#btw I traced the fencing bag
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srenorsomethin9 · 1 year ago
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I just finished making Starlight's Step 2 Bio! This girl's trying to keep it together while dealing with her own shit lol.
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I'm just gonna dump some info about her about her:
She took fencing as her after school activities cuz it looked cool (I dunno if like that even exists in Golden Grove but let me dream lol)
She dyed her hair the same color as her mom's so that it'd be easier to tell she's her child (it got annoying having to deal with people saying she doesn't look like her mom)
She modernized her outfits abit because people kept telling her that she dresses like a person in the 1900s
She's taller than most teens her age & gets mistaken for one of the upperclassmen
She started walking instead of riding her bike in between Steps 1 & 2 because her bike wouldn't be able to carry her fencing equipment
Despite her crush on Qiu, she gets nervous around them because of their cold personality
She realized she had a crush on Tamarack around Step 2 (Asteria already had a crush on Tamarack all the way back in Step 1 but she wasn't sure if it was one since the concept of having a crush with the same gender was new to her)
Fuckin people pleaser lol
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sophswritingthings · 1 year ago
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I HAVE AN IDEAAAAAAAAA!
(btw, if you wanna do this one more than my other request PLEASE DO)
highschool au mizu x reader. acidemic rivals.
mizu is literally readers worst enemy when it comes to tests and work, and the two are constantly fighting over who got a better grade
sometime after, reader starts getting unsigned love notes in their locker. they can’t recognize the handwriting as anyone they know
like a month after the notes appear, the writer asks the reader to meet them at a park
they do, and the writer was mizu (how funny) and they make up and confess
😋
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pairing: high school au!mizu x fem!reader
warning(s): swearing, mizu being a lil shit
a/n: I LOVE THIS. she 100% would be like “bitch I will cut you” because she also does their fencing club and and,,,,
summary: after a while of bickering and fighting with your little rival, you start getting unsigned love notes in your locker.
word count: 823 words / 4,524 characters
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“oh, for gods sake, mizu!” you roll your eyes, folding your arms across your chest. “I’ve definitely got the better grade. you may have one our last little “battle” but I will win this war of ours.”
you snicker, gazing at her from your desk.
“I don’t happen to agree, (y/n),” she gathered herself to her feet. “I have fencing practice today and don’t have time to argue about this right about now. later, maybe?”
you laugh, grabbing your bag and slinging it over your shoulder.
“yeah, yeah. go do your little fighting thing, or whatever you do. I have debate, anyway,” you hiss, strutting out of the room on your high horse.
she watched as you went. she watched as you strutted away in your schools uniform; a sight that made her head race with thoughts she didn’t think she shouldn’t be thinking.
you were headed to your locker, grabbing out your books and bag. you stuff all your items in your bag. 
but not before you noticed a note, stuffed in the back of your locker.
your eyes trace it, for a moment, a light pink piece of lined paper. you grab the paper, beginning to read what the note says.
an excerpt, of your favorite poem.. written and unsigned.
the words make you blush a little bit—someone, leaving such a thoughtful and loving excerpt of your favorite poem.
who in hell would be leaving you a love-note in your locker?
it wasn’t handwriting you could recognize.
a month after you found the first note, you would find another one each day. another excerpt of a poem you loved. and it got more… romantic, everyday you found another one.
and of course, you arguing with mizu never stopped. over test grades, group projects, presentations. you know, the usual.
but you didn’t really pay attention to it much, anymore. you were a bit distracted by the little love notes in your locker.
somebody was interested in you; mizu didn’t have that, and you did. why fight with someone who didn’t like you, when you could use your smarts to find out who did like you?
when you arrived at your locker again, you smiled bright as you saw another piece of paper.
you grabbed it.
but this time, there was no poem.
the same handwriting, but this time it read that the writer wanted you to meet them at the park—a park that bloomed with beautiful flowers.
and it happened to be just around the corner of the school.
you grabbed your stuff, rushing out of the building and to the park. your eyes saw a shadow, hidden behind a small tree. a shadow who looked.. strangely familiar..
you approached slowly, clearing your throat to catch their attention.
and there she was. mizu, standing with a fencing sword attached to her hip.
you blushed a little, your eyes widening.
oh.. my fucking god. 
mizu. mizu had been leaving you love notes in your locker for the past month. 
everything clicked for you. how she knew your favorite poems, exactly which excerpts to pick.
if you were being honest—mizu knew more about you than anyone you had ever known. even if you did fight so much.
and it was evident that she cared. evident that she liked you enough to do all this for you.
you smiled softly, “um.. hi.”
“hi,” she choked out. “this has gotta be weird for you. hasn’t it?”
“a little,” you chuckle, “but I can’t say I’m… disappointed, in a way?”
her blue eyes widen, “your not?”
“no,” you take a few steps toward her, “I just.. wasn’t expecting it.”
