Clueless - You didn't listen to me when I told you to get the 8500 because of the better suspension but I am over that now. Hopefully you will be OK with the suspension you have. Despite what some ads will tell you it is not a good idea to stuff the washer full. Depending on the contents, about half to 3/4 full will allow room for the water to slosh and the clothes to snuggle with each other in a happy soup. The clothes also need room to move so the load can get fairly well balanced so the machine is stable when it ramps up to warp speed. Good luck with your new toy. I love my 8500. I think I love the dryer even more than the washer. I can dry all my clothes on Low heat and they are dry in about 10 minutes. Very cool.

mlweaving, Thanks for your vote and input and your help once again. I have not posted on the new build blog much lately as my rate of progress as a DIY person with a big family is just not what the typical builder can do. We have made a number of key decisions recently on most of the finishes. It looks like the medicine cabinet as shown is out. Do you all think if we made the medicine cabinet into a single door in same width as the window and only say 5 inches deep it might look better? Or is blank wall above the laundry sink the best. I will try to get DH to redraw the medicine cabinet and put in white counters with all blue cabs. mlweaving, I hope your home progress is advancing despite the hiccups that go with the territory. may_flowers: Thanks very much for that image! I see that those Shakers have a sloped edge rather than flat like standard Shakers. Thanks for taking the time to clarify your idea. Carol

Not much traffic on this forum lately! I don't have my area setup yet for this year, but will try to take some pics when I do. My system gets a little more efficient each year I think. First time I tried wintersowing I did it in the unheated garage in December. Numb fingers on filthy hands and snot running down my face from the cold.... not fun. I moved inside the next year! For several years I used the kitchen and just did a few tiring marathon sowing sessions so I wouldn't have to lug everything out and clean it all up again too many times. The kitchen was right off the backyard where I kept my pot ghetto. I kept a big tub of potting mix in the dining room for weeks on end to keep it from freezing. It worked pretty well... until I got three naughty cats. I couldn't turn my back for one second. They like to "help" too much! Jumping into my tub of damp potting mix to roll around in it, running down the hallway with an open seed packet in their mouth and emptying the contents everywhere, etc., etc. Then I decided to install a laundry tub with sprayer in the basement workroom. I can close the door to the basement to keep the kitties out. It is heated down there and with some good tunes, actually kind of pleasant. I can spread out my supplies and leave it a bit messy between sowing sessions. I also switched to quart yogurt containers to sow in which are easier to plant out of, clean, and store. I prepare new containers with the drill press that is in the basement too. I put them in a large concrete mixing tub or storage container lids for sowing and carrying upstairs. It holds quite a few of them and I can easily carry a dozen or more of them at a time. I use large anti-fatigue floor mats to make standing on the concrete floor easier. This year I may even clean off one of the workbenches so I can sit and sow! Looks like you have a really nice setup too Martha. It is good to have an area where you can spread out and get a bit messy for projects.

The word is out on the brand new Electrolux. It is WAY more efficient, water use per year (gallons) is rated at 3693. The older model uses 4851 gallons per year. I own the WaveTouch which has the most options. I like that it uses more water (it's a front loader so it still very efficient). Look into the older Electrolux models as they now have been tweaked and the kinks have been worked out. Compare the features... New Elux: http://www.electroluxappliances.com/Washers-Dryers/Washing-Machines/Washing-Machine/EFLS617SIW/ Old Elux: http://www.electroluxappliances.com/Washers-Dryers/Washing-Machines/Washing-Machine/EWFLS70JIW/ While you don't really need the "pre-mixing" of detergent and water, Reviewed dot com says it's seems to work well. They still do have the reversible doors on both the washer and dryer. Whirlpool front loaders are pretty good also but I'm an Elux fan. Keep us posted on what you decide.