Thanks for all the kind words.
pb had his plumber fix the leak in the spa that I identified for him today... appeared he just stuffed the "gap" between the fitting and plaster with "putty?".... anyways, for now appears to holding like a champ. couldn't see any signs of leakage.
we may have taken a nice step forward today....
and enjoyed a swim with my family tonight too... my mom, dad, sister, wife, and daughter... nice.
close.
thanks again for kind words. happy swimming!