Make Sure You Check the Oil!

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Growing up with five brothers does have some advantages. Here I was, married with four kids and I had never used the lawnmower. My brothers cut the acre of grass my parents had around the house and since we married my husband had been able to stay ahead of the grass, so I had been spared that chore. My husbands work schedule had gotten incredibly busy so I offered to cut the grass on the half acre we were using. He showed me how to start the lawnmower and left for work. His last words were, when you fill the gas tank be sure to check the oil. After lunch, the grass was dry and three of the children were down for naps, the fourth was strapped to me. It was time to get started. The mower started without any problems and I started cutting the grass. I was three quarters of the way through when the lawnmower ran out of gas and the children were awake again. The gas tank was filled. Now, where do I check the oil? I asked four year old. She pointed to a screw cap. I opened it. The oil was down, so I added a bit. I still couldn't see it. I added some more. Finally about half a litre later I decided that was enough. The lawn mower wouldn't start. When my husband came home, he tried. It still wouldn't start. Where did you put the oil? I pointed. He started to laugh. I had poured half a litre of oil directly into the carburetor. It was several years before I cut the grass again.