“neither—hah, neither was I,” she whispers. “but it was a pleasant surprise, I won’t say it wasn’t,” mizu takes in a sharp breath. “I’m sorry for all the things I’ve said, I have to say that. I’ve never been one to deal with feelings properly, and I think it came out as jealousy and anger.”
you nod, taking another pace toward her. 
“I understand that,” you murmur. “I’m sorry, too. I did the same things to you. it couldn’t.. have felt good.”
“no—it didn’t, but it couldn’t have felt good on your end, either, being treated like that.” she reached out for your hand, rubbing her thumb over your knuckles.
“y-yeah,” your voice choked out, clearing your throat again. the sudden touch made your heart pound. 
“I like you,” she whispered, practically into your ear. she was so, so close to you. “I really do.”
you nod slowly, taking in her words. 
“I.. like you too.”
you murmur, your lips inches from hers.
she takes the initiative to close the gap, her lips pressing against yours. she holds your chin in between her fingers gently, the other hand grasping your hand.
you hum softly, pushing yourself up onto your tip-toes to get a better vantage point.
“short,” she chuckled, her forehead still pressed against yours.
“oh, shut up.”
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a/n: combined your asks!
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castlxs · 8 years ago
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freak like me | min yoongi
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Summary: She was the girl in class nobody knew, at least, that what she thought. She wanted to leave, to leave the darkness that engulfed her mind, the home that could kill a girl. Min Yoongi was her muse, and that hot of a minute, she needed his entire being. But then, her muse came to her and said the words she’s always wanted to hear: “Come to California, baby. Get me what I want.”
Word Count: 2k 
Pairing: Yoongi x Reader 
Y/N. Her name rolled out of the mouth of people in her neighborhood. The one girl that sits in the back of the class with a sketchbook and draws her thoughts. She would always watch from afar, never wanting to interrupt her or anyone else’s train of thought. She stared at her book, scribbling down a short note,
‘Love is not fair, hell, life’s not fair.’
She bit her lip, scared and happy with myself. She glanced up, only to find nobody watching me. Some days she wanted to jump out the two story window, and other days, she wanted guys to fall for shyness and wittiness. Not that the need to someone to be bowing at her feet, just someone to actually look at her, all of her for once. Her mind was then brought back when the bell had rang, jogging quietly, quickly, steady not to bump into anyone. But sadly, her feet caught her in a moment and she fell face first, poor girl’s breath hitching; realization hit her when she heard laughter erupt through her ear drums, slowly. Her eyes teared up, jumping to her feet and leaping away. But what she didn’t see was her sketchbook laying on the floor. She was hysterical, soon running into her own world. But, there was a boy. A boy like her to say the least. Her watched her, the tap of her pencil, the nervous chewing on her nails and even the way she blinked three times in a row when her drawings went off course. He walked slowly over to the book, seeing the words, “FREAK LIKE ME” etched into the worn leather, a flowered string hanging out from last she had left off. He opened it up, carefully studying the pages. The first thing he saw broke his heart. The sketch of random marks, ink sunk into the pain he could see. He traced to lines that almost fell off the page, seeing that the girl in the sketch wanted help, her face covered with hands, beside her was herself once more, screaming up at the ceiling.
He stopped to wonder to himself — ‘Was this girl in trouble at home?’
He shook his head, looking around to an empty room, scared of what will come next. He flipped the worn out, stained sketch pages. Next was two hands held together, both of them were what a meaning of bliss was to him. He closed his eyes, his long eyelashes laying softly on his milky skin. He opened them, his thoughts shaken by the last bell of the day and closed the book. He jogged out the door, seeing the girl his mind was always wondering to. He walked to her slowly and slid down the locker beside her.
“Hey, you wanna talk about it, doll?”
She looked up, her eyes puffy. Her lips, pouted, red and swollen. She smiled softly and looked over his features.
“Y-yeah. I’d lo-love to.”
She wiped the tears of her face on the back of her sweater sleeve and she leaned her head against the locker, soon looking at the sketchbook in his hands.
“Where-where did you get that?” She grabbed it from him, stuffing it in her bag quickly, her eyes blown wide.
“That’s what I wanted to ask you about. Is there something going on at home?” His eyes were soft, a sparkle in them someone could see 200 miles away. He ran his slender fingers along her cheekbone, her leaning into the warmth of his palm.
“N-no.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. He saw right through her, seeing the pain she was holding back. He stood up, holding out his hand to her, hoping she would take it. She grabbed it like it was the last time she would stand. She stumbled a little, but he caught her before she could fall again.
“You’re a clumsy one, aren’t you jagi?”
She blushed. The warmth soon returning as she looked into his brown orbs, and he smiled showing his gums, his small teeth showing every ray of sunshine shown. She linked her arm with his, holding his bicep and smiling.
___
Yoongi walked her to the city bridge, a small opening under the bridge.
“Come on, doll.”
