They said its 67 outside right now but I think they are lying because I am in bed with the heating blanket on high and the heater set on 72 and its still turning on. I can't get warm today. I tend to go look at ebay when I'm cold. That can be as dangerous as driving, lol. I want more flower beds. I lay here and dream of big truck loads of dirt being dumped in the yard, lol. I need a Pedro though to go with it. The wind is howling outside. I went out this morning to drag the water hose in the garage but it was frozen and I sure don't think it warmed up that much so I guess I will go get the water pitcher and use that.

bumpety bump!

Still nothing in the ground yet--what dismal weather. Lots of pros and cons to weigh here, like "how much water is this sucker going to need?" Many of the recs don't seem to be locally available, and I don't have the patience to start from seed. Tentatively, I have in mind to put a Philippine violet in the far left corner, then flank it with plumbago. A cigar plant, maybe, in the near left corner. Then, a border of Mexican heather across the front (I know they're hit or miss on coming back.) A couple of blue and black salvias (black and blue? whatever) in the far right corner. (I'm still undecided on these--an 'old hand' told me today they don't bloom well here.) A couple of cedar salvias along the right border. Inside this perimeter, an oblong configuration of pavers. Inside the oblong, butterfly iris on one side (I have a huge clump that needs dividing) and on the other a betony. I'm totally stumpted on the near right corner, and finishing the right side. Has anyone tried these perennial geraniums? Frustrating, how disappointing some things can be close up and personal, when they looked so seductive in photos.

There is one thing I don't like and that is the Frog. They use a mineral pack that adds copper and silver, two supplements that are unneeded and offer the potential for metal staining. They also use special containers for the trichlor tabs that add needlessly to the cost. A Pentair Rainbow 320 chlorinator is less money, uses regular 3" tablets that can be purchased for less money going forward and would be included in the equipment's 3 year extended warranty. The feed tube for it's water supply can be routed to the top of the canister which washes over the tablets better when the Pump is on a low speed. The Frog dispenser is expecting a higher flow and at low pump speeds, doesn't inject enough chlorine to cope with the Tx sun in the summer. You might consider a Pentair EasyTouch controller. It can handle the control of the pumps and lighting fully, freeze protection and turn on/off the sheers on demand or on a timed basis. Pump control is important because you want a couple cycles where the pool sweep booster is fed more water and so the skimmers work. At low speeds, neither has enough flow. Neither need higher speeds for long period so having multiple cycle capabilities will make your life easier. Light control is also simpler and with the light shows an Intellibrite is capable of, setting your own patterns is easier. Some builders have reservations due to some perceived potential for corrosion, but adding an Intellichlor is easy and something I do recommend. A visit to troublefreepools.com's sections on BBB and salt cells and Pool School are outstanding on line resources. Many of us find it very complimentary to this forum and also participate there. BTW, I am sure that it was a typo as there is no V2 model of the Intelliflow pumps. There is The VS-3050, VS-SVRS, and the VF. We're looking forward to the pix of your progress through the construction phases. While the Intelliflo pump helps keep the power bill down, the food and beverage bill for the parties will likely offset those savings substantially. Have a blast! Scott