Varmint, Thanks on all your feedback, and that of others. I took delivery today of my new tractor. I put it right to work pulling my dump cart full of brush, and my yard sweeper. Maybe I should change my handle to happinessisanewtractor. Observations: This tractor is very comforable. the ergonomics of the Regent are very good. The controls are well laid out and very intuitive. The 18HP Kohler Courage engine is plenty strong, and very reasonable in noise level. Especially compared to my old tractor's 8hp Briggs. The transmission is very smooth (smoother than the x300 I drove, probably how it's belt drive is designed), and pulled my sweeper like it was'nt even there. The ride accross my bumpy yard is just that, bumpy. I'm going to check the tire pressure again, and try lowering it to improve the ride a little. Also, the steering is very precise, but that also lends itself to jolting out of my hands on bumps if I'm not careful. Again tire pressure may help that. I suspect the same would be true on almost any "lawn tractor". Essentially it means I have to keep my speed down in the areas that are bumpy. My old tractor's seating position was closer to the ground, so I may be perceiving that I'm going slower on the new Regent than I actually am. Perhaps a heavier Garden Tractor, ie: a Conquest or x500 might traverse the lumpy terrain more smoothly, but I would not want to give up the manuverability of the Regent, which is fantastic. I have not mowed yet, but did engage the mower. Take note, this thing is powerful, it shot several pine cones like a rocket. The discharge is very strong, which I hope will reduce clumping of my grass clippings. Overall I feel that I made a good choice for my needs. I have to say that Simplicity orange is just as nice looking as Deere Green. I'm looking forward to mowing season & will let you know how it performs.

If he's a good hungry dealer, he will bring out a demo and let you chk it out in action on YER turf... take a look at Slammer's old buying advice: Repost of Slammer's Buying Guide... 1. Carefully evaluate the size mower you need and buy at least one size larger, given gate and storage door considerations. Work with reputable Dealers who can provide product choice assistance, product predelivery prep and aftersale service at competitve prices. 2. NEVER buy a mower from ANYPLACE that will not let you test drive same or at least a similar model. Ergonomics are just as important as performance and capability. 3. DO NOT base your purchase on price or brand name alone! Do proper research and find all of the available models that fit your criteria and haggle, save, or trade to get the right equipment for the job. Do not compromise! Dealer support after the sale is also important. 4. Understand your property and it's impact on your choice of equipment. Mowing slopes, obstacles, future landscape projects, winter use, attachments, etc. can all have a significant effect. If you follow these three tips you will end up a happy camper with just the right unit for the job. If you disregard this advice you may end up with one or the other of the following problems: A. Buyers remorse. Stuck with a piece of junk or simply a unit inadequate for the task at hand. Or.. B. A teed off spouse when you start shopping for another tractor just 3 - 6 months down the road because you didn't buy the right unit in the first place. Enjoy the experience!

Ok ... just when I thought I couldn't feel any more pathetic the iron thing happens :) I did mention I'm OCD and I have a "strange" love of laundry right? I did say it was a HUGE splurge. I iron a lot. I too own a Rowenta Steam that I love (also own a cheapie and it does not compare). Nothing presses as nice as lots of steam. My tea towels are mostly from Williams Sonoma although I have a collection of ones from Ulster Weavers (most bought in Bermuda at the Irish Linen Shop). They are just the best ever http://www.ulsterweavers.com/tea_towels_11/. I don't iron them because they necessarily need to be ironed ... I can't stand if they are not perfectly pressed folded just so in my drawer (OCD right?). I think of it as Martha Stewart like and not crazy like (LOL). I have a friend who begs me to stop ironing them. She says life is too short. I press bed sheets (pillow cases and top sheets) - how easy would that be with the rotary iron (bliss). I press table clothes and napkins - again hate doing this with a regular iron - so difficult. I actually iron most of my kids' shirts not because they are wrinkled I just like a perfectly smooth finish. I definitely press their collared shirts like polos, rugbys and button downs. The one thing I won't iron is my husband's dress shirts - we made that deal when we got married. I'll launder the shirts but I won't iron them. I'm too much of a perfectionist that one shirt takes me forever! My husband owns roughly 25 custom made dress shirts ... forget it :) We launder them as they cost a fortune and he wants to take good care of them - the dry cleaner would destroy them too quickly. Apparently you can use the rotary iron for shirts but I think it would take a lot of practice to master. Here is a review for it attached. I don't believe Miele has that return policy here. I've never heard of it and their website says nothing about it. I did read Larsi's adventure - what I took from what he wrote was that he loved the way the Electrolux worked he just liked the build quality of the Miele better. I never read where he said the Electrolux did a bad job. He even raved about the space in the dryer. He'd have to clarify if I'm wrong. I actually ruled out the Electrolux as I can't stand the doors (push to open is so stupid). I thank you all so much for listening to my torment but I'll pick - I'll have to eventually. I've thought about it much too hard and read way too much. My husband said we didn't think this hard about having children ... scary :) Here is a link that might be useful: Miele Rotary Iron review

Owens Corning R-11 fiberglass batt Sound Barrier insulation is 3 1/2" thick but its up to the OP to tell us what the builder is offering. The company likes rockwool when greater density is desired but it makes it clear that greater density does not increase the STC rating of a partition wall. Assuming the company is not contradicting itself, I have to assume there are other uses for acoustic insulation where density matters. All I've ever said about these materials is that the STC rating difference in a partition cannot be measured. Worrying about the difference is making a mountain out of a mole hill. Talking about removing drywall to add rockwool later makes me think he may have lost his mind.