Tag: tips

Chainsaws That I Love Using

I like the chainsaws that do not weigh much, but they are well-made and built to last the test of time and use. I have used heavy chainsaws in the past, but now I prefer professional tree-trimmer brands. I now own only STIHL brand-name chainsaws. I like the tree climber’s chainsaw because it is lightweight and easy to start. Generally, it will take off with only one pull of the rope. Stihl chainsaws have top-notch quality bars that do not separate, preventing the chain from coming off and flying right next to your arm, which is very dangerous indeed. I have a small electric Stihl chainsaw with two batteries that has a lot of power for trimming and quickly cutting small logs or branches. We had a small Homelite and a large Jonserud chainsaw, which worked very well. Do not buy cheap chainsaws that sell for $100.00 to $225.00; the bars are made cheaply and will separate in a hurry, which might result in you losing a limb or hand. I am impressed by the battery chainsaws, as they have much more power than I expected.

Maintaining Your Chainsaw

Make sure you clean all the wood chips out of your chainsaw, as it will last longer and cause fewer problems. Shut off your chainsaw and remove the batteries before doing any maintenance, as a safety measure. Oil your chain regularly, as it will last longer. If your chain is dull, take it to get sharpened, and if they suggest getting a new one, do so because you do not want to be using a chain with teeth that may break off or the chain break in two. Tightening the bar and chain is easy if you follow the instructions that came with your new chainsaw. Your chainsaw will need a new plug and the fuel line or fuel filter replaced every so often. If a small twig gets stuck in your saw, turn it off or remove the batteries, and then take the bar and chain off and clean out the small twig. Put your bar and chain back on and get it snug, but not overly snug, so that the chain can move freely. A new chain on a saw will stretch after use and will need to be tightened again. After I am done using my saw, I give it a thorough cleaning, wiping it free of dirt and debris, which helps keep it in tip-top shape.

Proper Chainsaw Gear

Wear safety glasses, a chainsaw helmet, chainsaw pants, and proper sturdy shoes. You may have a safety belt that attaches to your chainsaw, helping you reach high trees with no problem. Wear clothing that is not loose or thick, jeans and shirts that do not have extra-long sleeves, and pants that do not have extra-long legs that could get caught in the chainsaw. If you are climbing into a tall tree, put on a safety belt, as it will help catch you if you lose your footing. If working in tall trees, have someone help you, as it is not a job for just one person. Think first, and you will not have problems. Stay alert to your surroundings, the weather, and power lines. Safety always comes first.

Tags chainsaws, Safety comes first, tips

Go After What You Want

I Never Give Up On What I Want In Life

If someone tells me I cannot do something, I am more determined than ever to prove them wrong. One party told me I could not win a prize on how to plant a field. I watched what the others had been doing and determined they had not done their math correctly regarding the degree to which the area should be planted. I won the top prize in that contest that had been going on all day long. I worked on one computer problem all day until I figured it out, and it was an ancient computer that used the old DOS system. I had to reprogram it, and it worked perfectly afterward. A very young man purchased it from me. I have fixed TV sets and typewriters, clocks, adjusted carburetors and plumbing, and installed new roofs. If I want something in life, I find a way to make it happen. If you fail, to begin with, keep working away at it, and your goals will be accomplished eventually.

Shop Around For Your Wants And Needs

I shopped around for the vehicles I have purchased over the years. I look for the best deal and the best trade-in price. One place wanted me to pay them $100 to look at their car, and I told them no. They informed me that if I purchased a vehicle from them, I would receive a refund. I said, “What if I do not like your car?” and they said they would keep my $100. I went to another car dealer, and they wanted me to sign a contract to buy before I could even look at their car. I said I would leave their store if I could not look at it first. The car was so small I could not even move in it. I went there and never came back again. I found a lovely car dealer out of town and purchased it there. I bought my last vehicle online and was pleased with how easy that transaction worked. When purchasing a home, shop around, compare prices, and tell your realtor what you want and need in your new home. Negotiate a price that you and the seller can live with. Have the seller provide warranty insurance for the furnace, AC, and more.

Bargains On Amazon And The Internet

I have purchased water heaters and small appliances online. I have had good luck with everything so far. You can buy slightly used devices online, which I have done. You can buy almost anything on the internet. Look at their reviews before you buy from them. I purchased a new smartwatch online. I purchased my three-wheel electric trike online and loved riding it.

