I just had to tell you that today we officially opened the pool…

76 DEGREES!  That's without the solar discs being on the pool.

Today was the earliest that I have ever been in our pool…I usually don't venture in until late June/early July…you can see the pics on FB…

And this year's damages were UNDER $500…a record…

;)

Fuck!

Oops. Did I say that?

Mine is up and running, but I have no interest in going in. WAY TOO cold outside. I've got my water temp around 75 just from my solar cover.

What was the $ 500 for?  Just opening or chemicals too?

Mine was $ 535 but that included opening, a 24 pack of shock, a 25 pound bucket of the 3 in tabs, Algae and Rust treatment quarts and a box of DE powder.

I really didnt want his chemicals, but once they were in the pool cabinet, I was too lazy to make him take them back. LOL.

I saw the pics on FB. OMG Shelby is getting all grown up!

Sheesh..when did that happen?

Pretty much only the chemicals.  We did have a *tiny* problem with the pump that required a $90 service call (that took 15 mins to correct…sheesh)

But this is the first year without a major malfunction.

But next year…we are replacing the liner…so that should be fun.

I dunno…all of a sudden she sprouted (as her dad refers to them) niblets…although the pediatrician said she isn't going to get much taller…probably end up about 5'3" MAX

I told her that's okay…being petite is A OK!

Are pools really expensive to maintain? We just moved in November and have an above ground pool in the backyard. If the pump works, we're thinking of maybe trying to set it up.

Everyone I know with a pool complains about them constantly.  When I was looking for a house, they all said to stay away from pools.  Huge expenses involved.

Of course, they all love their pools and I love using their pools.  So there's definitely a benefit.

I liken it to childbirth…when opening it…it can be very painful and you yell NEVER AGAIN!

And then you have a day like today…90 degrees….big vodka limeade…music playing and you think….

Ahhhhh….I am so in love…

It takes work. It is expensive…but I'm talking about a 16 x 32 pool that is 8.5 feet at the deep end… You wouldn't have near the expense with an above ground… and I think you'd like the pay-off.  BUT…You HAVE to stay on the chemicals or you will end up in deep doo doo….we've gone away on summer vacation…had it rain everyday while we were gone… and come home to camp swampy…

She's right. Pools are a ton of work and can be expensive.

On a good year, we spend about $ 700 on opening, closing and the chemicals.

I've learned a ton about them and can now rebuild my pump and save $ 200 the pool guy charges every other year. Its about $ 30 worth of parts and 20 minutes labor.

I grew up with Pools…and I hated them.  Well, like Dar said…they are nice when it's hot.  But being the kid, I was the one that cleaned it every morning before School.  I was the one that had to do the daily Ph Check.  I had to keep up with the chemicals.

The cool thing was that my parents had solar pannels on the roof, and they pumped up water to keep the pool warm.  So early and late in the year, it was really warm…

But what sucked was when I wanted to go and do something…everyone wanted to come over to go swiming…and that got old fast.

I have an above ground pool.. 18 foot… and so far.. it has been pretty good.  No where near the expense of an inground pool.  We have a solar blanket for it.. but not those solar heating panels like what Cpher said..

We have had it for 9 years now.. and in a few years.. it will be gone and a hot tub will be on our deck instead!!

I LOVE your pool, Dar. So did Mathew lol A fish out of water, that boy is, I tell ya lol

With the upcoming marriage, I am inheriting an above ground pool. He wanted to open it this weekend, but on the good day, he and Mathew tore down Mathew's room (remodeling it before we move there). On the day they were going to open it? It rained lol

So, my adventures with the pool will start. I think we may get an in ground pool at sometime in the future, but right now, my adventures are just starting lol

Come to think of it…neither Mathew nor Shelby ever left the pool that day…they were so cute…

You need to come back before you head further west…bring the brood…maybe I can get Sean and Leslie over and we can have a mini Chatter send-off!

All non-swimming kids must wear floatation devices…I have retired from yanking submerged kids out of my pool…

I hate jumping in while clothed.

well mine has been opened for two weeks now and not a toe has been set in the water….

This morning?  48 fucking degrees outside.

Why oh why do I like next to the worlds biggest air conditioning unit that you lay people call Lake Michigan?

I call it a pain in the ass.

Oh and before someone jumps on my ass. By lay people I mean those who have no clue what it is like to like next to this stupid lake.  Oh it's beautiful, one of natures finest accomplishments (notice…I did NOT say god's) but I tell you, when you live by it, it just plain out sucks.

Sorry….I am in a pissy mood this morning.

Don't worry.  It's 42 and rainy here by the ocean.  We feel your pain.

Oooh…that would be so nice Dar! I loved hanging out with you, we had so much fun! :o)

Although, Mathew's huge now. Taller than me (he's about 5'8 or so) but he's definitely got that "I'm becoming a man" look to him. Hell, I got super heebie jeebies when my sister in law told me that Mathew is a "hottie." *shudder* She didn't think of him *that* way, but she said she instantly felt bad for any girl that falls for him. lol He's got himself a little 4 pack going (almost a 6 pack lol) and works out almost every day, has started running, etc. Best of all? Even tho he knows he's a "hottie," he's still very sweet and not arrogant at all.

But still. That's my baby boy dammit. lol

Okay, call me stupid. I've never had a pool. What the hell does it mean to open and close a pool?

LOL…Open and close a pool…that is what they have to do in places where it freezes.  Here in Southern California we don't have to close them up in the winter!

So, they have to drain them for closing? Then, refill and do all the chemical stuff when opening?

You don't drain them.  Well, we didn't drain them.  But you do drain the pump and the system so when it freezes, you don't burst your pipes. You just want to get the water levels about a foot below the system.

You also shock your pool. Also you can lube all the stuff on the pump system. We would put down a chemical algicide for the winter as well to keep it down.  But we did that some time after we shocked the pool.

Then in the summer you just do everything backwards.  Put back on all the stuff, fill the system again and get the pump working.  Shock it again and get it clear.  Clean the pool and if you need, change the earth.  Get the pH and what not back in where it's supposed to be. 

At least that's some of the stuff that we did…well as the kid…I did.  I hated it. LOL!

Pretty much what C-pher says…also cover it for the winter to keep debris out…

Usually the water is crystal clear when we yank the cover off…but something typically is broken.