Unfortunately, deer are adept at jumping fences and eating the plants we spend so much time tending. We've put up fencing to enclose our rose gardens, but the deer still get in and nibble on the tender shoots and buds. They nip tulips right off the stems in spring, and devastate certain rose bushes and other plants. Rabbits are another garden nibbler, and sometimes I'm not sure whether the diner has been deer or rabbits. We've been planting plenty of Allium and Narcissus among the roses, hoping to deter the deer at least slightly with the onion scent of Allium, and by planting flowers that they don't care for. Does it work? Not really, but it does help maintain some color in the garden in spring. I think if deer really want something, they'll find a way to get it. We constantly battle moles, mice, rabbits, squirrels, deer... and now the goats are reaching through the fences and trying hard to get anything planted too close! We can't win! :-) I wish you better luck with your flowers... I know what beautiful things you do with them! Your bouquets are lovely!

Yes. I just ordered the following from Brenda Hawkes at Boyles in Hickory NC [see below]. I've been doing business with Brenda for years. For comparison, I put the prices I was quoted in my town in brackets. Check also Lexington Furniture Store in Lexington KY. NC stores now have to collect sales tax for other states, but KY does not. Cross check between NC & NC because the two can some times be the same price. I have not taken delivery from Lexington yet, but I have heard that their D & D delivery service is lousey. I am paying more to use Sun Delivery. Boyles uses Classic and I have to say they are very good. I've never had a problem and half the furniture I own was delivered by Classic. I've added the contact info for the two stores at the end of this posting. I usually make a trip to the stores, but have also ordered over the phone. You just need to know what it is you want including fabric, finishes, sizes, colors etc. Some of the manufactures are cracking down on NC stores [to force buyers to shop for their products locally], so you may have to make a trip there to establish your business relationship. Boyles: Kingsdown mattress set $2,100 [$2,600] Hickory Chair night stand $1,350 [$2,150] Martha Stewart Bed by Bernhartd $990 [$1,200] Lexington Furniture: Hancock & Moore leather sofa $3,201 [$5,000] Hancock & Moore leather chair $1,671 [$3,500] Hancock & Moore leather ottoman $572 [$1,200] Brenda Hawkes (tell her Catherine from Houston referred you) Boyles Furniture Locations 2220 Highway 70 S.E. Hickory, NC 28602 Phone: (828) 326-1735 Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9-6 & Sun. 1-5 www.boyles.com P. Madison Lexington Furniture Company 3024 Blake James Drive Lexington, KY 4059 859 254 5362 www.lexfurniture.com

Good4u I personally like working on the Duets, as I can get access to anything I want, when its time to fix them. Both the two sides remove easy and the back to get access to functioning or not functioning parts. And also the top comes off for more access. Like any machines longevity, it all depends on how you use it. All FL or TL require being properly balanced, meaning that the legs are adjusted to a level reading, and you want to make sure also that the four legs on the underside of the washer are as far up not down, but as far up in the baseplate as you can,to get a level reading. Next if you keep your loads to a full-load level, not small loads, as all machines are really disigned for a full load. I also suggest that you not save all your washing up till sat/sunday and do them back to back. If you are a small family, or just one person, then guess you will end up doing them all on the week end. If you are a large family, with people changing clothes twice a day or more, then doing loads every day is again what this machine is really disigned to do. I have been into homes that have all girls, and they are in the 15-19 year range and they do a lot of changing, so washing every day, and not letting things stack up are the best for these machines. Another area that I also know well is "make sure you leave" the door open, and you wipe the glass, and clean the rubber seal and area with the holes in the seat, so that stuff doesn't build up in there and start stinking on you. Front loaders are a sealed unit when it is washing, not like the Top Loaders, they have space for air to circulate, but the FL's don't so leave the door open, and clean the rubber seal, wipe it dry. Once a month, use a hot wash, and bleach and let it run through a wash, but again, leave the door open and clean it daily or after each use. Read your Use&Care guide, take the time and read it and understand what it tells you. If you want your Duets to look after you, you have to look after it. If you don't it will cost you, like most machines do. Another valuble thing to remember, is clean out the pockets, tooth picks, ear rings, coins, you name it, I have pulled all that out of the pumps etc, and many times these items have damaged the inpellers on the pump so had to replace the pump. If you want your washer to live a long useful life, look after it. I think you have the best of the FL's and love how they made it for the service end. Good luck you you with your new Duets.

I have been buying all my cycling and running and camping stuff from STP for years and years. I then started getting bedding and towels and running shoes and sunglasses...LOL you get the idea. I am a great fan of their things. I have only returned 2 things in well over 10 years and one was my fault. So you can't go wrong. c