...and how people are going to utilize the old "junk" you decide to give away (for FREE) on Freecycle.

I had an interesting conversation with the manufacturer of ChoiceDek and MoistureShield -- which are two of the leading composite deck materials on the market today.

The manufacturer is Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (AERT).

The rep who answered my phone call got to play "20 Questions" with me. Fortunately, he was a good sport, and he was willing to tackle any question I sent his way -- even when it wasn't specifically related to his product(s).

This guy definitely went above and beyond to be helpful to me in my decision to go with composite decking in our new log home, or not.

One interesting thing that I learned had to do with the differences between buying home improvement supplies at places like Home Depot and Lowe's, compared to buying from local distributors and the manufacturer's own list of suppliers.

First, I'll share with you what I, personally, have experienced in terms of what sells and what doesn't at yard sales.

Then, we'll see how my list compares with what "the experts" say.

According to The Family Handyman (February 2006), the top upgrades and remodeling projects for bathrooms are:

1. Whirlpool tubs.
"Water-jet" tubs ($800 to $8,000) provide a more powerful water stream. "Air-jet" tubs ($1,200 to $20,000) massage by blasting air through tiny holes. When it comes to whirlpool tubs, some people prefer the tingle of air massage; others find it too gentle. Air-jet tubs are often louder and incoming air cools the water faster.

Did you know?...
When you look at prices for whirlpool tubs, remember to add at least $200 for the faucet, plumbing and electrical supplies. You may also want to replace your water heater, since you'll need one with a heater capacity at about 75% of the tub's capacity.

2. Soap & shampoo dispensers.
Push-button dispensers mean less clutter, more convenience, and quicker cleaning. Many even dispense three or four different liquids (soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion) from one mechanism. You can either screw it to the wall or fasten it with double-sided adhesive tape.

Did you know?...
Many shower soap dispensers have indicators on the side to let you know when it's time to refill -- before getting into the shower and finding out that they're empty.

Saw this the other day when I was at Home Depot...

A bunch of kids taking part in a Home Depot Kids Workshop in Franklin, Tennessee.

Do you subscribe to any magazines?

We haven't for years (since I ended my sub to Creating Keepsakes scrapbooking mag about 4 years ago). But, after visiting Jim's family over Christmas and flipping through the pages of Elouise's Better Homes & Gardens and Country Living magazines, I became excited to start "reading" again.