Have you hired a provider for 'anything else' ?

[+ ApexNomad]

4 minutes ago, Luv2play said:

Given the reaction to my post, why is that so strange? Women are great gardeners and if they have an entrepreneurial bent they make good landscapers. Some of the most famous gardens here in Canada were designed by women.

For instance the Reford Garden in Grande Métis sur Plage in Québec was created in the early 20 th century and is now a National Historic Site. 

Not strange at all. 

[Luv2play]

1 minute ago, ApexNomad said:

Not strange at all. 

Actually all the ones I know are straight and married. 

[Luv2play]

For those interested in gardens created by women, another in Canada are the Butchart Gradens in Victoria British Columbia. Jennie Butchart created those fabulous gardens out of an exhausted rock quarry. That was in the early 20th century and today they are a major tourist attraction. 

[Ali Gator]

36 minutes ago, Luv2play said:

Given the reaction to my post, why is that so strange? Women are great gardeners and if they have an entrepreneurial bent they make good landscapers. Some of the most famous gardens here in Canada were designed by women.

For instance the Reford Garden in Grande Métis sur Plage in Québec was created in the early 20 th century by Elsie Reford and is now a National Historic Site. 

Gardening, garden design and landscape architecture are all very different skills and professions from landscaping. I know many talented women who do the first three (landscape architects are a thriving profession in my area for both men and women), but never came across any woman who drives a truck around and mows lawns, prunes shrubs and trees, climbs trees to cut branches, removes overgrown vegetation and shrubs, etc. all which falls under the umbrella of 'landscaper'.

I guess it's common to see women do all this in Canada, but not in RI. 

[Luv2play]

1 hour ago, Ali Gator said:

Gardening, garden design and landscape architecture are all very different skills and professions from landscaping. I know many talented women who do the first three (landscape architects are a thriving profession in my area for both men and women), but never came across any woman who drives a truck around and mows lawns, prunes shrubs and trees, climbs trees to cut branches, removes overgrown vegetation and shrubs, etc. all which falls under the umbrella of 'landscaper'.

I guess it's common to see women do all this in Canada, but not in RI. 

Yes, I suppose I shouldn’t have roped landscapers into the other areas of gardening, such as design and architecture. The grunt work of shoving earth and rocks around is usually the domain of men. Climbing trees and removing branches is usually the field of arborists. I have hired these professionals to deal with some of my trees and they will not cut down trees. They leave that to others who specialize in that business. 

[Rudynate]

On 4/5/2025 at 11:29 AM, Ali Gator said:

I should clarify the question in the title 😂 ...

I have a semi-regular masseur who lives not too far from me. Nice guy from Central America, who's been in America for about ten years (has his masseur license from TX, but not valid in my state so he can't practice is a gym or spa). Very cute guy, great body, offers extras - but he called me recently to say he's looking to make extra money this spring /summer because business has been very slow the past couple of months (I haven't hired him since December, I've gotten a little bored with him) and he needs to supplement his income. Anyhow, he asked me if I needed a new landscaper (I do, the one I've had for the past 14 years has gotten way too expensive the past few years, so I let him go a month ago). He loves doing 'physical work' like this because it keeps him in shape when he skips the gym (he has a beautiful hairy chest and arms). 

He came over this morning, and gave me a very fair price to come by whenever I need him to cut the lawn; weekly, monthly, or something in between. If I want him to weed the beds, fertilize, etc. at any time, it will cost a little more, but still very reasonable. He also asked if I'm happy with his service to tell my neighbors, because he knows that's how service businesses makes money - by having many customers (as he used to with his masseur business). Of course, I'd recommend him if he's good. I did mention I'd give him a generous tip if he did it shirtless for me, and he laughed and winked - said 'sure, why not?' (I doubt he will, though, where he says he will do something for a little more money, then doesn't).

I still have a couple of other people coming by in the next week or so to give me prices (all the landscapers are out and about in my neighborhood this time of year, looking to get new customers and dropping their flyers off in our mailboxes), guys I already made appointments with. I explained this to Mr. Masseur - he understood.

My question is - what do you think ? Is it wise - or not wise - to hire a masseur for other jobs they are offering ? Or should I just keep him as my masseur, and hire someone else for my lawn ? I'm not really seeing any down-side to it, but maybe I'm missing something ? (I have a feeling the other landscapers might be  a little more than the price he's giving me, so that's something to consider, too.)

I appreciate any advice you have, or any experience in something similar you can share. 

Boundaries, boundaries.  If you are confident in your ability to maintain boundaries, why not hire him? You know him, you like him.

[Whoisyourdaddy]

Before I switched to investing full-time, I asked a few providers if they played table games. My idea was to hire them to teach me how to play. However, most of them didn't gamble, and the few who did stuck to slot machines (no, thank you). In hindsight, I probably dodged a bullet.

