Git-R-Done...

So, I hope I'm not a Redneck...but the term seem to fit...so I used it!

We were planning to head to the U.P. on Thur around 3pm....when the kids get home from school. We took the trailer up to Steve's D&M's to pick-up Neil's quad...and on the way home the truck started missing...oh man! Why does this stuff always happen when you are planning to go away?? So Steve has spent 2+ hours (so far) replacing the spark plugs and wires. He hopes to have it all back together by 3...so we probably won't be leaving at 3....just a guess!!

I am VERY thankful for a husband that can 'do it himself'! Just think, if we would have had a garage fix it..we wouldn't be leaving anytime soon!While we were eating lunch, I asked him how he was going to test drive it...his response...when we drive to the U.P.....eeks....hope we make it!

Still Packing....We are riding with the 4 Buckner families and the Wilson's. We will be gone till Monday....pray that we all come back in one piece...literally! See you in June!

A Work in Progress....

A few months back we were able to purchase an enclosed trailer...God is good! We had been watching for a trailer (in our price range!) for quite sometime. We looked at a couple different trailers...but nothing 'fit the bill'. It was either too expensive, not wide or long enough or not in good enough condition.

We wanted a enclosed trailer vs an open trailer because we wanted to sleep in it when we arrived at our destination. You could say...one step better than a tent!! We would haul the quads then unload..then set up our cots! It isn't as deluxe as the new 'toy haulers' at a price tag of 30,000...but close!

I spotted this one on Craigslist (you knew it!!)....one problem it was 3 hours North of here and it was listed as ' first one with the cash'. Long story short, we promptly e-mailed them at 9pm..they responded promptly...Steve was on his way North at 5am the next morning...as you can see, he bought it! It was a fantastic deal!

This was what it looked like when Steve got started on it.... It doesn't look too bad..but it did have some significant cosmetic damage....this is a side shot. Steve had already ripped off the diamond plate on the front and it had no fenders. The corner pieces were all banged up..so they came off too! Steve was able to have a friend make him some metal tubing and cut him some new Diamond Plate. Steve, Tyler & Troy painted those wheel wells...they were all rusty and gross!! Then Steve realized the brakes weren't working, so he had to order new brake assemblies (x4)...and some other brake stuff...they were so rusted on, it took him a whole night per wheel to fix....lots of grinding!!

Then there was the interior....

We needed to paint the walls and especially the floor. The floor was particle board so it was really dirty...and you couldn't even get it swept out good! The built in shelves were pretty dirty too...they needed a good coat of paint too! A friend of ours gave us a 5 gallon pail of Sherwin Williams paint...so we got busy! We painted the walls and the front shelves. We did buy a gallon of porch and floor paint for the floor....we wanted that to be more durable.

We also painted all the trim/hinges and tongue with black chassis paint..it's like tar!

Here is Tyler and Trent getting ready to paint the floor.... Here is a picture of where we are so far. I know, I think I have made it seem like not too much work...but it's been A LOT of work!! Steve has put in unmeasurable hours to get it looking like it does! He has been out there working non-stop for 2 weeks now. He has definitely done the lions share of the work! It's a good thing Steve is sooooo handy!

Here is the 'almost' finished product! Notice the new Diamond Plate all the way around and on the corners! We are going to take her for a spin this coming week-end. We are headed to the UP with 5 other families. The boys can hardly wait! We need to add the lettering....Team Buckner...you guessed it!

Soccer 2010...

Trent is on a Sparta Soccer league. He practices twice a week and has a game every Saturday.

Trent in Action

Trent's fan club.... They won their game 5-0. They have lost a couple of games...but remember...we don't keep score..they are all winners...yeah right!! The kids ALWAYS know the score!

We weren't sure Trent was going to be able to play. He was scheduled to get his 'hardware' removed from his leg in April. When we went to the pre-op they told us he wouldn't be able to run, jump or the like...and especially not play soccer...for 6 weeks after they remove the screws...what seriously?? Did they realize we were looking at a 8 year old boy?!?!? The bone would have 'holes' left from the screws and it takes a good 6 weeks for new bone to fill that in...kind of like removing a screw from your deck..lol! The body does an amazing job of repairing itself...unlike wolmanized wood!!

After some discussion with the doctor...we decided October might be a better choice...wise move!!! It's kind of a back up plan for this summers 4-wheeling trips...lol! A leg can't re-break with a plate in it ...can it???

Sale 2010....

Another sale...down in the books!! The Sale of 2010 is offically closed! The garage is cleaned, the tables are take back to the church, the left overs are at the thrift store, the money is counted, the tallies are totalled....

We didn't have the finest of weather..that is for sure! I was glad we had good weather for Thursday, as that is our busiest day! It was kinda cold & rainy both Friday and Saturday. I stayed open both of the days, despite the weather and had a steady stream of customers.

After it was all said and done, we brought in over $800...not to shabby!! That was not all mine..I made just under $190...not to shabby! I didn't go through things like I would have liked to..but I did what I could!

Now, I have to GO TO some sales to get some more stuff...lol!!

What's Been Going Down....

We have been preparing & hosting a Garage Sale!! I forgot to get a picture first thing this morning..but here is one from mid-day. I have to laugh..looks like we have NO shoppers..but we had shoppers..and a lot of them!! I think we had 20 cars in front at one time! It was a cool but sunny day...but best of all, no rain!I'm guessing our combined total for the first day was around $400..not to shabby! Mind you that is 7 families. We sold everything from clothes to a washer to a loveseat to a tables...you get the idea!

We usually try to pick out an item that we think won't sell and spend our days watching to see what customer will pick it up....mine this year was one adult crutch!! I know, you ask why we have one crutch? I know I wonder that too!! It literally just appeared in our garage a couple months back and I've interrogated everyone that lives here...and no one knows where it came from?? And how it got here?...I don't know but it is this years item to 'watch'!

And let me just say everything about sales are exhausting..but yet fun! It's kinda weird, we all get together and talk and catch up...we eat lunch together...we move stuff around....we visit with long lost friends. Preparing for the sale is tiring...running the sale is tiring...but there is something gratifying about cleaning and organizing and purging.

I had gotten REALLY behind in my life since my 'bad' fall/winter last year. I'm hoping this has inspired me to get moving on my house! It will take a lot more time and effort but at least I've gotten started...and that is half the battle. So, I'm hoping to tackle the basement next!

These are some labels I printed out. If you are going to have a sale, this is the way to go! Printing labels...not necessarily these but any label will do...address labels would work great too....just cut them in strips after you print out the prices....and don't forget your initials in case you are having it with others!! In the past, these have stuck on clothes pretty good..but this year they seem to come off...=(...I'm not sure what was up??? And remember to print out lots of .25 & .50...lol...at least for my stuff!!

We did do a little horse trading and 'lets make a deal' deals. In all, it was a good day. On to tomorrow....

better pics....

Here are some better pics of Ryan Daniel Henderson!

Proud Parents...Joel & Carissa Proud Grandparents...Tod & Julie Hope you enjoy the pictures!