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Post by Icctrombone on Jul 26, 2021 9:09:25 GMT -5
when Nick first started his Chemo/Radiation (~9 years ago), the Doctor told him to avoid direct sunlight. so I sold the lawnmower, and hired a guy that lives a few doors down who runs a small lawn service business. all these years later? he still comes every 2 weeks, and although the cost has risen from ~$25 / visit, to $40 / visit (+ $10 if we want them to trim the bushes which we do every 4 months), it's still worth every penny. That's a pretty darn good price for 2021. I hire a guy now, too, and finally found someone halfway reliable. It was hard to find someone between "expensive big company" and "flaky unreliable yahoo who does it once, is late the next time and ghosts you" but finally did. I have to nudge him on occasion but his team comes on time-ish enough. I used to do it myself, but I was super resentful burning 2-3 hours a week mowing, edging, trimming bushes, blowing, bagging, when my first kid was young and work was crazy. I like the work itself, but it wasn't worth the time spent with my daughter in her small years. Once the kids are older and busier with their own things I might start doing it myself more. There's a certain enjoyment to doing it, but I would have to replace my old mower with electric. Gas mowers are a pain to maintain, and the first time I tried to do the yard myself after having a service the damn thing didn't start up which reminded me of one of many reasons I hired someone in the first place. I too used to have a company do it but my lawn is 3 time the size of my house and they started to do a half ass job. It was 80 a month. I bought a lawn mower and wacker and do it myself these days.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2021 9:54:23 GMT -5
when Nick first started his Chemo/Radiation (~9 years ago), the Doctor told him to avoid direct sunlight. so I sold the lawnmower, and hired a guy that lives a few doors down who runs a small lawn service business. all these years later? he still comes every 2 weeks, and although the cost has risen from ~$25 / visit, to $40 / visit (+ $10 if we want them to trim the bushes which we do every 4 months), it's still worth every penny. That's a pretty darn good price for 2021. I hire a guy now, too, and finally found someone halfway reliable. It was hard to find someone between "expensive big company" and "flaky unreliable yahoo who does it once, is late the next time and ghosts you" but finally did. I have to nudge him on occasion but his team comes on time-ish enough. I used to do it myself, but I was super resentful burning 2-3 hours a week mowing, edging, trimming bushes, blowing, bagging, when my first kid was young and work was crazy. I like the work itself, but it wasn't worth the time spent with my daughter in her small years. Once the kids are older and busier with their own things I might start doing it myself more. There's a certain enjoyment to doing it, but I would have to replace my old mower with electric. Gas mowers are a pain to maintain, and the first time I tried to do the yard myself after having a service the damn thing didn't start up which reminded me of one of many reasons I hired someone in the first place. that he lives 4 houses down was a BIG selling point. he can look over and see if we need a cut or not (and he doesn't rush to bill us - typically he bills at the end of the month - since he knows he just has to knock on door).
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Post by tartanphantom on Jul 26, 2021 10:38:30 GMT -5
I cut my own yard with a gas mower. The key to success with gas mowers is periodic preventative maintenance. I change the oil in mine twice a year, and change the plug and air filter every year. I change the blades every other year, and I always use a fuel conditioner in my gas can. I try to keep the engine and magneto area clean after every use as well. Of course, it helps to spend a little more and buy a decent quality mower on the front end. I bought a Honda back in 2013, and it's been virtually trouble-free since I bought it. My lot is 1 acre, with the back yard being half of that, so it's not like it doesn't get used much, because it does. I don't bag grass because I have a mulching blade installed. Of course this wouldn't work for every type of lawn, since different types of grass are more sensitive to that sort of thing. With my mixture of bermuda and fescue, the self-mulching works out fine.
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Post by impulse on Jul 26, 2021 10:50:03 GMT -5
I am glad that works for you, but even that sounds like too much work and hassle.
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Post by tartanphantom on Jul 26, 2021 11:07:40 GMT -5
I am glad that works for you, but even that sounds like too much work and hassle.
I guess it's just therapeutic for some folks. For me, yardwork is exercise. I don't treat mine like a golf course, but I do like for it to reflect pride of ownership. This year I also did a major re-working and re-planting of my perennial flower beds.
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Post by adamwarlock2099 on Jul 26, 2021 12:58:00 GMT -5
I hate mowing the lawn. That's why I decided to have children.
