Oh what a weekend. Saturday the family awoke entirely too early for a Saturday morning. I was up at 6:30 to take the dog on her morning walk before the real work began. After showering, I popped some cinnamon rolls in the oven and watched Step-daughter, Step-daughter's friend and Husband start to load up the cars. Moving day had finally arrived. Step-daughter was moving out of the house and into freshman student housing - an unfurnished apartment. We had planned on leaving at 8:00. We left at 9:15. No big deal. The day started out overcast and cool. Perfect weather for moving.

Our arrival in Stillwater brought the first breakdown. We had no idea where we were going and Step-daughter, despite having checked out her apartment earlier, was not helpful. Talk about directionally challeneged! We finally found it and checked in, getting the key along with a myriad of forms that she will need to complete.

After hauling her furniture, clothes and other misc. items up to the second floor (thanks for helping out mom and dad!), we set off for Wal-Mart. For the "essentials." Now, when I went to college, I was responsible for purchasing all the "essentials" myself and had done so prior to moving in to the traditional dorms. Am I a little bitter? Yes, I will freely admit it. I worked my butt off all summer long for spending money for those "essential" items.

Wal-Mart brought on the second breakdown - for all of us! With every item placed in the basket, my heart sunk a little lower, knowing the tab - that we were picking up - was increasing. While we were in Wal-Mart, Step-daughter had the audicity to inquire as to whether Husband and I would go purchase her books while she and Friend started setting up her room. Blowing my top, I pretty much said no way in hell. Thankfully, Husband agreed. After that, and while still in Wal-Mart, Step-daughter started stressing out, bringing on tears, at the "awful" task of having to provide for herself and that she "had no money." Now, let me step back a moment. Three months ago, Husband informed Step-daughter that she needed to start saving her money, because we would not be providing her any spending money once school started. Obviously, and for some unknown reason, she didn't believe us. And consequently saved virtually nothing.

Husband, to his credit and my eternal gratefulness, reminded Step-daughter that he told her to save her money and that SHE NEEDED TO GET A JOB!

Once the miserable, and I do mean MISERABLE, excursion to Wal-Mart was over, we grabbed something quick to eat and headed to the book store. Husband and I, wanting to get the day over with as soon as possible, flew through the bookstore, grabbing the required books, while Step-daughter, Friend and Step-son looked at merchandise. At this point, I did not care whether she knew how to purchase her own books in the future. That's not my problem.

After depositing everything at the apartment, Husband, Step-son and I headed for home. Step-daughter and Friend followed closely behind. Yes, Step-daughter was not spending the night in her new digs. Step-daughter's mother finally came to pick her up and take her back to college at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

My lessons from this weekend? Being a step-parent is excruciatingly difficult, requiring more patience than I think I have. It's hard knowing that you are financially contributing to a child over whom you have no say. Would I have required more summer savings? Yes. Would I have required the "essentials" be purchased from that spending money? Yes. Would I have let her friend come and then bring her back home so that she didn't have to spend the night in her new, expensive, apartment? No. My husband's response, "just wait until "not-Earl" gets here. You won't feel the same way." Is that true? I'd like to think not. After all, I don't know anything different.

Finally, last but certainly not least, I would like to express my gratitude to Step-son. This ten-year-old spent the entire day revolving around his big sister with very little complaint and was enormously helpful to everybody. I absolutely adore him.