You can do this much in the same way you can change your own tires on your car. How much work are you up for? Most cushions are quite difficult to put back in. I'm a big, powerful guy and I struggle with installing new cores in pieces. But I did learn a trick on how the pros do it at Hancock and Moore. The man there who stuffs every single H*M cushion in the plant (he has arms the size of watermelons) told me the secret is to fold the cushion in half lengthwise, stuff it in, and then reach in and unfold it. I think you'll find you'll only do this one time if its like most cushions going into casements :) Duane Collie

Of course, dissolving the detergent in the water first is the best way to do it but it takes more time than most people want to or can invest in doing laundry so they dump it all in, turn the machine on and walk away. Holding the water level at reset does no harm but is a nuisance. The usual "procedure" is to a) override the lid switch b) adjust the water level and, sometimes, c) drill out the hot water inlet to get a proper warm wash and a fast hot fill. Here is a link that might be useful: Water level adjust

Is there any other type of cooking appliance that really requires this? Yes...or sorta' yes. Not just roaster ovens but new stationary ovens...in the wall and range ovens...require a 'burn-in' before being used for cooking. Because of residual manufacturing oils, protective coatings & various bonding glues/ products on the parts of the appliance. http://www.cnet.com/how-to/why-you-should-always-burn-in-your-new-oven/ If you want a US made product and a product that you don't have to break-in, buy a vintage Nesco, Westinghouse....roaster oven. You'll find them at estate sales, garage sales, and the like for very little $$...usually $10 or less. In varying condition from well-used to almost new condition. All of the vintage ovens that I have owned had/ have porcelain cookwells. If there were any vintage stainless steel ones made, they are rare birds.

What NHBabs said. One of the selling points of these trees is they tolerate shade, which combined with their small size means you can squeeze them into spots an Eastern White Pine wouldn't work. No need to waste a "prime" spot on it. It would be perfectly happy (relatively) close to your house, close to power lines, or at the foot of a honeylocust. Many of the fancy cultivars aren't reliable in Zone 5. Is this a named variety? You are almost better getting a cheapo tree from Lowes. Best would be a tree from a local seed source bought from native plant society. As far as them being all over the place...there could have been an unusually smart landscaper, developer, or local nursery who got them from a local seed source or an unusually hardy variety a few years back. If you see a neighbor with a really old one ask where he got it. As for the pictures...nothing in that picture makes me concerned.