Hi faceyneck,

Welcome to the Nexus.  Great to see you have started looking at both the FAQ and Wiki.  Great resources by folks who know the territory AND can write in both the FAQ and Wiki.  Well worth the time.

I am an STB user myself, but I suspect you'll have some solid recommendations in no time at all.  I also live in USA and have to say that thus far, I've had no trouble ordering small shipments of lye over the internet.  I am not greedy.  I don't order more than about 1-2 times per year, and never from the same company within a year.  I keep a few decorative, hand-made soaps around, store the lye near the kitchen sink and toilet and call it "good enough."

I hope you find the answers you are looking for.  Again, welcome.