I don't like the use of plastic bottles for cleaning supplies and all the packaging that goes into our products. I started making my own clothes washing detergent (some good recipes on the web), and I love that I don't have tons of detergent bottles to recycle anymore. I can see where bottled water or distilled water is a necessary thing for some folks with bad water (although, I think the majority of people in our country probably have good drinking water). I know of a person who drank well water on a property of his and is now seeing specialists in a large major hospital, because it made him sick due to some bacteria, parasite or chemical in the water. The last I heard they had yet to identify what was in the water that made him sick. They are doing testing, and despite different treatment approaches, he was still sick, unable to eat and losing weight quickly. We drank well water growing up and are fine, but it would not hurt to get well water tested. I think our local water companies and/or health departments will do these tests for free. One of my largest pet peaves is people getting their lawns sprayed with herbicides/fertilizers. They make claims that they are "all natural", but lots of things occur naturally that you would'nt want on your lawn. I guess some of it is ignorance (and I don't mean as in stupid; I mean as in "lack of knowledge"). Those products (chemicals) seep into the ground, into underground streams and eventually make it into our drinking water. We don't "eat" off our lawns, why put that amount of money into it, where it could be better used. Too many are concerned about appearances, which leads to another pet peeve: restrictions in neighborhoods. We are not supposed to put up clothes lines. ARE you kidding me!!! I've heard that dryers use up to fourty per cent of our energy usage in the home! I feel as though we bought this property, we should have some rights to do with as we please, as long as we are not hurting anyone. I also think steps should be taken to do away with "urban sprawl". Whatever happened to tearing down old buildings or using land that has already been developed, instead of tearing down trees and taking up valuable farm land for more houses and shopping strips? It makes me sick to watch a show on television where they pull out perfectly good appliances, cabinets, fixtures, countertops, just because they are not granite, stainless steel or the newest fashion. It does'nt bother me if they carefully remove them and make sure they get reused, but I have my doubts. When did it become necessary for everything to be perfect? I think if it is working, and you are satisfied with it, it does'nt matter what the newest trend is. I agree with the previous poster about all the t.v.s that are going to end up in landfills.

122) Chiggers love the sweet perfume of OFF! Wear it well at clothing openings and about the ankle. (Deer ticks are optional here but plentiful.)

I understand, but desired budget is going to be important. Also if you plan to age in place, or if that is not a concern. For the kitchen -- do you entertain often or are you home-bodies. (Do you LIKE cooking, or do you prefer Lean Cuisine nuked?) Actually, I started out something like you -- I have 52 acres mostly wooded and I am keeping them almost entirely that way. I checked out my own needs (probably not the same as yours), discovered I hate dealing with my knee issues, so the laundry will be on the main floor. Discovered on my own lot a walk out basement would suit me and I can keep the mechanicals down there with little problem, and not have to go down there as often as I do have to do laundry!!! I'll be able to do a root cellar and a workshop, but your needs will likely differ. (

For most slide in models, there will be a gap in the counter space between the range top and the wall, so you will need to look at your countertop situation- also check its height too because the slide in models generally come over the top of the counter. I think you have to know your exact dimensions before you can make a decision, if you already have a free standing range, you may need to stick with that unless you're doing the countertops too. I like my Frigidaire gas range, it works very well; however, I bought it in white and I found that the warranty does not cover rust. In fact, I couldn't find any manufacturer's warranty at the time that did cover rust. Trust me, rust is an issue. Yes, it can be removed with barkeepers friend (which contains oxalic acid) but I really resent spending my time that way.