Today I watched my dad siphon gasoline out of my snow blower. It was during that time that I thought about all of the great things that my dad had taught me over the years. From sports, to how to write a check, or the phrase right to tighten, left to loosen. I admit I was nerdy girl growing up. I was playing school or reading Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley High Books. I wish I would have paid more attention when he was fixing things around the house.
Now there are a lot of women who are very handy. Not me. It wasn’t until after my divorce that I realized all of the “house responsibilities” that my ex-husband took care of. I admit that I have recently walked into Home Depot with that damsel in distress look on my face. I was in the store looking for a man, I mean a handy man, I mean a garden hose. All the while feeling helpless and overwhelmed.
I need to learn how to change a tire and figure out what all of those electrical boxes are in my basement. I was very proud of myself for changing the air filter in my furnace. Also, I remembered how often I needed to change it. I want to learn how to change the oil in my car, put the windshield wipers on or insert the air filter. It can’t be that hard right? These things may sound very simple to you. But they are on my bucket list of things to learn. I want to be able to correctly hook up the generator when the power goes out. First, I need to buy a generator. But I think you get where I am going with this.
Being an independent woman can be viewed as a threat by some men. It is very intimidating for men to grasp a woman’s independence. Don’t get me wrong I would love for a man to take over that role in our family again. I just don’t want to have to YouTube everything or call people over to help me until that happens. I wish there was a Handy Man Repair Class geared toward women. I paid for a self-defense class for women sponsored by the SWAT team in Michigan, so I would pay to learn how to do simple repairs in my home. Would you?
I’m challenging myself to step out of my comfort zone and to learn some simple repair techniques. Not to worry. I don’t plan on putting up drywall in the basement or using a saw, so we should be safe. But I must start somewhere. So, if you know of a handy man who can help me out please send him my way. Preferably ones that look like Shemar Moore or Charlie Hunan. A girl can dream right?
I’ve got my toolbox ready. Do you?
~Brooke
A Woman's Work - Brooke Basically Blogging 