It's hot and dry July and now that I'm working only 40 hrs. a week, I finally have time for my garden. Needing to plant several freebies, throwaways, discounted items and propagated plants, I now begin to hack away at the hard clay and try to enlarge the beds. I outline the clay with the edger, then go at it with a pick. So far, so good, the last couple days. Today, using my biggest shovel, I am trying to dig a hole for a fuchsia and get the shovel stuck in a big root. Of course I am standing with both feet on the shovel to get extra downward drive when I get stuck. I couldn't keep my balance, and fell over backward--onto another shovel, a rake, a watering can, and probably the kayak and windsurfer. Not sure what all I came in contact with. My back hurts, my neck hurts, both elbows kind of bruised and scratched. Can't for the life of me figure out how I scratched the front of my knee. July and August are no time for us to be doing major work in our yards. But what ya gonna do--get your breath back and get back to work:) I'd die if anybody I work with were to see my back yard. I sort of keep the front presentable, but the back is always a major work in progress. The customers always say "I bet you have a beautiful yard." Not....... Next year, I will make time in spring.....

I know this thread is years old, but Teppy, if you're still around, would be very interested in a picture of the DB blend that you ended up with (as well as how you feel about the DB after almost 10 years). Generally interested if others have recent input re DB or other finishes - we are in the midst of new pool construction and trying to figure out surface finish. We had originally intended to go with just regular old white plaster (marcite), as that is what we have in our pool in Florida that was built in the early 80s and has never been refinished and is still in decent shape. But now we have learned, and keep hearing, that marcite is not the same as it used to be (mainly b/c they can no longer use asbestos in the mix) and doesn't hold up anything like it used to, so we are thinking to avoid that. We're thinking probably an aggregate of some sort, but want a pretty smooth surface (DON'T like PebbleTec at all). Our pool builder is most familiar with DB, but we're also talking to a company that uses Wet Edge products - we particularly like the Luna Quartz line. So any experiences re Diamond Brite, Wet Edge, or any other surface finishes for that matter, would be most appreciated. Thanks!

My experience with white painted wood cabinets is that they hang in there pretty well. Well made and finished white cabs are pretty tough- and by tough, I mean strong. Mine didn't ding easily despite toys, baseballs, mini-hockey sticks, etc. The challenge isn't even the day-to-day cleaning. The greatest challenge is the spills and drips that can settle into applied moldings or that get by you right away and get on the base molding. Those can dirty things up pretty quickly and they are awkward to clean (from a contorted position on the floor and not at eye level with minimal lighting). As we demo'd our kitchen it was interesting to note how muck ickier things got as you went further and further away from eye-level. Eeeek!Certainly, a more diligent cleaner than i would have done better at getting those spills more quickly! And would those things still have happened on stained wood? Of course, they just wouldn't have been as noticeable! On the other hand if you are reusing appliances (and I did some of my mine) you can always paint them. I have a friend who was recently divorced and bought a house with oak cabinets and almond appliances. She painted everything black and it looks amazing! Also, if all new appliances aren't in the budget, look to Craigs list and the internet for better pricing. Our cooktop, stainless steel dishwaswher and stainless french door fridge came from CL and totalled under $1000.

You don't need glue if your picture is under glass. If there is no glass use the mod podge spray to seal it. You can also use the kind you paint on but most prefer the spray on. The glass doesn't hurt the looks of the DP, it still sparkles.