He grabbed her hand, running toward the opening. He sat down on the hill, right beside it. He had no blankets to lay upon, but her cardigan sweater was enough. She sat down, the cool spring breeze hitting her face. She dropped her bag, laying beside Yoongi. She lay with one leg bent, her sneakers untied. Glancing at the beautiful man beside her, she scooted closer, hoping he would soon turn to look at her.
“Y-Yoongi?”
His head turned on top of his arm, looking into her eyes softly.
“Yeah, Y/N?”
“There really was something going on, you know, at home..”
She closed her eyes, wincing at the image of her father smashing the toxic bottle onto the ground. Her mother was on the floor, crying and screaming. She sat atop the stair case, knees curled up to her chest. He father caught her looking, before he ran up the stairs to try and catch her. She was quick to jump to her feet, sprinting to her room. She closed the door, listening to the silence of her room, the only sound was the lock of the door. Y/N walked to window, weakly opening it. She sat on the chair, listening to the night alarms, the sirens of police cars, the patting of the citizens around her. She was taken back to the real world when Yoongi got worried when she wasn’t responding.
“Y/N? You okay?”
Her eyes shot open, the tears rolling down her cheeks,
“M-my dad. He beats my mother. I see it a-all the time,” her voice cracking, scared, “I sit in my room, eye skimming over all my art hung around my wall. I listen for hours, the sound of screaming and the sound of skin hitting skin. My father is a drunk, never seeing what the world is really full of. It’s unbelievable that I’m actually laying here alive.” She scooted closer to Yoongi, her cold hands intertwining with his, “Art has been my muse for years on out. I never wanted to do anything else with my life except for that. I sit on my bed, my ideas running wild.”
He ran the pad of his thumb over her hand, holding her while she talked. Yoongi then looked down to Y/N, her eyes shinning bright in the moonlight as she stared up at him with helpless eyes.
“Come to California with me baby. Get me what I want.”
She soon sat up, leaning toward him, her lips brushing his, “Yo-you’re saying you want me to come get you at night and take you away? Isn’t that a little stalker much?”
She chuckles loudly, her eyes crinkling from her smile, her forehead leaning on his. Closing her eyes, she closed to gap between them. Electricity ran through their veins, the blood running straight to their faces as their kiss deepened, Yoongi soon leaning back with her atop him. She ran her fingers through his hair, tugging on it slightly. She giggled softly inside his mouth, pulling back to hold his hands. He intertwined them, hoping that she understood how long he had been watching her.
“Please, Yoongi. Come fucking get me, help me escape from the hell I live in. I’ll do anything.”
She rolled off him, taking her sketchpad, looking out over the city. The lake below their bodies ahead, she began sketching whatever her mind set was on. He crawled on his knees sitting behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she leaned her back against his chest. He nuzzled his face into your neck, stroking her arms softly. His breath came up to the shell of her ear, smiling softly.
“You knooow.. I’ve liked you for a long time, just never thought you would even look at me, Yoongi.” That made him chuckle, his gummy smile showing all the way. He inhaled the night air and kissed her cheeks.
“Are you a freak like me, Y/N?”
She blushed, knowing why he said that. He started to stroke her hair, calming his nerves.
Y/N looked up at him and nodded softly, but with eyes full of fear, “I don’t want to go home, Yoongi-ah,” as she packed her bag again.
“Come home with me, my apartment will always be open for you, doll.” She smiled, at him, her eyes heavy with sleep eyes.
“I would, but my dad would kill me. Oh btw, do you mind giving me your number.. in case of a emergency?” She blinked three times, making his melt watching her fall apart.
“Yes, yes you can.” He handed his phone to her after unlocking it. Her following suit. They exchanged numbers, and to her surprise, he picked her up bridal style after sliding his phone back into his pocket. She squealed of happiness, her laugh ringing through his head. On the way to her house, he let her down, both of them running through the night. She felt him watching her, and she stopped dead in tracks, almost having them stumble. She kissed him like it was the last time she would feel his lips. He grabbed her by here waist, his black-brown highlighted hair tickling her face. That having her giggle, he pulled back to chuckle. He grabbed her hand, them soon reaching her house. She told him stay back, and she ran up to the patio, starting to climb up the fenced wall. She always left her window cracked, in case she needed to run out for awhile, trying to get the thoughts out of her head. When she had climbed in, she motioned him to come up, and when he was inside too, his breath was caught within the heat of his throat, traveling to his lungs.
“Y-Y/N.. wow. These pieces are amazing.” He walked over the the paper hanging from tape, knowing her father would never give her any money for frames or dividers.
“The one of me and mother is my favorite,” her saying that caught Yoongi’s eye, his thoughts turning. He walked over to the other wall, see the huge canvas with a mother in a mirror, looking back at her was he daughter. She could barely notice her mother’s beauty anymore, seeing her hid behind the bruises and scars that lay over her soft, tanned skin. Her curly hair was perfectly highlighted, seeing that every brush stroke told a story. He turned to her, his eyes fell heavy as of hers.
