Here's my story: I've spent $700 bucks for 13 years of mowing. And I've been ridin' in the saddle. I mow about an acre, two or three times a month. I let the grass get a little too tall sometimes, but these mowers have had no problem cutting it down. My first was a Craftsman 14 or a 16 hp that I paid 100 bucks for. I only bought one battery in 5 years. It was probably from the 80s or 90s. The engine was still strong but the rest was shot. Time for a new one. So, I ended up calling a guy and he said "come on by, I have one for sale." He had a Murray he wanted 200 for. But I noticed a larger yard man sitting under a tree, it was a hydraulic 18 hp Yard Man that he said needed some TLC. I asked him what it needed. He said just a "little this and that." I've heard that before! Dig? I said, does it Run?" He said yes, and after some effort we got it cranked. I bought it. I just had a feeling about it. The quality stuck out. Hydraulics will last longer. I know a little something. But It was a little risky. I knew it needed a little help under the deck. I paid $225.00 for it. But 8 years later, it!'s still running. That Kohler engine is great. It's a 1996 model. It takes a little effort to get it cranked, I use a little ether and have a process, because I don't want to kill my battery with excess cranks.? I've spent $400 over the last 8 years on it. There's a pro mechanic who has put a belt on it. and some pulleys and such under the deck, batteries. I mow my lawn in 30 to 40 minutes. That saves me an hour versus the push type. Saves my back even more. My mechanic said the Kohler engine is as good as a Honda. This was a high time machine before I got it. I can just tell. But I've only put about 100 hours on it or so. I'm trying to stretch the life out by mowing only 2, maybe 3 times a month. If I mow every week, there's no need for the ether -- but I like for my grass to grow tall before cutting -- it keeps it thicker and better looking. My neighbors have a love- hate relationship with me.

gardencpa, See I can't imagine having just one party and then calling it quits. I hope to have several. But not all of them as big as I hope to have when we move in. That's a different thing and I think BIG works there. To do that often would take the fun out of it for me. So what colors are you looking at for your house? fishpants, Cooking, hummmm...... You know, DH did mention something about my new Wolf rangetop and cooking. I just don't remember if it was something "important" so it must not have been.....right? A wedding reception, now that would be a "fun" party! Oh Amy, your DH's rub sounds Gooood! Does he hire out? LOL! Soonermagic, football game parties are like the perfect size. Big enough for fun but there's no stress involved. What kind of menu do you do? Or, just easy stuff. Woodswell, I don't know - lots of reasons for me to NOT have a party... that's sad! I think your DH's idea of catering an open house would be a great idea. No Stress level. But I guess you'd better keep the music down! LOL Hoosiergirl, Just because you're in and haven't had the party doesn't mean you can't have one later. Look how many honeymoons are delayed in this world. Like mikeyvon and vancleaveterry said....It's NEVER to late to have a party and if you want one badly enough there's always a way to get her done! Having fun is the important thing! Bonelady, SMART! Plus having everyone do something like helping to BBQ in shifts makes some people feel good. Easy menu too. Parties like that just seem to turn out perfect. :)

Schoolhouse, put the new bag unopened in the freezer and it will remain fresher. Our sewer line was rooted out between 11pm-1am and we have a 30 day guarantee it won't mess up during that time. However, the estimate due to some manual digging required to REPLACE the clay pipes is $2400, includes replacing to the city sewer line, don't know if the city charges to reconnect us or not. I cannot deal with backing up sewer lines! So our contractor is getting his plumber to give us an estimate, presumably less than Rotorooter, then we can get a cheaper homeowner's insurance rate. All gas, electrical, sewer, water lines renewed, plus the new roof. We essentially had a "whole house body transplant." It is chilly here today as well. Not cold, but chilly. Later this week, we will have a 40* and a 34* low. My HOSTAS are starting to poke noses up, some with beautiful unfurled leaves already. I received a new order from Naylor Creek Nursery in WA state today, so time to get out the pots and MiracleGro and my gloves. Let the gardening season begin! I'm behind on taking pictures of everything, including house and garden. Been throwing things out of the Teahouse right and left. At least the trash trailer and the GottaGo portable potty are out of the yard, so I can begin leveling that before grass (weeds actually) begin growing to cover it.

"-- dcarch, if you do happen to have a good recipe for duck soup, please share! I have a nice carcass waiting to be turned into soup. " Ha! Duck soup recipe? according to Groucho Marx, "Take two turkeys, one goose, four cabbages, but no duck, and mix them together. After one taste, you'll duck soup for the rest of your life." Sounds like he didn't like turkey either. I cook like the Marx Brothers do comedy, unconventional, nontraditional and follow no rules. I modify every recipe I come across. Here was the one I adapted and performed surgery on: https://honest-food.net/smoked-duck-soup/ I do feel that using Peking duck instead of smoked duck significantly made the soup more tasty. dcarch