The salesman was very helpful and showed me a suitable model, the oil I needed to put in the mower and a container to put my petrol in. I took it home and poured in all the necessary liquids as instructed and went to start it. The instructions stated that I needed to press the red button three times before I pulled the chord. I followed these instructions but there was only silence. I tried again and again and nothing was getting that mower started. So I thought I would ask my neighbour as I had seen him mow his own lawn the previous week.
John, my neighbour, was very helpful and got the mower started first time round. I thanked John for his help and mowed my back yard. It was my first time in mowing a lawn and I was excited! It had always seemed complicated so I had hired a gardener. My children found the whole experience comical as they had never imagined that their mother would use a lawn mower. After I finished the task my kids actually came outside and congratulated me on what a great job I had done. Apparently I had not mowed in perfectly straight lines but “since it was my first time I had done a pretty good job.” I had to laugh and wondered is that the tone I use on them?
A few weeks later I took the mower out and to my dismay it would not start. I tried several times without success. I felt embarrassed at having to ask my neighbour again but after a while I had no choice. So looking very sheepish I trudged next door (I had bought myself some work boots) and asked John for his help yet again.
Now John was married with a couple of kids and I was hoping that he did not think that I was trying to be ‘friendly’. I genuinely needed to start my lawnmower. Once again John helped me to get the mower working and this time my middle son had paid attention. There was a ‘thingy’ (technical term) on the handle of the lawnmower which John had fully opened up before he started the mower. Once it had started he closed the “thingy” to half way. This was the part I was missing!! Thank goodness I have an observant son.
I have mowed my own lawn ever since and I always feel a sense of satisfaction and independence. Since then I have learnt to grout tiles and put up brackets for curtain rods. Each time I fix something around my home I feel a sense of accomplishment. You can feel embarrassed and silly when you are trying new things but remember that everyone started from scratch. They learnt by being shown and asking questions. It is never too late to try something new, no matter what your age or sex. We all have the ability to learn a new skill. So do not feel stupid for asking questions, everyone has to start somewhere and the key is to just take the first step.
If you would like to learn how to install curtain rod brackets or grout tiles, please send me an email. Alternatively you can search Youtube and watch a video.
Have a safe and fun week everyone.