I have just had my power restored after 5 days in the dark due to branches from a neighbor's ash tree hitting the lines (there were 250,000 people in SE Michigan without power early this week). This darn ash has splits in its bark (going upwards) some as deep as 1/2 inch (on a tree whose diameter is only about a foot) and stretching 6-10 inches. It seems to have holes all over the place (I'm assuming from insects of whatever sort) and though it has some bare branches (mostly due to upper shading by the tree) it seems happy as can be. My nieghbor attributes its resistance to the EAB to his occasional spilling of battery acid (among other things) near the trunk (behind his garage). Personally we'd like to see it succumb to EAB or something as it shades a large portion of where I put my raised beds for veggies (it was smaller back then). So, the moral of the story is wish for the tree to die, curse it regularily and contemplate its demise regularily and it will survive, thrive and be just fine. ~Chills

tresw...thanks for the info on ph. I am gradually learning this chemistry stuff. For now I am using the cheap test kit from Home Depot that test FC, CC, pH, & TA. I plan on getting a better kit this weekend from the TrobleFree Pool site, Riverbend or Leslie's. I noticed on TroubleFree that they recommended the Leslie kit as well as their own. Thought I might check it out. My first purchase at Riverbend is 20% off so I need to look at theres as well. When you quit using your inline chlorinator what did you switch to???? kickymarcia.........I used Riverbend Sandler. I would highly recommend them. They came in ahead schedule and had very few problems. They are not the cheapest, but we just had the best feeling out of the 3 companies we received estimates from. We also had Gold Medal Pools and Platinum give us estimates. Gold Medal was about the same price and would do a SWG system as long as you use Tennessee Flagstone. We just didn't get a good feeling like we did from our Riverbend guy. Platinum was about 5k cheaper, but they basically do a sketch in paintbrush and hope you take it. When we told Gold Medal we went with Riverbend the guy harassed us for a week and wouldn't take no for an answer. I could go on for ever, but basically you need to talk to at least 3 PBs and get different ideas from each one. Don't hurry thru this. P pan......Thanks for the compliment. I was very pleased with Riverbend. It is kind of stressful situation. I live in Carrollton and they inspected our fence yesterday. It received an ok. I was more nervous about the fence than the pool. When I first investigated this a year ago Carrollton said the same thing on there website as your telling me Frisco is saying. Then my neighbor built his and found a special ordinance written just for this situation. Basically we just need to have the gate close in 40 or so seconds after it opens and have a battery back-up and we don't need to have the auxillary fence up the side of the driveway. I remember reading a post earlier about this situation. Couldn't remember if this was you or not. I work for a electrical enginnering firm and I have heard stories that Frisco is challenging to work with (especially with all the growth you are experiencing). Let me know if you have any other questions. We love how it opens up our backyard. I have copied the ordinace from Carrollton for reference....... City of Carrollton Code of Ordinances Chapter 150 2003 International Residential Code Section: Appendix G, AG 105.2.8 Requirements Subject: Alternate Method of Construction for Barrier Requirements Around Swimming Pools Scope: This alternate method of construction shall apply in lieu of the requirements in AC 105.2.8 04/26/06 General Provisions Currently, the city of Carrollton requires a barrier to run between a pool from the garage down along the driveway connecting to the rear barrier that runs parallel with the rear property line. Alternate Method of Construction The alternate method of construction would permit an electric gate across the driveway. This would make the barrier complete in lieu of having the barrier running along the driveway from the garage to the barrier along the rear property line. Along with the electric gate, the following stipulations are also required: - Have a battery backup with charger - Goes automatically to the closed position during a power failure - Does not open manually in the closed position - Closes within 45 seconds of opening Justification Provides at least the same life safety protection, if not more than, Section AG 105.2.8. The Construction Advisory and Appeals Board approved Case 02-06 with the identical requirements.

So, I've been working on this potting bench. It seems I cannot do anything small. Cook. Build. Acquire. Go figure. I'll post pictures when I'm further along. So far, it's 6'2" tall x 7'3" wide and will fit at the end of my porch where it'll also act as a bannister for the 4' drop. I also realized that my 24' raised bed, my little garden bench, and this potting bench are all made of materials I already have. I've spent $6.00 for a bale of hay for the raised bed lasagna garden, but the lumber & screws? All mine. If I paint this stuff, I even have that. Yeah for me! Ye Great Hoarder-ess of Building Materials! It's SO windy today, though, I had to stop. It's a beautiful day, but the wind is blowing me sideways. That led me to my next idea. (I need to build some more raised beds to keep these guys from driving across the entire lawn, but I'm jumping around.) I'm trying to figure out how to make a moon gate between two gardens. I'd need it to have at least a 36" open base to walk through, and like it to be at least 8' tall. At the base, I could actually bury the bottom of something in a circle if leaving it open turned out not to be an option. Now, building it myself precludes stone and brick. Wood would be iffy for me. I have no idea how to work metal. I have it in my head that I could use to lengths of some kind of flexible conduit running side by side, but have no idea if such a thing exists. I'd have to bridge the two circles, but that's not as difficult as finding the right material. Here's my inspiration: Any ideas for me? Also, a2gemini, go to a nursery that does hardscapes, too. As to see their junk pile. Pieces of stuff left over from jobs they (are to lazy to) put away in usually a pile. Some places sell them at regular price, but some places just want the junk out of the way. That's where I jump in! Christina22, love the rug. Soft, soft blue. :) Here is a link that might be useful: A Pinterest search of beautiful examples.

Beautiful choices, Mark. There is a local place near me comprised of historic, restored buildings (1900-ish rather than 1700-ish), and I am drawn every time we visit to the kitchens recreated in these houses. They are very similar to what you've put together (cruder, however, as these are simple prairie homes). Storage requirements were much less: they had no fancy implements, and food storage was limited to few basic ingredients. As for counter space - they didn't know they needed it :). I would lean more towards this direction, but DH thinks I'm cracked. The one thing that would drive me crazy is the lack of landing for dirty dishes/clean dishes around the sink. I have that problem now, except that I do have some space.