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.

I own the Urban rebounder, from HSN. Had it over a year...just started using it to build myself up to doing the Insanity workout. This bounder is sturdy, even though I am a beginner I don't use the stabilizer bar and I feel secure on it. I can only bounce for a minute right now.....my thighs get tired and one knee starts to hurt...so I complete the whole workout by stepping in place on the bounder. I am over 50, and the knee pain worried me at first...made me think I should not bound. But I found the next day my knee did not hurt as much going up stairs....so I am hoping that my knee pain lessens as my thighs get stronger.

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.

Hi ML, I think you're getting unfairly beat up. Your guy did the same thing that a lot of people did- they bought at the top of the market, thinking it was a good investment. Right now you have a "paper loss", but there is also the real cost of paying a mortgage for $200k+ vs a mortgage of That said. Truly, this is a "good" problem to have. When you and your DH look back on this years from now, you will think about how you had to deal with a place that is less than perfect and sold some land instead and you'll smile about your youth. You will be thankful that you could afford the mistake and that you weren't bankrupted or foreclosed upon. This is still a problem, but it's a problem that is livable. You aren't facing cancer, injury, etc. In a few years it might make more sense to rent because rents generally are rising now. In fact, this might eventually turn into a cash cow if you ended up renting it. You might end up making much more money on it then you would have if you could short sell it now- plus there will be costs associated with a short sell, even if it were possible (it sounds like it really isn't.) This is just the start of the story for you and your DH. Don't let this come between the two of you. There are all kinds of ways to have fun with it and make it a positive. My FIL is a contractor- when the crash started, he reno'd his kitchen and bathroom and took a lot of before/after pics. He started a website for his business with the pics. His wife was delighted to have a new kitchen and bathroom, and he picked up business. Look for the win-win. You're smart and young, it gets better!