God Never Gives Up On You

God goes after any lost sheep, and he is delighted when they come back home. God helps me reach my goals in life. Our goals should be to please God with what we do and pursue in life. I love writing Inspirationswithlaura as I want to share what inspires me and what God has done for me.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, tips

Talking On The Phone With A Person

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date April 12, 2026
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Trying To Talk To A Living, Breathing Human Is Not An Easy Task

If you call a company, they will have a computer-animated person try to solve your problem, which they can hardly ever solve. The computer voice will prompt you to describe your situation and offer a solution, and if that doesn’t work, you’ll wait and wait on hold for customer service. I had to wait for four hours once, and by the time she answered, I was angry, and she said she didn’t want to talk to me. I’m sorry. How would she feel if she had spent four hours waiting on the phone for a solution to a problem that was the company’s fault? She had calmed down by then, and we agreed on a solution to my problem.

I Do Not Like It If The Other Person Has A Soft Voice And You Do Not Know What They Are Saying To You

They get mad at me quickly when I keep asking them to repeat everything they just said. I had to guess at what one person was saying, which isn’t ideal, and then they told me the speaker wasn’t working on their phone. They should have switched phones or had someone else help me, but they did not, which was very annoying indeed. Please speak up and enunciate your words so I can understand you. I asked one party to connect me with someone else, and they were not receptive. However, I do want to know what is being said while I am trying to resolve a problem.

Some Business People Do Not Have A Phone Number Anymore

It makes it hard for Senior Citizens who do not own a computer or have living family members to help them out. We must remember that Senior Citizens should be treated with respect and not expect them to be able to use a computer, as they did not grow up with it or may not have the means to afford one. I myself do not want to go online all the time to check whether a restaurant is open or closed. If they don’t have a phone, I won’t go to that particular restaurant.

Waiting Until The Computer Animated Person Finally Gets You To The Right Department

I was on hold for 45 minutes each time, waiting until they finally connected me to the proper division of the company. It was absolutely ridiculous that something so simple took so long. It seems that the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing. You will need a lot of patience to resolve anything today. We need more people in businesses and fewer animated computers, and things will be resolved much more quickly. I refuse to go to a restaurant that has only computers or AI working there. Going out to eat is about the food, your server, and the entire dining experience, which will eventually be lost forever. The experience of human service is terrific, and machines will never be able to fulfill that.

Tags human Communication is becoming a lost art, talking to an actual person, tips

Tackliing Hard Projects

Tackling Hard Projects

Tackling Projects Can Be A Shore Indeed

If I have difficult projects to tackle, can I do them myself, or should I hire someone instead? It depends on how heavy the items I have to move are or how difficult the situation is before I decide to hire someone. I sometimes take on projects I shouldn’t, but I enjoy them, so I move forward until the job is done to my satisfaction. A simple little project can become complex if something breaks or you keep finding more and more repairs that need to be done.

Have The Right Equipment To Get The Job Done

You get what you pay for with equipment. You don’t need to buy the most expensive piece, but please buy at least the middle-priced one. I bought a rake once that broke the first day I owned it because the handle was made of the thinnest material you have ever seen. The rake had a ten-year warranty, but it meant nothing as the company had gone out of business. I purchased a Craftsman tape line and an ax, and when they broke, they replaced them at no charge. I always buy brand-name tools such as Echo, John Deere, STIHL, Porter-Cable, Toro, and Hiniker Snow Blades, among others. Having the right tools can make a job much easier, reducing downtime.

Roofing And Indoor Remodeling

I have a roof hammer and a good pair of cutters for cutting shingles to length, and I use at least a 35-year high-wind shingle. I put on a roof witch, which helps prevent ice dams on the eaves throughs. Having sturdy ladders is a must, as you do not want to be on a wiggly wobbly ladder up high. Make sure your brackets are secure, with the plank across, so they will hold your weight while you are roofing. I use high-quality paint brushes and rollers because they apply paint more evenly, giving you better coverage with less work. When cutting something, measure twice because once it is cut off, you cannot add it back on. Keep a clean work environment so you won’t step on nails or trip over things while working.

Plumbing Projects

Plumbing can get tricky in a hurry if you get ahead of yourself. If you install a new toilet and forget to tighten the hoses, you will have water gushing everywhere. Make sure you buy extra parts for your plumbing projects, because if one part doesn’t work for your setup, the other will most likely work, and you can always return unopened ones. Make sure you buy the right couplers. If unsure, buy both; buy extra washers and gaskets, and return the ones that did not work. It saves time and effort by avoiding driving back and forth to the hardware store for parts. If in doubt about fixing a faucet, buy a new one, as you know it will work. For installing a water heater or water softener, I suggest hiring a certified plumber. Try to make those hard projects as easy as possible by having the right tools and equipment.

