Yep... I'm a Freak-a-Zoid!!!

Hey Yo:

So, speaking of "mowing the yard" (from last week), this week I'll share with you how my weekends used to be spent, and why that was kinda, sorta, the driving force of Donna and I moving to an apartment.  Not the only reason, but it was up there.  Hang in there with me...

Straight Lines...

In the ten years that Donna and I lived in our house, the majority of my weekends were spent out in the yard, literally, for hours.  And it's because, as Donna refers to it, I am a "Straight Lines" kind of guy.  That would be Code for:  I'm a 'Freak-a-Zoid.'  And I probably got it from my Dad, who taught me how to mow.  Mowing is actually very easy.  But, doing it the right way is not so much hard, but it sure takes a lot longer.  

Mowing 101 (The Basics)...

 

#1:  You absolutely have to keep your wheel lines straight.

#2:  You absolutely have to keep your paths an equal width.

#3:  Your left wheels go in the 'line' of the previous right wheels.

#4:  You never 'shoot' the grass outward toward any pavement.

#5:  You learn to edge a razor sharp line with a weed-eater, not an edger.

#6:  You don't blow into the street, you blow, and scoop up into a bag for trash.

#7:  You hand pull your weeds from the beds rather than weed-eat them.

#8:  You never turn your mower short of a current path, leaving high grass.

 

 

Yep, that's me.  I learned from my Dad.  I'm not so sure Shane, my youngest Son, grasped #8 from me.  Certainly not #5.  And he absolutely could never understand why, when he mowed a path moving forward, I would have him then back up with the mower over the same path.  Even when I had him get down on his hands and knees to see some blades of grass still sticking up and that a second 'swath' with the mower would usually cut those 'stragglers' down.  He would ask:  Why are we mowing the yard twice?" (frontwards & backwards)  You see, hours later, when I was finally done, there would be no 'stragglers.'  The edge would be as sharp as a razors edge.  The sidewalks, driveway, and street would be free from cut grass.  Each tree would have a circled razor edge between the grass and the mulch.  Simply put, it was a beautiful sight.  But, hours had been sucked from my day.

 

Now, you may ask...  Why not hire a Lawn Service?  Pour a Libation, sit back, and watch them while you chillax.  Well, been there, done that.  After about a month, I couldn't stand it any longer.  They were "Paid Professionals" and yet, I could clearly see that they did not have a clue as to what they were doing.  I know this...  They were each in a really big hurry to get to 'the next job.'  And so, I went back to mowing and spending hours in the yard.  And then, we decided to move.  And you know what???  The Lawn Service that mows the grounds at our Apartment Complex drives me absolutely nuts!!!  They don't know what in the heck they are doing either.  I just have to look the other way.

  

In Other News...

 

Speaking of News:  Does anybody remember this line...  "Jane, you ignorant slut!"  And do you remember who said it and to whom he said it???  Ha!!!

 

 

Stop the presses!!!  I have started working out.  No, seriously, I am working out every other day now.  Quit laughing.  For a solid week now.  Taking baby steps.  

 

And then, there's this:  On Tuesday night, 7 year old Munchkin called and said:  "Papa, guess what:  I have my first loose tooth!!!"  I said, "Wow, is the Tooth Fairy going to visit you?"  And her reply was:  "Yes, I have written a letter and I have requested two dollars and twenty two cents!!!"  Go figure!!!  I also asked her if she was going to tie a string to her tooth and then to a doorknob and slam the door shut?  She said "Yes."  Not so sure she understood the concept.  Pics to follow.

 

House update:  Last week, I told you we had a contract on the house.  We were waiting for the Inspection.  That happened on Saturday and it produced some interesting results.  It included a Termite Inspection (no termites) and warranted a Foundation Inspection.  To make a long story short, the Foundation Company recommended raising the front of the house ONE HALF INCH!!!  (1/2")  To the tune of $2,625.  Not Happening!!!  We made our feelings known.  The contract is a 10 Day Contract...  It expires at midnight tonight.  We'll see if they say Yes and we move forward, or they come back and say No.  Heels dug in!!!  Stay tuned...

 

Takin' it "To the House"

Music:  This week, a little different sound, but a good one, to be sure...  Hope you will give this one a Listen.  Ottmar Liebert with Barcelona Night.  Enjoy...  (source) 

Houston Texans Football:  WOW!!!  'Nuff said...

Market Watch:  A bit of slide backwards for the Dow, closing yesterday at 15,328.  On the other hand, another surge to higher ground, as Facebook closed at 50.39...  Gazillionaire's abound!!!

The End:  Yet another week gone by.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you back on Mix Tape Tuesday.  Til then...

Be safe, be smart, and always show your Smile...  It's Happy Friday.

adios...  vaya con dios