Jen, I don't think you're going to have a problem. You may have an ulcer, but not a problem with the lawn. Here's the deal: once you get grass seed onto dirt (good soil to seed contact), it's pretty hard to get that stuff NOT to germinate. Same with weed seeds, when you think about it. They'll sit there, and pick up some moisture, and bingo! We have germination. And after germination, the grass will likely grow, assuming some sort of fertilization, some sort of moisture, and a lack of traffic on the lawn. It just plain happens, and it would be hard to prevent it from happening. Oh, you want it NOW? Oh, you want it to happen more or less immediately? Gee, that's a little tougher: you'd have to 'optimize' that seeding process, and get almost all of the seed into contact with the soil, and then moist, at the same time, all of it. Oh, you want to be able to prevent the seeds from accidentally drying out, and thus losing a few? Oh, well, then, you'd have to either get lucky with mother nature, and the moisture thing (July should be avoided, eh?), and you'd have to be careful on your watering (NO puddles. NO puddles), or you'd have to put a little something down for a mulch, to try and keep things moist, keep things from evaporating quickly. Oh, you want things to move along, more or less as you planned? No intermittent problems, those things that always seem to come up, with any huge project? You wanted a small project? Well, that's not what you started. Nope. As you figured out, a lawn renovation is a HUGE project. So small-project expectations will not apply. (Hah! In SPADES, babe.) And then there's the Rolaids. Not really needed. Patience helps. A lot. So does keeping the kids, dogs, hoses, and other traffic off those seedlings. But let's work on the "attitude" or "expectation" thing for just a moment, in hopes that I can convince you not to worry. As much. 1. The seed is there, and it's more or less evenly spread. 2. It's getting some moisture, and hopefully no puddles. None. Do not let that sprinkler system make puddles, float the seed, and thus kill the seed. There's no root yet, to hold it in place, as the root hasn't yet grown. 3. We don't have to put up with July, nor August, heat, and September, with it's occasional heat, is gone as well. 4. We will resolve to stay off that lawn, even when the FIRST seedlings are an inch or two high, because the REST of the seedlings may come along a little more slowly. We know they're there. They will come in. 5. We're going to lose a few seedlings. By the way, even if you had done the job in the manner you now perceive as 'perfect', you'd STILL lose a few, now wouldn't you? 6. If you perceive that there is a CLUMP, a one inch thick chunk of compost, likely to smush just about anything down, feel free to walk over there and pick it up gently, and get it outta there. Don't re-distribute it, just get it outta there. This little bit of tuning is about all that's needed now, other than the patience thing. So, to sum up: it's gonna be fine. You did the right things, if all you want is a million fine bluegrass seeds, sprouting, spreading out, turning dark green, and filling in. You don't need it to all come in at once, kinda like installing a carpet. Think about it. Think about it while staying off the lawn, please. But it's gonna be great. Let us know how it turns out.

Hi Guys! Well, WOW! Lots going on around here, for sure, this week! Dee-So sad to hear about your friend's nephew. That's the nightmare that's always in the back of parents' minds, whether in war or at home, traveling or as a result of an illness, the death of such a young life. No one is ever, ever prepared for it. I just don't understand the order of life sometimes. I stay reminded of this: Why do people have to die? So that others have a reason to live. Raeanne~ Of course, somewhere along the line, I missed that you were going to one of my favorite places: Nantucket. Where are you staying whilst you are there? Patti: CPS is a weird deal. They always say that the kids staying with parents is the best thing, until the situation is dire. I think it's hard enough being a teen, let alone having to wait for the state to take action. I could give everyone an earful about the foster care system, but you already know how I feel! I'm sad for those kids, darnnit! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo frustrating. Milkdud: Three cheers for power. We don't appreciate until it's not there, do we? :-) CONGRATS on taking care of yourself and getting everything done medically for yourself!!!! Many people put this stuff off TOO long. I was supposed to go in June, but am on the books for October now and my doc is expecting me to show up! Peggy~ Good luck at the counselor's place. It does a mind good to TALK to someone who HELPS. I always came out ahead when I went to a counselor! Wodka~ I am in your boat. I really haven't been able to stay on a plan to lose weight. I don't know what it is. I just can't keep the motivation going. I am getting to the point of extreme measures, very soon. I just have to figure out what exactly 'extreme measures' are! Marci~ I think about you and Lucas and his family every day. Your post brought back the stinging memories of 21-year old Brandon's death a few years back. Gone too young and nothing we can do. Well, I will be gone over the weekend; going off the rock to help my DD move to college. DH is coming too this time and G-parents are watching the flock for us. Should be a nail-biting time for me. But...we are having a dinner out w/ friends on Saturday on the mainland. DH and I haven't been out alone in 7-1/2 months. Kids! ---- Hey! Where's Jen? SO glad the punkinhead came through the surgery unscathed and is back to great health SO SOON! Your babies are SO cute, Jen! Okay, I better get packing!