“That’s a beautiful story told there, Y/N, but you know what else is beautiful?” He said as he raised an eyebrow.
“What?” Her curiosity struck her, her mind was back to bless within her love for him.
“Sleeping. Sleeping and cuddling,” which made her giggle, as she took off to get them some PJs.
“Here, take my dads clothes I bought him for his birthday, not like the asshole accepted them,” she frowned, hoping Yoongi would see over what she had mumbled. They both changed, and she soon found herself walking over to window in her lavender-laced panties and an oversized t-shirt to close it, having it became too cold for her bare skin to hold out to width. She came to Yoongi, who had already changed into the PJs that were offered. She fell under the blankets, him finally holding her against his chest, the eyes of the beautiful yet broke girl soon closed, to the world of dreams and wishes, maybe wishing for a better place and time to be living in.
“I promise, doll. I"ll get you out of here. You’re a freak like me, too. Loving me is all you need to feel.”
Yoongi’s head soon hit the pillows, hearing the sirens of the night through the crack of the window. Anonymity was once a thing for these two in class, but now all they could say was:
Screw your anonymity.  
a/n: wow, been awhile since i’ve wrote this much. my inbox is always open for feedback or maybe, requests. thanks for spending your time reading my shitty stories.~  :-)))-:
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manuelclapid · 7 years ago
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The Easy Guide to Trimming and Edging Your Yard Like a Pro
This post is made in partnership with STIHL.  All opinions (and yard work) are my own.
I have a confession to make.  I really don’t like working out at a gym….  I like the weight machines, but I don’t love the atmosphere.  Getting on a treadmill or such for 30 minutes feels worse than pulling teeth: you see no results at the end, and you’ve been working hard for 30 minutes… So, I’ve decided that I am taking over the lawn care this summer as a treadmill alternative!  We have about an acre of grass to mow, and if I separate it into zones I can get 3 -30 to 45 minute plus workouts a week JUST mowing (not using the auto drive on the mower btw).   I am really enjoying it so far. 
Benefits of doing the lawn care myself:
I am outside, enjoying the weather, possibly getting some added vitamin D!  (I can dream about someday having a beautiful tan, but alas, my melanin is on a permanent vacation.)
I get to see some immediate results when I am done.  This really helps with my desire to get things done that matter.  I have huge to-do lists, and not having tangible results after a workout usually makes me feel less motivated to try it again.  Doing the lawn care gives me immediate tangible results – and a good workout!
I finally have some time to “read” or just get thinking.  I’ve been listening to an uplifting, motivational, or thought provoking audiobook or podcast.  It is helping me to be more motivated throughout the week to push myself.  Also, I have two adorable little talkers at my house, and it is nice to have some time to think a full complete thought without being interrupted.
I don’t have to pay someone… technically, I am taking time away from working to do this, so in actuality I may be losing money, but it is filling needs that I have for physical work and a break from the day job.
I will admit: the most I’ve ever really done is mow. But if I am taking over the lawn care for real, then I also need to take care of the trimming, edging and cleanup after.  This is the difference between an okay job mowing and a clean beautiful yard that truly looks manicured.  So I asked my hubby to help tutor me in the ways of lawn care.  He had a lawn care business in college and worked for a service through high school, so he’s got skills!
The best part is that today we are going to teach you how to trim and edge your lawn like a pro.  It’s really rewarding to step back and see your yard with a new clean cut. 
4-Step Lawn Care Routine for a Professional Result
So when trying to get a professional-looking mow there are four general steps:
Edge along the concrete, brick surfaces, where the grass would start to creep over horizontally or garden bed and tree ring edges.
Mow and bag the grass.
Trim the extra tall grass along the edges of things, that the mower couldn’t get.
Blow off any loose dirt or grass clippings back onto the grass, from the mower, trimmer and edger.
I think that trimming and edging especially are two of the best ways to really make your lawn look awesome.  If you only mow there is a very noticeable difference in the look. It just looks unfinished.  So today we are giving you the tips and tools to make your lawn look top-notch all summer (and spring and fall). 
Here is a list of tools that we will be using today — you can find your local Stihl dealer here.
Stihl FC 56 C-E gas-powered edger
Stihl BGA 85 battery-powered blower
Stihl FSA 65 battery-powered string trimmer
Accessories
AP 300 batteries
AL 300 charger
Cotton Candy Pink Work Glasses (safety always!)
High Performance Pro Gloves
                          We did get one gas powered tool, the edger, and boy is it fabulous, but I have to admit the ease of the battery powered tools with the STIHL Lightning Battery System® has me so happy!  Before, I would always need to ask Justin to help me get the tools started, but now it is just plain easy!  And I don’t need any help to get things started, or know what I am doing (this problem may have been more of a willful ignorance: “If I don’t know how to start it I can’t be expected to do it!” But now that I want to actually do the work I am more invested in learning how to do it and actually excited about the work!)