[Ali Gator]

13 minutes ago, Rudynate said:

Boundaries, boundaries.  If you are confident in your ability to maintain boundaries, why not hire him? You know him, you like him.

I should update...

I DID hire him, texted him within a week and told him I wanted him to be my landscaper. He was very happy, and we planned what day he would start by doing a 'spring cleanup' - the following Monday (which was around the middle of April).  When I came home from work, it was obvious he didn't show up.

I texted him that night to ask what happened, and he said he was having 'truck trouble' and he had to drop his truck off to his mechanic. We rescheduled for the following Monday. Once again, he was a 'no show'.  I texted him again that night, but he didn't respond until a couple of days later and said 'he forgot'.  I responded to him to let him know this didn't seem to be working out for either of us, so I would be looking for another landscaper. He responded with 'OK'.  And that was the end of that. 

I haven't called him for a massage this summer, only because I've cut waaaay back to save money and I was interested in just three guys (so far) who were traveling through my area.

As for the landscaper I did hire, he's also from Central America, late 40s, very attractive and a nice body (and he does great work and lives in my neighborhood).  He mentioned a few times he is married and has a son in college. However, the other day he was telling me that in the winter he's available for hire to help with 'anything I need help with' and winks. Hmm. I said, 'anything' ? And he smiled and said 'I said anything'. I told him I could come up with a few things and he smiled. I'm wondering if we're on the same page OR if there's a big language barrier. 😂

[NYXboy]

I've hired guys to clean my apartment naked. Mostly guys in college. One would just come and suck me off as I was at my desk working when he finished. 

Some I have played around with after they have finished cleaning, some I just let them clean. 

[mike carey]

6 hours ago, Luv2play said:

For those interested in gardens created by women, another in Canada are the Butchart Gradens in Victoria British Columbia. Jennie Butchart created those fabulous gardens out of an exhausted rock quarry. That was in the early 20th century and today they are a major tourist attraction. 

And throughly worth a visit.

[Ali Gator]

8 hours ago, NYXboy said:

I've hired guys to clean my apartment naked. Mostly guys in college. One would just come and suck me off as I was at my desk working when he finished. 

Some I have played around with after they have finished cleaning, some I just let them clean. 

I've been looking for this for the past five years. I have a number of colleges in my city - two within walking distance to my house. It's not a lot of cleaning I would want them to do - just the bathroom and kitchen once a week, the bedrooms and living room once a month or so. Rather easy, I'm willing to pay what they ask - just do it nude. I can't find any hot guy offering to do it clothed, never mind nude. It's funny because my area has morphed into a friendly 'gayborhood' over the past decade or so. If these college guys paid attention to their neighborhood they're living in / patronizing (stores and cafes) they'd realize they could make money on the side offering these services (or more). 

[+ ApexNomad]

13 hours ago, Luv2play said:

For those interested in gardens created by women, another in Canada are the Butchart Gradens in Victoria British Columbia. Jennie Butchart created those fabulous gardens out of an exhausted rock quarry. That was in the early 20th century and today they are a major tourist attraction. 

These are beautiful!!

[Rudynate]

13 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

I should update...

I DID hire him, texted him within a week and told him I wanted him to be my landscaper. He was very happy, and we planned what day he would start by doing a 'spring cleanup' - the following Monday (which was around the middle of April).  When I came home from work, it was obvious he didn't show up.

I texted him that night to ask what happened, and he said he was having 'truck trouble' and he had to drop his truck off to his mechanic. We rescheduled for the following Monday. Once again, he was a 'no show'.  I texted him again that night, but he didn't respond until a couple of days later and said 'he forgot'.  I responded to him to let him know this didn't seem to be working out for either of us, so I would be looking for another landscaper. He responded with 'OK'.  And that was the end of that. 

I haven't called him for a massage this summer, only because I've cut waaaay back to save money and I was interested in just three guys (so far) who were traveling through my area.

As for the landscaper I did hire, he's also from Central America, late 40s, very attractive and a nice body (and he does great work and lives in my neighborhood).  He mentioned a few times he is married and has a son in college. However, the other day he was telling me that in the winter he's available for hire to help with 'anything I need help with' and winks. Hmm. I said, 'anything' ? And he smiled and said 'I said anything'. I told him I could come up with a few things and he smiled. I'm wondering if we're on the same page OR if there's a big language barrier. 😂

Boundaries - he didn't show and he didn't contact you, so if you have anything more to do with him it is AYOR, knowing that his word isn't always good.

[Luv2play]

21 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

Gardening, garden design and landscape architecture are all very different skills and professions from landscaping. I know many talented women who do the first three (landscape architects are a thriving profession in my area for both men and women), but never came across any woman who drives a truck around and mows lawns, prunes shrubs and trees, climbs trees to cut branches, removes overgrown vegetation and shrubs, etc. all which falls under the umbrella of 'landscaper'.

