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

GardenHood on Boulevard, just down the street from Oakland Cemetary and around the corner from the zoo (and across from Stone Soup Kitchen, so you can make a nice day of it) is a very specialized nursery. Two of the owners own their own nurseries: one for perennials the other for shrubs! Fridays often have martinis and a drink before closing, Saturdays often have talks and presentations. It's very unique, small and the kids can say hey to the chickens and doves. Not stocked with annuals quite yet, they were getting in a nice selection of herbs the other day. Loaded with great shrubs. Not cheap, but competative. 4" perennials, 350 varieties, all $1.50 ea., Helleborus, 1 gal. grafted Japanese maples, $20-$25, display garden. Selah Ahlstrom Jackson 770-775-4967 This is the person I was speaking of, Prettypetals. She carries many things she has bred from stock of very specialized nurseries. I hear the display gardens are something to see! Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Gardens sales have many hard to find and unusual native plants. Look for community garden and church sales. April 9th weekend both The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter and Oakhurst Gardens are having plant sales. Normally they both have excellent selections of hard to find vegetables in the trade, and some interesting plants. Sometimes the plants are either unusual, or old fashioned pass-a-longs that can cost quite a bit in the nursery because they are heirlooms, but are cheap at the sales (and money goes to a great cause!). GGG

Towntoiles.com They have nautical toiles & a few wallpapers. I believe someone from this Forum mentioned them before - sorry I can't remember who to give due credit. They have very cool toiles in American hometowns known for the water - but not mine!