So let’s begin with some tips, shall we?
9 Trimming Tips for Manicured Lawn
Trimming gives your lawn a nice clean look, like just after getting a new haircut.  Think of mowing the yard without trimming as a mullet…  but it is 2018 and the 80’s called and they want their hairstyles back… so give that lawn a trim! 
Tip #1: Wear safety glasses.
Always wear safety glasses when trimming.  A friend used my trimmer once and I told him to be sure to wear safety glasses.  He said “I’m fine! I don’t need safety glasses. I will be okay.” When he returned the trimmer he said, “I should have worn the safety glasses because a rock flew up and hit me in the eye.”  Just protect your eyes and wear the glasses.  You will thank me later.
Tip #2: Mow the lawn first.
When trimming and edging I like to do it after I have mowed the lawn first.  The lawn mower will get the bulk of the grass, and also give you a reference point for the height the grass should be cut to.  However, there are areas the mower can’t get like the trimmer can, such as under shrubs, around play equipment or trees, and up against the fence or walls. 
Tip #3: Hold the trimmer level with the grass.
I am right-handed so I hold the trimmer trigger with my right hand and tend to walk to the right as I trim around the yard.  Hold the trimmer level to the grass so you won’t cut too deeply into the grass and create low spots.  This is where mowing first comes in really handy because you can level your trimmer with the cut grass.  This will also help to avoid over cutting the grass and creating dried up dead spots on the edges.
Tip #4: Trim the grass so it discharges cut grass back onto the grass.
Save yourself some clean-up time and try to keep the grass clippings from creating a bigger mess to clean up later.  Trim the grass in a way that the clippings end up back on the grass.  This will mostly matter when you are trimming around hardscape, but just configure the guard cover to point onto the grass. 
Tip #5: Work slow and steady.
Especially around trees and plants, keep your work slow and steady for an even result and for the safety of the rest of your landscaping.  Don’t cut into the bark of plants or trees, as this may introduce disease or bugs into the tree and can ultimately kill or weaken your trees.  It’s best to create a tree ring of mulch at least 12-15″ away from the tree bark to protect the trees.
Tip #6: Tap the trimmer on the ground to extend the nylon string.
Depending on your type of trimmer, you can just tap it on the ground to extend the feed when it gets too short.
Tip #7: Plan your way around the yard.
To help save time and make sure all the edges get trimmed, I start trimming where I want to end up, so I end up where I started.  Start trimming like you are tracing the outline around the lawn.  If you pass a tree or island/planter bed that needs trimming, walk over to it and trim around that, then walk back to where you left off at the edge. By doing this you are more efficient with your time and able to get things done a lot faster. This method will also help ensure you don’t miss any spots.  So when we trim our yard, we start in the front yard, go around the house, through the gate to the back yard, finish the backyard, then come back through the same gate into the front yard to finish the front yard.
Tip #8: Trim the cracks that are full of weeds or unwanted grass.
In between the concrete cracks, you might get weeds growing through the cracks.  Just trim them out at a slight angle as close to the concrete as possible.  After the trimming you can pour straight (and super cheap) vinegar as a weed killer to prevent them from growing back. This is an organic, cheap and easily available weed killer, and you can even have the kids help with this part if you want.
Tip #9: Keep a safe distance
Be sure to keep your feet and hands away from the string at all times.  Keep a safe distance away from other people at about 50’ or more. Be really careful around windows and vehicles.
  10 Tips and Uses for your Edger
After first mowing, and then trimming now it is time to edge with an edger.  An edger is more for cutting the grass vertically along the edges of the patios, paths, curbs, sidewalks or driveways.  This part of lawn care really make a difference in the final look of the cut grass. This is something that you can do every other week if you wanted to save a little time.  If you don’t do it at all, the grass ends up growing out and over the hard surfaces and can be harder to find the edge in the future.  In fact sometimes the grass will begin to grow on the hard surfaces and debris builds up on edges creates a solid bed on the concrete.
Tip #1: Wear safety glasses.
Always wear safety glasses.  The edger will spin the blade at a really fast rate.  This kicks up a lot of dirt and rocks. There is a guard, but still, I would rather be safe than sorry!
Tip #2: Align the edger next to the hard surface.
Align the cutting blade of the edger with the edge of the grass.  Pull the trigger and the blade will start spinning. Start with the blade spinning in the grass at the edge of the concrete or hard surface.  You will feel the blade cutting through the dirt. As it’s spinning, you can let it hit the edge of the hard surface you are edging against.  Adjust the trimmer up or down depending on how deep you want to to edge. Typically I edge about ½” to an 1” deep. Stand on the left and start walking forward along the edge.  Remember, that after time the edger blade will need to be replaced from wear. You might be able to use one blade all season depending on how often you edge and the size of your yard. 
Tip #3: Move the edger back and forth.
