nine7xbam: I agree a good dealer is a good thing. While the Snapper is certainly cheaper than retail, retail price on the Snapper makes the Deere's look like bargains in my opinion, way too high for the specs. Of course the Husqvarna is also $200+ off retail with the coupon. Craftsman are most definitely rebadged Husqvarna, no denial here, but from what I can tell at this price range they are certainly competitive if not more for the money. Actually if you think the dealer and history are of that much importance, I may rethink my exclusion of the 100 series/x300 Deere's. While the specific gentleman I spoke to the day I stopped at the Deere dealership wasn't exactly my type of person, they have been around for near forever, and I expect this dealership (in our heavy farming community) will be around long after the little Snapper dealer in the middle of nowhere shuts its doors. And from my own experience NOBODY has parts availability like the Deere place. Never had a problem getting parts for the 185, even though its almost legal drinking age ;-) bill_kapaun: I looked at Sears (the agonizing experience that it is), but it appears that the Craftsman's that are cheaper either have Kohler Courage engines (the PRO Courage seems to be a misnomer) or non Tuff-Torque tranny both of which seem to me to be a step down. From what I can tell the most similar tractor on the Sears site is around $2400. Then again our lousy Sears won't have any of them anyway. Thanks both of you for your help.

I think I got something from Rebecca - that I didn't see on her list so I am not sure, but it was with the HUGE strawberries she brought me (Grace says thank you, she loved them!). Anywho - it is a cactus looking thing of some type - very long and kinda soft prickles on it. Inside or outside plant - what does it need? I am planting out a strawberry jar with the little sedums from Heather - and I would like to put this on the top - if it will go there. And Heather - we had an accident this morning. A storm blew up rather quickly and knocked my planting table over...in the middle of planting my little sedum treasures from you. I lost my little cactus (small green button looking one with long prickles on it). Can you save me one for the fall swap...I was kinda getting attached to it, it was the smallest plant I brought home from the swap. Also - I got a birch from someone...in a blue? minivan with several children - hubby appeared to be packing up everything. Anyway - I don't know what kind of birch it is... Anyone have a clue? I will be starting my blog soon and filling it with pictures. If some of you can chime in with names on the ones that had no names, or the tape as faded and I can't see them...please, by all means, enlighten me. Pretty green things in my beds are wonderful - but I like having a name for them in my garden journal so I know where to look for them next spring. :D Happy planting to all of you! I have already started turning new ground on new beds since the swap - you have inspired my gardening creativity again. Tiffany PS - Connie I adopted one of your little plants that was orphaned when you left - a very cool little forsythia with varigated leaves - how quickly does it grow? I am worried about planting it in the beds now and think it may need to stay in the nursery bed this year. Help?

this must be the season for appliances...gal pal had to get a new fridge...

Sorry I cant help you.. I have never had to deal with scorch..