I can’t just unwind the string so I’m going to have to remove the blades. I had already bought some new blades too so I guess this would be a good time to change them out since I have to take the blades off anyway.

Only thing is how to get to them since they are UNDER the mower.

Good thing we have some ramps from when Dick was doing some maintenance on our cars because this is the only way I can get to the blades.

(Phew, the lawn mower didn’t fall off the side of the ramp!

Kinda close though on the one side.)

Now that I can see under the mower, I discover I need a wrench set to take off the hex nut that is holding the blades in place. Unfortunatly, the wrench set is no where to be found.

RIGHTY TIGHTY, LEFT LOOSEY

This adjustable wrench (I’m guessing that’s what it’s called.) is going to have to do it.

So I’m on on the ground, getting dirty, trying to unscrew this NUT. Confused, because although I understands RIGHTY TIGHTLY LEFTY LOOSEY, this depends on your position with relation to the NUT (looking down the face of the blades or from standing over the top of it).

Because I can’t remember the rule for that, I turn the wrench LEFT with all my might. It doesn’t move. Then I turn it RIGHT with all my might. It still doesn’t move. Ugh. THWARTED AGAIN. What if I tightened it instead of loosening it when I turned it left?

This is the part where quitting and making my husband solve this issue for me would be the standard protocol. However, I know that if I did wait for him to do it, it’ll be a few more days if not week before DICK would actually get to it.

Sorry, no can do. Yard MUST be cut TODAY. Being the do-it-yourselfer that I am and utilizing what little resources I have left, I turn to my neighbor, Ozzy. Ozzy is an Engineer so I know he knows this. I’m an Engineer too but I’ve converted…to ARTism. I’ve lost some of my Engineering smarts.

THE RULE OF ROTATION

Ozzy tells me the rule is, you should be looking down, through the head of the nut (or bolt or screw) and then use the LEFT/RIGHT rules to tighten and loosen. He comes over to assist me because I am lacking the amount of muscle it requires to loosen the NUTS. He also helps me to find the proper tool to take this nut off.

Ozzy removes the blades and string for me and then suggests that I use a GRINDING WHEEL to sharpen my blades instead of putting the new ones on there. I don’t have one so Ozzy lets me use his.

SHARPENING BLADES WITH A GRINDING WHEEL

Talk about DULL! I can’t believe the mower cut any grass at all!

And although they are BLUNT as hell, I  still have enough life on them that I can sharpen them.

No wonder all the grass remnants were getting clumped up around my mower.

Ozzy shows me how to use his grinding wheel that’s in his garage.

It’s actually not that difficult.

(Big thanks to Sharon, Ozzy’s wife, for taking this picture above and below of me learning a new skill, BLADE SHARPENING.)

Seeing sparks fly would probably deter some people but I know they don’t really hurt.

They PRICK and ANNOY but don’t hurt.

It looks a little rough but it’s SHARP and will definitely do the job.

After I finish sharpening three blades, Ozzy graciously puts them back on for me and I’m BACK IN BUSINESS.

Do I have FABULOUS NEIGHBORS or what? Thanks guys!!!

Cutting the grass is SO NICE now. It chops up the the grass so finely and doesn’t get all CLUMPED UP like it was doing.

Oh yeah! Done! Finally!

Yes, it’s these simple things in life that bring me the most JOY.

-Jane, Obsessive Lawn Girl

It’s spring and since it’s still somewhat nice outside and not too hot, I like to do some work around the house.

Not only did the back porch need some lovin’, the front porch does too!

See where I went pressure-washer crazy?

So, I clear out the front porch and get to work.

This area gets super slick when it’s wet and rains. BUSTING your ass on this concrete is not fun. Just ask the kids. LOL. I’ve come close though…it’s like trying to balance on one foot while skating. Arms are flailing!

So, I opt to get this NON-SLICK concrete paint. It’s gritty and thick.

BEFORE

Wow, this area needs it bad!! This is where everyone usually slips.

