May Angel Star

Okay, so the first time I had ever used a lawn mower was when I was a junior in high school, 12 years ago. It was started for me and all I had to do was push it where I was directed, which was basically a quarter of the lawn.

That was the last time I had ever done it.

Until today that is!

This morning, on a whim, I decided to mow the lawn. It needed to be done and Brian was booked pretty solid for the rest of the week. I thought about all the awesome wife points I would earn if I took on this challenge and succeeded. Definitely worth the effort and the look of surprise on Brian’s face when he came home from work.

First things first, I had to clean off the stroller from yesterday. Alex had eaten some arrowroot cookies and the remains of what had been the cookies were smeared all over. Once it was cleaned and Alex was securely strapped in, with a handful of cheerios placed on the tray, I set to work.

I had to get everything off the lawn mower. I had cleaned the garage enough for both vehicles to fit inside, but some of the stuff that still needed a home ended up perched on top of the mower. Once that was off to the side and I had rolled it off the ledge, the next order of business arrived.

I made a call to Kendra. I know Kendra has mowed on numerous occasions and I needed her expertise. I made her promise not to laugh at me and then I asked her how to turn the mower on. She told me I had to push a button 3 times. I looked and looked and could not find this button anywhere. I came to the conclusion that this mower must not have a button, and that I would try to start it. If I had any problems I would call her right back.

I wheeled the mower down to the sidewalk. I held the red handle down, and pulled the pull thingy (yes, that is the technical term for it!) and nothing happened. I pulled it a dozen times at least. All the while blushing in embarrassment, while I thought of the people that must be staring through their blinds at me while I made a complete fool out of myself. I wheeled the mower back into the garage and picked up the phone, started calling Kendra, when I made the discovery. I hung up, took a closer look and there right in front of the mower was the button I was supposed to push 3 times.

I brought it back to the sidewalk, pushed said button those 3 times to “prime” the engine. I held the red handle, pulled the pull thingy and it started right up! I was beyond thrilled at my simple little accomplishment!

I mowed the front lawn with ease. It took me less than 30 minutes. As soon as I was done I called Kendra to tell her the good news. Then I decided that I was done at that point. No need to do the back yard. But the more I stood there and pondered on it, the more excited I got to actually finish the job.

I wheeled Alex to the back patio. Katie came along too, playing in the dirt. And I finished up the backyard with minimal interference (I had to refill the gas tank, it restarted and lasted about 2 minutes, got frustrated and had a diet cherry dr. pepper break, refilled the gas tank some more, restarted it and finished the job) around 10:45. So about 1hr for me to do the lawn. I was pretty impressed with myself!

Brian was quite surprised when he came home and has given many thanks! Awesome wife points were definitely earned.

I wonder if it will be another 12 years before I mow again?

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