Hi indigosunshine, I'm so chuffed that I have inspired you! :) The picture below shows where my 'quirky corner' is going to go! (I've been tossing up whether to call it a "Kwirky Korner" or "Cwirky Corner"!!! LOL! We've just pulled out an undercover, free-standing sandpit that I built years ago, (It was a huge wooden box with a ledge/seat around all 4 sides....the kids played in it for hours! Seeing my youngest is now 13 it's high-time for the sandpit to go! LOL!) and I'm going to revamp that space. I'm going to attach 'quirky' things to the little fence on the left. (I built that too! I went to several wood-work courses when my daughter was a baby! LOVED IT!) Just showing off here! LOL! I have a couple of large rusty wrenches, some old door handles....and my 'croc' shoe planters - all 2 of them! I wanted to turn that fence into a huge 'croc' wall but then got distracted with all the other quirky ideas! LOL! I want to make the kettle BBQ that's hiding under some shadecloth, on the left, into a plant container. I want to attach a big clock I got at an auction (for $1!!!!!) to the wall and the 'fire guard' on the right, has no 'legs' so it might go up on one of the walls too. I want some windchimes and sun-catchers too, and a chair and coffee table! As you can see....I have big plans! Now I need the time, energy and "oooomph" to get it done! :) Where are you going to set up your quirky corner? We'll have to be 'quirky corner buddies' and encourage each other! :)

I can understand what you mean....I found this site due to having grown sons who have very little interest in having a mother at their age... I have never been clingy, dependent or whiny with them...but I am afraid this can be a norm....I believe that the old saying is true about losing sons when they marry...their wife will either like you or not...most likely not...and then you are empty...but you must know this already... Your best efforts are pointless in trying to get a son to have any concern for your well being as you age...if their wife wants him to,,he might... I would not chance another son at this point...it will put you in an emotional meat grinder....your sons who you need to nurture needs you....it is not their fault that genders do this to people...do your best and you may have an exception to the rule.... But please do this....seek something for yourself...a job or volunteer work...do not give all of you to your spouse and children...not the part of you that will need to move on when they grow up...that is the tricky part of motherhood.. To date...no ability to choose gender exists for pepple of normal means...perhaps for the rich? Not sure....but buy a female puppy...and just raise your sons...they may one day give you a grandaughter

Thanks everyone, it is nice to see others see it as I do. That makes me feel so much better, lol. Yes, my husband has heard the remark regarding not being able to love other children as much as the first. And, he made sure to let our little know he loves her very much. He was more concerned being sure she knew he loved her than putting SD in her place. As for her comment about needing someone to pay her bills, my husband did tell her right then and there, everyone would be fine if that was the case. And, told her that isn't how life works. I feel for him because as he said as a parent he wants to be able to say it will be ok, and it will. And, it hurts him to hear her so sad. But, like I have reminded him, she made these choices, and she has to learn how to stand on her own, and own up to the choices she has made. I am holding my ground that she can't move in here, or move into the other house. I know we will never get her out if that happens. And, I refuse to allow her to use our GS any further as a weapon. I honestly feel that is why she had him. Her Dad was finally making strides in holding his ground with her. She wasn't getting her way, and having her son made it where he wouldn't allow his GS to go without. So in turn it was her new way in, using GS to get what she wanted. I do my best to keep our daughter away from her. I do not allow her to take her anywhere. I don't even like her alone in a room with her. I just wish I could figure out how to handle her need to make everyone unhappy. Because truly that is the only time she is happy. She plays this wounded little bird game, to get what she wants. She has been doing this since her parents divorced. And, after many years has almost perfected it, sorry to say. Her relationship with her BM is horrible. And, SD has made it that way to ensure she keeps daddy wrapped around her finger. Her BM may not be the best parent out there, but from what I have seen tries. She had SD (pregnant)and her then BF, (now husband) move in with them for a few months. She gave then downpayment on a house. Paid to have all kinds of work done to make it nicer before they moved on. And, what she got was a daughter that cut her off, wouldn't even phone her when her GS was born. We called her. Then she let her in to help out and buy things she wanted that we didn't get her. Then let the house get foreclosed on and cut her off from her GS. The relationship with her BM and SD's behavior there would turn your stomach. Honestly if I was this woman I would have nothing to do with her. The fact that she tries tells me she isn't that bad at all. Again Thanks! Knowing people that have no emotional investment in this and can give a clear opinion means a lot.

thank you for all the nice comments! My daughter is actually five months already--where does the time go??!! She is currently sleeping in our room. Now that her room is finished, I need to be brave and move her in there. Newhomebuilder--I had the same concerns about the decals and had my older daughter (who is 2) stand in the crib set on the lowest setting and had her raise her arm up as high as it would go--and then I made sure the decals were just a bit higher. So we shouldn't have a problem.