Hello my friends! This week has been positive in many ways. Thank you for thinking about me! I've been 'offline' for forums and surfing alot for quilt ideas, christmas crafts and just mentally 'colouring with my crayons'. My dear great aunt told me I look fat (she does everytime I see her and it's funny actually - she's 96 so I give her lots of allowances for quirkieness). A young doctor came and was very unsuccessful trying to make a mold - geez at her age her jaw continues to shrink down, skin grows over. Now I have to call and arrange to have the senior doctor come and try again to make a mold. She has her lower teeth - I thought they were lost - but they are loose. It has literally been 5 months since I have seen her. I don't know where time flies to but it flies some times. Seeing her makes me feel closer to my Mom, in bloodline only. Mary is a sweet old gal. I should see her more often and I think I have been afraid to get close because over the years, as a great aunt, I've not really been a major part of her life. I would normally see her once or twice a year while growing up. She has another nephew - my uncle - he is extremely unwell and has never bothered with her at all. At any rate, I should pop in to see her a little more often. One day she will be gone and then it will be too late. Mary has made us family quilts, baked for us and carried on old family traditions because that is the life she knew. We talked about canning preserves on my last visit and gardening. Most of her 'marbles' are still with her at 96 - I should be blessed to do so well at that age. Yesterday I had 2 bank appointments for my Mom's estate with my sister that I don't get on with. I have been learning and working on 4 things: don't take it personally don't assume be impeccable with your word do your best By learning not to assume I did not toss and turn all night worrying about what my sister might have to say during our bank appointments. She is not speaking to me and is in her own world. Too bad. I keep trying to be polite but I get short, rude answers. Her body language still exudes anger, superiority (I think) and negativity. I feel sorry for her. When we left the bank she did not thank the person nor shake their hand - just left. I was embarrassed by her behaviour given she is now a 'director' in our federal government. My parents never taught her manners such as this. The banking officer appeared nervous - maybe because my sister was so short with her answers, seldom smiling and just needing a slap up the head at 46! I shook their hand, thanked them and smiled - I also rolled my eyes at one point. Couldn't help that. Unreal. So I continue to try to be a better person. I don't have to worry about letting go of her in my life because she is shutting out the communication unless necessary. Ah well, that is her journey. I hope she finds happiness somewhere. Today I'm sitting in bed - clothing all over the bedroom. Pulling out summer clothing for laundry and packing and restoring my fall/winter wardrobe. Fall cleansing and watching my dvd set of The Pallisers (Masterpiece Theatre). I love the period costumes and saga. One day I hope to purchase the north american region of The Duchess of Duke Street. I have the UK and can watch it on my laptop but it's not the same as TV. Also I have homework from my shrink - complete a quiz on depression (I'm feeling more and more positive about life again) and think about what I would like to get out of my future visits together. I've lucked in meeting a doctor who finally makes me feel comfortable. So, if I can sort a few things out in my head - one day, one step at a time, I am hoping to return in the right frame of mind for my fall/winter dietary clean-up. I've gained about 8 pounds but that's fine. It will come off when I'm ready to take more care. Anyhow, I should get going - I can't see my bed right now for clothing and I should get laundry going. Sunday is our cheapest rate day for electricity - laundry. Will catch up on the posts later! LOL to all my pals, Peggy

Good morning, milkdud, continued prayers and hugs that today is a good day for your husband and your family. I hope the blood drive is very successful and your husband's count is up soon. By the way, I love the name, Bob. My father was Bob, my brother, Bob, Jr., and my husband is Bobby. My father has been deceased for almost 3 years, yet my brother is still referred to as "little Bob," and he will soon be 58 years old! suzanne, I think I'm pleased with the US open results. I would have liked to seen Melanie Oudin come back, but she did so well and should have a very bright future. The young Swedish girl who beat her is a dynamo, (won't even attempt to spell her last name, although it begins with a "W") and I hope she is able to continue in victory. (I love her fashion sense - I read that she models for Stella McCartney's tennis line!) The guys - I would have loved to see Andy Roddick, once and for all, make it to the finals. Roger Federer should win it all, he's so darn good, but upsets can always happen. Nadal is super, too. Found out last night that one of my young nephews, who is 13, has swine flu! I'm getting ready to check and see how he's doing. They live out of town, where my mom and other sister live, but they haven't been around him in a few weeks, thank God. His started with his legs hurting, then high fever, then the nausea. Hopefully, he'll be okay. Take care, everyone.