applecroftfarm - if you look around closely, you should find an I.D. plate on your tractor. It may be under the tilting seat. Get the full model number, serial number, etc. off it and then go to the john deere website. There's a good chance that you can view the owners manual there or at least order one up.

Lynn, Thanks but didn't I just describe most of us who urge our kids to conquer their fears, handle their lives and step up to take their place in this world? I think Max seriously wanted to marry me when he was very young. Now? Not so much. LOL! Max's job is new. He gets his first paycheck tomorrow. He's officially off the dole but he is still learning about this little concept. Phone call earlier this week: (Setting: After his first day of school) "School is great. I really like my classes.", "That's great, Max!" "Well, I have an opportunity to work tonight but I'm not scheduled and they won't hold it against me, so I'm not going in." (My wheels start to spin) "Max, it would look really good if you went in." "Yes, and I'm willing to work on Mondays but they need to schedule me." Blah, blah, blah about books he needs to buy, etc. and then: "Do you think you could send me about $70. this week so I have a little extra money?" (my brain "!!!!!!!!!!", but again, joyfully) "Hmm, you are saying you need extra money but you don't want to work extra? Papa works extra to provide you with *your* extra. Maybe you should let Papa have a little time off and you can work in his place." Utter silence. Joyfully, I said: "Is there anything else? I'm just running to the store." "No, that is it." "OK. I love you and am so happy you like your classes. Call soon!" "I love you too and I will." Hey, I may have fallen off the potato truck last night but I was awake all night.

Well honestly, no one ever said u had to like one another! It's nice for the kids if all the adults in their lives had one flowing ball of communication, but lets be realistic! BM probably hates u cause ur sleeping w a man she has a child by. Its one of those bitter situations of :we didnt work, so why will u: and shes gonna hate u for it. Ur SS resents u for along the same reasons, and wants to make his presence known. He wants a dog he goes to daddy and theirs nothing is stupid SM is gonna say about it, cause u are not HIS mother. Been there done that, trust me! My stepchildren were HORRORS when my DH first got together. Mind u he had already been divorced for two years, with two children: daughter 10 and son 5. And the daughter was THE WORST. Not to mention when my DH first married :at that time the children were 12 and 7: and my SD LOST IT. She and her BM were on a personal vendetta to make my life a living hell. And then fast forward to a year later when my DH and I had a daughter of our own and thats when the u know what REALLY hit the fan!! There were times then when I could say that I hated her, and she hated me I'm sure, but one day when she was at our house for the court mandated weekend, I caught her in the room w my DD. I was horrified at first, thinking, OMG is this kid gonna try and smother my child?! lol I caught her playing w the baby, and then she burst into tears. Sometimes when u hold malice towards someone u tend to get satisfaction out of their pain. Yeah, thats an ugly thing to say, but its true. However, when I saw SD crying I walked up to her and gave her a hug. I'm not saying it was like a lifetime movie after that and all, we still had our battles, and at times I had to try not to lose my mind and walk out, but here we are seven years later, two kids of my own, and two stepchildren, whom I love dearly and I know that sometimes, they love me too....lol Just stand ur ground, and understand its hard for a kid who feels like he has to compete with the new woman for some love. Sit down with him and explain to him that ur not trying to come between them, and that u want to try and share. Theres enough love for the both of u. As far as ur DH goes, though. U need to put ur foot down and let him know that u are not a chambermaid. Stop doing EVERYTHING around the house so hes stuck w chores. That'll really hit him where he lives!

Guess I should clarify: we (me, my sister, my b-i-l, and my niece) did the demo about 3 weekends ago (had to do it then to work with everyones' schedules). It took 2 days (plus extra since I had to later steam off another layer of vinyl stick-on tile). The carpenter on Monday said that we did an excellent job so I'm really glad that we did it "in-house" to save some money. On the downside, I've been without a kitchen for over 2 weeks! Kitchen update: The drywall went up (for areas that needed patched) and 5 cabinets were installed! I LOVE THEM! I got Pioneer, which is a semi-custom company from Michigan. The cabinets are cherry in a tawny stain and the style is "Madison". Since Joe (the carpenter) was doing the work while I was at the office, it was a surprise when I got home. He called me in the evening to see if I was happy with everything and explained what he was doing next. That phone call really raised the comfort factor because it made me feel like I was still part of the process even though I wasn't there and also that my input and approval was important. I'm taking tomorrow off since the appliances will be delivered, so I'll be there all day to observe (and try to stay out of his hair) I'll try to post photos when completed but my kitchen is so small it's difficult to get good photos! Thanks for the good wishes! It's keeping me going during this (somewhat) stressful time! Beekeeperswife: my wine cubbies were installed yesterday and they are my favorite part so far! Is that silly or what??!!