I start at the opposite end so that I can make my way towards my front door.

AFTER

It only took about 30 minutes to paint this so I’m THRILLED!

I didn’t realize the paint would dry with the strokes. Oh well. Too late now.

It also dries feeling like sandpaper…so NO SLIPPING!

Not sure how long this will last before it starts to get stained again but, whatever, it’s BEAUTIFUL  now.

-Jane, Paint-a-holic

I haven’t painted it in a few years and it’s  been worn by the weather.

I like the DISTRESSED look but I also don’t want my railing to rot.

So, it’s time for a new coat of paint.

Whenever I paint, the girls always love to help.

Lookin’ a little too fabulous to paint, no?

The future’s so bright, I gotta wear my shades.

Eagerness to assist subsides and after I help them finish one side, they had enough and headed off to play on our dead tree that I have not had removed yet. I’m left to finish the rest on my own. What else is new?

Painting fencing is not easy. Too much surface area…there are too many faces of the railing to paint. Look at how dirty my man-hands are. I think man-hands and veins are a sign of a hard worker. I need a mani-pedi BAD!!!

BEFORE AND AFTERS

You know how much this Jane loves BEFORE and AFTERs.

It’s so fun to take something old and making it look new again.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Mr. Miagi would be proud.

Yes, I’m pretty pleased with the result.

Except, the girls tried to move my concrete planter and scratched the porch.

Hopefully, some water will just wash that off.

-Jane, Painting Fein.

I outline the edges with a thin brush.

No, I’m not trying to be artsy. The reason for the squigly lines is that the paint drips so I have to follow it with my brush.

Like in life, not every thing seems always perfect at first.

But, you just have to go with the flow.

Then come back to it and fix what you can.

You will make mistakes.

And if you give it your best, everything will turn out fine in the end.

Not bad ey? (I picked up the Canadian “ey” while living in Toronto.)

Now instead of looking like a white eyesore, it looks more like an industrial screen.

Love it!

Plus, the kids can do murals here.

Oh, and I can keep scores for Ping Pong!

-Jane. Lover of Chalkboard Paint.

]]> http://janeanddick.com/do-it-yourself/jane-uses-the-rest-of-the-chalkboard-paint-on-the-garage-door/feed/ 3 http://janeanddick.com/quotes/lets-plant-some-flowers-and-drink-some-wine/ http://janeanddick.com/quotes/lets-plant-some-flowers-and-drink-some-wine/#comments Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:35:17 +0000 Jane http://janeanddick.com/?p=10213 Besides using the chalkboard paint in the girls room, I also used it on our pantry door…an ugly white eyesore.

Originally when I thought to use the chalkboard paint, it was intended for this door.

I wanted to be able to write grocery lists, our favorite wines list, maybe even homeschool while I’m cooking, writing down notes so I won’t forget, etc., etc., etc.

Dick adds a Persian Poem that I find very fitting and LOVE…

Let’s plant some flowers and drink some wine…

My sentiments EXACTLY!

LOVELY and PERFECT for SPRING.

-Jane, Lover of Spring.

I’ve been asking Dick for a couple of weeks now to do the routine maintenance on my riding lawn mower so that I can cut my grass. Similar to cars, lawn mowers require maintenance too.

After waiting and waiting and waiting for Dick to do it, I decided to just SUCK IT UP, GET DIRTY and DO THE DANG JOB MYSELF!

It’s the only way I’m going get my grass cut before it comes up to my knees! Anyway, this is probably Dick’s master plan anyway…wait long enough and I’ll just get sick of waiting and do it myself.

LEARNING FROM THE EXPERTS AND SHOPPING FOR PARTS

I go to Lowe’s, where I bought my Husquevarna 48″ Mulching Riding Lawn Mower, to get the parts I need to do the tune-up.

While I’m picking the brains of the experts who work there on how to do some of this maintenance, the girls are having a good time playing with the lawn mowers.

I used to love pretending I was driving those things when I was a kid too but the excitement lasts for only so long.

