Like everybody else said, avoid any current production Poulan/Homelite/McCulloch like the plague. Complete junk. Sure, there are occasional people who have good experiences with them, but they are a definite minority. The Husqvarna 1xx series saws should be avoided, too. They are simply rebadged Poulans that Husqvarna provided some (limited) input on. They are better than Poulans, but not nearly as good as the true Husqvarnas. As I'm sure you're finding, at $200 you are at the very lowest price bracket for a decent saw. If there is any way to stretch your budget a bit, I would save/skrimp a bit. You will be much happier in the long run. For saws that are worth considering at $200 or less, Stihl's 180 is a good choice and it gets a good report from a lot of users. Just don't try to use it like a big saw. It is probably the best sub-$200 saw you'll find. Also, the tail-handle Echo saws like the CS346 (not the top handle ones, those are for use while in trees and not on the ground!!!) are extremely durable and will tolerate a great degree of neglect and still work. They are not extremely powerful, but they are as durable as can be. One point of critique and a quick solution: the internal-tensioner "Intenz" feature of the Echo-supplied bars is annoying and problematic. A conventional tensioner screw-and-pin can be obtained from any Echo dealer for about $7. It can be retrofitted to the saw in less than 2 minutes and used with the Intenz bar to make a much happier setup (just use this in place of using the Intenz feature to adjust the chain tension). Beyond that, if you can swing the extra dollars it a Stihl MS250 is a superb choice and will last the average homeowner a lifetime. It is an excellent saw for homeowner use and can be reasonably expected to run a 18" bar in a pinch (16" being a better everyday setup). It is the same physical size as the 210/230 saws, but packs a bit more oomph. If I was limited to one saw for homeowner-type uses and couldn't justify the cost of a pro-grade saw (like the Husqvarna 346, Stihl 260pro), the MS250 would be my choice. The Husqvarna 340 and 345 are also good little saws worth considering for your purposes, though I would give the edge in this size/power class to the Stihl MS250. And whatever you choose to buy, don't forget your protective gear - eye and ear protection, good gloves, and protective chainsaw chaps or pants. Seriously, don't skimp out on the leg protection. Sure, they cost a couple bucks, but they're a heck of a lot less expensive than having your leg sewn back up. For loads more chainsaw information, you might wish to look at the chainsaw forum at arboristsite.com.

Saw this on Craigslist this morning....new listing. Just in time for fall cleanup. Probably would need a little tuning up after sitting, but still..... Here is a link that might be useful: lawn vac

justgotabeme, What a steal...I've been looking on craigslist for a bow front dresser, or something similiar to what you have... I have checked our thrift stores and salvation army...with no avail! Most of their stuff looks like cheap pressboard that's been left in the rain to bubble..and they still want 50-100 bucks! They do have some new items that look like they were donated by a furniture company...maybe Ashley? But they want retail...around 400 bucks for it! Def out of my budget...plus I LOVE refinishing things! I'm still keeping my eyes open for something like you have. I did like the idea of a console table there, but I wanted something with storage to put my extra paper towels etc. in .... Our kitchen is quite weird in the layout...there's a huge blank wall when you come in through the garage...and the breaker box is on that wall, so SOMETHING had to cover that. Right now it's a huge silver framed mirror...:sigh: which means something needs to go under it..it feels lonely!

Interesting. There must be something more to it than just moisture. I wonder if the types of bugs and worms in the soil help too. The worms here seem to really like them. They might be devouring them to help break them down in my soil faster. They really do work great for me here in my yard though. Fascinating that each person has such a different experience. Probably different brands of pots use different ingredients too, different bonding agents and all that. I think these are the same ones I have used in the past that I noticed the worms really liked. Maybe it's the basil. I'm having a funny thought of little Italian worms enjoying their seasonings. :) I wouldn't put them in a compost pile though... like gardengal said, they wick moisture out of the soil when exposed to air, so I would imagine they would do the same thing in a compost pile.