I originally clicked on this thread because I'm always looking for hostas (not that I had much to trade). Please give this site another chance. Sure, there's people floating around here that are only out to get whatever they can for free, but there are many more people who have a genuine love of gardening. I've gotten trades that didn't measure up or was worth the postage it took to send, but I've gotten SO MANY trades that had extras or was a nice size trade. Since I work 6 days a week & the day that I can dig, sort, box, etc. sometimes rains or whatever, I try to let the other person know to let me send my end first, that I really don't mind. That way they don't rush out with their end & then end up waiting 2 or 3 weeks for my end. Because I want to be able to live with myself, I would much rather be screwed over than to screw someone over, not that I want to be screwed over but you get my point. I sent someone about $30 worth of plants with postage being about $12 & a picture of my part chow walking in the snow. The lady was supposed to paint the picture (she was an artist) & make a piece I would make into a refrigerator magnet. I collect magnets & this was important to me because (1) I had had the dog since she was a puppy & my neighbor shot her when she was 8, & (2) do you know how often we get snow in Arkansas? About once every 10 years. She never even sent the picture back & I've since lost her username & address. Also, I know I have a hard time getting to a computer with the internet so I can check my email. Perhaps some of your traders have a similar problem?!!! Bottom line, don't give up on this site. It's just like family & friends, you gotta take the few bad ones with all the good ones.

Mark , I meant to try to answer you sooner, but lost track of your post. 1) I saw the SL16 label on a box the last time I went to Home Depot. I had the box opened and saw they had the correct SL15 ballasts in them. I believe that they may be changing the style of the fixture and just used the old number and upped it by one, not realizing that somebody initially based the product number on the ballast number. Beats me. I always open one box to see if its got the SL15. Sunpark doesnÂt make an SL16. 2) The traditional T12 fluorescents were designed to use 430mA each, and use a magnetic ballast. The newer T8Âs have been designed for 265mA of current. The SL15 ballast is able to drive the old F40T12Âs, but it causes the circuitry to operate different, drawing less current than the older design normally would use. I use F40T12Âs in them, both out-of-the-box and overdriven. An overdriven fixture really lights up the older style 430mA tubes. (Extra design info: T12HO=800mA , T12VHO=1200mA, 34wT12=460mA, 20wT12=380mA, 20w/40w slimline=425mA, and thereÂs more, each different T5 wattage has a different current design.) 3) Probably not. It is nearly always cheaper to buy a good, inexpensive shoplight and remove the ballast Especially that Home Depot one. 3b) I donÂt know. I had downloaded brochures on them from GE months ago. They may be designed differently, as they are supposed to have special features, such as automatic line voltage matching. 4) I donÂt know the fixture you speak of, but reflecting back light that otherwise would escape is always a good thing. 5) Power Factor (not ballast factor) is a ratio of the how efficiently the current and voltage waveforms match due to the circuit design. Without trying to remember how to explain it, I can tell you this  donÂt worry. Poor Power Factor normally does not cost you. It costs the electric company, unless they have special meters on your house to detect it. That is rare. 7) DonÂt try to switch in and out of overdrive. Too late for details, but youÂre asking for trouble if you do it If you are using a single SL15 to light each bulb, then put any switches on the line-side/power-side of the ballasts (black wire). Zink

I thought our 2 inherited pickled oak kitchens were awful, but at least they did not have pink counters! UGH! I bet it felt good to see that hit the dumpster ;) Your new kitchen is lovely. I love the lights and counters. If you ever get bored years from now, I could picture a darker blue being really fab with the counters and pendants as well. Your pantry is actually attractive now and it seems like you have much more space with how it is all laid out in the kitchen, even though it is not much of a change from the old kitchen. I guess pretty materials make everything look so much nicer that it fools the eye ;)

While I do love the Christmas music, I don't like it to be every song 24/7 from Halloween on. I hate that my favorite station does the 24/7. I switch stations until I find something else playing. I think a couple weeks before is in plenty of time to get in the mood. If I want more, I'll play my own favorite CD's. Leslie