I rode the lawn mower

We have a lot of grass to mow at our house. I should probably rephrase that and say that Dave has a lot of grass to mow since I'm really not the mower of the family. I see the outside mowing as part of our magical house just as Dave sees that laundry is done magically. Poof - it's clean. Sooooo in keeping up with the magical house....poof - it's cut grass.
I found out two nights ago that it is not magically cut. Who knew???
Dave wasn't feeling very good and was going to mow the lawn because it was the only rain free day we've had since May. I may be exaggerating, but the monsoon season is upon us in western NY. He really wanted to take advantage of being home and no rain. I took my opportunity to be able to ride the lawn mower. (Secretly, I was very excited)

I should explain that I have never cut grass with a riding lawn mower because growing up, I was not allowed to. My sister took care of that the first time my dad had her mow the lawn. She ran into a tree and according to him, it took two weeks to fix. (Who's exaggerating now?) Sooo, being the princess that I claim to be, I didn't ever have to mow the lawn growing up - Thanks Lisa!!!

I have mowed the lawn with a push mower at our previous house in Spencerport. It was a quiet afternoon and Tatum was taking a nap. The grass was super long and Dave was away. I thought to myself, how hard can it be. You just turn it on and push it around the yard. It was decided, I was going to mow the lawn. I should mention that my backyard was a hill.

I went out to the shed, moved a bunch of stuff around and rolled the mower out onto the grass. Hmmm....what to do first? I had seen Dave pull the cord and the lawn mower starts. Easy enough. I pulled the cord and it made a noise, but didn't start. Maybe I should pull harder next time and I do and repeat about 5 more times. I'm starting to get concerned and think, maybe it's out of gas. I went into the shed, got the gas, and put some in. I pull the cord again---nothing. I'm thinking back to watching Dave and remember that he does something with the mini black bar part that hangs below the handle where you push. I think he pulls that up so I do and still nothing. I'm starting to sweat at this point and very frustrated. If Dave can do this, why can't I??? Grrrrr. I give up and go into the house to get some water.

I'm standing in the kitchen and decide that I have to beat the lawn mower in this game and go back out. I'm walking around it and walking around it and what do my eyes see? I big red button. What does that do? I push it twice and there is a smell gasoline in the air, and pull the cord. It sounded better that time and I know I'm getting close. This next time, I hold that little tiny bar up so it is with the handle, pull the cord and wouldn't you know that mower started. I was so excited and ready to mow. I let go of the little bar and grabbed just the handle and the thing shuts off. Grrrrr. This time I do all the things correctly and it starts and keeps going. I am sooo proud of myself and a little worried that the neighbors are staring out their windows laughing at the lady that doesn't know how to start a lawn mower. I did mow the whole lawn and push mowing on a hill is not a whole lot of fun, I decided.

Back to my original story, I get Dave to let me ride the lawn mower at our new house. He gets me all set, tells me about the 50+ levers that I have to move first, sets me in speed #4 and I'm off with a jolt. He's smiling kindly at me and I'm yelling that this thing is going too fast!!! Too Fast!!! I finally get in #3 with his help and I'm happily mowing along. I start just going where ever I feel like and see him kindly smiling like he has some helpful hint to share. He starts making gestures that figure 8's may not be the most effective way to mow the lawn. What does he know and I keep going. I mowed the front yard and right up near the road. I only had one casualty in the front and that was a small rose bush. Poor thing had no chance.

Then it was time for the back yard. I started out going around the whole outside and working my way in. None of those back and forth patterns for me. I hit the swing set and clunked my head on the bird feeder, but by golly, I mowed the lawn!!!!!! I am so very proud of myself and can't wait to do it again......just ask Dave how excited he is about it. I think I'm ready for lawn mower racing!!!