Nick, thanks for the good wishes. In the Minneapolis area yesterday about 10 am, it was minus 11F; about 5:30 pm, it was minus 14F. Luckily, this far North, we have all our orchids inside or in a greenhouse from mid- to late October or so, so no back and forth, covering plants, etc. Non-orchid-wise, doing stuff outside can be a hassle, but the roads are always clear, except if we're in the middle of a heavy snow, when it can get slippery. On the other hand... Arkansas ice storms are dangerous. The one time in the last almost 30 years the Twin Cities had an Arkansas-type ice storm, bus service stopped, the Post Office stopped, the U of MN stopped, government offices stopped, plus all businesses - total standstill. People had been giving me grief for being a pansy weather gal from Arkansas. Hah! During the ice storm, I told them THIS is what we get several times a year in the Northern part of Arkansas, AND we have steep hills all over the place, unlike most of the Twin Cities. Their jaws dropped in proper respect, and my cred was *made.* Arkansas pansy no more! I hope you all in the more ambiguous weather zones are making it okay.

Everything went well! I just filled them with fresh gas, and pulled the rope a few times! One weed eater and one chain saw required a little shot of starting fluid. They stumbled a little and came to life!

Elizabeth glad the moment of being scared for you was a brief one for me since I just now got to read this thread and you are doing better already. Heck I have not even started to pray. Thank God for our friends having done it already!!! Karen was not in a accident yet...knock on my head. (It's wood lol) I don't think I want to say woody do I? Back to what I wanted to say lol. See...WOOD lol. LOVE gardening lol ARe you still following me? rofl Ok but I DO watch other drivers all the time. When I see folks talking on the cell and staying in the left lane or driving so slow, I am very careful. I hope that there will be no long term damages to you and family. Was it just you that got hurt? Hope both of you will be yourselves real soon! Hugs Lucy

I would not do plaster again. It was so mottled, plus it cracked, that I tore it out after 2 yrs. I have brand new 1 day old pebble sheen and so far, I LOVE it. I would not use a busy mosaic tile. I replaced mine with simple pool blue midcentury square tiles. I would not rush the design as stated above. I had a highly qualified landscape architect help me with the remodel and it looks fabulous (I think). I lengthened my pool to a 60 ft. long lap pool. I am glad that I paid the extra $ for this.