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Post by tartanphantom on Jul 26, 2021 13:01:38 GMT -5
I hate mowing the lawn. That's why I decided to have children.
While I don't fly around with no parrot-headed umbrella and a valise, I do subscribe to Mary Poppins' work ethic. I try to value a sense of accomplishment in everything I do, right down to menial yardwork. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the value of leisure and down-time, and I'm certainly not a workaholic. But there are some things that I'd just rather do myself, to make sure that it's done to my personal standards.
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Post by impulse on Jul 26, 2021 13:13:43 GMT -5
I like the work itself, but not at the opportunity cost of limited free time with my family.
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Post by tartanphantom on Jul 26, 2021 13:24:44 GMT -5
I like the work itself, but not at the opportunity cost of limited free time with my family.
I can totally respect that. Work to live...not the reverse.
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Post by adamwarlock2099 on Jul 27, 2021 8:16:37 GMT -5
I hate mowing the lawn. That's why I decided to have children. While I don't fly around with no parrot-headed umbrella and a valise, I do subscribe to Mary Poppins' work ethic. I try to value a sense of accomplishment in everything I do, right down to menial yardwork. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the value of leisure and down-time, and I'm certainly not a workaholic. But there are some things that I'd just rather do myself, to make sure that it's done to my personal standards.
I guess that earning my keep as a adolescent was like 95% landscaping chores to earn money is why as an adult I hate doing any type of landscaping. Let it grow I say. But the city disagrees with me so it has to be done. But I get what you mean when it comes to other work/chores. Man every time I see Julie Andrews, I'm like
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Post by tartanphantom on Jul 27, 2021 8:59:03 GMT -5
While I don't fly around with no parrot-headed umbrella and a valise, I do subscribe to Mary Poppins' work ethic. I try to value a sense of accomplishment in everything I do, right down to menial yardwork. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the value of leisure and down-time, and I'm certainly not a workaholic. But there are some things that I'd just rather do myself, to make sure that it's done to my personal standards.
I guess that earning my keep as a adolescent was like 95% landscaping chores to earn money is why as an adult I hate doing any type of landscaping. Let it grow I say. But the city disagrees with me so it has to be done. But I get what you mean when it comes to other work/chores. Man every time I see Julie Andrews, I'm like I know what you mean. Looks aside, she had some pipes on her. Fantastic voice.
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 9,627
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Post by Confessor on Jul 28, 2021 4:18:10 GMT -5
Well, despite initially having some minor reservations about the COVID vaccine, which I discussed with the likes of Roquefort Raider and Prince Hal among others in this very thread some months back, I got my second Oxford/AstraZeneca jab the day before yesterday. So I'm fully vaccinated now. I must say I am glad to be double jabbed; I'll still be being careful, but it's reassuring to have that additional degree of protection.
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Post by impulse on Jul 28, 2021 9:24:04 GMT -5
I am so glad to hear you feel comfortable and were able to get your second shot. I agree with you that it is very reassuring having that extra protection and knowledge that even if you are exposed you are very unlikely to have serious disease now. Instead of a potential life ender or permanent lung scarring, you would just get annoying cold most likely.
I just wish I was able to get this for my kids so I could know they have that bit of protection since apparently half of the USA doesn't care about the people who can't get the vaccine like small children.
I get enough COVID talk in my everyday life, so I try not to bring it up here too often anymore, but man, it is super stressful. It seemed like things were getting so much better, but it just turned a corner and is shooting up exponentially lately. I really hope whatever trance of fear or ignorance or whatever it is pops and people take it seriously before this thing mutates into something our vaccines don't help.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jul 30, 2021 15:06:36 GMT -5
Leaving work early. Heading out very early tomorrow morning to drive my middle son to law school at Georgetown. Driving Idaho to D.C. via Denver, K.C., and Nashville and then flying back.
Have fun kids. I may check in now and then, but mostly will be driving, eating and seeing a few sites.
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Post by Prince Hal on Jul 30, 2021 15:16:07 GMT -5
Leaving work early. Heading out very early tomorrow morning to drive my middle son to law school at Georgetown. Driving Idaho to D.C. via Denver, K.C., and Nashville and then flying back. Have fun kids. I may check in now and then, but mostly will be driving, eating and seeing a few sites. Drive safely, slam. We'll leave the light on for you.
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