If part of the reason for these forums is education (which it is), then I agree with the OP that the rhetoric could be toned down a little. Quickest way to get someone to turn you off and not listen to you and your cause? Piss them off with the the tone you answer their questions in. Back to the subject, I doubt the Bayer would kill the tree if it is applied per directions. That stuff you buy at the box stores is so weakened, and you only applied 3 oz. However you never mentioned how big the tree is. In defense of the OP, Japanese beetles are a terror in certain areas. They are so much here in my local area that I removed 2 crabapples a few years ago because I was tired of the swarms in the yard and the leafless tree for half the summer. So I can understand someone wanting to treat early in anticipation of the beetles. Now as far as stuff like root stimulator, we all know most of that stuff is snake oil. There ain't enough chemical in that to kill a fly, it's just made to make money off gardeners that don't know any better. A side note, all of you giving the OP a hard time...I'm sure you have a chemical free, organic lawn, right? It's amazing how many people I come across that will raise cane over 3 oz of insecticide, then apply 200 lbs of chemicals to keep weeds out of their lawn. To the OP, we all try to convince people to use chemicals only when absolutely necessary. I would have done the same thing you did. Now if it don't work, and you get beetles anyways, don't keep applying chemicals. Once they get started, there isn't any chemical available in a store that will control them. Pick them off by hand or just let them do their thing. I use chemicals only when absolutely necessary, in fact I am using them now trying to control leaf miners. And I agree, a lot of people are overusing chemicals, but part of the reason is non-education. They see 100 different brands of insecticide at Lowes, and they are marketed in such a way to make every homeowner think they need them. So we need to continue to educate the public, and maybe go after the chemical makers that are making money off gardeners that don't know any better. By the way, i would love to have a chemical free, organic body...but I got to keep putting these medicines in it to keep it going properly.

It would help to know what part of the country you live in. Do you get a lot of snow, or just enough to be a problem? Kitasei above has several good suggestions. Grass on sandy soil really doesn't grow that well. I think you've found your answer with groundcovers. Maybe you could expand on what you have, adding other varieties, planting them more thickly on the outer edges so you can confine your work closer to the house. Just be sure to choose wisely (do your homework) so you don't plant invasive ones that you'll have to grub out of the wrong areas. When the leaves start falling, ask around -- I collect leaves from people's yards to put in my raised garden beds (to keep the weeds down). If you hire someone (professional or other), make dead-certain-sure that you don't pay them in advance. No work, no pay, no excuses. But I must admit that there certainly are a lot of people these days who don't want to work, and worse, don't know HOW to work. Check online and see if you have a local area blog. West Seattle has one -- I wish more areas did: westseattleblog.com where you could post questions. It would be safer than some of the lowlifes on Craigslist. Ask around for reliable handy persons (M or F), or a labor-barter group. Do you have non-strenuous abilities (bookkeeping, etc) that you could trade? I have discovered that quite a few home-schooled teenagers can make pretty good workers. Ask around. Even with arthritis, don't let your body freeze up by eliminating moving. Do what you can do. Exercise will help keep you mobile.

I have never used one myself, but my neighbor had one years ago. They got it mainly for their kids, but as for exercise they didnt really use it that much because he had a hurt back. The constant pounding was hard on his back. I know that exercise routines are available for the trampoline though. Without actually using it though I can not really say how much it would help out. Hopefully that helps out some!

Congratulations on reaching your goal! You and your hubby have done amazingly well, so congrats to you both! Any exercise that consistently elevates heart rate combined with proper calorie consumption will bring about weight loss - but the key is in finding something you enjoy well enough to stick with it! Sounds like you and your DH have found that "something"! :-) Just a word of caution on the rebounders. I injured myself pretty severely using one several years ago, so always feel compelled to share my story. I had been using my rebounder often and I guess I just got a bit careless one evening while jumping. I wasn't really paying attention to my form and when I came down, my ankle twisted and I ended up lying sprawled on a tile floor in terrible pain. I sprained my ankle pretty badly and it took a long time to heal (I still have some issues with that ankle, even now). If you're going to rebound, don't let your head go off in "lala-land", but remain focused on what your body is doing at all times. I shamefully admit that I haven't hooped in awhile, but I've been hitting the gym hard since January and am thrilled to be seeing some strong muscular development finally happening. It's been killer work, but I want to be as toned and sculpted and strong as I possibly can, so I'm determined to keep at it. Thanks so much for sharing your success story, Yvette! I'd love to hear how others who are on the "health wagon" are doing with their routines.