Essentially is means 'isn't it'.  It's a sort of slang but we tend to use it around here in fun (almost taking the mickyout of slang itself - I know, you may ask what 'taking the micky' means now  :mwaha:), a bit of lighthearted poke at slang.  It isn't used always to literally say 'isn't it' but (oh gosh, this is difficult to explain) sometimes used to sort of agree with someone else or even just your own opinion or to seek the opinion of someone else.  Not sure I am quite explaining this well enough (maybe someone has a better explanation) but I bet, after a few days around here, you'll kind of get the hang of it and you never know, it could rub off on you and before you know it, you'll have introduce a new word to the Idaho vocab.... innit  :mwaha:

Hello there Lynnie and a very warm welcome.

I joined only a few weeks ago and absolutely love it - everyone is very helpful. I started soaping last Oct - and have now got a serious addiction!!!!! Eire gave excellent advice there earlier - I too started only with pound batches. This way you can see how each oil effects trace time, lather, texture - and really at the beginning that was more than enough to handle - then when the confidence builds up you will want to try all the other fabulous things you can do with soap!!! At the moment I cannot stop swirling!!! With colours - many colours!!!! Its experimentation - Then when they are made I cannot stop messing at them!!! Soaping is just such a fantastic hobby!!! You will not find anywhere else on one forum such wonderful talented and most of all friendly soapers, they all are an inspiration!!! Most important thing is to enjoy yourself!!!! Oh by the way I just used ice cream tubs for a mould at the beginning!!! :buttrf:

Thank you, Helen! Oh, I'm probably going to drive you crazy asking what things mean! You did a great job of explaining. I think I understand! Yes, I'm going to have to introduce Idaho to this term! Haha! I live in redneck country. They'll look at me sideways. That's okay, though! I love it!   

Tanya, thanks! That's a huge help to know exactly why a one pound batch is good to start with! I had no idea why. I had wondered how you learned about the characteristics of the different oils. Now that you put it that way, I thought back on what Eire had said, and now I know what she meant! Yay!

Welcome to the best forum on the web Lynnie! I look forward to seeing pics of your future creations 

Lynnie I live on the west coast in an area called The Sunshine Coast and I love it here even though we are quite isolated and ferry locked.

If you are ordering from Brambleberry you can order lye from them too which will make life easier for you.  If you end up really getting into it - or should I say when - there are other companies in the US that you can order it in bulk as well as a lot of your oils and butters. 

In the beginning keep it really simple and you'll be amazed at how wonderful even they are.  My main recipe is only 4 oils and people go crazy over it. :buttrf:

Don't worry, they don't say too many things here that are babbelygook to our American ears (I am American, too!  I moved to Italy a few years ago).

And I know what you mean about the terrible Man Bug .  Good luck on your lye quest when you can do it, and stick around!