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Little Miss Independence

I got the gardens cleaned up for the winter yesterday.

Today it was windy, but it was warm for November.  I decided to mow the lawn for the last time as the warm is not likely to last through the weekend.  I fired it up but when I lowered the mowing deck, I discovered that the blades were not cutting.  Just another thing going wrong, getting broken.  Oh so annoying!

I remembered that when Mike's son was here this summer and went to mow the lawn for me, he said the belt had slipped.  Well, I turned off the motor and looked underneath.  Sure enough the belt was flopping loose.  Here's the good part--I fixed it myself!  I got the lawn mowed.

And it doesn't stop there.  When I put the tractor back in the garage, I changed the oil and the oil filter.  That is a first.  I was quite proud of myself even though it is a messy job.

My roll ended when I tried to disconnect the battery so I could take that out for the winter.  I could not budge the bolts on that.  I will have to start doing some bicep curls to up the arm strength.  If I am not able to do it when I try tomorrow, I will ask my neighbor for some help this weekend.

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 6, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    You have been doing so much lately. I admire your energy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SextantNovember 6, 2013 at 8:47 PM

    Great job. Mike is proud of you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. MargaretNovember 6, 2013 at 9:47 PM

    I am impressed. I couldn't do any of those things. Go ahead, woman, ROAR.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Linda MyersNovember 6, 2013 at 11:48 PM

    You rock, Olga!

    ReplyDelete
  5. BarbNovember 7, 2013 at 12:16 AM

    I'm impressed! I'm not at all mechanical. Mike is smiling down on you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaNovember 8, 2013 at 3:11 PM

      Nobody ever accused me of being mechanical, but it is interesting what one can do in a pinch.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousNovember 7, 2013 at 12:53 AM

    When we do the job by our-self without anybody's help we will feel very proud of it. I have experiences this situation.

    You have done a very good job. Keep going!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. CarolNovember 7, 2013 at 2:12 AM

    Amazing what we can do when we have to. And ditto everything Barb said!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Granny AnnieNovember 7, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    Olga, the Wonder Woman! You are making me feel guilty. I call the mower repairman. However he is very inexpensive and Ron found him for me. Plus he picks up and delivers. However I don't know about taking out the battery for the winter. Guess I best check on that. Also I wonder if I should empty the remaining gas from the tank?

    It is fun that you and Tabor of One Day At A Time are on the same wave length today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaNovember 8, 2013 at 3:14 PM

      Mike always filled the tank so air would not get in it or something like that. I also know he made a point of going out for the gas with no ethanol in it.

      Delete
  9. RianNovember 7, 2013 at 8:48 AM

    Olga, you amaze me. I have never mowed the lawn... or taken out the trash. Guess that says something sad about me. DH does those things. I could do them, but we kind of unconsciously divided up those chores over the years. Truth be told, I don't want to do them, but maybe I should? Something to think about...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaNovember 8, 2013 at 3:15 PM

      I never minded mowing the grass, but I never thought I would be taking care of machinery, that's for sure.

      Delete
  10. TomNovember 7, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    Heh, heh, by coincidence I too mowed my lawn for the last time yesterday. But, I confess, I don't try to mess with the mechanics of the thing. I have a lawnmower guy who gives it a tune-up in the spring.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Muffy's MarksNovember 7, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    OMG, you are the 'woman'!! Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. MuffieNovember 7, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    Wow! Hear you roar!! I'm sure the neighbor would love to help with those bolts! I'm really impressed -- not with your strength (inner and outer) but with your knowledge of things mechanical!

    ReplyDelete
  13. TaborNovember 7, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    YOu do what you can and you ask for help when you can and you hire others when you can afford it. Just be safe and careful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Arkansas PattiNovember 7, 2013 at 6:02 PM

    You go girl !! Doesn't it make you feel really good when you accomplish something that had previously been someone else's job or even worse, a paid one. I have a neat neighbor when I need muscles.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Linda ReederNovember 7, 2013 at 6:57 PM

    Good for you. I don't think I could have managed the belt thing. My hands are shot.
    I'm glad you will ask for help when you need it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownNovember 7, 2013 at 9:55 PM

    Job well done! I wish I could say I knew how to change the oil - I really wish I could do it on the car but.... Good Job, Olga!

    ReplyDelete
  17. SakuNovember 9, 2013 at 10:15 AM

    Great job! I wouldn't have a clue how to change the oil on a lawn mower. In fact, I purchased an electric mower (obviously I have a small yard) because I didn't want to have to deal with the issues of the gasoline powered machine.

    Hope the neighbor is able to help you with the bolts. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. KayNovember 14, 2013 at 2:29 AM

    You are my role model, Olga. I'm so amazed at all you're figuring out how to do. You are so independent, courageous and smart.

    ReplyDelete

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