Tags hiring someone, jobs to be done, tips

Sidewalk Supervisors Get Annoying Quickly

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 10, 2026
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No, Stop That. Do it This Way.

Sidewalk supervisors have all their answers, even if they do not know anything about what you are trying to do. They will watch your every move and make suggestions until you would like to scream. They will watch five men working in a manhole and yell down Do it this way or that way and you will get it done quicker. The truth is, if they left you alone, you would get it done faster and without the stress of them yelling out ideas constantly. No one is a jack of all trades, so keep your unqualified comments to yourself and make everyone’s life easier and more efficient. If you cannot work and help, do not offer suggestions on how to do the work.

Journeymen

I have seen some journey men tell a master electrician that their old school method of electrical work is wrong. They want to cut corners and get the job done quicker. I do not hire anyone with that attitude. I have had the same electrician for years. All of their workers are trained, and they get it done right the first time. They are dependable.

The Backseat Driver

They will say you should have stepped on it and made it through that stop sign before the light turned red. Also, if you had turned sooner, you could have gotten there sooner. Backseat drivers can cause accidents by distracting you from your driving. If a backseat driver starts telling you how to drive, ask them to take over and see what happens. I almost guarantee they will say you should keep driving because they actually enjoy bossing you.

I Saw One Woman Telling Her Husband How To Edge Their Sidewalk

. Her poor husband was following her every order. I bet the poor man edged that sidewalk three times before it met her satisfaction. I would have gone into the house right away and let her do it herself. One time, a woman was telling her husband how to sweep off the sidewalk. I would have said, since you know all of the ins and outs about it, you do it then. I have seen men boss their wives, also telling them that guests are coming over and they will have to cook a meal for them. The woman should be asked beforehand, as she may be too tired to prepare a big meal without any warning. Do not boss your husband or wife around, as it is neither kind nor dignified.

Sidewalk Supervisors Be Still

A sidewalk supervisor is not intelligent and wants to portray themselves as a jack of all trades, even though they have not participated in any trade they claim to be informed about. People will get the job done without your quirky, silly little ideas. People will think more of you if you make suggestions based on your knowledge, rather than just wanting to be heard and considering yourself the solution to everyone’s problems. Silence can speak volumes, and loose lips that cannot stay shut can sink ships.

Tags tips, too many suggestions

D I Y Projects

I Like DIY Projects

I cleaned out a floor drain in the other house. My cats had knocked over the kitty litter in the drain. I swept out all of the kitty litter that I could. I ran some water, and it was still clogged with clumping kitty litter. I then poked a screwdriver down the drain and got some of the litter out, but it was still clogged. I put baking soda and white vinegar down the drain several times, and it foamed up each time. I used a degreaser, such as dish soap, snaked the drain, then poured distilled water down it, and it works perfectly. If I had hired a plumber, I would have paid $150.00.

Outdoor And Indoor DIY Projects

I love trimming trees and keeping them properly trimmed. I learned how to use a chainsaw by having my Father teach me to use it safely. I like painting and staining outdoors. I have put shingles on houses and garages, installed screen doors, put in new plugs and switches, and installed light fixtures. I fixed many leaky faucets over the years. I once had a plumber fix a faucet for me, and it leaked immediately. He claimed he had put new seats and gaskets in the fixture, and he claimed that I was so strong I had ruined the seats already. I told him that it was impossible. He met his match with me. I think he had pulled that trick with many women over the years. Ladies, educate yourselves so no one pulls the wool over your eyes when it comes to repairs. I was trying to hire a roofer for a steep roof, and I said, “Why are you trying to charge me twice as much as you would a man?” He was brutally honest and said most women do not know roof pricing, and it was a quick way to make extra money needed; needless to say, I never hired him. I like putting furniture together, staining old furniture, and making repairs, such as gluing trim back on or installing new pegs on the legs.

DIY Saves Time And Money

By painting inside your home, you can save a lot of money. I can paint quickly, and it still looks good. I was working next to a carpenter once, and I painted two rooms for him, so I decided to work on my own. I roofed two garages in one day, with someone handing me the shingles. I also painted two sides of a large shed in one afternoon.

Mowing Your Yard

I love mowing my yard because it’s very relaxing, and I love a well-manicured lawn. I used to change the oil and filters myself, and I could take off the decks and sharpen the blades. I have all of that done now, as the decks are too heavy for me to maneuver around anymore. I still check the antifreeze and oil levels and wash and wax them.

