Minneapolis Star Tribune

Focus only on the topic at hand. Dredging up a bunch of old issues -- called "kitchen sinking" by therapists -- fuels anger.

Don't bring in third parties. Saying "My mom agrees with me" isn't going to help win the argument. In the same vein, don't make comparisons between your mate and someone else.

Santa Claus at the Mall of America's Santa Experience is so successful at making children smile for pictures, he's willing to share some of his tips for other Santas.

-- Don't be pushy. Be gentle and smile.

-- Try to have fun and act like a kid again. Get on their level. Literally get out of the chair and sit on the floor.

TIPS FROM THE GREENES

-- Do your homework regarding materials, fixtures and finishes and bring your ideas to the design meetings.

-- "Start with a big wish list and then tweak it to what's really important," Karla said.

-- If you can, take a vacation during the construction to get a break from the mess.

PERFECT POPCORN

Makes 5 cups.

Note: It's best to use a deep, heavy pan. Use only as many kernels as cover a single layer in the bottom of the pan. Use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoking point, such as canola.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

Melted butter, optional

Salt, optional

5,600 -- Age in years of popcorn ears found in caves in New Mexico

400 to 460 -- Degrees that are the ideal popping temperature

70 -- Percentage of popcorn eaten at home (remainder at theaters, stadiums, etc.)

54 -- Average number of quarts of popcorn eaten annually by each American, more than in any other country

122 -- Calories in 1 cup popcorn, oil-popped

WHAT'S YOUR PARENTING STYLE?

"I believe children should be seen and not heard."

If you answered "yes," then you might be an authoritarian, or dominating parent. Take the rest of the quiz to find out where you fall on the parenting spectrum: www.extension.umn.edu/parentsforever/ and search for "parenting style."

RESOURCE

What is a reverse offer? When a seller makes an offer to a buyer. It can be written or verbal, and is usually at a price that's lower than the list price.

When is it a good strategy? When someone has expressed interest in the property, or if price is the obstacle to making a deal and the prospective buyer is afraid to insult the seller.

MOVING TIPS

Here are some dorm dos from the experts:

Find out what the school provides. Some dorm rooms come with small refrigerators, and many have vacuum cleaners available (not that they get a lot of use). Some rooms have wastebaskets, some don't. Find out what the school bans.

Most dorms don't allow popcorn poppers, others limit the number of electronic devices.

The history:

A Minnesota woman has lost her lawsuit over a letter that erroneously told her that her son had died in Iraq.

Joan Najbar of Duluth, Minn., sent a letter to her son, Sam Eininger, in September 2006. It was returned several weeks later, stamped "DECEASED."