Well, I can see Catland's point. If the guy across the street isn't fixing your mower, take it somewhere else. You can make excuses why you can't do something, but ultimately the responsibility lies with you - not the guy across the street. And what is wrong with going over to the lady who offered to let you use her mower's house and asking her if you can borrow it?

Sometimes you just gotta take matters into your own hands and quit waiting for the world to beat a path to your door.