Michelelee, it took a while for them to germinate. I want to say I sowed them around Jan10-15 and they popped up the first week in Feb, I thought they weren't going to germinate at all. I've fertilized all my seedlings with a miracle grow at about half strength. I am noticing some growth but in small increments so I don't think they've damped off or anything. I said they were an inch and a half but after checking them out last night they are probably closer to 2.5 inches. Still with only one set of true leaves. Did I screw up somewhere? Oh I hope not, these are the plants I've been wanting for so long. In fact I sowed two packets of seeds just to make sure I got some. The second pack is just now popping up so if I've ruined the first ones I can hopefully save the second ones.

Natsu, Thank you so much for your post on diamont rouge! Although I'm in zone 5,(5b) per the new zone map, I love hydrangeas and am not adverse to taking risks putting something in that won't come back. So I will be on a HUNT for this new hydrangea in the US. If it shows up in MO I can probably get one as my son is in school there. L. Ann, I bought 1 vs from my nursery and loved the pink paniculata bloooms so much, I moved things around in my yard to accommodate a 2nd. I'm not sure anything will ever get large in my yard as I keep moving things around til I find a good spot that it likes or so I can accommodate something else I just have to have. (It's easier bringing home plants than dogs - lol). Anyway, my vs seemed to bloom midsummer when I found them til mid fall. Only 1 or 2 blooms turned somewhat magenta, but the light pink colors were really worth it. Good luck! And Luis, thank you, thank you, thank you for all your knowledge and advise you give all us rookies!

Repair_Guy, In response to 2. THE PUMP IS FOR AN ET. I am not up with all the appreviations, do you mean it is meant for the Intellitouch IT? You also said it was bad choice for an Easytouch is that because you can only have 4 speeds programmed ergo 4x160? If so, then I don't see why that is a problem in my situation since I only need 3 (skim, vacuum, sheers) - or am I missing something? 3. I ordered a Polaris ATV and the PB gave me Hayward Ultra. I have a call into my PB to give me the Polaris ATV as I feel it is better than the Hayward Ultra. I am hoping to demand the Polaris ATV but if the PB pushes back I won't fight him if they are both about the same. Some other additional information - the easytouch is hooked up via the RS-485 input to the easy touch but the PB installer can't get it to work and is waiting on Pentair to help out. I bet he didn't set the address or setup the circuit names yet. It looks like the installer was going to just plug it in and it auto recognize it (this is 4th-ish VF they have installed and I bet the others were attached to Intellitouch panels). And BTW thanks for all the help you give on these forums (I know you hear this alot) but it takes a lot of patience and a kind soul to spend the time you do answering all these questions. I don't have the pool & spa knowledge you have but if you ever have any Q's regarding computers/software/hardware I will help you out if I can (I work for one of the largest software companies in the world). Thanks again ...

Thank you for the info about islands! You brought things to my attention that I never would h e otherwise considered. @buehl I've included the drawn out dimensions of the two islands in my comment closer to the top. There seems to be a 12" clearance for seating regardless of which option I choose. Unfortunately the builders are VERY resistant to making any changes to their plan. I had my realtor contact them about the pantry (as we can't contact them directly. All the communication has to go through our realtor and theirs - yes, it gets quite frustrating) and they said they are not open to making any changes to the kitchen or either of the proposed islands. I also don't like that it has an open overhang but they aren't even willing to enclose that on the sides for me. I'm unsure what the isle widths are. I can contact them to get those details, but again, I think they're pretty much going to do what they're going to do. Given that it only has a 12" overhang I feel like the larger one might be pointless. I feel like our kitchen is going to be a disaster now lol.