Sherry, one thing I've noticed about your garden is how fast your roses grow, and I've read about your soil prep so I know how much you rely on organics, manure, etc. Just the difference in the Natch N pictures makes me wonder if the bloom problems in the second pic were because of fertilizer needs. Your good soil prep and and climate seem to be so conducive to growth, that coupled with your sandy soil and constant rain lately, that I wonder if the N is being depleted really quickly, so something like a fast acting nitrogen is a good fix for right now. Makes me think that your feeding program next year needs more N overall...? I have been using Milorganite; some people don't like it because of suspicions about heavy metals, etc., but my roses sure like it. Anyway, just a thought. just one more anecdote, Hermosa for me started getting those washed out blooms like your NN. I got so disgusted that I cut it down to 6 inches and started feeding it Miracle Grow frequently. It snapped out of it, regained its lost growth and the bloom color went back to normal. That is purely anecdotal, but it makes me wonder if that's what caused the NN problems too. I don't know, just thinking aloud, so you know what that's worth! Love ya, Gean

It was so nice to come home from work today and see restored order. Several of you were on the mark about the hot shower and cold drink. However, yesterday called for beer. I had a couple of ice cold brews on the patio and was asleep by 10:00. Let's face it, gardening in August can be brutal. To be honest, I'm not sure how much I would have been out there even without the kitchen remodel excuse. There's always so much going on at the end of summer. Something or other would have probably distracted me. But I'm going to remember this and be prepared next year. I really could have done a better job of cutting back things to prolong their bloom. I will never be a gardening fool in August, but I'll at least keep up with the bare mimimum. The kitchen remodel is coming along quickly now. Brian's giving me a birthday party on Saturday and we've both been finishing the details. Lighting was installed over the past week. We've just finished patching the ceiling and have the first coat of paint done. All that will be left after Saturday will be the tile behind the stove and sink. We'll probably procrastinate that for a few weeks. Marylu, I'm really sorry to hear about your husband. I remember you telling us about his fall. It's really too bad that it might come to surgery. I'll be thinking about you guys and waiting to hear back. Hey everyone! I've been looking at bulbs already. You should be too. It won't be long! Cheers, Steven

check out your contract as well, because most building agreements have a completion clause or penalties for being late. perhaps this is something that could motivate them to coordinate with you? i don't mean that you should threaten them-- i understand that you don't want to take action against the builder, and that is admirable-- esp because he is ill right now. but it is always important for both sides to have their situation understood. you never know what kind of compromises can be made...even when it seems like everything is a done deal. it sounds like a challenging situation all the way around and you are doing your best to get through it one day at a time. in the end, you will be in your home and all of this will eventually fade...replaced with loving memories you've made in your home. new construction is tough on the psyche without all of the extra stuff you're going through. hang in there! it's almost over.

I do not think it will start a war...just maybe dirty looks and cold shoulders. The funny thing is that the kids go to private school and the family walks past our house every Sunday to attend church services. You would think they are decent people.....but I feel like that is all a mask for the demons they are raising! On the 4th our town had fireworks at the park we usually go to. We walked since it is only a few blocks. On the way home they were in front of us walking. The bigger troublemaker of the two boys stopped to tie his shoe (I think so we would catch up). Well we passed the boys and their father (their mom did not go to fireworks-she does not work or anything?). When we got up to the street to cross there was lots of cars leaving the fireworks. They all rushed out in front of cars and crossed so we ended up behind them again. Well when we passed their house (it was almost 10pm) the dad had gone inside and left the two boys outside hanging out in the driveway! It was like he was asking for trouble.