That's just terrible. What's wrong with people? Somewhere along the way did parents stop teaching their children to clean up after themselves? Moni, I'm glad you drew some attention to the mess left behind by people who ought to know better! Our county has long allowed the use of the courthouse basement as a public storm shelter when there is a tornado warning. A couple of years ago, the county commissioners decided to stop the practice because people were leaving trash behind (and lots of it) in the basement of the courthouse. After a public outcry, they reversed their decision but reserved the right to stop allowing its use if people continued to leave a big mess behind them when they left the basement. I haven't heard how that's working out since we live out in the country and have our own shelter, but find it ridiculous that people cannot clean up after themselves. Also, when we are headed to the tornado shelter, grabbing snacks and drinks to carry with us is not exactly what is on my mind at the moment.

Hey, thejimbar- Since you responded to at least one post of mine I would like to respond to yours. When I found this forum it was because I almost went down the road with a pool builder with "questionable creditials". I found a post on this forum saying someone was also put off by their salesperson who was not very forthcoming with all the associated costs and upcharges upfront. My experience too. Maybe that company (not your PB) has built great pools for others, I don't know as I never got past the lack of verifiable industry credentials issue. I have found my concerns verified later by other sources and have warned others too when I had the chance based on my experience. My search continued (continues) as I realized I needed to know more so that I could hopefully avoid the pitfalls that many have shared on this board. Particularly, in terms of contract terms and pricing, what's left off in the bids and what you find out is not included or you didn't think of ('cause ya just don't know this stuff), product comparisions . . . I can only say I wish people would share more. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to respond on this board and offers their advice professional or experience wise. I am sorry to see that sometimes things get a little confrontational here at times. I know I wish I would have phrased things differently more than once in my life. Anyway, if you check back in to read this . . . I did enjoy your pool photos and appreciated your willingness to share from your personal experience and perspective. Sometimes, I have chosen to share some specifics whether negative or positive feedback off-the board via a specifically designated e-mail (NJFolks@gmail.com). This has worked both ways in making myself or the other personal more comfortable in an exchange of either more detailed or personal information, arranging visits, etc. I have really appreciated the people who have tried to share with me and it always encourages me to offer help or information to others when I can. Boy, even being anonymous on the internet has its risks, but I hope it has had its rewards as well since there are many other people like myself just trying to struggle with the stress of such a major purchase. Maybe that's what accounts for the some of the tension at times. I'm still PB-less and pool-less, so enjoy yours! It did turn out beatiful and for that you should be thankful. We should all be so lucky and that just may be it. But we have to go by what we know at the time, so if you have had a bad experience with someone it is hard to ignore or not want to warn others. I could weigh in on both sides of this particular PB, but in the end you are "not your PB's keeper." Being a good neighbor, though and trying to look out for the other guy can be, well tying at times. I do understand your feelings, so thanks again for sharing. Hope this helps since those of us who have had a toughter go of things don't have a beautiful pool to cool-off in ;).

I like Salish Sea. I also love the marine air in the mornings clearing out about noon! Our kind of weather! From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The term Salish Sea is a geographic term for the Strait of Georgia-Puget Sound-Strait of Juan de Fuca region and environs in the Pacific Northwest of North America. It has been accepted as an official name for the complex of inland waterways stretching from Tumwater, Washington at the south end of Puget Sound to Desolation Sound at the northern end of the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, and also including the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The name is now official in the United States and Canada. Its first known use was in 1988: marine biologist Bert Webber from Bellingham, Washington, created the name for the combined waters in the region, intended to supplement the Georgia Strait, Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca placenames; its adoption, he says, will raise consciousness about taking care of the region's waters and ecosystems. The current approval by Washington state and the recommendation to approve from the BC Geographical Names Office to its national equivalent, the Geographical Names Board of Canada, were the result of Webber's efforts to promote the term, although the proposal as approved does not wipe the older names off the map, as had been the original intent. Opponents to the Salish Sea designation assert that it is really a series of interconnected straits, sounds and inlets. Others oppose it for historic reasons and questions about the validity of the term "Salish".[1]

Not yet--it's only going down into the 40s at night here, so far. We keep our heat at 52-55, so the house isn't dropping that low overnight yet (being brick, it absorbs and holds heat pretty well. We won't turn on the heat until the inside daytime temps get below 52. At night, with that furnace of a pillow-top mattress we have under us, and a blanket and spread on top, I wake up sweating no matter how cool the house temps are. I am a little surprised that with the cost of fuel, that so many keep their homes so warm. I find it's perfectly comfortable to keep the house around 55--you wear jeans, and maybe 2 shirts--a T and a sweatshirt are enough. I'm so much more energetic when the house is cooler. Mind you, you can't go from mid 80's to mid 50's and be comfortable, but if you ease into it, your body adjusts quite nicely.