago she called her cousin, complaining of urinary burning. Granny got upset with the cousin when she called my mother. Mom took her to a new doctor (the regular was out of the office), who immediately saw the situation. Mom kept her at their home for two weeks, got the infection cleared and granny in better condition with proper meals. It was an ordeal. She has lost all concept of time, after one night she insisted she had been there for days. Now we have a "sitter" coming Mon-Fri morning to make sure morning meds are taken properly, breakfast, lunch, and prepare an afternoon snack and a supper plate. I stop by at 1:30 PM to confer and check what business I may need to handle, the sitter leaves and I stay for an hour or two. I call to check that she ate the snack, then again on the supper plate. I go there 2 hrs after supper to check her glucose level and get a bedtime snack. Occasionally it works. More typically it does not. I'll call, she'll tell me she ate the snack, or had the supper. When I get there, I find the supper plate untouched. One evening she hid it in the crisper drawer, I didn't see it, reasonably thought she had supper. The sitter found it the next day. Today the sitter couldn't come, was down with a virus. So I went at 8:30 AM (which is tricky when I go to bed at 4 AM after working a night job). The morning went reasonably well. I left her alone for a couple hrs to make lunch at my house (I live about just up the road). Called to remind her I'm bringing lunch in a few mins, she had already gotten into something else, but couldn't tell me what on the phone. I told her not to eat it, leave it out so I can see what it was. I got there, nothing to be found, she claimed it was a snack cup of gelatin/peaches. We got through that OK, she ate the lunch. I prepared an afternoon snack, and a supper plate (same thing as was the lunch, small salad, one chicken tender, about 1/2 cup green beans). I called at 3:40 to check on the snack, no answer. I figured she was doing a bit of yard work. Called again 30 mins later, she claims she had been napping (which she *should* have heard the phone) and had eaten the snack. I reminded her again to eat supper at the proper time so I can check her blood at 8 PM. I called at 6:40 to check. She said she ate the supper (Did you spray on salad dressing? Yes. How was the chicken? It was good.) When I get there to do the nightly blood check and bedtime snack, I found the supper plate, again untouched. She insisted she had eaten a chicken plate, that there were two in the refrigerator. Not possible. Only thing I can figure is she was remembering the LUNCH plate and confused it as having eaten supper. Unfortunately, she got upset, I got upset, and it was a bad scene. I should have GONE there to check on supper, not just called. Her glucose level was low, 89. She refused to have an evening snack, stating that she'd rather die. Crying and absolutely unreasonable. Jump the lake (her term for suicide), throw all the pills away. I left. The sitter is not coming again today, doesn't want to take a chance with the virus. I told granny she'll have to come to my house for the afternoon so I can "make sure she follows the schedule." She said nobody is taking her out of her house. I asked her if I should come or not. She answered that she isn't forcing me to come there. I tried leaving her be last weekend, after a blow-up on Friday evening. The sitter had meals prepared for lunch & supper on Sat & Sun. She called me Sun morn, sobbing that I'm mad at her since I hadn't been there. She had eaten three of the plates, who knows what else and on what schedule. Her glucose was wonky, she was confused on numerous points and details. I'm ashamed to say that I'm at the point that I feel it'd be better if she'd die. Nobody is getting any benefit from the efforts we're putting out. She's resisting with all her might, we're fighting back, and everybody is exhausted. It has been suggested to let her do and eat what she wants. Sounds easy, but the "end" isn't guaranteed so graceful and grand as she believes it'll be. What happens when she has another stroke that results in paralysis or blindness or a complete vegetative state? Who'll take care of her then?

I just want to give you a hug ((((bevinpa))))) even if it is only a cyber hug. I am so glad you have the support and understanding of your children as you cope with what has happened to your husband. You have obviously done all you can for as long as you can and then some. I saw my Mom go through what you are with her second husband. For awhile we were concerned that she might die before he did because of the stress and lack of rest. He had Parkinson's. Near the end he couldn't even scratch his nose when he needed to and even though we helped all we could most of the burden was on her. When the feeding tube had to be put in the decision about the NH was taken out of her hands, with that and other health concerns he required more medical help than she could provide. Ultimately only you can make the decision of course, but there are things that I hope you will think about. If your able to put him in a NH near by, you should be able to visit him regularly, perhaps almost daily. Your time together will better than the time you have now, you will be rested and refreshed during those visits. You will have time to enjoy your children and grandchildren and new things to share with him if he is able to understand your conversations with him. As someone else said, it isn't a perfect solution but it will go a long way toward giving you back your life while continuing to protect his. Whatever your decision I pray God will bless you and strengthen you in the days ahead.