I have read the postings with interest on Sonic Bloom. Someone stated that they would prefer compost tea to sonic bloom. I would suggest both. compost tea (aerobic) although it has a feeding effect is mostly about the biology. Biology that creates protection (when sprayed correctly) above the ground and favors the numbers that you need in the ground that serve the plant in processing minerals to make them available for the plant Sonic Bloom on the other hand is minerals made quickly available through the stoma (with the frequency in the music causing the stoma to open) I have much to learn but I believe many of us need to think more about things before we trash them. I have lived many years outside of the US. Both compost tea (correctly done) and Sonic Bloom has a much better chance of feeding a hungry world well than the ridiculous ideas being promoted by Ag. companies that only see dollar signs Properly used from the directions given Sonic Bloom would be more than affordable. In addition, if you compost your garden trash that has been used by Sonic Bloom. Then at the end of the season you can create a compost (sprayed with compost tea as it is built) that would do wonders in your garden the next season. (you would be adding high mineral level dead plant material into the compost and favoring high biology counts which would hold these minerals in suspension as they decompose.) I am fascinated at what we can do with growing. Frankly, most of us are still in the stoneage when gardening. We have an unbeliveably complex sytem below and above ground designed to work together. Experiment carefully and then judge.

My weakness is paper clutter - I am pretty good with clearing out clothes/dishes/books/etc. but paper is an obstacle for me that I struggle with. What I found to be the BIGGEST HELP EVER to my paper clutter habit was not to let it into my house. When I receive catalogs or advertisements or other mail I can't help but read it or "keep it to read later". Even though I know it's junk and should be tossed. So I went on a CAMPAIGN not to let it into my house in the first place. It was initially time-consuming, but SO worth it. Here are the steps: 1. Go to the DMA's website (the Direct Marketing Association) to register for the Mail Preference Services by filling in the online form. It takes about 30-60 days for it to kick in. On that same webpage is also a credit card solicitation opt-out service which I recommend both to decrease junk mail, and to decrease chances of identity theft (identity thieves could take a credit card solicitation addressed to you, fill it out, and get a credit card in your name). 2. Call all your magazine subscriptions' 800 numbers, and tell them "Please mark my account so that my name or address is not rented or sold to other companies." 3. Call all your credit cards, and and tell them "Please mark my account so that my name or address is not rented or sold to other companies." 4. Call any catalogs that you want to continue getting, but tell them "Please mark my account so that my name or address is not rented or sold to other companies." 5. Call all your utilities (phone/cell phone/electric company, etc.) and and tell them "Please mark my account so that my name or address is not rented or sold to other companies." 6. Call any sweeptstakes 800 numbers when you get a sweepstakes solicitation and get them to remove you from their lists. Just takes one call to each sweepstakes company. 7. Whenever you donate money, purchase something on the internet or via a catalog, write in the "comments' box in capital letters, "Please do not sell my name or address". 8. Call 1-888-567-8688 or 1-888-5OPTOUT. This will remove you from junk mail sent by Trans Union, Equifax, innovis, and Experian. Whew! That was a lot of work! But once I finished, after a few weeks my mailbox ONLY contains mail I want. I would say my mail has decreased in volume by at least 70%. Good for the environment too. And that's 70% less paper on your island, and 70% less work for you every day sorting through your mail. A very nice payback for the time you have to spend initially. Here is a link that might be useful: DMA's Mail Preference Webpage

Just exchanged my Samsung steam washer and dryer for the Electrolux Wavetouch. Only had it 2 days now and can't believe the difference from the Samsung. The Samsung was the worst appliance I have every purchased. Especially the dryer. Not one single load, in 2 weeks, came out fluffy and dry. It rolled everything into a ball so nothing inside the ball was dry. Even if I put just a few things in the dryer it would shut off when the clothes were still wet, no matter what setting I used. The controls were hard to use and it took too many steps to start the wash. The Electrolux is GREAT!! Turn the dial to the cycle, push start and it goes. The clothes are clean, put them in the dryer turn the dial, push start and they are dry and fluffy. Just the way it is supposed to work. The lights even come on when you open the doors. Imagine that. With the Samsung you would have to push the power button first for the lights to come on. The stupidest thing I have ever seen. Even my 20 year old Maytag knew that the light should come on everytime you open the door. It wouldn't shut the light off if you left the door open though, the Electrolux does. They also remember your settings for each cycle, so you don't have to make several choices EVERY time you start a load. Sorry for the long post but I just can't believe what a bad product Samsung put out. And to top it off, all the reviews are great. Even Consumer Reports rates the Samsung the highest (the reason I bought it). Electrolux tops everything.

I have the hardest family to buy for because none of them will tell me what they want. DS has never given me a list, even when he was little. DD did when she was little but now that she is a grown up, she tells me not to buy her anything. Grrrr. So, since they are all now grownups, I resort to mostly gift cards. Daughter, son-in-law, son, niece and her husband each get an AmEx gift card (varying amounts). DSIL loves to cook and is into spices so he gets a gift card to Penzey's spices every year. DD tells me it's his favorite thing to spend long hours on their website deciding what spices to get. DD gets a gift card to Colleen Rothschild for face care products that she will never buy for herself because she feels guilty spending that kind of $$ on herself. I also get them the Swarovski yearly ornament every year for their tree. I started doing that the year they got engaged and have gotten it each year since. They love it. For the grands and my nieces daughter, I get them each a Cuddle+Kind doll each year. They love them and I like that it's a small family run business and they give back by donating meals for each doll purchased. I also got them each a squishmellow. Don't ask me. I'm told it's all the rage this year. Got the grands some clothes (DD told me they can use clothes this year) and shoes. Probably not getting clothes for my niece's baby as we have very different taste. Still on the hunt for some good toys that they'll actually play with for more than 5 minutes! We have a non-aggression pact with my brother and sister-in-law. Thank goodness! We only gift the kids and grandkids.