As you edge, move the edger back and forth to get a nice clean cut.  Especially if it’s the first time or at the beginning of the season, be aware that your first edging of the season may require a bit more cleanup then you will usually have.  It is best to take care of this early in the season, and then upkeep on the edges will become easier and easier as the season progresses. 
Tip #4: Edge often.
The more often you edge the lawn, the easier it is to do and the faster the job goes.  Most of the time you can edge every other time you mow, but if you are consistent you can avoid having to “start over” with a prolific edge of grass.
Tip #5: Adjust the depth of the cut
Cut down at least ½” past the edge of the surface you are trimming.  Depending on your type of edger, you can adjust the depth of the cut.  As you use the edger the blade will get worn and get smaller, so you will have to adjust the depth.
Tip #6: Edge first.
This may actually sound like we are going against everything we’ve talked about, but edging BEFORE mowing may actually save you some time.  By edging first, you will be able to use the mower to help clean up the cut grass and extra dirt.  It will make the end cleanup a breeze!
Tip #7: Edge around trees to create tree rings.
If you don’t have tree rings, you can easily create one with an edger.  Just draw a ring around the tree at least 12” from the tree trunk with landscape paint (optional) then use an edger to cut along the line.  Dig out all the grass in the ring and fill it with mulch. This will keep your tree a safe distance from the trimmer or edger and prevent any damage to the tree bark.
Tip #8: Edge around planter beds.
Use an edger to define the planter bed edge from the grass.  You do not need to install a hardscape edging system to keep your beds looking beautiful.  Remove any unwanted grass and keep edging each week to keep it nice and clean.
Tip #9: Use the proper fuel to oil ratio.
This is especially important to extend the life of your gas-powered engines. Fill the tank with the proper fuel.  This Stihl model that we are using uses a gas oil mix of 50:1. We purchased the fuel at the hardware store because it has the proper mixture and a long shelf life.  Also, be aware that gas you buy at the gas station contains ethanol that will junk up your equipment; the proper fuel mixtures at the hardware store are ethanol free.  You will have fewer maintenance issues down the road if you use the right fuel every time.
Tip #10: Blow off the dirt and grass clippings.
Now that everything is done, all you have to do is blow all the dirt and grass clippings back onto the lawn and you done.  Be careful to specifically clean off that brand new edge.  If you blow things into the edges of the grass that sit against hard surfaces, that is where you will get the build up of soil and debris that allows the grass to grow onto the surface!
Now you can enjoy the beautiful clean look of your yard.
By the way, the blower is a totally awesome alternative to palm leaves for being fanned when you are done!
What tools do you like to use for your lawn care? Click here to find your local Stihl dealer. 
So let’s check out a before and after shall we?
I’d like to thank Stihl for not only partnering with me on this post but for being part of my family since I was a child!  We truly love this company!  My dad was a chainsaw woodcarver growing up… and just check out this family picture all donning our orange Stihl shirts…(I’m the youngest on the end!!)
    The post The Easy Guide to Trimming and Edging Your Yard Like a Pro appeared first on Remodelaholic.
from Home https://www.remodelaholic.com/trimming-and-edging-your-yard-like-a-pro/ via http://www.rssmix.com/
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andrewmawby · 7 years ago
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The Easy Guide to Trimming and Edging Your Yard Like a Pro
This post is made in partnership with STIHL.  All opinions (and yard work) are my own.
I have a confession to make.  I really don’t like working out at a gym….  I like the weight machines, but I don’t love the atmosphere.  Getting on a treadmill or such for 30 minutes feels worse than pulling teeth: you see no results at the end, and you’ve been working hard for 30 minutes… So, I’ve decided that I am taking over the lawn care this summer as a treadmill alternative!  We have about an acre of grass to mow, and if I separate it into zones I can get 3 -30 to 45 minute plus workouts a week JUST mowing (not using the auto drive on the mower btw).   I am really enjoying it so far. 
Benefits of doing the lawn care myself:
I am outside, enjoying the weather, possibly getting some added vitamin D!  (I can dream about someday having a beautiful tan, but alas, my melanin is on a permanent vacation.)
I get to see some immediate results when I am done.  This really helps with my desire to get things done that matter.  I have huge to-do lists, and not having tangible results after a workout usually makes me feel less motivated to try it again.  Doing the lawn care gives me immediate tangible results – and a good workout!
I finally have some time to “read” or just get thinking.  I’ve been listening to an uplifting, motivational, or thought provoking audiobook or podcast.  It is helping me to be more motivated throughout the week to push myself.  Also, I have two adorable little talkers at my house, and it is nice to have some time to think a full complete thought without being interrupted.
I don’t have to pay someone… technically, I am taking time away from working to do this, so in actuality I may be losing money, but it is filling needs that I have for physical work and a break from the day job.
I will admit: the most I’ve ever really done is mow. But if I am taking over the lawn care for real, then I also need to take care of the trimming, edging and cleanup after.  This is the difference between an okay job mowing and a clean beautiful yard that truly looks manicured.  So I asked my hubby to help tutor me in the ways of lawn care.  He had a lawn care business in college and worked for a service through high school, so he’s got skills!
