I have pictured myself, incorrectly, as a handyman. I've written about it on a few posts. I've done simple plumbing and electrical. Rough carpentry, like fences. Fixed appliances. I get some satisfaction from doing these jobs but a couple of years ago I wrote that I would quit.
Well, I didn't quit.
I've still repaired some things but it's difficult to see with trifocals. It's also difficult to bend to get in the right position. Fingers don't work like they used to.
Well I was dumb enough to try "a very simple" procedure the other day.
Our house is old enough to have a storm door. The space between the two doors is now not enough for the lock sets they sell today.
So I didn't have a lock on my storm door. I wanted to be able to leave the main door open at night so that in hot weather a breeze could blow through the screen in the door and cool the house over night. So a simple fix would be to put a small dead bolt on my storm door with the screen. Now I've put many of these bolts on . They're the kind you use to put on gates and shed doors.
Well, this one was to be a little different. I was modifying it's use. So needless to say it was difficult to measure and get things to line up. I couldn't close the door to measure. I had to keep the door open and "eye ball it. " The first time it didn't work so drill all those holes a little further back.
So one of those little jobs that should have taken 45 min. took me all afternoon.
When will I ever learn?
Red, if you did the job and it works that's all that matters. I say 'well done'!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy with it! It just took much longer than I thought.
DeleteIt sounds like you got the job done though and that is good. I understand how you feel. Tom and I have always been do-it-yourselfers around the house and repaired as much as we could ourselves. We are now getting to the point where we can't do all that we used to and have had to hire a handyman on a few occasions. It's a difficult thing to accept when you can't do all that you used to do.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's hard to accept some lack of independence.
DeleteOh, but Mr. Red, you've got your special lock on your door. I find fix-it projects take longer too. I want to think about them first, then not be bothered while I do it slowly. You're welcome in Kansas City anytime to help me through my list of projects! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteWell, I've never been to Kansas Maybe I should put it on my list.
DeleteNext time, get The Micro Manager to do those tricky little jobs while you check out stuff on the computer.
ReplyDeleteListen, it would be much more difficult to have the Micro Manager do these jobs.
DeleteI'm still trying to convince myself that it matters not how long a job takes now that I've retired from regular work, but still the old habits linger. It's even weirder that I should have these feelings as for the last 20-odd years of my working life I cared for young people with autism, where generally the worst thing you could do was try to hurry them.
ReplyDeleteIf you're a handy man, forget about time. Good on you for caring for people with autism.
DeleteSince I have never been a handyman of any type, I am suitably impressed.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteOnce a handyman, always a handyman! At least you sorted it out.
ReplyDeleteI think your quote is exactly right.
DeleteI know what you mean. My husband has come to realize that having the desire to do something these days doesn’t mean he can, even if he’s done it numerous times before. He too is someone who tackles numerous jobs around the house. Those days are disappearing.
ReplyDeleteI also find that I am not able to visualize as much any more. You have to envision things before they get done.
DeleteWe learn until the next issue arises and we know it would take weeks and more money than necessary to get someone in to fix it so we attempt it ourselves.
ReplyDeleteYou have a key idea here. You get somebody else and thee job may not be very good.
DeleteBut can't a robber just cut through the screen?
ReplyDeleteNot worried about robbers here. It's a very safe area.
DeleteThat seems to happen to me, too, not with handyman projects as I don't have the skills to do those, but with sewing and mending projects.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, are you not worried about someone just cutting the screen to get inside your house? A lock is some deterrence but not enough, in my opinion!
I'm not worried. this is a very safe area.
DeleteMy two husbands were handymen par excellence and I was neither expected nor allowed to touch a hammer or drill or screwdriver. Now left alone how I wish I had learned.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad that you didn't get some experience although in your time it was not common for women to do odd jobs.
DeleteWell, it sounds like you got it done. So... there is an upside to all that effort.
ReplyDeleteIt's done and it looks and works better than expected.
DeleteWe must contribute. That is an essential part of our elder life, even if we don't do it so well.
ReplyDelete:) Sometimes the simple jobs take the longest, you get a gold start for trying!
ReplyDeleteI'm famous for not seeing the whole thing and running into problems.
DeleteSo if it works, you accomplished the goal.
ReplyDeleteIt works and looks good.
DeleteAt least you tried, and ultimately succeeded (I assume), and save a lot of money in the process!
ReplyDeleteI did succeed. I would have had to replace two perfectly good doors to get a proper lock.
DeleteBut you got it done, and what else were you planning to do with that time? Older means slower and that's OK.
ReplyDeleteWell, I could have gone bird watching instead of attaching a lock.
DeleteIt is part of being a handyman!
ReplyDeleteIt's a challenge that's needed once in a while.
DeleteAs far as that kind of thing is concerned, I'd be hopeless.
ReplyDeletePeople can be satisfied with many different activities.
DeleteI find such a sense of accomplishment when I finish these chores! Mine normally go the way yours go, measure twice cut once, and all!
ReplyDeleteI like hearing about your projects.
DeleteI'll bet you were glad when that "simple" job was accomplished! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, it gives us more options.
DeleteI've got to hand it to you, Red, this sounds exactly like something I would get going for myself. And it would probably turn out the same way. When you were all done did it work like you wanted? If this coming summer is like last summer, you are going to be happy you've got that breeze coming in the house.
ReplyDeleteIt works better than I thought and it will make a difference in keeping the house a little cooler.
ReplyDeleteKeep puttering away, Red. I wish I had the skills to get small jobs like that done
ReplyDeleteI've been asking myself that question on all sorts of things.
ReplyDeletedespite the longer while it took you were able to do it dear Red and that is what matters most :)
ReplyDeletei adore "handy man" people ,my mom would lament if my father was one ,but he never was ,i am fortunate that hubby is a handy man and can repair everything almost