How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

Do You Know Your Power Tools?

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I am powerful. I am independent. I am going to get this backyard in tip top shape all by myself. I don’t need the help of no stinkin man.

Rake the lawn. Rake. Rake. Rake. huff huff

Bag the leaves. Bag.Bag.Bag! Get in there you stupid leaves!

Scoop the poop. Scoop. Scoop. Scoop. gag gag

Yank the weeds. Yank. Yank. Yank. Ouch my back. Ouch, my wee pathetic girly hands.

Into the Garage to get me a power tool to trim down those great big long ornamental grasses that frankly should have been hacked down last fall. Hmmm. This power tool looks like the one I need.

How do you turn this thing on. Press. Press. Spin. Poke. Pull? Nothing! Grr. Fine. He gets to cut the grasses when he gets home. I have done enough.

As I kick back with my tea mentally congratulating myself on a job well done I see Outdoor Hubby come out of the garage with this:

Huh? I was trying to start something totally different. Yep, I’m brilliant and was going to try and use a whipper snipper to cut down 6 foot tall ornamental grass. Which by the way requires an ELECTRICAL cord to be plugged into it before it works. Apparently it doesn’t run off some magic battery power!
Note to self…should have gone for the Hedge Trimmer.
Confessed my confusion to Outdoor Hubby…he thinks this is all kinds of funny.

Classic Blond Moment by the ModernMom.

    • Comments

    1. I’m impressed, I don’t think I’ve ever picked up a power tool, especially in relation to yard work (though my husband sure wishes I would, I’m sure). Good for you for even trying! Power tools are tricky. You should see the ridiculously sized instruction manual that came with the edger my husband got for Christmas! It’s the size of an encylopedia!

    2. I LOVE power tools but I’m not very good at using them. Hence the reason I stick to the ones requiring C batteries…

    4. For me, it’s not finding the right tool that’s the problem, it’s getting through that maze he calls a garage. I’m an orderly person. I need labels, crates, color codes and I’ll be just fine. I think he does it on purpose just to keep me out of there.

    5. Hi there, the first time I mowed the lawn I required assistance of my two (female) neighbours. In spite of that I managed to mow over the power cord and I’m really lucky to be alive!!! But I’m an expert now. Wish you well. Ciao. A.

    6. I used to have these neighbors where the wife was mrs. power tool – got a miter saw (drill?) for her birthday. Then her husband almost shot his finger off the one time he was entrusted with the power washer. I’m just saying it’s best to keep clear separation of powers 🙂

    7. Very funny…but really, you could have hurt yourself. That would have made this a totally different post. 🙂
      I get all the goods out of the garage to use…but I never, ever mess with anything that needs gas, oil or a plug. They scare the pooh out of me.
      Congrats on a good job.

    8. I could accept trying to do it with a strimmer but not knowing you needed to plug it in is a bit of a Blonde moment for sure!

      You could have done with your tree felling guy back to help!!!!

    12. Power tools scare me. They didn’t used to until I saw my finger coming dangerously close to the blade of the jig saw. My capacity to concentrate has diminished with the birth of each child. Maybe some day I can trust myself again. Until then, it’s his job.

      Kari B