i probably should have. it's to late now. they seemed to be doing well last week when it was warm, but we got really cold at night and today they were in a ball mostly dead. there were a few still alive, but not very.
it was a crap shoot, and if i were more experienced i'd have played the game better i'm sure. i did learn a lot and next time i'll do better.
thank you for all your help. without your expertise in wall extractions, i would not have had the info i needed to get as far as i did!