Availanble Nitrogen in soil is dependant on how active the Soil Food Web is and that is dependant on the soil temperature. So a low test for N now is not a big concern. Keep in mind that balance is the key, as long as things are in balance there should be few problems. It is when there is an excess of something, which can cause a problem with uptake or useage of something else where the problem lies. pH is good (6.2 to 7.0 is very good) Humus level (residual organic matter) is good (between 5 and 8 percent is optimal). The studies I have seen indicate the lead in your soil will probably not be taken up by the plants, but may cloing to the outside of root crops (carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips, potatoes, etc.) so those should be scrubbed good before eating.

Another issue popped up last night, regarding one of the realtors I interviewed. This lady gave me the lowest comp, and I had already decided not to use her. She called me a couple times since then, and she offered to give me new comps. She also said she was sure she already had a buyer for the house - it was exactly what they are looking for. Yeah right, I'm not going to fall for that one. Well, I still wanted to see what the new comps were and I was curious about the "buyer". She came over last night to the house, had a camera with her, and was snapping pictures everywhere. She wasn't waiting for me to escort her throughout the house, she was off and running the minute she got in the door. She kept saying out loud, "oh this house is perfect.....they will LOVE this.....I already told them about this house and they can't wait to see it." OK, I admit I find it interesting, but I'm still not convinced she truly has anyone. I'm very suspicious she is creating a sense of urgency so I will sign with her. Then the story got even weirder. She said she used to be a mortgage broker. She said she helped these people get a reverse mortgage on their house. They are senior citizens - in their 80s. They are relocating here from 2.5 hours away (coming from the city to settle down in a smaller town). They had a contract on another house, but the bank foreclosed on it, the owner freaked out and stripped the house of all light fixtures, plumbing fixtures and the heat pump, so that deal is done. They have all this cash from the reverse mortgage and are just itching to spend it on another house. She said she was going to show them my neighbors house, but wanted to give us first dibs. I asked her if she could show them the house BEFORE we signed, treat it sort of like a FSBO and I would giver her 4%. She was not interested in that, she wants a listing contract first. So........who else finds that story to be totally unbelievable? My wife thinks she was telling the truth, because who would fabricate such a story if it wasn't actually true? My biggest problem with the story is who gets a reverse mortgage only to use that money to go buy ANOTHER house? Is that even legal in the first place? Secondly......if they want another house so bad, why would they wait around for mine when there are plenty of others that are actually on the market? Another thing she kept doing that I found annoying....she must have asked me 5 times what my rock bottom price is. She kept suggesting whatever it is, thats where I should price it. I would never tell her, b/c its none of her business, especially since we haven't signed yet. And no way would I ever price a house at rock bottom, knowing full well that I will not be getting full price offers. After I refused to give her my lowest price, then she started doing what I thought was a "trick" to figure out on her own what it might be. She started saying, "So if your lowest price is say....$270, then you should start there......or if your lowest is $250 you should start there...." To me it felt like she was fishing and she was studying my facial expressions whenever she hit the right number. Once I figured that out I broke eye contact and showed no emotion. I'm pretty sure thats what she was doing. Anyway, I'm sure I should stay away from this lady. I just wanted to know what you guys think, and if my gut feelings here are correct.

I was a little surprised by some of the zip codes I put in. For example, my friend lives with her mom in a area that says the average income is 50,000ish. Between the two women, they make about that much, and they still struggle. Both like to shop, but their bills recently increased. I'm not sure how they will manage if they don't change how they spend their money. I also felt that the description for where I live is accurate, and I am realizing that's why I don't love it here. I don't hate it, but I don't love it.

I would like to make it clear that the reason I don't have a coffee table is because of lack of space! I have gone for a nest of tables in my small sitting area. I used to have a lovely glass topped one which was given to me when I lived in the UK but I had to leave it behind when I moved back to Australia. I used it for pot plants and put it where it would catch the sun,,,so still no books on it! Woodnymph, you could be right about the glue. The worst dog damage I had was when one of my deerhounds decided to tear open a couch to make a nest of the filling to give birth!