Tags DIY weekend, fix it yourelf, tips

Know How To Operate Equipment

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date January 26, 2026
No Comments on Know How To Operate Equipment

Gun Buying

One day, a woman came into a store that sold guns and wanted to buy a rifle. The owner of the store got the gun ready for her to take home with her until she asked him, ” Do you put the bullet in the end of the gun. The owner told her she better go home and speak to her husband about the gun. She left the store a little irritated, but she did not know anything about a gun that might kill her since she did not know how to use it. People should consider their age when buying a gun. Will the recoil that gun have be too much for me to handle? Do not buy a gun for a young kid until they are trained and old enough to understand that a gun will kill someone, and they will not come back to life as they do in some cartoons. Gun buying is serious business, not to be taken lightly. Guns are a deadly weapon in the wrong hands.

Motorized Tools

Table saws can be very dangerous, as people have lost fingers and hands. Chainsaws can have a lot of kickback if not held correctly against the tree when cutting, and blades can break and come flying toward your arm. Never buy a run-of-the-mill chainsaw; buy one with a good bar and built to last. I like Stihl, Husqvarna, and Jonserud, as I have never had any trouble with their chainsaws. When using battery-powered tools, watch where you are cutting and what you are cutting, as you should with all power tools.

Heavy Equipment

Heavy equipment needs a wide turning radius, and if you do not have one, you can end up in the ditch or falling over the embankment. Semi drivers have tipped over full loads at some hairpin curves that a driver without much experience is not equipped to handle, and that’s when catastrophe strikes. If a snowplow blade runs out of oil, check the pistons for leaks. The blade is most likely to fall and will not stay in place. Please don’t use it, or more damage will happen. Could you make sure the machinery is completely shut down before you put your hand in to clear debris or perform maintenance?

Appliances

Always hire a reputable company to fix all your appliances, and make sure the repair persons are factory-certified. Replace your furnace air filters every month or every 3 months, depending on your furnace filter. Have your furnace checked over once a year, preferably before winter. If an appliance sounds different than usual, please have it serviced promptly to avoid more serious problems down the road. If you want to do a simple repair, you can watch it being done on YouTube. I cleaned my water softener by watching a YouTube video, and now it is operating at peak performance. I also fixed my Roombas by watching a YouTube video. Please replace parts as needed on appliances and keep them clean by cleaning up spills and messes as soon as possible; doing so will help them last much longer. Whatever you work on, make sure you know how to operate it correctly first.

Tags operate equipment correctly, Read Manuels, tips

Competion As It Should Be

Competion As it Should Be

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date January 23, 2026
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Competition Should be Fair

You should not have a competition if you know that one opponent would not be able to win. I have seen people make fun of others in competitions, which is not right. I have seen others in a competition help their competitors so the competition is on more equal footing, which is a nice quality in a person.

Competition Should Have A Clear Set Of Rules

Rules should not be broken in a competition, even if someone has wagered on the game. Some fighters are told to lose the fight on purpose. I witnessed one fighter who did not do that. The coach and quite a few others were mad at him. He did not want to let down his friends, who knew he could win, or himself. You know what is right and wrong in a competition, so follow your heart and what your soul tells you to do. In boxing, there should be no kidney punches or hits that would cause permanent damage that could result in death.

Rowing Contest

I watched a Rowing Competition at Harvard University. There were two young men in each canoe paddling in tandem. If they rowed out of tandem, they soon fell behind. The leaders seemed to have an even rowing pattern in perfect tandem. Some competitors rowed very close to each other, so they could not row in perfect tandem. One tandem team seemed to run out of steam soon and fell way behind. One young man had his oars break in two, but luckily, they had a spare one with them. The coach came along in a canoe by the shore, and all the young men carried their canoes on top of their heads back to shore. It was fun to watch the rowing competition.

Do Not Let A Competitor Run Over You

I was playing badmiton in Junior High, and some of the girls played really poorly. They would slam the bad mitton shuttle next to the net, so it was impossible to hit it. I gave them some of their own medicine because they had been doing the same to all the girls they competed against. I stopped them from having a perfect winning streak, and I also taught them the errors of their ways. I cannot stand it when anyone plays really nastily or treats others with disrespect.

God does not Want You To Compete If You Are Not A Just And Worthy Opponent.

No one should ever compete against their friends. You should want your friends to succeed and be glad for all of their wins and successes in life. God is pleased when we succeed in life, and he cheers us on; we should do the same for others. God is our biggest cheerleader in life, and then our friends and family. Compete fairly, help others achieve their goals in life, and congratulate others on their accomplishments, as they have worked very hard to get where they are today. Praise God for your many blessings in life.

