The company I work for has fleet of I/C powered forklifts. In 1989 & '90, we switched from diesel engines to LPG fueled engines (which are gasoline engines converted to propane). A few years later, the company selected a "test group" of forklifts to run in an extended oil change evaluation. The test was conducted in alliance with an "oil testing laboratory". The lab had to agree to use the same test procedure on "our" oil samples for the duration of the test. We did not know how long we would be testing. Our previous oil change interval was "Every 750 hours" (using the OEM hourmeter). This interval was in place when we ran diesel and gasoline powered I/C 'lifts. We wanted to determine how long we could safely run the oil between changes without harming the engine. The guidelines for the test were pretty simple on our part, the forklifts in the test group would not have their oil changed "Until further notice". Instead, we were only to "top off" the oil level when we drew an oil sample for the lab every 750 hours. Our 'lifts operate 24/7 with an average daily run time of 18 hours per 'lift, so we were pulling an oil sample about every 6 weeks (where this would have been an "oil change" prior to the test). The lab reported the test results of each sample to our corporate headqurters. Corporate only told us whether or not, to continue the testing of each 'lift, based on the report. At about 20 months into the test, we submitted a sample to the lab that had 10,000 (ten thousand) hours on it. Corporate headqurters informed us at that time to remove that 'lift from the test and change the oil based on the lab report that the oil "was degrading" and it's continued use was not recommended. We were instructed place the unit on a "tentative" 3000 hour oil change interval until the testing was ended on all 'lifts. By 24 months since the onset of the test, the oil in all the 'lifts had reached the 10,000 hour mark. The lab reports on a 10,000 hour old sample was very near the same for all 'lifts. The company ordered each 'lift that was part of the test to be placed on the same "tentative" 3000 hour oil change interval until further notice. It took the company almost a year from the end date of the testing to make all the changes to the inspection forms (for our PMs) and put the new standard of 3000 hours between oil and filter changes into effect. Our 'lifts remain in service at the "large distribution centers" for about 6 years (from the "new vehicle in service" date) at which time they will have accumulated from about 30,000 to 36,000 hours. At that time they are transferred out to "small town" locations where they may only get 2 to 4 hours run time per day. On these 'lifts we change the oil annually by the calender instead of going by the hourmeter. When a 'lift reaches 12 years old, it is sold on the public market. We have yet to "wear out" an engine. In fact, the only engine failure our location has had was due to the forklift operator continuing to run the 'lift after the water pump/alternator belt broke. We periodically check compression on our engines (24 month intervals) and I see engines near the 36,000 hour mark with 160 to 170 P.S.I. readings on all cylinders. Each owner of any equipment must decide what kind of oil change interval they want to use for their machines. I think it is safe to say that most of us can change the oil in our L&G equipment annually without worrying "if I'm doing it enough". I prefer to change the oil at the end of the season. I don't want that "contaminated" oil just sitting there in contact with the works of the engine for 6 months. I drop the oil (and filter where applicable), put in the fresh oil and run the engine for about 10 minutes (to make sure I get the oil "hot", gets rid of the moisture from the cold start up) before putting the machine away for the "off season". I feel that the fresh oil clings better to the engine parts than the old oil for the duration of storage. No matter what the "Oil experts" may say, some of us will continue with our own practices. For the people who lament that we are changing the oil "too often", well......there are some people out there who "never change their oil", so don't their habits offset the overall consumption average??

