Well, Tyler has a pretty full schedule and a propensity to strongman pipes, so a few months ago I decided to try my hand at plumbing. That went pretty well (I did need a little help, but that's why we have a strongman in the house, isn't it?). Well, Tyler is currently working full time and has 2 pretty busy classes in his second-to-last semester of Mastering the Public, so he doesn't always want to spend his free time "build[ing] something together". Plus, he doesn't get as much time with the kids as I do...
Well, I came up with a brilliant idea to meet all of our needs: my "homey-do" (some people call it a "honey do" list, but you all know Tyler's my homey) list gets checked off, the kids get Daddy time, and I get a break from the kids. It's called "Ali's Got Skills". That's right, I am learning to do all that fun home improving and Tyler gets to watch the kids. IT IS GREAT! Really, it seems to be a win-win situation for us all. I am much more eager to get projects done in our house, probably because I am in it all the time.
In September I picked up some basic plumbing. I'm adding a few more plumbing skills to my repertoire this month. Other than a geyser in the tub, it's been going fairly well.
I did my first electrical work on Monday. That's right, I learned how to replace light fixtures with very little help (I had to call my dad to figure out what to do with the ground wire when there wasn't a green screw since Tyler was asleep on the couch while I was electricianing). I had so much fun with the light fixture over the kitchen sink that I replaced hall lights upstairs and down. They were plain old, paint-spattered fixtures and I replaced them with this kind of beauty.
I'm hoping to learn some drywall patching this weekend, prepping for removing our huntin' themed paneling in May. I'm sure I'll let you know how that goes.
In my "spare time" I also constructed curtains for the playroom and the windows beside the front doors (those front door windows were really in need of some privacy!). The playroom, as you can see on closer inspection, has some dragons in the mix. I picked up the fabric in New Zealand and am stoked to finally have someplace fun to feature it.
I also discovered a fun store in Provo called "Restore". They take donations of home improvement (both new and used) items and sell them to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Anyway, we got our sink fixture and the curtain rod finials for the playroom there. It's a place to visit again and again (Tyler's brother, Andy, would really dig that place).
Well, I came up with a brilliant idea to meet all of our needs: my "homey-do" (some people call it a "honey do" list, but you all know Tyler's my homey) list gets checked off, the kids get Daddy time, and I get a break from the kids. It's called "Ali's Got Skills". That's right, I am learning to do all that fun home improving and Tyler gets to watch the kids. IT IS GREAT! Really, it seems to be a win-win situation for us all. I am much more eager to get projects done in our house, probably because I am in it all the time.
In September I picked up some basic plumbing. I'm adding a few more plumbing skills to my repertoire this month. Other than a geyser in the tub, it's been going fairly well.
I did my first electrical work on Monday. That's right, I learned how to replace light fixtures with very little help (I had to call my dad to figure out what to do with the ground wire when there wasn't a green screw since Tyler was asleep on the couch while I was electricianing). I had so much fun with the light fixture over the kitchen sink that I replaced hall lights upstairs and down. They were plain old, paint-spattered fixtures and I replaced them with this kind of beauty.
I'm hoping to learn some drywall patching this weekend, prepping for removing our huntin' themed paneling in May. I'm sure I'll let you know how that goes.
In my "spare time" I also constructed curtains for the playroom and the windows beside the front doors (those front door windows were really in need of some privacy!). The playroom, as you can see on closer inspection, has some dragons in the mix. I picked up the fabric in New Zealand and am stoked to finally have someplace fun to feature it.
I also discovered a fun store in Provo called "Restore". They take donations of home improvement (both new and used) items and sell them to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Anyway, we got our sink fixture and the curtain rod finials for the playroom there. It's a place to visit again and again (Tyler's brother, Andy, would really dig that place).
Comments
Beth--oh, yes, you are on my short (very short) list of people to enlist in my schemes.
Kelli--plumbing is far less scary than I imagined...but I only do fairly simple stuff.