The best part is that today we are going to teach you how to trim and edge your lawn like a pro.  It’s really rewarding to step back and see your yard with a new clean cut. 
4-Step Lawn Care Routine for a Professional Result
So when trying to get a professional-looking mow there are four general steps:
Edge along the concrete, brick surfaces, where the grass would start to creep over horizontally or garden bed and tree ring edges.
Mow and bag the grass.
Trim the extra tall grass along the edges of things, that the mower couldn’t get.
Blow off any loose dirt or grass clippings back onto the grass, from the mower, trimmer and edger.
I think that trimming and edging especially are two of the best ways to really make your lawn look awesome.  If you only mow there is a very noticeable difference in the look. It just looks unfinished.  So today we are giving you the tips and tools to make your lawn look top-notch all summer (and spring and fall). 
Here is a list of tools that we will be using today — you can find your local Stihl dealer here.
Stihl FC 56 C-E gas-powered edger
Stihl BGA 85 battery-powered blower
Stihl FSA 65 battery-powered string trimmer
Accessories
AP 300 batteries
AL 300 charger
Cotton Candy Pink Work Glasses (safety always!)
High Performance Pro Gloves
                          We did get one gas powered tool, the edger, and boy is it fabulous, but I have to admit the ease of the battery powered tools with the STIHL Lightning Battery System® has me so happy!  Before, I would always need to ask Justin to help me get the tools started, but now it is just plain easy!  And I don’t need any help to get things started, or know what I am doing (this problem may have been more of a willful ignorance: “If I don’t know how to start it I can’t be expected to do it!” But now that I want to actually do the work I am more invested in learning how to do it and actually excited about the work!)
So let’s begin with some tips, shall we?
9 Trimming Tips for Manicured Lawn
Trimming gives your lawn a nice clean look, like just after getting a new haircut.  Think of mowing the yard without trimming as a mullet…  but it is 2018 and the 80’s called and they want their hairstyles back… so give that lawn a trim! 
Tip #1: Wear safety glasses.
Always wear safety glasses when trimming.  A friend used my trimmer once and I told him to be sure to wear safety glasses.  He said “I’m fine! I don’t need safety glasses. I will be okay.” When he returned the trimmer he said, “I should have worn the safety glasses because a rock flew up and hit me in the eye.”  Just protect your eyes and wear the glasses.  You will thank me later.
Tip #2: Mow the lawn first.
When trimming and edging I like to do it after I have mowed the lawn first.  The lawn mower will get the bulk of the grass, and also give you a reference point for the height the grass should be cut to.  However, there are areas the mower can’t get like the trimmer can, such as under shrubs, around play equipment or trees, and up against the fence or walls. 
Tip #3: Hold the trimmer level with the grass.
I am right-handed so I hold the trimmer trigger with my right hand and tend to walk to the right as I trim around the yard.  Hold the trimmer level to the grass so you won’t cut too deeply into the grass and create low spots.  This is where mowing first comes in really handy because you can level your trimmer with the cut grass.  This will also help to avoid over cutting the grass and creating dried up dead spots on the edges.
Tip #4: Trim the grass so it discharges cut grass back onto the grass.
Save yourself some clean-up time and try to keep the grass clippings from creating a bigger mess to clean up later.  Trim the grass in a way that the clippings end up back on the grass.  This will mostly matter when you are trimming around hardscape, but just configure the guard cover to point onto the grass. 
Tip #5: Work slow and steady.
Especially around trees and plants, keep your work slow and steady for an even result and for the safety of the rest of your landscaping.  Don’t cut into the bark of plants or trees, as this may introduce disease or bugs into the tree and can ultimately kill or weaken your trees.  It’s best to create a tree ring of mulch at least 12-15″ away from the tree bark to protect the trees.
Tip #6: Tap the trimmer on the ground to extend the nylon string.
Depending on your type of trimmer, you can just tap it on the ground to extend the feed when it gets too short.
Tip #7: Plan your way around the yard.
To help save time and make sure all the edges get trimmed, I start trimming where I want to end up, so I end up where I started.  Start trimming like you are tracing the outline around the lawn.  If you pass a tree or island/planter bed that needs trimming, walk over to it and trim around that, then walk back to where you left off at the edge. By doing this you are more efficient with your time and able to get things done a lot faster. This method will also help ensure you don’t miss any spots.  So when we trim our yard, we start in the front yard, go around the house, through the gate to the back yard, finish the backyard, then come back through the same gate into the front yard to finish the front yard.
Tip #8: Trim the cracks that are full of weeds or unwanted grass.
In between the concrete cracks, you might get weeds growing through the cracks.  Just trim them out at a slight angle as close to the concrete as possible.  After the trimming you can pour straight (and super cheap) vinegar as a weed killer to prevent them from growing back. This is an organic, cheap and easily available weed killer, and you can even have the kids help with this part if you want.