The people who work at Lowe’s and Home Depot are a wealth of information. I’ve learned so much on how to do things myself from them! All you have to do is ask! (Best when they’re not busy.)

The gentleman that helped me was the same person who sold me my lawn mower and is a super expert on them. He shows me where everything is and how I remove parts and change them out. AWESOME!

WHAT’S INVOLVED IN A TUNE-UP

So, what’s involve in a tune-up? I’m changing the oil, draining the old gas, changing spark plugs, air filter, and gas filter.

DRAINING & CHANGING THE OIL

You need an oil pan for this so that you have something to catch all the crap that you will then need to properly dispose of.

Now that green screw in the middle must be UP otherwise you will have oil overflowing and it’s NOT pretty!

So, you’re supposed to pull out that cylindrical thing, put a tube on it, and then turn it and then oil should start to drain out. I would have loved to have avoided all the crap oil spewing down the side of my mower but I didn’t have THE TUBE, so I had to find a smaller container to catch the oil to be later transferred to my oil pan.

When your oil is all drained, pour the proper kind and amount required of new engine oil for your mower. It goes right back in where the DIP STICK is.

I wonder how this became an insult…DIP STICK. He’s such a dip stick. I don’t get it.

DRAINING THE FUEL AND CHANGING THE FILTER

I think water may have gotten in my gas tank because my cover had somehow blown completely off. Moisture in your gas will totally lock up your Engine and I’m in NO MOOD to send it off the the repair shop, which costs $$$ and takes about 3 weeks! I’ve had this happen before so this time, I’m playing it safe…I’m draining all the gas I left in the mower thru winter.

Since I have to change out the FUEL FILTER anyway, this is a great time to drain it. The fuel filter is attached with these clamps that require some pliers. I can’t find one since Dick took most of our tools out of town so I remember I have my HANDY DANDY LEATHERMAN!

Every woman should have one of these in her purse! The LEATHERMAN is kind of like a HARD-CORE SWISS ARMY KNIFE.

Once I pull those clamps back, I should be able to just detach the tubes.

Have your bucket ready because the gas will start coming!

Once it’s drained, you just replace it with the new filter. So easy! Dirty, but easy.

I’m not sure why this one is smaller but that’s what the dude gave me and it fits.

AIR FILTER

This one is so easy. Just find it and replace it.

That pad gets replaced too.

SPARK PLUGS

Changing SPARK PLUGS sounds like a major job but it’s super easy! (Even on a car it’s not that hard.)

Basically, your spark plug is screwed into the socket where it sits covered by a rubber hosed cap.

Pull off the cap and use a spark plug wrench to unscrew it.

Similar to a tire iron, you’re going to use leverage to start and then loosen the lug nuts.

RIGHT TIGHTLY LEFTY LUCIE.

Remember?

Once it’s loose, it’s just a matter of unscrewing the old one and putting in the new one.

MAINTENANCE DONE

I usually hate doing jobs like these because you get extremely FILTY (totally understandable why mechanics have permanent black fingers).

But, I am so proud of myself for doing this tune-up MYSELF! Yes ladies, don’t wait for your hubby, just get dirty and do it yourself. You’ll feel so good about yourself after you do!

Alright then! All done with maintenance…or so I thought! When I go to crank up my lawn mower, it’ coughs like it wants to start but dies. Dayum! I think we have a battery issue.

All that work and now my mower won’t start.

F#$%ing S#%@ !!!!!

Don’t you hate it when you’re ready to start something, especially after you’ve done all the prep work, only to find that you CAN’T?!??!?! Arghhh!!

To Be Continued…

-Jane: Lawn Mower Maintenance Gal

This was two years ago.

Girlfriend is SUPER-FIERCE with her HAWK. I wish I could rock a HAWK but this Jane’s head is too big for that. Dick would agree, I’m sure.

However, it’s still too cold now and I want to wait. No, she’s determined, so we decide to go short but not that short…for now anyway.

