Hey Josh, I have been been using Pro-Tekt with my Foliage Pro all winter and i can say that my plants have definately been happier than in the past... When i take my rain water and place it in my watering cans, i add the Pro Tekt first to all of the water and then stir it in. (1/4 tsp per gallon) Then i go back and add my Foliage Pro to the water. I keep it upstairs and let it warm to room temperature and then water. The combination of the two will definately help your plants and im so happy to have found my Pro Tekt. My Hydroponics dealer had to order it for me. I still can't find or he wont (says he cant..) order it for me. He looked it up and says its not available. Hmm? I still order my Foliage Pro from Ebay. They have free shipping anyway. Have fun with your Pro Tekt!!! Hope you are feeling better!!! Happy Spring AL!!! Take Care, Laura

There are 2 different ideas of thatch in grassy lawns. The dead grass blades that cover the soil between plants is not a serious thatch issue. The other thatch issue involve the roots and stems growing above the soil simply feeding on the water and fertilizers as they are applied. The problem with this type pf thatch is more severe because there is very little root growing into the actual soil. Your last photo just has some grass and a dark spot on my screen, so a caption of what we are looking at would clarify which type of thatch you are concerned with.

I have checked with my insurance company. They don't care if I put a commercial, non-residential range in my kitchen. I'd notify them in writing before proceeding, of course. Weight should not be an issue. 36-inch to 48-inch ranges weigh from 600 to 800 pounds, which is about five people. The basement is unfinished, so if I measure any deflection I can sister the joists or even add a post. I've talked to a local restaurant supply store. They are happy to sell me a used range. For a new range, they want to sell to a business, which I can do. They will only deliver to my front door, will not install, and the range will have no warranty - all perfectly understandable. The applicable building code has no provision for commercial appliances in residential dwellings. Then again, I've never pulled a building permit just to buy a new kitchen appliance. Interestingly, the code says nothing meaningful about makeup air or required CFMs in residential kitchens - I will look again, though. Visually - hmm. I did a quick sketch - maybe I can make this look palatable, maybe not. So, this brings me to the original issue, which is function and safety. I have friends with commercial ranges in their home kitchens. These ranges don't set the kitchen ablaze, nor do they turn the kitchen into a sauna, nor do they brand you like a calf if you brush up against them. They are not ''on'' at full-bore 12 hours/day, jammed in a room with more ranges, broilers, griddles, ovens, fryers, all working non-stop. I believe that, if properly installed with appropriate clearance to combustibles and appropriate venting and professionally installed gas connections, a commercial range is just as safe as any range. When I add the fire suppression and gas shut-off, I think it'll be safer. But I do need to get the venting right. This house is leaky, but hopefully as we work on it, it'll get tighter, and I don't want any backdrafting. The way I see it, the exhaust and makeup issues I'm wondering about are not unique to commercial ranges. Someone planning a 60-inch "professional" range with char-broiler would face the same issues. I know that discussions about commercial appliances on GW tend to elicit cautionary responses, which I understand and appreciate. But, for the purposes of planning HVAC, let's forget the "commercial" aspect. Let's pretend I'm planning a 60-inch Bluestar and for some reason I like to cook with burners on high and the oven door ajar and the char-broiler blazing.

Oh, hi emmhip! :) I completely know what you mean. And while I subscribe to FlyLady's emails, I haven't checked them (my "list" email is the most organized thing in my home - it all goes to separate folders in my inbox, lol). Anyway, what I've been doing is just a bit here and there. Today, I went through all the drawers in my dresser, and got rid of matchless socks, underwear that weren't ever going to be worn by me again, and assorted other things that I was no longer using or planning to use (including a Motherhood slip - my youngest if now 4 years old, ahem). I also cleaned (with a toothbrush!!!) my bathroom sink, including wiping down the cabinets. Thoroughly cleaned the toilet, too. I've been vacuuming every day for the last week, and sweeping, too. Two days ago, I finally cleared (what a task!) the table and counters except for two hotspots that I'm still working on. The kids' bathroom had a decent clean two days ago; I still need to go in and do an "on my hands and knees" floor cleaning. And my laundry? Well, it's caught up only because we recently bought the largest capacity washer (and matching dryer - our old washer broke, perfect timing!) and for the first time EVER, my laundry has been caught up without my hubby stepping in to help. :) I LOVE my new W&D, and have taken meticulous care of it (I follow the care instructions carefully, lol). I was so proud the other day when I washed all the kids' bed linens in one day. I'm sure that hasn't been done before (by me, anyway). However, my wood floor is still in bad shape, and I really need to wipe down all the kitchen cabinets, and most of the doors in the house. My daughters' room is still a mess, but that's largely because my 7yo dd has learned my bad habits, so we both need work. ;) Anyway, there's still much to do, but I trust that FlyLady's admonition to take baby steps will eventually get me to where I need to be. And also, this isn't really part of the above, except that it is FOR ME, but about 3 months ago, I was dx'd with severe ADD symptoms and mild/moderate depression. I've been on Wellbutrin since then, and the change has made all the difference for me. It was slow getting here, but when I look back to where I was before, I'm amazed at the difference in how I feel, and how far I've come. The above probably doesn't apply to most folks, but I feel I'd be disingenuous if I didn't include it as well. Anyway, it's hard to struggle and feel like you can't get ahead, and then, to be so overwhelmed in your own home that it's not relaxing, but rather stress-inducing, and I realized I was the only one who could change that for me. And I am, slowly but surely. Best of luck to you, and yes, get that book! (Don't worry about her time tables for cleaning - for that, I'm fine with FlyLady's plan - I just need to know the "how-to" of taking care of a home.) Best of luck to you - you need to trust that you can do it, and that the changes will be their own reward, and even more.