I guess it's common to see women do all this in Canada, but not in RI. 

Your post reminded me I am a combination gardener, landscape architect, designer of gardens and landscaper, as well as arborist. I do these things as a matter of interest and necessity.

When I bought my retirement home 16 years ago I was confronted with a large mostly empty lot surrounding the house with lots of potential. It had a good exposure to sun and was a corner lot. 
I trained for two years as an architect at university level so had the basic skills of a designer and architect(I have designed two houses in my lifetime) and a love for gardens. 
I designed 3 gardens at the rear of the house interspaced by stone walkways and shrubs and trees and several gardens around the house with trees, shrubs etc. 

16 years on I do all the maintenance. I wonder as I get older how much longer I will be able to keep it up. But it is a good form of exercise and I take great pleasure in sitting in my gazebo, which I designed, and seeing the fruits of my labours. 

Edited yesterday at 09:36 PM by Luv2play

[NYXboy]

9 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

I've been looking for this for the past five years. I have a number of colleges in my city - two within walking distance to my house. It's not a lot of cleaning I would want them to do - just the bathroom and kitchen once a week, the bedrooms and living room once a month or so. Rather easy, I'm willing to pay what they ask - just do it nude. I can't find any hot guy offering to do it clothed, never mind nude. It's funny because my area has morphed into a friendly 'gayborhood' over the past decade or so. If these college guys paid attention to their neighborhood they're living in / patronizing (stores and cafes) they'd realize they could make money on the side offering these services (or more). 

I found mine on Craiglist back before it got made useless. It would be worth a shot. Also maybe ask guys on RentMen. Im sure some of them wouldn't mind a regular gig like that. 

[Ali Gator]

2 hours ago, Luv2play said:

16 years on I do all the maintenance. I wonder as I get older how much longer I will be able to keep it up. But it is a good form of exercise and I take great pleasure in sitting in my gazebo, which I designed, and seeing the fruits of my labours. 

And this is where a hot, young, hunky landscaper comes in. Ask him to go shirtless, promise him compensation he'll be happy with, and you're as good as gold. (I prefer Latino men with muscled, hairy chests myself. Facial scruff is also a plus).

[Ali Gator]

4 hours ago, Rudynate said:

Boundaries - he didn't show and he didn't contact you, so if you have anything more to do with him it is AYOR, knowing that his word isn't always good.

True, but let's face it: he came out on the losing end on this one. He needed the extra cash this summer (so he said), and I was a paying customer - if he took it seriously. In the end. I hired a hunky landscaper (as I wanted) , my lawn is landscaped each week, and there's a promise he can help me in the end with 'anything' during the fall - winter months. 

[+ ApexNomad]

3 hours ago, Luv2play said:

Your post reminded me I am a combination gardener, landscape architect, designer of gardens and landscaper, as well as arborist. I do these things as a matter of interest and necessity.

When I bought my retirement home 16 years ago I was confronted with a large mostly empty lot surrounding the house with lots of potential. It had a good exposure to sun and was a corner lot. 
I trained for two years as an architect at university level so had the basic skills of a designer and architect(I have designed two houses in my lifetime) and a love for gardens. 
I designed 3 gardens at the rear of the house interspaced by stone walkways and shrubs and trees and several gardens around the house with trees, shrubs etc. 

16 years on I do all the maintenance. I wonder as I get older how much longer I will be able to keep it up. But it is a good form of exercise and I take great pleasure in sitting in my gazebo, which I designed, and seeing the fruits of my labours. 

Look on the bright side, when you finally seek help, at least you’ll have a whole pool of straight, married women landscapers waiting for you.

[Luv2play]

44 minutes ago, ApexNomad said:

Look on the bright side, when you finally seek help, at least you’ll have a whole pool of straight, married women landscapers waiting for you.

That’s probably my only option. I notice all the cute guys are working at the grocery store in my town. 

[+ ApexNomad]

2 minutes ago, Luv2play said:

That’s probably my only option. I notice all the cute guys are working at the grocery store in my town. 

Time to stock up on bananas, eggplants, zucchinis, strictly for meal prep, of course.

 

[MscleLovr]

18 hours ago, Luv2play said:

I notice all the cute guys are working at the grocery store in my town. 

I feel you should shop daily @Luv2play.
A heathy body can best be maintained by a varied diet of fresh produce. 
😎

[Luv2play]

2 hours ago, MscleLovr said:

I feel you should shop daily @Luv2play.
A heathy body can best be maintained by a varied diet of fresh produce. 
😎

You’re absolutely right. And I do shop almost every day and buy fresh food. Which I cook myself. 
When I go out to dine it’s always good restaurants . No junk food or very little if you consider pizza junk food. And then only seldom do I have pizza, Maybe once every 3 months. Don’t eat hamburgers and fries.

[MscleLovr]

You forgot to state how often you include in your diet some of “all the cute guys” you mentioned earlier…😎