I was a woman on a mission. A woman on a mission with a $90 Ace gift card burning a hole in my pocket.
As an Ace blogger, I was asked to spend $90 in celebration of Ace’s 90th Anniversary this month.
Okay. I can do that.
So I walk into my local Ace Hardware store and am greeted with lots of friendly, neighborly smiles and offers for help from the Ace staffers. Only problem? I’m not sure how to spend that $90. Sure, I have some ideas. Okay, I have lots of ideas …
a sad testament to just how many projects and updates are needed around this old house …
but I enter that Ace store with an open mind.
And that $90 gift card burning a hole in my pocket.
My plan was to walk from aisle to aisle. Scoping out options. Then I’d make a list. And then I’d prioritize that list. Then I would think on that list. Then I would procrastinate as that list sat on the kitchen counter. Then I’d lose the list. Then I’d have to start all over again with a new list …
and perhaps a second trip to Ace Hardware to walk the aisles.
Thankfully that plan was shot out of the water the very minute I walked in. There at the front of the store was the lawn and garden section. With grills and seeds and weed killers and rakes. But what caught my eye was the leaf blowers …
Sure they’re noisy. And annoying. Especially in the city. And especially when your neighbor decides to fire it up at 7 AM on a weekend morning.
But I decided right then and there that I would be a responsible leaf blower owner.
And with that decided, all that remained was the question of, “which one?”
Enter my helpful Ace staffer. He described the differences between the various options. Things that sounded like Greek to me. But when he told me his mom uses this one …
I was sold. Forget about ‘air velocity’ and ‘air volume’ and CFM’s. All I needed to know is how long his mom has been using this leaf blower and her level of happiness with its performance.
That’s right. I was won over by his mom’s seal of approval!
And while the weather in Chicago has still been a bit brisk, I had my trusty power tool model try it out this weekend …
And, yes, it does blow the leaves. And, yes, it then vacuums up those leaves. Storing all in the handy dandy bag provided.
Now the Toro Rake & Vac is not just mom approved. It’s also Mike approved.
In celebration of Ace Hardware’s 90th Anniversary, I get to give away a $90 Ace gift card to one of you …
Good luck!
This post was written as part of my participation on the Ace Blogger Panel. Ace Hardware provided me product and supplies for this post. However, any and all opinions about Ace Hardware, Toro brands, leaf blowers … and leaf blower etiquette … are 100% my own.
I have so much painting to do that I’d probably spend it on paint and supplies. Thanks for the chance to win.
I too would walk down the tool aisle to see what I need. A new drill or sander or something else. I do have a leaf blower that is electric also and I use it in the winter on the snow on my driveway and side walk. No it move several inches of snow but you would be amazed what it can do with just a few strokes. A very wise choice you made. I love our Ace Hardware here in IA too.
I want to get the Mom recommend leaf blower!!! 🙂
I would love to spend it on gardening supplies, flowers etc. Anything to make my yard prettier! Thank you so much for such a generous gift!!
We just moved into a new house so the list of “to dos” is VERY LONG. Paint is the easiest choice but I think I would have to go with my list to see how much I could do with the $ 90.00. PICK ME, PICK ME!! 😉
Our yard is sad. Sad like you can not believe. The builder told us we were getting an ‘upgraded lawn package.’ Apparently this translates into “We take away all your topsoil, add a ton of rocks, do some light rockhounding, and throw down mesh in the back yard, annual rye mixed with bluegrass which will never grow in the front. You will have patches of clover and some soybeans. You’re welcome!”
Jerks.
I need to fertilize and rent a machine and seed my yard myself. For the second time because the first time was a big fat failure.
Wow – I sound bitter!
I’ll use it on fertilizer and grass seed.
Definitely more paint and supplies. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d get paint.
My Ace has an amazing home/kitchen/accessory section. I would have to raid that.
Paint items!!!
Paint and supplies.
Ace is such a great store. It’s hard to say how I would spend it without walking up and down the isles! I could buy housewares or things for the garden or paint supplies …..
I love Ace! I would buy a bunch of pretty spring flowers and some new paint for the kitchen.
Get my husband either a blower or an edger
I need a leaf blower and my own tool box with MY tools! Would love to win and thank you for the giveaway!
I really need the leaf blower especially since it can vacuum up the leaves. I have a hard to reach spot that the leaf blower would do the trick. Thanks for highlighting this product!
Would buy paint
It’s probably mostly be spent on paint! I have a laundry room that needs to be finished!
I would surprise my boyfriend with a new weed-eater for his new home!
I just received the Ace Hardware in the mail and there are many items for outdoors I will have no trouble spending it. thanks for giving me a chance.
Ace is THE place!
I will spend on paint and tools
I LOVE my Ace! I would spend it on a window box to match the one I already have…and I KNOW they have one! After that 55, I would spend the rest on plants with which to fill it!
Paint of course!
Truthfully I would get that exact leaf blower!! Our 50 year old avocado tree provides us with tons of delicious avocados and a horrible amount of dead leaves in the winter and spring.
I would love paint 🙂
I wouldbuy the same thing as you,
My Printer’s Row Ace store is fantastic for our high-rise living! We don’t need a leaf blower, but paint supplies and storage solutions are always needed!
I would be new power tools!!
Oh I could so use one of these! Our patio is always getting leaves on it, and pretty soon I’ll be out there manually sweeping up those annoying little propellers .
definitely paint!
I would get some paint.
I’d put it towards a lawn mower
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
We really want to get a cooler (a nice one) for our back yard and shade for the porch anda rug and soooo much more so like you Id just walk the store and have have.
Hi Linda!! I can’t believe the day I finally stop by and you have a giveaway going…and an awesome one at that. If I would win I would buy gardening supplies. Potting soil, pots, maybe even a spiffy new pair of gardening gloves. lol. Hope you are well!
For paint thanks for the giveaway
The hardware store is an easy place to spend money! There is always something that needs fixing, painting, etc. Thanks for the opportunity.
I need to buy some paint to paint our garage door!
i need paint to repaint the cabinets in our kitchen
I would love to put it towards paint for my front porch.
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I’d run, not walk to get one of these leaf blower/vac.! Thanks Ace for the opportunity – my fingers are crossed!
wow this would be awesome to win I just bought my first home a fixer upper and lots of things I need to get for DIY projects
I would get some paint for my new apartment!