gdionelli: I am not certain that I would recommend the use of any soil auger in a rocky soil, especially some of the "lighter" weight ones that I own and have seen in my searches on the web. Even though the Pro Gardening Auger System is very well built of industrial steel, I still would be a little cautious using it under rocky soil conditions. But that begs the question of how rocky is your rocky soil. In one area of our garden there is a layer of small rocks (pebbles) on top of a weed prevention mat with soil underneath. With some great effort, I removed a "junk" plant of some kind - along with some weeds - and planted a Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation' PICOTEE LILAC in its place with the use of a shade and a shovel (to remove the excess pebbles.) I don't believe that I would have done otherwise - even if I had this auger at the time. Should anyone be interested in the 'Sensation' Lilac - here's the link: http://www.forestfarm.com/search/closeup.asp?PlantID=syvu545 Quite frankly, I would really hate to see anyone spend $39.95 plus shipping and end up being disappointed with my high recommendation because of its possible poor performance or insufficient use in a rocky soil. Perhaps someone will respond to your question with more experience than I. And if you don't see a response in a few months - post it as a question. My apologies for not being more helpful on this point! Bill Here is a link that might be useful: Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation' PICOTEE LILAC

Thanks. I love cherries and always have a bottle of "real" cherry juice on hand because I like the taste but the cherry treatment does not work for me. In season I eat more cherries than any one I know because they are my favourite fruit - I especially love tart cherries but will eat any kind. LOL Susan, it could be because I am dehydrated. I am never thirsty so I don't drink much. Today I drank a litre and 1/2 of water LOL well almost that much. I am supposed to drink 2 litres of water when I take my prescription for this. Tami, my diet isn't the cause of my hyperurecimia. I don't eat much meat and sometme will go a week without eating meat just like I did last week and this week. Some foods like mushrooms will bring on an attack but I have stayed away from them. Before I was diagnosed with this I had been eating 2 packages of fresh mushrooms a week in my salads or pasta. My doctor said I just produce too much uric acid. After testing my doctor said my level "was off the chart" The acid coming from my body caused a dry rash that crept down my thigh. One of the areas was the size of a silver dollar. There is a name for it but I can't remember it. Once I started on the medication the rash that I had for a couple of years disappeared. My sister has high uric acid levels also. She gets the pain in the big toe and I have it in my knees and right ankle. I do take a daily dose of Alopurinol to lower the acid in my body. The acid crystals caused damage in my knee joints because I went for so long untreated. I used my ice pack but the pain is still intense. I somehow have to get myself to bed. I always mean to bring one of my crutches down from the attic to use to get around but I keep forgetting to do it until I need it. I have been using a chair to lean on to help me hobble across the floor. I am so glad I live alone so I can moan and groan and cry out in pain without anyone hearing me. I called my brother to see if he would pick me up some dinner because I hadn't eaten much in 2 days but his car was out of service. I had crackers. celery and light cream cheese for dinner. I brought everything in on a tray to the living room so I could keep my foot propped up. Hopefully today will be a better day and I hope none of you ever have to experience the pain of gout. Anne

I COMPLETELY understand, not only the stress, but the limitations of not being able to afford what a lot of people do to pamper themselves. I know the suggestion may be made mostly in jest, but having a glass of wine or drink only makes me more tired, but no more relaxed. In our old house to relax for a minute, I'd go in my room (often the cleanest, most organized room in an otherwise busy and well-used house), to close my eyes or read for a few moments...before the kids realized I was gone and came to join me...Although, then we all laid around for a bit and talked, which was good, too. But, when we were building, I had no bedroom, no private escape, since DH and 2 of our 8 kids slept on the living room floor of the old single wide mobile home we lived in the last 2 yrs. Even if I was a 'bath person,' I wouldn't have dared to soak in that ancient, stained and damaged tub. I couldn't sew, and cooking or baking in that little, dingy kitchen was not fun. I think that's why I became addicted to this forum. It was an escape. I could think about other people's projects, either enjoying the lovely accomplishments or helping with plans. It was a way to channel the energies that were not helping with progress on our house to someone else. I also learned a lot from this and the cooking forum, and added to my dreams of what I could do in our new kitchen. Other ways I've coped: *Maybe I'm a nerd, but I like to play Scrabble and no one in the house will play with me...So the kids got me the computer version, and it is my 'luxury' to play a few games against the computer challenger. I escape from my life and challenge my brain, when it's numb from other aggravations. *Make a manageable list of little things that have needed doing, and get them done (organize your desk or closet, tend to waiting paperwork, clear out some clutter, make calls you've been needing to, etc.). It is a good feeling to know you have actually accomplished something and made progress in some aspect of your life...That your day meant something, and those little things are no longer nagging at you. It really helps if it is something that will stay done, at least for a while...Not like cleaning the bathroom or doing laundry that will need doing again by tomorrow. Can you get the taxes done so that is out of your hair and the weight is off your shoulders? *Cuddling with my youngest to hold him through a nap, read a book or 6, or watch one of his movies is always a nice break. *It's hard to find time, or force myself out, but doing anything outside in the fresh air seems to help...Read, walk, garden, play catch with the kids. *We had the mocha frappe' powder mix from Costco, and enjoyed a mocha smoothie at a certain time everyday. It was pitiful, but we lived for that break and treat sometimes, and it was nice to know it was coming. Best wishes. We understand.

I am a sauna connoisseur with extensive experience. A study abroad in Northern Sweden gave me a unique perspective on saunas and has since motivated me to regularly use these tools of detoxification. Normal saunas I need at least 180 degrees, hotter the better I've sat at 240 before which is fantastic, but requires a built up tolerance. Some folks have said the sauna should be relaxing, but for me I see it as more of a challenge. Infrared or Inflared (not sure the correct term) saunas work differently. I have posted a picture of my personal sauna which folds easily and fits into a trunk, plugs into standard 115 volt outlet and just required a good stool and 4-5 towels. Keep in mind the longest I've sat in a normal sauna is 6 hours, this infrared sauna I've topped out at 3 hours, so it affects you differently. I can soak 5 towels thoroughly with extremely pungent sweat (we're talking yoga sweat). Usually I play a two hour film and try to sit through the whole thing. I drink a ton of water and the dark circles under my eyes dissapear, the sauna goes back thousands of years it is very proven technology. My skin has never been softer, enjoy. I paid 75 dollars on craigslist for this sauna and it has never let me down.