I dunno, Beth! :) I am at the mid-point between the absolute bottom of the learning curve and the 3/4 marker, far as I can tell.
Just follow Udo's advice and we'll be fine, I think. and STAY OILED! :)
I guess I assumed that you were using Dr. Bronner's. The point of it being in bar form vs. liquid form is something that I am unclear on(more lye? someone illuminate me!).
Oh, BTW, Castille refers to the fact that it is made of non-animal oils: