A Riding Mower and Snow Blower

   I had to mail a card yesterday afternoon so we all went for a ride.  Zoey started out in front on Jeff's lap crying to beat the band.  After the quick stop at the post office we went to Tractor Supply to look at riding mowers that are usually on display in front of the store.  Nothing.  We went inside leaving the dogs together on the back seat of the Forester with the windows down a couple of inches and the moon roof wide open.  Fanny gave us a dirty look as we walked away leaving her with the crying baby.  We never got to ask about riding mowers because Jeff stumbled upon the last folding chair in the store.  It was marked 'half off' making it $24.  He broke the last of the 4 chairs we got last summer the night before.  This chair was rated to hold 300lbs and had an attached awning.  It was a little higher than the other chairs, too. He's been wanting one all summer.  We've both been having difficult getting out of the other chairs because we were sitting too low in them and the chairs were too light.  Anyway, he got the chair.  It will be nice with the awning on hot sunny days and at night with heavy dew or light rain.
   Our next stop was at Luther's Outdoor Equipment on Rte 5 outside of Frankfort.  Jeff had seen some used riding mowers there and wanted to check them out.  They had several parked in front of the place and they all looked USED (rode hard and put away wet)to me.  They did not impress me in the least.  And the place was closed anyway,  so we headed to our next location JB's Small Engines in Schuyler, a Cub Cadet dealer.  Sherry, Jeff's sister, had once bought a very nice lawn mower from them that we now have...but it doesn't work because the blade shaft is jammed and Jeff hasn't been able to get it apart.  Anyway, we went there just to look because we didn't think they'd have anything we could afford.  BUT...they had just taken in a riding mower with a snow blower as a trade-in. They started the engine for Jeff and opened the hood (all man impressing moves) and told him that the set- up had about 50hrs use.  We asked the price and exchanged glances.  It was in our budget and after a few more questions, we bought it for $1500.  It will be serviced and get new tires and delivered next week.  Jeff's pleased with the machine and I'm grateful we stuck to the budget. Jeff still says I have to learn to drive it and I'm still saying NO WAY.  I'm happy with the walk-behind mower and I don't care about snow removal.  We celebrated by stopping at Arby's on the way home and picking up supper. 
  Once in the backseat Zoey seemed to like riding in the car more and stopped crying.  Fanny was still giving us dirty looks.  Zoey actually fell asleep on the back seat!  This morning we all slept late.  Good  

thing my bed is a Queen otherwise there wouldn't be enough room for Fanny, Zoey and me.
   Jeff was also interested in the Cub Cadet BushWacher, weed wacker that JB's had on sale.  He wanted go back and get one but had to think about it for a day or two first.  Luckily, they still had some in stock when he finally got around to it today.  Now I just have to hope he doesn't wack all the naturalized flowers...lilies, forsythia, bleeding hearts, etc that are growing around the foundation of the house.  I may have to put up signs "NO MOWING HERE" to save my flowers!