Actually, I just got finished using it for the third time a few minutes ago...first time mulching rather than catching. Nothing bad to report. I have a rather long stride (34" inseam) and I can cover a a lot of area quickly and the mower keeps up fine. Of course, I'm mowing pretty often and not taking off much. We'll see how it does when I get off schedule. Also, my property has some pretty good slopes. I had read that the personal pace feature was kind of hard to use on slopes, but honestly it hasn't been a problem. I have a trim area where I am going up a slope while turning to trim around the end of a retaining wall. It used to be really rough on my old mower's plastic wheels. The steel wheels are going to hold up much better. No problems with having enough power to pull the slopes either. For others thinking of picking one of these up, note that the handle is not the same one as on the Super Recyclers. This one is made of larger diameter tubing and requires tools to adjust. It even has a "kicker" to help keep the handle more rigid. For me, the increase in durability and stability is a plus, but if you have storage issues and like folding the handle, it might be a negative. Otherwise, think "SR4 with an upgraded engine and steel wheels for the same price (cheaper actually)." It was a no-brainer for me and I am very satisfied. My neighbor bought a big-box Honda right before I ordered the PT21...he's kinda kicking himself now...although it's pretty nice as well.

This is the email from Jeffery Hahn~ Dept of Entomology I have received a lot of e-mails over a story that has been circulating the internet this week concerning the potential of accidentally purchasing mulch that may be infested with Formosan termites. If you have not seen this story, this is how it reads: If you use mulch around your house be very careful about buying mulch this year. After the Hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over. These trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any state or company who will come and haul it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowe's at dirt cheap prices with one huge problem. Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags. New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country were the Formosan Termite has a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them, so avoid cheap mulch and know were it came from. This story implies that it was written by someone at LSU, although no one there was responsible. However, it is true that Dennis Ring, an entomologist at LSU, did produce a news release last October about accidentally moving Formosan termites from hurricane ravished areas in Louisiana. In it, he warned people that they could spread Formosan termites around the state and other parts of the country by using railroad ties, reusing architectural wood, or other whole pieces of wood or lumber that were infested with Formosan termites. Interestingly, no where in the original article did he discuss mulch. There are some elements of truth in this scenario. First Formosan termites are very aggressive and destructive termites. Although they are a type of subterranean termite, it is relatively common for these termites to produce aerial colonies and to infest damaged trees. In one instance, they have been transported accidentally in mulch. However, after that much of what is said is exaggerated and unnecessarily alarmist. In conversations I have had with colleagues, it is recognized that no one knows for sure what would happen to termites in a tree that was chipped or mulched. However, it is universally agreed that it is highly unlikely that they would survive the process. Another factor is that termites do not survive well in mulch. Consider that as the internal temperature of a pile mulch increases, it can reach lethal temperatures that would kill termites as well as other insects. Also, Formosan termites are not tolerant of cold temperatures. They are not known to infest areas further north than 35o N latitude. Minnesota should be well beyond their reach. Another mitigating factor is that Louisiana imposed a quarantine in several hurricane-damaged parishes. The quarantine specifically addresses the concern about Formosan termite-infested wood products being shipped to new areas. According to Dr. Gregg Henderson, research entomologist and termite expert from LSU, all yard debris and dead trees are being burned or shipped to a large local landfill near New Orleans. It seems unlikely that a major home improvement store like a WalMart or Lowe's would come into possession of such mulch as it would have to purchase it illegally. In summary, it isn't impossible that Formosan termites could be accidently transported in mulch to Minnesota but it is very unlikely If you are interested in reading further information on this, check out these sources. The first is a Snopes article found here, http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/termites.asp. Mike Merchant, an urban entomologist at Texas A&M wrote the following article, http://citybugs.tamu.edu/IntheNews_Details.asp?ID_Key=425. Please pass this information on to other MGs that may not be on the listserve as this could generate a considerable amount of questions from the public. Jeff Hahn ***************************************************************** Jeffrey Hahn 1980 Folwell Ave 612-624-4977 Dept. of Entomology 612-625-5299 fax University of Minnesota hahnx002@umn.edu St. Paul, MN 55108 visit the Yard and Garden Line: http://www3.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/

No engineered stone is approved for UV exposure. It’s not an industry secret at all. None can go outside. Period. If your professionals that you worked with had done their jobs, you’d be an educated consumer and know that it’s not an exclusion just for Cambria. Direct sun from standard new windows shouldn’t pass enough UV to damage your floors, furniture, or e-stone. Standard windows already come with UV blocking properties, so if yours are so old that they don’t have it, you’ve got other issues about UV exposure in your house. Old windows need UV blocking film installed to avoid degradation to all kinds of interior finishes. Not just your e-stone. If it’s a relatively new window, that’s a conversation that you need to have with your window manufacturer. It’s defective. This is Not on Cambria. Or Silestone. Or Pental. Or Zodiaq. Or any e-stone manufacturer. New windows shouldn’t have issues with transmitting enough UV to damage your home.. Poop happens. This isn’t on Cambria. Talk to your window manufacturer.

If the dark green is going to be in photos, I would replace it and not touch the others. Is there a wood floor under? Would it be cheaper to refinish it, or if it's in decent shape, throw some wax on it and be done. Our carpet in the dining room & hall could use to be replaced but we didn't because it is still decent & neutral. What I did was offered a decorating incentive, so they could use it on that or what ever. I did buy a shampooer and shampoo the carpets as needed I also think you should check out my post below & interview one or 2 more agents to see what they say. Also, don't waste time to get it listed. Where I am the spring season is almost over if it goes like it did last year. We listed the end of May, the buyers had already bought. Make sure you ask if they have enhanced listings on realtor.com and what they are going to do to market your home. Marketing is very important in this market. Here is a link that might be useful: Agent Interview Questions for sellers