I agree with Rdaystrom. Mulch or side discharge is better for the lawn than bagging. Also, in your price range you should be alright with a low-cost mower as long as it's not self-propelled. Self-propel systems don't work well or last long at the low-end price point. Once you get the mower, make sure you keep the gas fresh by either using stabilized fuel over the winter or running it dry before storing. Also change the oil and sharpen the blade at least once a year. This should keep it running and cutting well for quite awhile.

I too had this problem with an expensive Kenmore Elite but I decided not to let it bother me. I fill one powder dispenser and leave it open and make sure I have the Jet Dry department always filled. I never observed a lack of top notch cleaning after that, but I did give it to Habitat for Humanity when I got the top of the line Thermador (made by Bosch). The Thermadors and Bosch's are far better than the Miele's at their price points and they are at least as quiet as the best Miele's, which cost $1K more. Greg

Ah, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder..... To my eye, the Town & Country gas DV unit on display at my local stove dealer is a real beauty -- huge viewing area. I'm not currently in the market for a fireplace, so don't know anything about the heat output, reliability, etc. T&C controls supposedly are not in the fireplace itself but installed elsewhere -- don't know how practical that is. I have a gas insert by Fireplace Xtrordinair (FPX -- sister companies are Avalon & Lopi). It's designed as a heating appliance, but FPX also makes (or made) a low-heat version of its DV fireplace for new construction & offers several faceplate options. FPX also makes a small, upright ("portrait-style") FP that can go in a wall. Depends on what style/size you want. Mendota, Napolean & Harman all have fans on this site, too. You can check most manufacturer websites to find your closest dealer. Here is a link that might be useful: Town & County Gas Fireplaces

Yes, it is called rebatching, and I will avoid it if at all possible. It's time consuming and tedious. To let you know, I make cp soap by the 10 pound recipes. I presently have 2 buckets of soap scraps, I would guess about a 2 or 3 cubic foot container. Instead of rebatching it I will add it to a new recipe of soap. Unlike what you have, this is still virgin soap scraps, not previously used. I will make soap and give these away or use them ourselves. What I would do if I had these previous used scraps, I would just add it to a new bar as they are being used; they do stick fairly readily, and they rarely come off. If you are going to still rebatch, I would grate them, then lightly mist them (not dripping) the night before, then add them to a crockpot on low or medium heat. You will need to set aside about 4 hours or so, depending on how much soap you need to do. The trick is to add just enough water (by the tablespoon) to keep the soap pliable and not dry, while you are trying to mash it, until it is thoroughly melted. Be careful, this soap is very hot while in the crock! Any scent of the scraps will disappear in the final product, so if you want it scented, then let the soap cool down a bit and mix in scent just before pour/mashing it into any molds. hth