Mother's Day...

is way too short lived, especially for a stepmother. I vote for Mother's Week!

As short lived as it was, it was a very nice day this year. After church I was pleasantly surprised by a gift from my oldest stepdaughter. It was a pen topped with a carnation flower and covered with floral tape. The pen was "planted" in a spongy foam base that was covered with white sand and shells. She only made one in Sunday school so I was touched that even though I'm "NOT HER MOTHER", she chose to gift it to me.

Her REAL mother gave her $20 to buy a Mother's Day gift for her. Kevin took her, along with her younger sister, over to our backyard Walmart where they chose a candle set.

From my husband, I got a labeler that I've wanted for a long time. I've only labeled the pantry so far but I have big plans for it.

After a lunch out at Ponderosa, Kevin and I escorted our two eldest boys to two separate soccer games that were about a 1.5 hour distance apart.

Our Van

Took delivery today of our "new" Mercury Villager from Sports Luxury Motors in North Ridgeville. The owner, Justin J. (Jay) is a stand up guy and I confidently refer all of you in the used car market to see what he has to offer. He has been in the used car business over 20 years. Sports Luxury Motors also offers a full service repair shop for all your automobile needs.

Ode to the Man with the Perfect Lawn

Every neighborhood has at least one. It's the Man with the Perfect Lawn. He doesn't need to post "Keep Off the Grass" signs. Everyone just knows it. The Slave to his Grass, spending hours and hours each weekend to make sure there is not one stray weed or bare spot. Sending fear and trembling into the hearts of little children whose bike tire or ball dares to pass into his property line.

That is how we will remember you. "He had nice grass." How sad.

I "Buttered Up" the Kitchen

HOORAY!! Our kitchen has a nice new look. The Sherwin Williams Duration paint performed perfectly as usual. Only 1/2 gallon painted the whole kitchen after priming. Here are the pictures.

Crib for sale

Own your very own Family of Nine collectible memorabilia. Now that George is sleeping peacefully in his big boy bed, we are offering his crib and changing table for sale. For only $80 you can take home the crib, mattress, cream colored crib bumper, changing table and pad. Local pickup only. Crib is light oak Jenny Lind style by Cosco. Manufactured in 2000. Instruction booklet and hardware support no longer available from the company.

Garage Sale Wrap-Up

We had a great day on Thursday. We had 37 buyers, took in $173.20, well over half of which was ours. We did sell a riding toy for a friend for $25. Our biggest sales were a used toddler bed for $10 and a stack of pokemon cards for $8. My sister Chris sold about $16.75 worth of stuff so at least it paid for her gas to bring it up.

The most surprising customer was a redneck family who bought several blankets, a kid sleeping bag, a play tent and a doll head (for doing hair / makeup) for a total of $18.

Friday was rainy. We only had 8 buyers and collected only $22.75 for the entire day.

Saturday was rainy again and even worse. We only had 3 buyers. One bought 2 halloween costumes for $6. Another bought some clothes for $4. And one came to pick up a toybox we listed on craigslist for $25.

Grand total for the weekend was $230.95, $165 for us and the rest for a few friends.

The Big Boy Bed

I'm finally ready to admit that George is ready to be out of the crib. He hasn't really complained much but at 26 months, I'm letting him move on.

His first night was great. He didn't get out like I had feared. And in the morning he called out rather than start wandering the house unsupervised.

He even took a nap great in it. Layed right down with Rainbow Bear and fell sound asleep.