Wednesday, September 30, 2009

I've Been Served!

Remember how at last week's service auction I won a weeding (not wedding, which is what I originally typed) service? Well, Sara has already come and served me and now my front beds are weed free!

(She authorized this photo.)

She arrived at 9:20 Monday morning and stayed for 2 hours! Her little daughter Madison (who I used to babysit when she'd go to the temple) played happily the entire time.


Sara finished the big, main bed (which is all I expected her to do) and then moved on to the terrible bed that Randy and I choose not to see. It is full of grass and really dense weeds, plus the dirt is super hard so it's really, really difficult to weed. But Sara insisted on doing it and got half of it done Monday and then returned Tuesday morning to finish the other half--for a total of 3 hours of weeding! She even killed a huge black widow spider (ew...shivers!) that was climbing up the side of our porch (no doubt making her way into the house to kill me!).


I felt some guilt about this since I really hate weeding, but Sara assured me that this is what I bought from her and that she bought services from other people and will be cashing those in herself. I ended up doing a mini-clean up of the garage, and we were able to visit while she worked. At one point, I was sitting on the porch while she weeded and was hit with guilty feelings again, but they weren't strong enough to make me get down on my knees to weed!

It was such a boost to have that big job done before winter hits again. Maybe this time Randy and I will be motivated enough to amend the soil so that it will be decent for spring flowers. At any rate, we were very pleased with Sara's great service and love the service auction plan!

**How do you feel about weeding?
Would you have felt guilty letting her work?
Have you served anyone this week?**

Comment Window Tidbit: We're having our first fantastically fall-like weather today with a chilly temperature, wind and rain, it's glorious!

21 comments:

Nikki said...

That is amazing! It looks so great. What a hard worker she is. I would totally feel guilty too! I need to accomplish that around here if it will stop with the raining and cold winds! (We've had a week of it)

April said...

Wish I was having fall weather right now...

Anyway, I just logged on to comment that you always inspire me to serve. I just finished making up my General Conference baskets for the sisters I visit teach. It was your idea of course, and I just wanted you to know that I appreciate and admire the service you give! I think you are an amazing friend.

And I can't imagine a better service than having your weeds done!

Kelly said...

Your new header makes me crazy with fall envy. It's beautiful!

It's so nice of Sara to go the extra mile with her weeding service! Our ward did that a few years ago and I won haircuts for my girls. I felt so guilty for not paying her at the end, it nearly did me in! But, so nice.

emily said...

I love the fall banner!

I'll do most any inside job, but I hate any kind of yard work. I'm grateful for a little brother who's old enough to do all of our mowing at home.

And I also would have felt guilty. I get that way especially when my Grandma is over cleaning out our fridge or defrosting our freezer. I can't leave an 80+ year-old to tackle that alone!

Natasha said...

I would have felt guilty too - I'm like that - but at the same time tell myself that I shouldn't. This whole service auction thing is just fabulous!

Your new header pic - love it!

Kim Sue said...

love the header...i'm ready for fallness! we are actually getting some fall weather the last few days!
yeah for sharing service!

Lene said...

She did a great job. And I would have felt very guilty and would have had to go inside and read blogs to ease my guilt. :)

Melinda said...

Wow, she did a ton of work! That is a long time to be weeding. You should thrown down that black stuff and some rock or bark now so that in the sping you aren't haunted by the weeds again. Great service.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy weeding...this is exactly the service that I would offer for a service auction and have done for my neighbors when they are at work :)

I don't know about feeling guilty...I might have got down there and helped though. Is that insulting?

I have babysat like crazy this week, run errands for my mom and made dinner for a family. So my service bucket feels light now since I have dished so much out! That is the way it should be :)

Rebekah said...

That girl has some mad wicked skills! Man, that's impressive weeding.

Kristy said...

I hate weeding and I would total guilty having her weed my yard just like you!!!!!! I think I would have to leave while they were at my house! I have several areas that need attention but we are just to busy for yard work right now.

I served this week...sent my pkg to Alaska!

Sandy said...

Weeding, don't mind, just don't have time. Guilty, yes, I would have run away so I couldn't see her! Service, yes, visited a friend in the hospital twice, picked up mail and watered plants for my parents (does that count?)

PS...I love your new banner. Fall is my favorite season! Thanks for the beauty.

Esther said...

Love your new banner!

Living in Cali has its advantages but I do miss the change in seasons.

Robyn said...

Weeding is torture!! You really cashed in on that service thing. It looks great.

Barb said...

I think I could get over the guilt pretty quick looking at your beautiful cleaned up flower beds.

Bond Girl 007 said...

OHHHHHH WOW, what a great service you received. Don't feel guilty, that is part of the process accepting it, even if you payed for it. I feel like you are playing my mom's role lately. I have been helping her, but SHE HAS TURNED SUPER SUPER MICROMICROMICROMICRO MANAGER.....funny really, but in my 30ties, I would have said, Good grief, will see you...but somehow, i have stayed....and helped.....yes, I have served her well! this week!

jenn said...

HATE weeding. I wish I could organize consistent trades to do what I love for people who will do for me what I hate- like weeding!

Susan said...

I think I would ejoy weeding...unless I'll have a hard time squatting when I finally get to retire. I would like to like it!

I'm having 15 12-year old primary girls over for an "Anne of Green Gables" night tomorrow night, complete with caramel corn, regular corn, m&m's-plain and peanut, bean dip and chips. But, they are so darling, I would hardly call it service!!

Lauralee said...

that service auction sounds so cool, I have never been to something like that... very cool idea!

michelle said...

I enjoy weeding if it's in small bursts. 3 hours would do me in for sure! What a great service.

I do feel guilty watching someone work, but I have had to do it many many times, as you well know.

I would say the only people I have served this week are my children...

everything pink! said...

i love weeding actually as long as i have a good pair of gloves on.

again amazing and this kind of service seems rare in my neck of the woods.... i am sure i will get busted for that comment