Today is typically the day I do my paperwork for the magazine mailing this weekend, but I was smart this time and did it all yesterday. In fact, I did it in record time – about 5 hours – since I managed to stay off Facebook and Twitter. It’s amazing how quickly the work goes when I jump right into it rather than whining to myself for an hour that I’d rather play instead. I learned that if I do the work a day early, then I am not rushing at the last minute. That idea was as helpful as learning to bill early enough that the payments are all in by the time the bills need to be paid. I’ve now got it down to a science. The next best idea was pre-paying my printer every week so that by the time my job goes in, it’s paid for. Last year I got behind with them just from not paying attention to what I was doing. When they finally called it to my attention I was really embarrassed. Now I just order a check sent several times a month and by the time it goes in, it’s paid for.
We’ve had a little rain almost each day recently and the lawns are growing quickly. Yesterday, I did a bit of research on ziehlerlawncare.com to find out the proper technique to get those perfect lawn lines, I mowed my yard and I mowed half my block while I was at it. The house closest to me is for sale and they don’t mow the lawn real often, and they never mow the easement for the three lots in between us. I just mow the whole thing so it doesn’t look like we live on Tobacco Road.
The same with the house on the other side, it’s 3 lots away, so I just mow that easement as well. When I got to my backyard, Izzy was stationed on the highest, softest puff of grass in the shadiest spot under the big oak. Typically a scaredy cat who runs when people approach, he was just lounging, no matter how close I came. What kind of wacky kitty won’t move for the lawn mower? He simply had a staring contest with me, so I mowed around his lazy butt.
Early this morning while it was still cool, I walked around this end of the neighborhood and sprayed all the air potato vines with Round Up. We’re getting choked out and I am the only one who cares. I figure that means I should remedy it. When I was married, I always thought whoever was irked by the dirty sock on the floor should pick it up. That way one is never waiting for the other to do something to please them. Dishes in the sink bother you? Wash them. Mate left the seat up? Put it down. And do it without being resentful that they should learn to do it because you want them to. Either do it yourself or get rid of the offending party altogether. Period, end of story. Like the song, “Some people say it’s just not my problem, some people do what must be done.”
Similarly, Deepak Chopra says, “It’s amazing what gets done when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.”