Thelma had found a picture of a short hairstyle she likes and I love it! However, this Jane is NO PROFESSIONAL so I’m weary of how it would turn out with Mom Mommy cutting her hair for her. I have NO IDEA how to cut this hairstyle! It is possible to get it to look similar.

After two weeks of having Thelma mention it to me daily, mulling it over and delaying for as long as I could…I decide that today would be the day.

JANE, NON – PROFFESSIONAL HAIR STYLIST

We’re at my mom’s so all I have are these scissors (which are actually professional-grade) and this comb.

Actually, even if we were’t at my parents, I’m pretty sure this is all I would be using.

After Thelma gets out of the shower, we get started.

BEFORE

DURING

The back.

I cut it a bit too short. Like I said, NOT a professional.

AFTER

It doesn’t look exactly like the picture but does it ever?

One must make adjustments for the person who will be donning the hairstyle.

Plus, it’s going to be a little flatter since we’re not using gel or spray.

I think I did a decent job. Of course, if a PROFESSIONAL did have a good look at it, they’d be like WTF?!?! There is totally no rhyme or reason as to how I cut it and I’m sure it’s uneven in every single way. I fear that if they wind blows it the wrong way, it’s going to just look like a slobbering mess. Let’s hope not.

No matter, my client LOVES it and that’s ALL THAT MATTERS!

-Jane, Non-Professional Haircutter

I know it’s drawn out to a few days but that’s just how these things go. Decorating or redecorating, takes time.

THELMA & LOUISE’S ROOM

The girls share a queen platform bed that I pushed up to the wall to make it more “loungy”. It also makes the room look more spacious.

We had a comforter that actually goes with the decor so I’m super excited about this. This makes my project even less costly than I thought!

I also had found two of their dresses that I thought looked good on the walls but, after I added the custom designs on the walls…I found it be too much, so I removed them.

BEFORE

AFTER

Much better.

I’m sorry the green always looks different. It constantly changes in my house too! So weird. Warmer and more yellowy in the day, and more cold, techno green in the evening. And then changes every color in between if it’s sunny or cloudy outside.

I am LOVING their room. I love it more than my room now. My room is SO BLAH but repainting that one is not easy. The furniture is too heavy for me to move around by myself so I’m less motivated to start that project.

I think I’m going to move into this room instead. Every time I walk by it, I just have to look in and smile. I LOVE LVOE LOVE it! Makes me all giddy inside.

Dick likes it as well and agrees that our room is so drab and boring now. Well, do I hear someone volunteering to HELP me???

EXPENSES

So, basically, besides all the hours of work I put into it, cost wise, here’s roughly what I spent:

TOTAL $145!!

Not bad for a new room.

You know, when you do something yourself, you love it THAT MUCH MORE!

That’s why I love my house so much!!

-Jane, Girls Room Redecorator.

]]> http://janeanddick.com/artsy-fartsy/finally-the-finished-painted-techno-colored-girls-room/feed/ 3 http://janeanddick.com/do-it-yourself/recycling-things-i-already-have-to-accessorize-the-room/ http://janeanddick.com/do-it-yourself/recycling-things-i-already-have-to-accessorize-the-room/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:08:12 +0000 Jane http://janeanddick.com/?p=9513 Most of the stuff I’m using to accessorize  is stuff I already have. Like on some of those decorating shows on HGTV (I love those!) I decide to use stuff that is around my house because I have plenty.

You remember I painted the tray. The picture is of Dick’s late Grandmother. The candles came from my office where Dick had kicked out my nice decorations with his cluttered CDs. (Click HERE to be reminded of the chaos.)

The glass blown purse was in my bathroom.

The cherry blossom came from my mom’s house.

She has plenty of stuff so I relieve her of some of it.

I love CHERRY BLOSSOMS!!

The vase I already had and the tray is other one that I just painted.

The crystal looking, green plastic pieces I bought at Walmart for $3.

DECORATIVE CUSTOM PILLOWS

I decide that it would be too expensive and difficult to find throw pillows to match the room so I head to JoAnn’s to see what I can find.

