S T O P and A D M I R E the~ ~ ~ * * * R O S E S !!!! Little ones..... B I G ONES>>>>> Just Simply A D O R A B L E !!!!!!! Once again.... the "Darling DUO has Dazzled Us with their Delightful Art work !!!!!!" Thanks Kids.... They are just Precious..... Just Sparkling..... like the Two of YOU !!!!! Thank you for the Pics!!!! and Thank you for the IDeas..... Guess * * * * ALL that Snow did Not Freeze your creatavity ...... and every time.... you give the Weather at your place.... I can see that shorty after that.... whats left of the snow storm.... arrives here in Illinois... and gives me that cardiovascular work out....SHOVELING SNOW!! so..... Thanks for everything.... the Flowers... the instuctions... and the Weather report!!!! tee hee..... Glad you guys had such a fun shopping trip... and gluing session.... GOD BLESS !!! SusieSunShine

Thanks, Gilroy! I wonder if anyone has success posting images from their libraries directly to gardenweb? We've gone back and forth--from making the pond into a firepit--which would mean somehow making it drain snow melt and rainwater, to reviving the pond, which means a bigger financial and time committment, plus lots more to learn (just trying to figure out the GPH and the lift and the head height and immersible vs external and direct drives vs mag drives...! Yikes!) We've also talked about making it a firepit surrounded by a pond or somehow making it into a hot tub or outdoor pizza oven. It's the focal point of our backyard and letting it fill up with algae and Mosquitos and weeds every summer just isn't working. Our neighbor put in a swimming pool and all the noisy equipment sits atop the hill just above the pond's retaining wall and behind a hideous chain link fence. We're hoping to cover up the noise with the waterfall sounds and eventually put up our own wooden fence to hide the chain link. But, wow, what a lot of work and expense. I love old houses and am glad you're trying to stay true to the design of your home's era. Have you posted any photos of your home and where the pond is sited in relation to the house? Good luck!

Wow! Lots of good ideas. We have frozen broccoli in the fridge. I'll give the combination a try when I make mac & cheese this week. I usually barely thaw the broccoli with a little water in a covered sauté pan and then drain the water, turn up the heat, and finish it with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. msazadi - I've followed DW's example in cutting way back on, rather than completely eliminating, problematic foods. Catsup is a good example. Instead of slathering my cheese steak with catsup, as I did in the good old days, I used just enough to taste that it was there when I made them for lunch today. And I will probably try a slice of Jersey tomato on a burger this summer.

I am Operations Manager at American Leak Detection in Atlanta, GA (770.436.5722). We have not heard from you, but would be happy to converse about the specifics of your pool and provide a good faith estimate for detection services, as well as an idea of the range of repair fees. Let me know where you are located and the type of pool you have. Not being contacted or having your service needs met is inexcuseable - I assure you we will respond in a timely fashion. Cathy404592 - respond and I will contact you with the information you have requested.