[Histonet] new FS stain problem

[King, Laurie]

Good day all,

I am doing frozen sectioning at three different facilities in two towns, and this problem is identical at each. 
The first section I keep, I'm in the habit of placing at the frosted end of the slide. No matter if I take one, two, three or more, that first section is almost non existent hematoxylin, very blurry staining. 

Thinking I was having contamination, solution level problems, I checked all levels and made sure to have no dripping from the top of the slide, still the same problem. Then, on a whim, I put the first section at the bottom of the slide, and two more working my way toward the frosted end. The first section, placed at the bottom of the slide now, still had  the poor staining. Any ideas?

I use OCT
fix in half and half formalin/95% ETOH
DW
Harris
tap
bluing
tap
eosin
95% X2
100% X2
xylene X2

Let's just say I am a "seasoned" tech, been doing this for almost 30 years, so I'm not a little embarrassed by my inability to figure this one out.....

Laurie King
Marshfield Clinic
Eau Claire/Rice Lake Centers
Eau Claire WI