Hi Xuan, You are not alone with the incredible shrinking bulb syndrome. I hate to admit that I have more than several that have done the same for me. In particular, a Pasadena that is now as you say, the size of a golf ball. There are several others too. I will say that my original Dancing Queen bloomed two or three years for me shrinking a little each year. So, last season I planted her directly in the soil in one of my whiskey barrels and I will say she did bulk up somewhat and she is sending up a scape this year too. No where as large as when I bought her though. I may try planting directly in the soil (barrels) my other shrinking bulbs this season to see what happens. And of course, perhaps these particular bulbs need an additional boost of a better fertilizer than I have been using. You are not alone. I have bought a second bulb of most of my shrinking bulbs but I know for you this may not be an option since it is so difficult for you to acquire these special bulbs...Donna Oh, and my Evergreen is on it way to joining the "shrinking bulb club" too. Last year (first year) it put out 3 stalks for me each laden with flowers. Maybe it was just too much stress and it needs a year off. I don't mind one year off but when you can never bring a bulb to bloom again, that's disappointing... This post was edited by dondeldux on Thu, Jan 10, 13 at 8:28

Here are the video instructions for the DIY version: http://makezine.com/projects/make-31/fetch-o-matic/ For me, I'd just pay the $100+ and buy the one in the link below. There are other brands and sizes available, but be careful as to how the ball is launched. Some dogs will try to wait where the ball exits the machine and they could be injured if struck in the face. For safety, any time a dog is playing with something mechanical a person needs to be present plus, it's a good time to interact with your dog. Whether your dog will fetch and return the balls to the bucket depends on the dog's response to training and the trainers patience in teaching the dog. Here is a link that might be useful: Tennis ball tosser

If the ball is still complete, it'll probably be floating in there, since I'm no expert I don't know how the vent stacks go with levels of drains etc - I would assume if it went all the way down, it'll eventually hit the water level, and sit there. Is it possible (albeit unpleasant) to look down the stack and see if you can see it? Chances are it could be wedged somewhere, if you see it, you may be able to figure out a way of snagging it, with a long pole with a screw on the end you can force into the ball, for example - or a long piece of plastic pipe hooked to a shop vac suitable for wet/dry (in case you vacuum up some effluent!) which you could lower down to the level of the ball. I am not convinced it 'would pass' and think perhaps, the other suggestions notwithstanding, you might want to get a plumber to open up the inspection eye/trap where roto-rooter would do their thing assuming this is where the ball would end up, if it's floating at the highest level, if the eye is below that, the ball would hopefully make its way to the eye/hatch. I suppose a roto-rooter sort of treatment might with a bit of luck, force the ball back towards the sewer, where the larger diameter ought to ensure it's no further trouble.

The Wedgwood vase is very pretty - it reminds me of the startup silhouette on the Kindle app. But the Beagles Biscuit tin is perfect! Raboo - my Lab chooses to spend part of her day and every night in her crate. And we haven't closed the gate in over 4 years. It's right in the kitchen where she feels like she's in the center of all the activity. She loves it, it's her den and her favorite snoozing place. We have dog beds in the study and family room too - but she still prefers her crate.