If you are fairly close to her through your co-worker that passed I would say just trying to be there for her on a regular basis would help, also the group "griefshare" at www.griefshare.org is very helpful with many resources and best of all is a nationwide group sponsored by churches of most denominations. They have FREE weekly group meetings and don't require you to be a churchmember. The material is judai-christian based but helped this non church goer partially get a grip. The meetings are very helpful especially if you are completely alone and not adjusting well. All info is on the site and meeting locations are quick to find by entering your zipcode. Hope this helps and my thoughts and prayers go out.

I'm so sorry about the loss of your little niece and the injuries and grief that the family is dealing with. I have lost my child also and from my experience, I think that you should openly talk to your brother and his family as to what they would like to go on for your niece's birthday. Let them know that you want to be there for them and you won't be offended if they just want to spend the day alone. My daughter was killed just a week before her 20th birthday, so it was really too soon for us to plan anything, but shortly afterward, we planned a beautiful memorial which was to take place for her next birthday. We had a memorial at the cemetery which many of her friends and family attended. We had our priest come to the cemetery and bless her grave and pray. Her friends stood individually and spoke of Christin and their fond memories etc. We all released balloons and had a moment of silence. After that was over with, we all went to the church where our priest conducted a beautiful memorial mass for her. My husband and I were happier that day than we had been the entire year. It was extremely healing for us. Many times, the anticipation of those special days are worse than the actual day. One of the most helpful things is for people to continue to talk to them about their daughter and let them know that they have not forgotten her. Lu Here is a link that might be useful: Christin Cosby Memorial Web Site

Doesnt sound like a check valve only because I believe this is a free standing above ground unit? If it's connected to a pool, jimbar might be right. If it's a freestanding unit above ground, usually letting the water level drop until it stops is very telling. If it stops at a certain fitting, jet, drain etc, that may be where a leak is. I dont think the rain has anything to do with it, with exception to making it harder to see where the water went. You can always fill it back up, expose the plumbing from below and see if you et water accumulating anywhere. Also, you can take a small bottle of phenol red with goggles and underwater squeeze small drops around the fittings and drain and skimmer and see if you get any "sucked in". Make sure all equipment is off when you do that. If you have a backwash valve always check that it is in a good locked position and not leaking when the pump comes on. I've seen pools drop overnight from a bad push/pull valve on a DE or Sand filter. Good luck!

Yes, the Bayer does work and it's the best thing I have ever used for them. Those darn things will hide in places you would never think of and if there are any survivors, once they start to attack the roots or leaves again, they will die anyway since all parts of the Hoya are now toxic for weeks on end..I have no fear of accidently leaving any stragglers alive...