I was scolding myself for being loose with definitions until I looked up steam in the dictionary. I looked in several online dictionaries, as well as an unabridged (but 20 year old) dictionary on my shelf, and all of them gave the definition of steam as formed at boiling point or in a pressurized system, but all gave the definition of visible water vapor first. If a distinction between visible water vapor and steam is made in a scientific setting, but not in everyday use, I think that for a story, steam should be acceptable (I'm thinking story connotes a theme or short story). If it's for a paper for science, then I think vapor should be used.

You'll have to buy by mail order. No one has those varieties locally. I was at Northhaven last week, and, of those you've chosen, they only had Guacomole. Hallson's is the most often lauded supplier by those who post here. I buy some from AAhostas and have been pleased. Others are happy with Naylor's. There are others that people buy from regularly, but those come to mind as solid, quality suppliers. I don't want to rain on your parade, but you've chosen plants that will be a challenge to grow here. You will need really deep bed preparation with lots of organic matter. Some would suggest that you replace all the soil in your beds to a depth of 18" to be successful with your plan and it still may be too hot for those plants. Drip irrigation would be a plus, as well. I checked the three local gardening guides for the plants you listed and only astilbe is mentioned in only Dale Groom's book. (He's our county agent.) He says the location has to be dappled shade with good irrigation, as it has to stay moist and will require lots of organic matter. I hate to see you put all this effort into something that will be so difficult. Call Northhaven Gardens or go over there. (Call on a weekday morning or go over there at an "off" time, like a rainy day. This is their busy season, especially afternoons and weekends.) Tell them your plan and see what they say. They've brought in more plants from other climates than anyone. If it grows well here, they will carry it. Good luck, whatever you decide. If you plan on doing this this year, you need to get on it, as it will be hot and dry before you know it. bkay

So.... late last week they called to schedule to come (remember I'm only here to do this Monday and Tuesday each week), so he came today. Said 'after 4' arrived about quarter TO 4... great! Replaced the pump and the control panel behind the selector knob (which cycle/temp know controller).... female describing here! I had him show me how to clean out the drain, so for all you Bosh ownders, here goes... stick something small into the hole inthe cover and rotate it clockwise until the grooves and tabs line up for the cover to fall off (may have to pay with it a bit...) You will see a round black "cover" that you unscrew (be careful and have rags or a wet vac handy there IS water in there... ) then there is a screen that may or may not have "stuff" collected in it... puls you may find other good "stuff" (typically from pockets) in there too... clean it out, put it back together and you're good to go.... Remember, the repair guy said this is something we owners should do with some regularity... although Boschris was pretty emphatic that only service people were to do this... this guy said if you notice the pump not working right check that first... although in my case there was squat in there! yeah... told him I like to find my wash day money before it gets wet! Now... for the 'test' load I started after he left to finish running through to see if this solves my problem... Overall, I'd say the service went well... it did take about 1 - 1/2 weeks for them to get one of the parts in ... which seems like a long time to me... but... given my schedule, they probably wouldn't have been able to come sooner anyway... so it works....

It's laughable that I even answer, I'm the last person on the planet to give house cleaning tips. But, here's what I try anyway. Good music and lots of light. I always turn on all the lights and open all the blinds before I start cleaning. That just boosts my mood. No tv when I'm trying to clean, heaven help the fool who walks in the house and turns it on when I'm in a cleaning frenzy! When I talk to a friend who complains she really should be doing housework, but just isn't in the mood, I tell her to put some music on. We use the phrase "mother-in-law" clean to decribe that level of clean where you'd pass a white glove inspection, even in the closets. I think the only thing above that is "show/sell the house clean." When it has to be MIL clean, it's a family job, DH too (it's HIS mom!). I make a master list of the chores and everyone takes one at a time til it's done. I also like to get the big things done first, the stuff you notice. If all the flat surfaces are clear, floors vacuumed, and beds made, I feel so much better and the first impression is a clean house. Then I like a good scent, if the house smells clean it helps complete the illusion ;o) Sometimes I put cinnamon sticks in the vacuum.