Susie, I'm no expert on koi, but I know some cautionary tales about home-buying. Before deciding whether to give away the koi, perhaps check with the buyers (and agents) to be clear about what the buyers think they're getting in the sale. If they expect seven beautiful Koi to come with the house, there could be problems later (even if you gave the fish away to save their lives). These details are often written into the sale contract so it's clear to everyone involved.

Interesting on the micro climates but with a range from coastal to mountain, I guess so! We are very excited for sure! And even about the drift towards conservation in thinking with development ... obviously not yet established or felt needed, but the word is out and information is there. The materials are becoming more mainstream, so there is hope! We were told that the materials compared well in pricing in Greenville area since there's a lot more use of them now. Here in the Charlottesville area of VA it's the same. More mainstream to think green. Consumers are becoming concerned about their air quality and health problems that come with it. The state of CT passed ruling to use only green cleaning products in all facilities: http://www.thenatureinus.com/2006/12/connecticut-to-use-only-safe-cleaning.html The public is getting informed about chemicals also: http://www.thenatureinus.com/2007/07/information-on-chemicals-in-household.html All I can say is: It's About TIME! :-) What always puzzled me is how development plans show all kinds of trees around buildings and phases, but when you look at the actual development they've all been plowed down. Market research shows houses sell for more if they have trees, yet builders rip them all out. Sometimes it doesn't make sense. But! We're on a garden forum, so sorry for ranting :-)

Shauna, My DH does the same thing with designing. He was the Manager of Public Works for the City of Brandon before he went out on his own. He is sooo busy here. I bet if your DH wanted to start his own business he could. It is a very big jump and we did have a few lean years. I was also not working outside the home. Somehow, when they are engineers the desire for their own company is so strong. Thankfully it has worked out for the best here. My DH is swamped with work. If your DH was to start his own company and that does not work out... with the amount of work that you said that Alberta has for engineers... would he not be able to go out and get a job for another engineering firm? And the advantage that he has as a senior project manager is that his name is familiar to the municipalities that he already works for and to the contractors. Just a thought. (Bad thought?) Brenda

P. J., as usual I'm late...but want to acknowledge first hand the importance of what you're doing. A year ago in January we lost our precious nephew to leukemia after a valiant battle of 18 months. Thousands had attended a bone marrow drive and several hundred pints of blood were donated. Matthew was like a grandchild to us, and while we loved him dearly & thought him absolutely wonderful, we had no idea how beloved he was to others. We'd never seen such an outpouring of love for a young person. All schools were closed; Principal and baseball coach spoke of how Matt always took new students under his wing- how he wouldn't tolerate anyone bullying another, etc. Four of his nurses came to the service despite threat of firing if they didn't come in to work. Leader of country singing group, "Lone Star" wrote a special song for Matt then came & sang it at his service. It was the first time I'd ever seen a Minister totally break down while holding a funeral; once composed he said he had seen Matt in the same pew every Sunday for 15 years. All employees that didn't close their businesses stood outside as the procession went by. Later I went to newspaper office & when Editor heard me say I wanted to purchase copies of a particular edition, he came out of his office & asked if I was related. Then refused to let me pay for 20 copies of the paper with front page pic, announcement, and two more articles and pictures inside and unashamedly wept as he told me how Matt had pulled the whole town together in his illness and even before that had a reputation for touching lives with his deep caring & concern for one and all. His parents established a scholarship because Matt had expressed concerns that several of his friends families could not afford college for them. We contributed 'til it truly hurt. I can't help but wonder how many more lives he may have touched and what wonderful things he may have accomplished had he lived. While he left a hole in our lives, no one want him to suffer any longer. When Matt knew the end was near, he asked his Dad to please finish putting up walls in their rec room (they already had TV's, pool tables, games, etc.) of their new home and continue to have his buddies over for church's Youth Night. The day after the funeral a bunch of guys showed up to put up sheetrock, mud and & paint walls! Hats off to you, P.J. Your gift may one day save another child and family from this heartbreaking, devastating disease. God bless!