Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

On Sunday I realized we had another snowstorm on the way but I was going to be far away on business all week.   I'm sure I could have gotten a neighbor to clear the driveway but my wife seemed to think she could handle the snowblower.    Except for the lawn tractor she has almost no experiance with OPE.  Even there she won't engage the mower.  

Anyway I gave her a quick course on operating the machine and had her clear a short path in the back yard as a final exam.  I gave her a C- and left on my trip still a little dubious.    

We ended up with a good 8" of heavy snow.   Well she reports the Briggs OHV pull started instantly.  She then took a little while to get the hang of it but got the driveway cleared fine even the dense EOD.  In fact she had a BALL and proceeded to clear the walk, the sidewalk in front of our house, and even the sidewalk of our neighbors who were away on vacation. I am impressed.      The bad news is that she wants to do it all the time now.      Anyone else have a story about training their spouse on OPE?   -Bob

This is how I got my wife to STOP mowing the lawn...Being anal as I am, I like having even straight lines left over from the mower,  well, mrs bbwb felt that a random pattern was better (maybe to her but not me) and I of course had to make a comment.  Well, you guessed it, she told me that was fine and that I will now do the lawn mowing from now on!  That was 9 years ago.  That was pre-personal pace mower time and now that I think back,maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.  Not so bad anymore. 

I think that she might have a ball with the snow blower, but I won't let her have a chance...I am sure that she would not like getting up at 5:30 to clear the drive.

bbwb

Well, heck, I can't believe I almost missed the fun!

As a formerly Mrs. but still female

I did most of the lawn mowing and shoveling (Geno, you thought you were behind the times...I  did dishes AND the driveway by hand! .) and I enjoyed it very much.  I loved my seat time on our Simplicity....nothing was better than feeling the warm sun, a nice breeze in my face, the smell of cut grass and seeing a newly trimmed lawn with all the flowers, shrubs and trees blooming.....contentment at its finest.  I also loved going out at 5:00 a.m. when neighbors were snowblowing, and shoveling my driveway.....something about shoveling in the dark with big snow flakes falling with only the sound of blowers and city plows that I actually looked forward to getting up for, though I have to admit I could have passed on the EOD.

So, guys....think twice before trying to get the Mrs. to do the lawn/snowblowing.....once she has tried it, you might have a fight on your hands trying to GET your hands on the OPE! 

Paula

Well I guess I should get in here too.  When I lived at home I did all the shoveling while my father did the plowing.  After I had the shoveling done - he'd plow a big wall of snow back for me to shovel through.

Now that I'm living with Chris - I can't take away his precious time with his snowblower.  It's something about seeing a guy out in the freezing cold and then coming in to get warmed up.  But I shovel here too.  The doorstep and that's about it.  But I get out and enjoy that time with him.

As for home - now when we get to work (they're in the same yard), Chris grabs a snowblower as Dad does the plowing and I just get to sit inside and wait for the phone to ring.

Sherri

well...

now that i know my place in the snowy world i will be able to perform up to folks expectations.

im so happy about that .

later chris