Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[ChristineR]

Argh.... that just hurts! And now I'm going to get on my soap box.... sorry.
We ALL can use a skill saw safely and competently (unless there is some debilitating issue)! My DH would love to wrap me in cotton and tell me I can't lift, pull, dig, hammer, saw, drill, or walk across the room all by my little helpless self! And it makes my blood boil! As long as you pay attention and use a lot of good sense when it comes to using the tools safely you can use them as well or better than anyone else! If you want to feel helpless for the rest of your life then fine. If you want to feel capable and self reliant then get out there and learn to do everything you can. Go to a class or just find a person with a really good track record of using power tools safely and get them to show you the ropes. If you can safely use a hot stove and sharp knives with kids all around then obviously you know there are hazards to be mindful of. Same thing with power tools. You just need to know what hazards to be mindful of, it's not rocket science.... want proof.... how bright are all those guys building houses and such. They don't get hired because they have a high IQ, they get hired because they know how to use the tools. It's doesn't take muscles either, it takes attention to detail and a little training. Fathers teach their sons, so they can teach their sisters, wives, and daughters, too. They have (or used to have) wood shop classes in Jr. High. Tell me you are LESS capable than a 12 year old! That is unless they are lousy teachers which some people are, sex isn't a factor there. Just Do It, you'll be glad you did!

I apologize to anyone that may take offense by this, but I've had to deal with the "Weaker Sex" issue WAY too many times in my life. Thank goodness it's not a belief that is held by ALL, but definitely by too many, men and women alike. I am not a male basher. I want EVERYONE to break down the gender boundaries that keep us all so limited in so many useless ways.

Ok, I'm done. I've said my piece.

I wish my husband wanted to wrap me in cotton. Anytime I ask him to do something for me, he uses the old "if you can lift and stack those heavy hay bales for your horses, you can do that yourself" line. It's so annoying. I'm very handy. I tore out and installed our front door myself (because my husband wouldn't), I can change my own oil and tire, use tools, etc (mostly because I hung out with my dad in the garage a lot - he got me my own little real hammer to use when I was very little)., but sometimes I just want someone who is stronger to do it!

I am a strong capable woman LOL. But I have hurt myself moving rocks and shoveling dirt that I shouldn't have, I haven't been able to use my left arm for much since November. There isn't anything wrong with me using my husband's muscles to my advantage It's dumb for him to go to the gym and lift weights but then not use his muscles for actual productive activities, like helping his wife. He's not here just to look pretty.

That's my issue - just because it is possible for me to do something, doesn't mean that it wouldn't be a lot easier and faster for my husband to do it! I've hurt my back so many times lifting something that is too heavy for me, but it needed to be done.

Well, there are some people - I won't mention names - who are a disaster waiting to happen. Cutco knives caused some major bleeding episodes with this person.

She has been known to hammer her own fingers instead of the board like she should.

The list goes on.

Let's just say she super appreciates her husband who is competent and efficient.

No blood, bruises, or smashed fingers from that man.

And, yes, I hear you there. I get so easily distracted (ADD), I'm afraid I won't pay enough attention with the chain saw and will end up cutting off a body part.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote: My ex had to have some fingertips sewn back on.

 

[CarolynF]

I wish my husband wanted to wrap me in cotton. Anytime I ask him to do something for me, he uses the old "if you can lift and stack those heavy hay bales for your horses, you can do that yourself" line. It's so annoying. I'm very handy. I tore out and installed our front door myself (because my husband wouldn't), I can change my own oil and tire, use tools, etc (mostly because I hung out with my dad in the garage a lot - he got me my own little real hammer to use when I was very little)., but sometimes I just want someone who is stronger to do it!


That's my issue - just because it is possible for me to do something, doesn't mean that it wouldn't be a lot easier and faster for my husband to do it! I've hurt my back so many times lifting something that is too heavy for me, but it needed to be done.


And, yes, I hear you there. I get so easily distracted (ADD), I'm afraid I won't pay enough attention with the chain saw and will end up cutting off a body part.

Okay, let's take yours and mine and toss them into the blender for a bit and see if we can get the best of both worlds!

By the way... after re-reading my post I realize it sounded like I was yelling at Sara and I want to apologize. I meant the "you" to be the editorial "you".

And I should add, I don't mind at all having someone else to the heavy stuff. I just don't like being told I can't do something simply because I'm female. My dad was sort of odd in what he taught me. I had to learn to drive a stick before I was allowed to drive an automatic or get a license. I had to work alongside him when he repaired the car. I had to learn to change the oil and a flat. But other things were forbidden because I was "just" a girl. Hey Ladies.... do you remember when the Help Wanted ads were divided into 2 sections, men & women? I NEVER saw a job listed in the women's section that paid more than a keypunch operator in 1969! I was trying to decide what field to enter before I graduated high school. I wanted the highest paying job I could find so I scoured those ads a lot. Of course they didn't advertise for lawyers or doctors, but that wasn't on the menu for me anyway. I fooled them! I found out that keypunch operators had SOMETHING to do with computers and decided to study computers. To heck with the want ads!