Tip #9: Keep a safe distance
Be sure to keep your feet and hands away from the string at all times.  Keep a safe distance away from other people at about 50’ or more. Be really careful around windows and vehicles.
  10 Tips and Uses for your Edger
After first mowing, and then trimming now it is time to edge with an edger.  An edger is more for cutting the grass vertically along the edges of the patios, paths, curbs, sidewalks or driveways.  This part of lawn care really make a difference in the final look of the cut grass. This is something that you can do every other week if you wanted to save a little time.  If you don’t do it at all, the grass ends up growing out and over the hard surfaces and can be harder to find the edge in the future.  In fact sometimes the grass will begin to grow on the hard surfaces and debris builds up on edges creates a solid bed on the concrete.
Tip #1: Wear safety glasses.
Always wear safety glasses.  The edger will spin the blade at a really fast rate.  This kicks up a lot of dirt and rocks. There is a guard, but still, I would rather be safe than sorry!
Tip #2: Align the edger next to the hard surface.
Align the cutting blade of the edger with the edge of the grass.  Pull the trigger and the blade will start spinning. Start with the blade spinning in the grass at the edge of the concrete or hard surface.  You will feel the blade cutting through the dirt. As it’s spinning, you can let it hit the edge of the hard surface you are edging against.  Adjust the trimmer up or down depending on how deep you want to to edge. Typically I edge about ½” to an 1” deep. Stand on the left and start walking forward along the edge.  Remember, that after time the edger blade will need to be replaced from wear. You might be able to use one blade all season depending on how often you edge and the size of your yard. 
Tip #3: Move the edger back and forth.
As you edge, move the edger back and forth to get a nice clean cut.  Especially if it’s the first time or at the beginning of the season, be aware that your first edging of the season may require a bit more cleanup then you will usually have.  It is best to take care of this early in the season, and then upkeep on the edges will become easier and easier as the season progresses. 
Tip #4: Edge often.
The more often you edge the lawn, the easier it is to do and the faster the job goes.  Most of the time you can edge every other time you mow, but if you are consistent you can avoid having to “start over” with a prolific edge of grass.
Tip #5: Adjust the depth of the cut
Cut down at least ½” past the edge of the surface you are trimming.  Depending on your type of edger, you can adjust the depth of the cut.  As you use the edger the blade will get worn and get smaller, so you will have to adjust the depth.
Tip #6: Edge first.
This may actually sound like we are going against everything we’ve talked about, but edging BEFORE mowing may actually save you some time.  By edging first, you will be able to use the mower to help clean up the cut grass and extra dirt.  It will make the end cleanup a breeze!
Tip #7: Edge around trees to create tree rings.
If you don’t have tree rings, you can easily create one with an edger.  Just draw a ring around the tree at least 12” from the tree trunk with landscape paint (optional) then use an edger to cut along the line.  Dig out all the grass in the ring and fill it with mulch. This will keep your tree a safe distance from the trimmer or edger and prevent any damage to the tree bark.
Tip #8: Edge around planter beds.
Use an edger to define the planter bed edge from the grass.  You do not need to install a hardscape edging system to keep your beds looking beautiful.  Remove any unwanted grass and keep edging each week to keep it nice and clean.
Tip #9: Use the proper fuel to oil ratio.
This is especially important to extend the life of your gas-powered engines. Fill the tank with the proper fuel.  This Stihl model that we are using uses a gas oil mix of 50:1. We purchased the fuel at the hardware store because it has the proper mixture and a long shelf life.  Also, be aware that gas you buy at the gas station contains ethanol that will junk up your equipment; the proper fuel mixtures at the hardware store are ethanol free.  You will have fewer maintenance issues down the road if you use the right fuel every time.
Tip #10: Blow off the dirt and grass clippings.
Now that everything is done, all you have to do is blow all the dirt and grass clippings back onto the lawn and you done.  Be careful to specifically clean off that brand new edge.  If you blow things into the edges of the grass that sit against hard surfaces, that is where you will get the build up of soil and debris that allows the grass to grow onto the surface!
Now you can enjoy the beautiful clean look of your yard.
By the way, the blower is a totally awesome alternative to palm leaves for being fanned when you are done!
What tools do you like to use for your lawn care? Click here to find your local Stihl dealer. 
So let’s check out a before and after shall we?
I’d like to thank Stihl for not only partnering with me on this post but for being part of my family since I was a child!  We truly love this company!  My dad was a chainsaw woodcarver growing up… and just check out this family picture all donning our orange Stihl shirts…(I’m the youngest on the end!!)
    The post The Easy Guide to Trimming and Edging Your Yard Like a Pro appeared first on Remodelaholic.
from builders feed https://www.remodelaholic.com/trimming-and-edging-your-yard-like-a-pro/ via http://www.rssmix.com/
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