Ariens make great snow blowers, but they make them in two distinct quality ranges. I had an 824 for almost 25 years that was still a good workhorse although it had needed a few repairs to the auger drive parts (auger gearcase, bearings and bushings mostly)in its last couple of years. However, I also found a great close-out at HD in February, 2 years ago and bought an 11.5 26LE for $650. (down from around $1495). HD put them on close-out at 60% off, and all the stores in eastern NE were sold out that night. I have found that the new one is much better at throwing snow of all densities - much better chute design that almost never clogs, 40+ foot distance, etc. However, it does not handle as well (balance, drive train to wheels) particularly to do with the locking differential. The old one also had a locking pin, but with it unlocked, it still pushed forward pretty evenly. The new one is always pushing one side much harder, making you work more to hold line (with diff unlocked). The new one has a differential lock that is activated by wire, versus the old that had a solid mechanical pin on the wheel. New mechanism seems frail in comparison, but has been no trouble. If you stop at a dealer, they should have both the LE line and the heavy duty line (forget the letters). The heavy duty line is much more the level of the old machine, with a stronger Auger gear housing, limited slip differential, heavier hand controls, bigger wheels and tires, etc. However, the basic mechanicals seem to be very much the same parts and I decided that the more frail pieces could be easily replaced if they do break sometime. So far, it has been a great deal, but I don't expect it will look as good 25 years from now as the old one which I sold for $400. By the way, when I got it home I pulled it partly apart to add grease everywhere, tighten bolts properly, make adjustments, etc. and that turned out to be a good thing because not all was as I would have liked it out of the box (but just minor maintenance stuff).

Thanks Kylie, you know your right I need meds more than flowers but the meds don't bring me joy like the flowers do. Besides that they tell me there is no 12 step program for all you flower addicts. I had no ideal that postage went up again. Must have slept right through that one. I have some plants I need to plant too, but I need some other things to plant with them> LOL What I really need is my head examined. All kidding aside, I need to go get a dump truck load of good soil/potting mixture and pot up a bunch of stuff. But even the dirt is so high it's unreal. Thanks for dragging my head out of the clouds and me back down to earth. Slapping my hand and telling myself...no more plants Marian, no more plants.(frown)You know how an addict is they will give up EVERYTHING but what they are addicted to. May have to get George to lock me up in the closet for a couple of days so I can detox (sp) or whatever they call it. I still have yours, Karyns, Brendas, and someone else's boxes of irises I need to round up and mail to ya'll. It's been too muddy to work out there the last couple of days. They should be going out in the next day or two soooo watch your mailboxes ladies! I'm not happy when I'm not trading or getting plants. What's an addict to do? Banging head on desk top!!! I can and will beat this. The day the bury me. LOL

Mary, I think the duck knife rests are really cute. I just can't afford to buy anything else for the table right now. The pond is keeping me broke for the rest of the summer. LOL Thanks for sharing the auction info with us. I can't wait to see your pink knife rests. I'm glad I didn't see them before or I would be in trouble. ;~) Kathleen, NEVER SAY NEVER!!!! Not only do I now have roosters...I have BLUE stuff! LOL

I am from Chicago and had a reunion to go to 4 years ago They held the reunion in a hotel near the airport. when we hailed a cab, we gave him the address and I asked how much it would be before we loaded our luggage in. The cab driver said $50. We immediately rented a car because it wasn't that far. They may have a set rate to go from airport to downtown. So either rent a car and stay in the suburbs near the airport or take a cab and go downtown. The fun of Chicago is the museums, the shows and the wonderful parks. The HOliday Inn on the Lakefront downtown is within walking distance to public transportation and Chicago has a wonderful bus and subway elevated system.That Holiday Inn was reasonable, clean, great views,etc. I had a great time taking a bus along the lakeshore to Milennium Park, Art Institute, etc. Easy town to get around in downtown. Its laid out in a semicircle around the lake. I walked to great little restaurants. wonderful Greek food, Italian, etc. Next time I was there, my husband and I stayed on the South Side at the convention center and were able to take the el/subway to downtown, to go to the Irish bars across from the Art Institute.(which has a great collection of Impressionist paintings) On the plane I suggest you read the book "Devil in the White City" by Eric Larsen, its a scary story about Chicago during the time of the worlds Fair, and talks about some of the architecture and people that buildings and museums were named after. On the other hand the time we stayed in the suburbs we found a great hungarian restaurant named Paprikash, and got to go shopping at Sears and visit relatives. Dress warmly, bring a scarf, an umbrella and a GPS and a map.