Here in Zone 7 they are good to have especially if you get alot of sun. They help block out some of the rays and that controls algea growth. My ponds get completely covered in it and it turns a pretty red color after awhile. Mine dies back during the winter and usually returns the next year (with the exception of this past winter being the first that it did not come back but it was very cold for a very long period). I love it, so I ended up buying a cup full off of Ebay just so I could get going again. Hope this was helpful.

Okay I am going to try and answer all the questions I have been asked. Daisy does stay in a crate during the day as my husband and I both work full time. She is not holding herself throughout the day. I don't allow her a lot of water in the morning and I take her out 2 to 3 times before I leave. She is not on a leash, none of out dogs were, but she has a designated "potty" area. When she wakes me up at night we go to teh door directly and to the potty spot. Once she is done, I tell her its time to go back to bed. She has actually improved on getting in the crate at night and not throwing a huge fit. Her Crate is in our room and its not a big one its actually the smallest wired crate I have seen but she has enough room for a small cushion to lay on and room to move around with her toys , and its in our room. The thing of trying to ignore her is a great idea but she will pee in her crate and that is what I am trying so hard to avoid. Also I have a 5 year old dog and when she throws a fit he gets restless then nobody sleeps : ) . She actually didn't wake me up until 4am today and I was so excited but then I found evidence that she potty in the crate I don't thik that was from yesterday unless my husband missed it which is possible. When she does pee in there I try to clean and wash everything in hopes she won't smell it and do it again. Is there anything to help with the odor?? any thoughts. So we are being patient and trying to do what we can, I may try the leash idea, that is a good one. Now Prairie Love you asked me about the Parvo. You all have NO idea what I have gone through. I had NO clue when I picked my precious baby out that she had Parvo. We found out the Sunday after we got her on Wed. She was so sick. I did call the humane society and to my suprise found out 2 days late that they knew on Saturday. I went straight to a board member with my concerns. Its been a huge ordeal but they are working on it and investigating and having a special session to keep this from happening again. I am very aware of how serious it is now, as all of her litter mates lost their lives due to it. Another thing I want to ask you all about. They made me have her fixed before I could take her home, yes at 8weeks of age. Would this affect anything with her. I need to ask my vet. We finally have enough of a "sample" to take in now.. whoo what a chore. Thank you all for your ideas, I love having animal lovers to talk to. Now if I can get my 5 year old to love her as much as her daddy and I do : ) !

Good luck, and don't forget to post pictures along the way. Scott and Kelly and other pros on here have helped me and lots of other folks by pointing out items of concern to discuss with the builder. I might suggest you also join up to Troublefreepool.com forum. They tend more to owner maintenance than build & appearance info, but you can still find lots of good stuff to read and learn - things like getting a good pool test kit. Example: my local store gave me numbers on several visits that just weren't possible, such as Calcium Hardness going from 350 to 200 then back to 400 all in one week. Knowing how to maintain will save you a bunch of $$$ over the years.

My heart goes out to you in your moments of despair which is totally understandable when you look around and see so many with their children on the right path. Know that you're not alone, go to Al-Anon please. Addicts are just people who can't stop doing what they do. We can relate to them if we think of giving up foods we love or cigarettes or coffee etc. It's not easy and it's not because we're weak, it's because the yearning is ruling our brain. I will pray that your Kasey can find the strength to realize that she's on the road to losing more than just her children. In the meantime you need to surrender to God. Know that He is on your side. Do what you can to make yourself accept and realize you had no part in her addiction, it was just a very bad choice that has it's grip on her. Way down inside her, she yearns to stop but the drugs rule. Say your prayers and then just let it be. You're a good woman and she knows it. She loves you but the drugs are making her love them over others. In time I feel she'll recover. God bless you and your husband.