These are all great ideas! I wish I could plant a double hedge, as suggested by mauirose, but there are set back restrictions where I live. I don't have enough room. I never thought of Perle d'Or. I'll have to think about that one.... I love both Louis Philippe and Mutabilis. LaMarne also does very well here, but I do know that the flowers bleach white almost instantly here. Maybe I shouldn't care about that. Our sun, heat, and humidity are brutal here, and becoming more so with global warming. Whatever I pick will have to be able to withstand all that, and maybe a hurricaine too. My very favorite roses are tea roses, and there are some that do stay "smaller". However, with most I am just not sure how long they will thrive here unless grafted on fortuniana. People are just recently trying them on their own roots (I'm one of them). Mrs BR Cant is one that seems to live a long time here. I'd hate to have to start over with a privacy type of hedge if they started to decline in a few years. That said, it is still a consideration, for sure! The rose I end up using can get as tall as it wants. The issue is it would be best if I can keep it at an 8 ft. diameter relatively easy. I don't mind pruning a bush back once a year, MAYBE twice a year, but I prefer to not have to do it every month to keep it off the screen. Ehann, I haven't figured out what to do with all the Mrs. BRs yet. I don't know how well she transplants, but if I make a change, then I'll have to see if anyone wants any Mrs BRs. I had actually had second thoughts after I had ordered the Mrs Brs, because of her massive size and the screen damage concern, but when I tried to cancel my order they had already been shipped out. Then I thought I could control her. ha! Ha! Roses like me and grow well, so I don't know where I came up with the idea that I could control her when so many others before me could not. As far as hedgetrimmers go, I usually hand prune everything, but with this "hedge" they may be a necessity. Sandy

I have a song that I have loved from the first time I heard it. Most people know it now from the Jerry Lewis Telethon - You'll Never Walk Alone. This morning around 2 or 3 or somewhere in there, I googled it and found the original female singer. Just closed my eyes and took it all in. Got all tight in the chest and my eyes burned with tears. All the words are so true. Then today I went with my daughter to the Christian book store. Just walked around reading things. Found a bookmark with the serenity prayer. I gave it to my daughter as it has special meaning for a time in her life of few smiles and floods of tears, where alone was a defining word. Then I bought momma a large print Bible. Momma always read her Bible before going to bed. Now I don't know if her sight or mind can do any reading. It doesn't matter if all she does is hold it. I think it will bring back old memories and she'll smile. It made me smile just thinking about it and remembering. All these things were not planned, just did them. Momma said sometimes God has to yank you by the seat of your pants to get your attention. Each of these things had meaning to me. Now I think of the verse, "And this too shall pass". I feel more at peace with myself in not taking blame for what happened. Some days it's an effort to put one foot in front of the other without stumbling. If I stumble let me have the grace to accept a helping hand. It is not a sign of weakness, just a human trait. Don't walk so fast you miss the beauty of each day. Don't talk so loud, you can't hear nature's songs. Don't close your eyes where the rainbows you miss. Just open up and take it all in even if only for a moment. Lynn

You know, the BM saying that sort of thing to the skids is exactly what made me very angry one day. I posted about it in March this year. SD13 started going on to FDH how he doesn't pay BM enough, and because of that they have to miss out on 'this and that etc'. FDH gave the usual reply; that he does pay BM child support and always has, but it's up to BM what she does with the money. They've had this conversation a million times over.. But this time SD13 did not leave it at that. She told FDH that child support is not even real money because it goes in the bank (??) and why doesn't he pay cash to BM? And all of a sudden I saw how the dynamics had changed, it wasn't just SD13 relaying BM's message, she had made it her own opinion and she was having a go at FDH. This made me very angry and I went off at SD13. How dare she accuse FDH of not paying enough money, she should know better by now than to listen to BM's crap, she shouldn't even be involved in any discussion about money!! I was angry and I went on about it. SD13 and SD11 stood there stunned for awhile and then they went to their room, got their mobile and called their mom, asking her to pick them up. Looking back now I understand they would've been scared to see me so angry, it never happened before (or since). I also understand BM coming to the rescue, even if this was exactly what she was after, causing problems at our home. We weren't aware skids called BM and she was on her way, and FDH had already calmed situation down. We were going to all sit down and talk about what happened. BM rocked up and FDH tried to explain we were dealing with it, no need to take the skids away. BM then called the cops and went hysterical. The cops assessed situation and had a talk to skids. They then advised skids to stay with us, but skids just walked out and got in BM's car, and they took off. It was awful. By getting angry I gave BM exactly what she wanted, it is part of the reason why she says these things to the skids, I'm sure. I just wanted to share my experience with you, you are not alone in battling this kind of nastiness. The best approach is to keep your cool, as you are doing. We also point out to the skids that we are not going to discuss adult issues with them, it's not appropriate. And one more tip; (it's been hammered to death on this forum, but for a good reason) buy the book Divorce Poison by Richard Warshak. It's very helpful and gives great practical advice.