Hi andreae, The link above that tamahlee has posted for you has some very good instruction. Here's how I did mine: My DH and I have been working on three (3 coat)Spheres, so far so good although we did have a problem with the last one getting some cracks with the first coat - well lets start from the beginning. Blow up you ball(don't under or over inflate to much) place the ball on/in a very large (weighted) bowl/bucket, we used a 14"-16" plastic wallyworld beach ball. DH didn't think the crete would stick on this shiny of a surface so we put strips of fiber mesh tape on first this has a some what sticky surface (the proper way is to put your mud on first then press in the fiber mesh). I then added layer of "Fortified Thin-set Mortar"-this stuff is very sticky so if you plan to use this stuff use an old metal spatula to smooth it on. Then while still very tacky take your gloved hand and smooth the surface, a small foam paint brush works great also. Cover the ball with plastic wrap so it don't dry to quickly, as this will cause cracks. When it starts to look/feel dry lightly mist. Important keep damp. After 1-or 2 days you can carefully turn the ball over then do the other end. My DH thought for strength for the 2nd. coat to use a coat of Portland so this is what we did. Third coat the Thin-Set Mortar. We did plan to make only one, but the beach ball still in good shape, we made 3 lol. One for a fountain on bird-bath stand, one a mister/light on a short stand and the third one will be just a Sphere on a short post or basin. Still have some wet sanding to do on all three then must decide to paint, stain or leave as is. Even though the last one cracked some on the first upper half I was able to save by adding a light coat of the Thin-Set mix before this first (damaged)coat was completely dry. Wendy

The basic premise behind this may be the Nuclear Polyhedris Virus, NPV, but freezing the whizzed bugs right after whizzing them would not allow this to develop. The initial research into NPV showed that the whizzed bugs needed to steep for at least 24 hours for the Virus to grow. So the way to utilize this is to gather several of the target insects (say the Japanese Beetles), whiz them in a bit of water in your blender (you probably should use a blender that will not be used for fixing food for the family after this), let that mixture steep for 24 hours, and then dilute it and strain it, and spray it around the garden. The theory is that each insect species carrys the virus that will kill them but it needs encouragement to grow.

Hi Monica, As long as you're honest ... and level with your ice cube trays, you can freeze in a chesty with no problem. You may find that when you put the water in, a quiver may move over the surface, as the water starts thinking that they want out - it's too cold in here for any good use! The freezer on a frig carries the freezer portion at a few degrees below freezing, but freezers operate at down near 0 degrees F.: you may have noticed the difference in texture of ice cream depending on in which location it had been held. Cubes from there will pull your drink down to lower temp: and ones from a stand-up one will do the same, of course. I defrosted the old chest freezer here at uncle's when I came to stay after hs wife's death, seven years ago ... and it's getting near ready for another go. I don't open it frequently. Even in summer, no need to worry about coolers, etc. (except maybe for ice cream, if you choose). Stick the stuff into some carboard boxes from the store. If you get large ones, stow the ice cream in the middle, surrounded by the other stuff. But don't fret ... maybe your family will enjoy (slightly softened) ice cream. Turn the exhaust of the vacuum cleaner down into the chest and you'll be surprised at how soon the ice drops off. I have no idea how it would work if you tried it with a Room-ba). As others suggest, pick the ice up and put it into the sink (or a water jug if you'll be doing warm work for a while). After a quick wash, followed by a rinse with baking soda? vinegar? in the water (but not the two together) let it dry and you'll be surprised at how soon you'll be able to return the contents to the freezer - probably various items in a different location. Should be fun ... or at least not a major chore. As you place the items, make a chart with A at the left, moving to H, M or whatever you choose from left to right and 1 to 6 or 8 from back to front, then a to e, g or whatever to indicate depth and write the list of the various items of contents in the list. I like the chesties better than the stand-up ones, as they don't spill all of the cold air out onto the floor and your ankles the instant you open the door. Which saves energy. And the automatic defrost ones run the freezing equipment for while, ... then occasionally the heater, which heats the contents a tiny bit ... then back to the freezing again. That seems a rather unnecessary increase in the use of precious energy, all because quite a lot of people want to avoid one more simple - and occasional - chore. ole joyful

How irritating. I can relate. The ice cube thing is an exact scenario of what happens at my workplace. Also, my drinks and snacks dissappear,even after I write my name on them. The department that I work in has 5 people total. There is one person who is notorious for such behavior,and has no qualms about taking other peoples stuff. He used to drink my bosses drinks out of the fridge. She is a saint. She told him that if he were going to do that,please put some from the case she keeps there into the fridge so she will have some cold ones to drink. He won't even do that. I once put post it's on my drinks with a note that read "these are mine,do not drink" The next time I came in,I found the post it's in the trash and my drinks gone. What sent me over the edge though,was a person came in,and thanked me for the root beer. Apparently,not only was this jerkwad drinking my drinks,he was passing them out to others. The next day I bought some diet sunkist,which he loves to steal the most. I bought the 8 pack of small bottles,opened one of them,poured half of it out,and topped it off with vinegar and orange food coloring. Then I put it in the fridge so it would get nice and cold. He was soooooo mad! But who was he going to complain to? They were clearly labeled with my name,and I'm certainly allowed to tamper with my own drinks. I'm any case,while hilarious and satisfying momentarily,it did nothing to determine him furthur. He still steals food and drink from everyone. He still leaves dirty dishes for weeks until he realizes that no one else is going to wash them for him,and he still uses the ice and doesn't refill the trays.