I find this silken fabric that is just BEAUTIFUL and even has some cherry blossoms on it!

(And it’s on sale…30% off!!!)

I solicit my mom to sew me some simple pillows. Of course, I want them NOW so I can see how they fit in the room. My mom only had time to do the magenta and blue ones and because she’s doing me a favor, I can’t exactly crack the whip to get them all done. I’m at Fanny Mae’s mercy.

Thanks Mom, the pillows look awesome. Love you!!

PARTIALLY FINISHED

So, here’s a sneak peak of the partially finished room.

This Jane is LOVING how the room turned out.

Still a WORK IN PROGRESS and waiting on my GREEN PILLOWS, need to add  some last finishing touches, and then there’s the CLOSET!!

Spring cleaning is definitely in order here. We need to sort through all the clothes the girls have and get rid of all the ones they don’t fit.

-Jane, Do-it-Yourself Decorator

]]> http://janeanddick.com/do-it-yourself/recycling-things-i-already-have-to-accessorize-the-room/feed/ 0 http://janeanddick.com/do-it-yourself/introducing-color-3-i-stray-from-the-brochure-and-go-hot/ http://janeanddick.com/do-it-yourself/introducing-color-3-i-stray-from-the-brochure-and-go-hot/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:31:14 +0000 Jane http://janeanddick.com/?p=9444 After painting first two colors (Hep Green and Reflecting Pool), I notice that the colors on my walls are turning out darker than the ones in the brochure. However, I’m still DETERMINED to pull this room together and make it FABULOUS for my girls.

The girl’s room is low lit so that’s why the colors are coming out darker on my walls. This is why I take it step by step. You have to make decisions that change according to your circumstances. You cannot predict these things…especially if you do it the way I do it….which is to WING IT!

GOING LIGHT PINK. STILL HOPEFUL.

I decide to go light for the third color given the dark lighting circumstances.

The RUBY SHADE was too purple and I feared it would come off extremely dark. The ZANY PINK is also a bit dark with a tinge of yellow so with my tungsten lighting, it would surely come out looking like a Salmon Pink…which would make me reconsider the whole TECHNO color thing and do something drastic.

I go with this light pink called HOPEFUL. So fitting…

NOT!!

HOPEFUL turned out to be the most DREADFUL color. I was so disgusted by it I immediately ran back to the Sherwin Williams hoping they can just add some color and fix it. I felt super stupid because the guy working there was just telling me how they won’t let you come back and be like, it was the wrong color. You have to pay for another thing of paint. And look who’s back after only 15 minutes.

I found a color I like, named HOT. I ask the guy if he would be able to just add some color to the HOPEFUL pink and turn it into the HOT pink. He tells me it’s impossible because the base on the HOPEFUL is a white base and the base on the HOT is a dark base. Great.

I ask him to do the best he can to change it. After 4 times, the color changed from the lower right hand corner sample, going counter clockwise, getting gradually darker, and ending up with the lower left hand color. Shit. That ain’t gonna do it. Ok fine! I’ll buy another quart! I get the HOT pink.

You would think I would learn the second time and not just wing it on the color but I am now beyond HOPEFUL, I’m HOT. I run home to try my new color.

ACCESSORIZING: THE TRAYS

Because this third color is there for accents, I decide to paint the coat-hanger shelf thing with my new HOT color. In my excitement to see if I have found my answer to this design project that I’ve taken on, I forgot to take before pics. Here’s the after:

Yes, I think it’s a winner!

I paint an old red tray that I have from buying something at Armani with the same HOT color.

OMG, looks so great against the blue.

Some more accesories…

THE LAMP

The girls already had a lamp in their room that was actually, very similar to that purple RUBY SHADE from the brochure but now that I changed it to HOT, we make the lamp HOT.

I must say I really like the HOT pink color. It’s a very nice magenta with a HOT twist. Love it.

-Jane, Fan of HOT pink.

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