Tags competion, Inspirations with Laura, tips

How To Fix Old Items

Fixing Clocks

If you have an old clock that stopped working and you know which part is bad, buy another clock on eBay and make sure that part is good before you buy it from the seller. I purchased an alarm clock like mine that had a broken crystal. All I needed was the main spring, and I had my old alarm clock up and running again. My works had worn out on my Grandfather’s clock, so my clock guy ordered new clockworks for it. If you have bent or broken hands on your clock, order some from a clock catalog or eBay. I purchased a mantel clock with a beautiful case, but the movement was faulty. I ordered the parts it needed on eBay, and it keeps perfect time.

Appliances

I purchased another used refrigerator, but it had the part I needed to fix mine, which I had in storage, and now mine works well. The one I purchased had a bad seal, but the part I needed was in good shape. Always try to find a bargain on an old appliance that has the parts you need to fix yours, no matter what kind of appliance it may be.

Autoparts

Try to go to a junk yard and get the parts you need for your vehicle. I once got a battery that was only 6 months old because the car had been totaled. I have found wheels, tires, a hood spring, and more at junkyards.

Fixing My Bike

I had ordered my bike online, and one of the nuts fell off the left side. I finally found out why a new nut wouldn’t work for it: it had left-handed threads. It took me quite a while on eBay to find a left-handed nut that size, but I finally did, and I got the last box they had, or my bike would have been junk, as no one else had any.

Restore

We have a restore not far from where we live. I have found light fixtures, toilets, hammers, gas cans, office chairs, paint, and other parts for fixing minor home repairs. I found towel bars, light bulbs, electrical parts, a nice ceiling fan, and an old clock. If you need old doors or windows to match those in your old home, go to a restore. The money goes to Habitat for Humanity.

Old Item Repair In General

Look high and low for the parts you need, and you will be happy you did. I like things to look like they did when they were new. Persistence pays when you want something to look original. If you do not know where to look for what you need, ask people or ask Google. I do not like to throw away an old, favorite item, because you will never be able to buy a new one as good as your old one. Originality is essential to me, as you keep the integrity and quality of the item intact by replacing it as it was in the beginning. Keep looking for the old parts you need, and you will be happy you did for many years to come.

Tags finding old parts, repairing items, tips

Life Has Its Ups And Downs

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date December 10, 2025
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Smooth Sailing

When things are going our way and we are feeling well, we may forget to thank God for our many blessings. We should never get so comfortable in life that we forget to thank God for what he has done for us, helping us have a happy life. We should not become complacent and think things will be fine without thanking God every day for our home, family, health, happiness, and what he provides for us. Not all days will have sunny skies. Some days will bring rain, but that is a blessing as it helps crops, trees, and vegetables grow that sustain us. Blizzards are common in the winter months, and the melted snow helps replenish the soil’s moisture for next year’s crops. All things have a purpose and season in life, and it is our job to see the purpose in what goes on in our lives. We can help each other when the storms of life get turbulent and seem out of our control. Always remember that God knows what you are going through, and you are never truly alone in life.

Travel

I love to travel, see new places, and experience new things. I love eating the various foods that each country specializes in. I love Greek baklava, Italian pizza, and many more mouthwatering foods. Travel delays are never fun, but try to make the best of them. If you have to stay an extra night in a town, go to a concert or play and have a wonderful experience that will stay with you forever. Go to some of the stores in town, and I guarantee you will find a treasure to take home.

Life Can Be Full of Fun Surprises

Life has a new adventure every day. We should never waste a day; we should make it count. Reading is a good pastime in the winter months. I like to read devotions and see how they apply to my day. Call someone on the phone and have a pleasant visit with them instead of texting. The human voice can be very soothing and healing if it is the voice of someone who truly cares about you and loves you. Have a spontaneous day with a friend where you don’t really have any plans, and I am sure you will have a very memorable day. You may discover a new restaurant, bakery, or coffee shop that you want to return to later. I got stuck in an Amish driveway one winter, and he put hot ashes under my tires, and I got unstuck right away. He was very friendly and kind, and I still go there to buy eggs, baked goods, and more.

Life Will Have Ups And Downs.

How we handle ups and downs is up to us. We must not let the down times keep us down, as there will always be blue skies again after the storms. God helps us weather storms, as all we have to do is pray to God without ceasing, on our journey through life. God heals us; we are all God’s messengers; and he cares for all of his flock.

Tags delays, Inspirations with Laura, tips, Travel