 

[HoneysuckleHills]

I'm quite competent with tools, no offense taken. There actually hasn't been an occasion when I needed to use the table saw when he wasn't available or also working on the project with me, so we used it together, so it hasn't been an issue. The topic came up with him because I have been obsessing about building a shed/coop and asking him questions like "Would I be able to cut large pieces for a coop by myself on the table saw", and his response was that he would rather I didn't do it by myself. It's not like he forbid me to use it or anything The first time I use it I would prefer that he be there, but I'm sure I could learn to do it myself. I hate using the jig saw, it's so bleeping slow.

I am a strong capable woman LOL. But I have hurt myself moving rocks and shoveling dirt that I shouldn't have, I haven't been able to use my left arm for much since November. There isn't anything wrong with me using my husband's muscles to my advantage It's dumb for him to go to the gym and lift weights but then not use his muscles for actual productive activities, like helping his wife. He's not here just to look pretty.

Well, I've seen him and he is really quite handsome....

Seriously, thanks Sara. Appreciate the link. Looks like your model has great reviews! My dad's a retired contractor so I usually borrow his tools. Being the great dad he is, he brings them to me and then takes just "a quick look" and next thing I know, my project's done! I think I'll by the drill set and a miter saw.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

Do any of you use vitamin supplements besides what's in the feed? Do you give a special diet to birds you're breeding or showing?

I think the best way to get vitamins is to let the chickens (and ducks) free range for at least a half hour a day in the yard. They get bugs and eat grass/weeds. Also they fertilize the yard while they eat

 

[Hinotori]

Quote: I'm quite competent with tools, no offense taken. There actually hasn't been an occasion when I needed to use the table saw when he wasn't available or also working on the project with me, so we used it together, so it hasn't been an issue. The topic came up with him because I have been obsessing about building a shed/coop and asking him questions like "Would I be able to cut large pieces for a coop by myself on the table saw", and his response was that he would rather I didn't do it by myself. It's not like he forbid me to use it or anything The first time I use it I would prefer that he be there, but I'm sure I could learn to do it myself. I hate using the jig saw, it's so bleeping slow.

I am a strong capable woman LOL. But I have hurt myself moving rocks and shoveling dirt that I shouldn't have, I haven't been able to use my left arm for much since November. There isn't anything wrong with me using my husband's muscles to my advantage It's dumb for him to go to the gym and lift weights but then not use his muscles for actual productive activities, like helping his wife. He's not here just to look pretty.

What I think is hilarious is that Mom uses every type of electric saw without issue, but she's afraid of the Dremel.

I've used about everything. I was an aviation structural mechanic in the Navy. Did metal, not wood stuff then, but I've done plenty before and after. Lots of plastic doing costume when my friends and I did cosplay competitions. I can turn plastic garbage cans and plexiglass into armor.

Worst "women are helpless" issue I had was when I was rebuilding the upper engine in my old car. Told the guy at Pepboys that I needed head gaskets for a specific 6 cylinder engine and he completely ignored me and kept telling me no, I needed these others for the 4 cylinder version of my car. Totally ignored me the three times I kept telling him I know what is in my car. I walked out after that. I wouldn't go in that store without a guy friend after that.

My DH will help me out with most anything I ask. He's much quicker on cutting than I am with the hand saw. I think he just likes using the tools. I can be a klutz sometimes so I don't use the chainsaw. DH enjoys using that.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

I have a rooster and some cockerels to get rid of. Anyone want them? I can't process them, but someone else is welcome to. If no one wants them, is someone in the north end up to a road trip to Monroe to get rid of them? We only have one car now, and Mr. Hallerlake seems to think using it for business is more important. Can you imagine?

I'll pay for gas.

What breed or roosters? My parents are complaining about my rooster I gave them. he's a cute lil **** head. He attacked my 2 year old nephew and my brother, and my dog. Some reason they think it's an issue. I don't get it I walk up and pick him up and he purrs.
So I'm considering finding a easter egger rooster to put in there that is child friendly (if there is such thing)

 

[hallerlake]

Quote: Mine free range most of the day, but I keep reading folks who give them 24% protein food....

 

[hallerlake]

Quote: I have a couple of Silver Spitzhauben cockerels and a Brabanter/Spitz rooster. I wouldn't tolerate an aggressive rooster. None of mine are.
I'm the alpha chicken in this yard.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

Mine free range most of the day, but I keep reading folks who give them 24% protein food....

I honestly do not know what % of protein my chickens get. I feed "all stock" mixed with layer pellets, black sunflower seed, millet, split pea (yellow and green), and right now mixing whole corn in that as well. Then i feed my dogs raw meat and occasionally the hens will gang up on a dog and take their food. It's so funny to see the look on my dogs faces like "they took my food again go get it for me"