I know this is an old thread, and I already commented on it, but we just bought a safe, and in the process of researching, I've learned a few things that weren't obvious to me: - Fireproofing absolutely matters, but so does waterproof! Keep in mind that if you have a fire, the firemen are going to soak your safe thoroughly. If they don't, you won't be able to touch the safe for at least half a day. It'll be hot. - If you want to bolt your safe to the floor, you must drill holes in the bottom -- and there goes your waterproofing. An alternative is to "build in the safe" so that wooden beams prevent it from sliding out of its hidey hole. This is not easy to arrange, and thieves can bust it open with an axe; however, it would take time, and most thieves like to be in and out quickly. - Likewise, if you are building an in-floor safe, it seems logical that waterproofing the safe will be near impossible. If firemen were putting out a fire in your house, your in-floor safe would be underneath everything, including water. - The walls of most safe brands contain miniscule bits of encapsulated water, and that's what makes them fireproof. However, because these bits of water would be released in case of fire, it's also wise to store your valuable papers and/or guns in ziplock bags. - Certain name brands of safes contain PLASTIC in -- what's the right word? -- spindles? rods? closey-sticks? that are designed to melt in a fire so that NO ONE can get into the safe right away. This is meant to deter strangers from coming into the wreckage of your burned house and toting off your safe. The company will then replace your safe for free. I think this is a HORRIBLE arrangement, and we bought a different name brand. My thought process: We keep some cash money in our safe, and if we were to have a fire, that cash money is probably the #1 thing I'd want NOW. When my brother's house burned, he literally had nothing but a pair of PJs. My other brother brought him clothes and shoes from his own closet, but he needed eye glasses and diabetes meds NOW. He needed money, and the bank didn't want to give it to him without ID, which he had lost. I would hate to know that I had plenty of cash money in my melted safe, and the company would get it out for me at their earliest convenience. As soon as I learned this fact, I crossed that brand name off the list. - You need to choose between manual and digital operations. We read a number of negative reviews concerning the digital mechanisms, so we bought a manual safe. At the very least, you'll need to replace batteries in a digital safe. And a safe is HARD to open! You can also get a key and bypass the combination altogether. - If you're going to buy online, be sure to go look at safes in person first. The walls are thicker than you might expect, and you care about internal dimensions. Personally, I cared about my safe being large enough to hold a notebook containing documents. - We ended up buying a safe from Craigslist for $45. Great deal, and -- no -- we have no concerns about the guy coming to rob us because he doesn't know where we live. He gave us the combination but not a key. Using the numbers on the wheel, my husband was able to order a key off the internet (yeah, I have a bit of a problem with that too, but realistically those numbers were awfully small, and a thief would have a hard time getting them, then returning to your house once he'd obtained a key). - Our plan is still as I described above: We plan to build a locking closet, and it will contain the two safes we now own (one for passports and cash, the other larger one for documents) . . . plus space that's just behind a locked door, which will keep out most people.

"wouldn't the "calendar" dates be dependent on the hardiness zone?" There will be some variation according to zone and I believe it states something to that effect at the bottom of the calendar. But generally speaking, if it shows late summer being a bad time to prune a particular tree, then I would refrain from pruning that time of year. :-)

Dee, sounds like you were up to your eyeballs and when they began to roll around you said "Enough, is enough of this!" ... :) Karin, that is the sort of fun I just had with attempting to identify my dahlias. Instead of using a maker to place name directly upon the tubers, most I had written on the stem .... mmmm, well, those old stems of course had dehydrated and badly shriveled that the writing was nearly imperceptible and guess was my only option. Fortunately, I was able to make enough sense to sort out my favorites, sigh! Have decided to maintain only the varieties of compact growth (no staking) or those I just can't live without, such as 'Karma Choc'. This year, I intend to visit a nearby dahlia display garden to see of who might be a new next favorite. Rosa, yes, despite my expanse of garden space, a bit of a ruthless side assists me to avoid chaos. Doing my bit of rose breeding, I set out rows of seedlings that after given sufficient time of evaluation, most all must go off to the burn pile. The sighs and pleas I receive that others are given over my rejects, I say a firm quick NO, these are discards for reason of underperformance. Same goes with pretty well anything unless it's off in a section of garden that just does not matter, only those of favor receive license to live, lol. Also, if it proves to require a good deal of pampering or is disease prone, its days shall be limited, I can only do so much codding nowadays.

Fisher & Payker offer shallower ranges that sit flush and are very sleek but I've heard people complaining of the small sized elements - I think the biggest one was under 9" but double check if you are considering the brand. I like the 800 series (please note I have the slide in), but I am not in love. Don't like the elements placement and for that reason I regret not getting the Benchmark series. The hinges are fine and I wouldn't know any better unless I had the soft close ones on my previous Benchmark, I got spoiled lol but they are fine, just feel a bit cheap and light when operating the door, definitely not a deal breaker. Bosch is a very reliable brand and I like that the glass top sits above the counter and there are no gaps. Few ranges offer that and it's definitely a plus for me. You'll hear some buzzing and humming with most stainless steel cookware (I have Made-In, Viking, Fissler, Demeyere Atlantis, Ikea and all are making noises), but cast iron works more quietly. I already scratched the glass somehow, no idea as I'm super careful but I feel like the more I baby something, the more damage I cause. And small scratches will appear with use, that is normal. I don't like how easy the pots and pans slide when I stir, there's nothing to grip to and it's pretty annoying. I miss my gas cooktop but don't miss the fumes and cleaning. Hope this helps! Let us know what you end up buying and how you like it. In the end of the day, we'll get used to anything :)