As you have a tractor now...I need my grass cut....in New York.

Maggie

Pete, Your Diana sounds a little like my Greg. Anything we did have to replace around the house became a huge discussion, and then endless consumer reports. I remember telling him that it would kind atake the fun out of it. wish I'd have never said that. I had to replace my front door recently, and all I wanted was for him to come down and say to me like he always would....'Did you check out all the models of doors? This is mid range right? Did you go to consumer reports?" The door was in, and looked good, and I broke down like a baby and cried after they left. The sting is awful!! hugs to you. Diane

You have taken a positive and healthy step forward! Congratulations.

but an added note: Just like Maggie said....The grass here could sure use it too...in Illinois!!! lol

For all that need their lawns worked on, I can't mow it but I can scrape it all off (it's a tractor, not a mower, lols!!!).

-Pete-

Pete,

Boy howdy, do I hear you on this one. We spent a good share of our marriage "making do." When my husband died, I found that I didn't have the brawn to make that happen anymore. I needed "stuff" to help me get by. I couldn't start his chainsaws; I couldn't work certain implements, etc., so I purchased items that would do the trick (Easy Start chainsaw and some other minor items).

The Cub Cadet zero-turn mower that I purchased (secondhand) was a Godsend for me. It made the three acres I mow "doable." Since there were other chores to which I had to devote my time, I had to learn to "work smart" (a phrase that my husband used often). Bless him, he had the stamina and the muscles to manage certain machinery, but I quickly learned that wasn't going to fly for this greenhorn. When I first used the zero-turn, I cried with every swath I took around the yard, knowing that he would be giving me his smile of approval at my perseverance. Blessings to you and happy days on your tractor. TJ

Ok hot dang Pete I do have horse corrals you help clean up their manure and stack it for me? Only 3 acres of our 5 worth? Gee CA to WA state .....bets all the way back East, MidWest people eh?
Actually I won out on my husband when we did get our older MF, helps a bundle even tho' ya gotta be strong to turn the wheel....

Now I need a Skil saw just my size...

Anyone a plumber to plumb in my shower and sinks for me nearby?

Sigh -

Pete,
Well, you DO know that Diana was right, you didn't really need it at that time, but,she is rooting for you now :)
I wish that I could lend out my mower to Maggie in New York, and Moonflyer in Illinois.
Debi

I understand what you mean. I wanted a new living room suite and Brian had tentatively agreed that we could start "looking" a few months before he passed away. One of my first major decisions was to give away our old living suite and buy a new one though I bought something I know Brian would have liked. I also took down the curtains and replaced them with custom made shades. Brian did not like change unless it was absolutely necessary. I also replaced all the ductwork to our heat pump and reinsulated our attic. Brian would have NEVER agreed to that, but the electric company inspected our house and recommended it.

Pete - the good news is that I DON'T need you to cut my grass in NC.I live in a townhouse. Many...most steps we take, albeit healthy for our emotional/physical/mental state of mind, are still fraught with the flip side. I can tear up at the sight of a paint can. Seriously. Hugs, and your tractor looks pretty cool...Marsha

My husband was very good about what ever I wanted to do...which wasnt much..same furniture since 1999...haha! I still cant bare to get rid of it, so I bought some slip covers and put over it. I just dont have the energy to mess with it either.
Im glad you went and got that tractor you needed.....I hope it gives you many years of much needed help. ~Blessings Debbie :)

My husband was the spender and I was the one that balanced the budget and paid the bills. He would hand me his check and I would give him back some money because he was always paying for so much when we went anywhere. He also would work side jobs...(he was a mechanic), and I never touched any of that money. He wouldn't buy any big ticket things without talking with me first, but he would research it for months before he would buy something. I learned that he didn't need me to tell him what to buy and what not to after awhile because he was so thorough in checking things out. My spending was usually clothes on sale. I only buy clothes on clearance, with an online or store coupon, at a disgustingly cheap price. I also would buy things for the house but only after discussing them with my husband. He would tell me that that was my territory and he had no sense of color or style. Denny was a knock out the walls and jump in the car and go to Maine kind of guy. I was the fix the walls and paint them and plan for a trip to Maine someday person. Boy how I miss his way of just jumping in the car and going out and having fun. We always had so much fun together. Funny how we balance each other out and how certain things remind us of them. Tractors always remind me of my Dad because I grew up on a farm riding tractors with him. I have a warm place in my heart for them because of that. I was my Dad's side kick growing up. He died a year and a half before my husband. Miss him still too.

I just sold the zero turn lawn mower, and got a self propelled lawn mower. My lawn takes a half hour with that. The zero turn was my husbands toy and how he loved it! Took only 10 minutes to mow with it.

Enjoy your tractor. Thanks for reminding me of so many memories.

hugs...
-Diana

Diana, your comment about only buying clothing at "disgustingly" cheap prices reminded me so much of my Diana. She would come home with a beautiful blouse from Macy's and say guess how much I got this for?" I looked a the price tag, $95, and guessed $47.50? She would laugh, no it WAS on sale for 50% off but today was the preview with an additional 30% off, plus I had a coupon for 20% more and you get 15% for using your Macy's card. I looked at her and said "OK so how much?" She smiled and said $7.

I am laughing with a tear in my eye right now, thanks.

-Pete-

Pete, Your Diana sounds like she was one smart lady! I would have had so much in common with her. I LOVED bringing things home and shocking Denny with the price that I (actually paid) on things. I've never had tons and tons of money and even if I did I refuse to pay more than I have to. I will go to a store and not buy the very thing I went for if the price is more than I can get it for somewhere else. I love certain things and I can tell you "where, when, how, how much they are at every other store." My Hood Light Under the Stars" ice cream is normally over $4.00 a half gallon. I wait for it to go on sale for 2 for $5.00 and I buy 10 of them.

Kohls has online coupons, coupons that come by mail, and clearance racks. I get all of my clothes off season because you can get the best prices then (with) the coupons. Plus I so LOVE that store because most of the clothes fit me right at that store.

Denny used to go shopping with me sometimes and he did a great job taking on the "husband waiting for wife who tries on dresses pose." He always would sit there and smile every time I came out of the dressing room. Of course the more he liked something the more I would get it. I lived to light his eyes up. Truth is his eyes would have lit up if I was wearing a grain sack.

Thanks for the reminder of so many great memories.

You deserve the tractor...so make sure you enjoy it. Plant something beautiful too. Life needs beautiful things in it still...we just have to force ourselves to find them.

hugs...
-Diana

You do not have to help me mow my lawn either....:D I bought a push mower. A lot of people walk by and say they haven't seen one of those in a long time.... then they tryit! I feel like Tom Sawyer..... I luv it..no gasoline. As you can guess it is for 1/4 acre city....