Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Home Repairs Single Style

"Stay calm," I told myself. I was a little uncomfortable, but nothing hurt. Luckily I'd fallen on my bed, flat on my back, arms spread out. I could have snapped my fingers to summon the butler--if I had a butler. Next best thing--snap at the kids, but they were all at school.
Elmer, AKA Useless

Elmer, one of my cats came in, jumped on the bed, stepped over my face, stepped up onto the large and heavy mirror I was under, laid down and started to purr. I was pinned by a mirror with a cat on top.

Kind of like a fly under a flyswatter, except I wasn't smashed. I wished I was smashed, but I wasn't; it was just another day of widow-meets-home-decorating-challenges.

Score: MIRROR - 1
WIDOW - 0

I'm mirror-free now. I wriggled out from under the thing before the kids got home. What are your most embarrassing home repair stories? If you haven't had any yet, then click the link below and to start the DIY and build yourself some LOL memories!

Home Repairs That Shouldn't Require A Handyman
Here's a quick overview:
1. Toilet Tweaks: You and I could do these! Plus you wouldn't have to subject yourself to plumber cracks (yay!)
2. Replace a broken light switch: If you know how to find and turn off the circuit breaker, you can do this too. Consider buying the circuit tester they mention, they're really great for finding live wires too.
3. Tuck-pointing: Honestly? I wouldn't try it because cement is known to dry before I'm done.
4. Installing a dimmer switch: see #2.
5. Replacing a broken floor tile: Really? Renting all those power tools too? Just put a throw rug over it.
6. Patching a concrete crack: see #3
7. Replacing a faucet: this looks do-able!
8. Installing a ceiling fan: NOT unless you have the upper body strength, have a spotter, and don't get dizzy on ladders
9. Removing a stripped or broken screw: maybe
10. Repairing your gutters and downspouts: If you're comfortable on a ladder this could save you from a lot of water damage and $$$$ repairs. But--- consider if it's worth falling off a ladder for.

I'd love to hear your tips, tricks and most embarrassing home repair moments.
ferree

3 comments:

  1. Score:

    ELMER - 2
    MIRROR - 1
    WIDOW - 0

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi - Ferree, my most embarrassing DIY was last winter, my 32 inch Samsung t.v. turn on/off knob had somehow sunk way down into the t.v. tube, so your's truly thought I would just take the back off the t.v. and give the knob a push forward and then my remote would work. Well I unscrewed about 15 tiny screws off the back and went to remove it and it was stuck.... (so I thought) so I got a screw driver and attempted to pry the back off and I completely broke the mother board into. (duh)
    BUT.... on a positive note my brother-in-law and sister were here for Christmas and surprisingly bought my a new 32 inch flat Samsung t.v. (maybe God blest my ignorance)

    One of my biggest DIY accomplishments was taking my vacuum cleaner (totally) apart, screw by screw and unclogging all the debris in the plastic hose w/ a coat hanger wire and even in the turn wheels.... but with God's grace and help, we fixed it.
    Another DIY accomplishment was my coffee table top which was very scarred and scratched from the move and my cats. So I went to the Home Depot and purchased 4 12x12 forest green ceramic tiles and bought a tube of liquid nails and wa-la. I have a new gorgeous table top the cats can't scratch. I use liquid nails for many projects. (It holds and works great)

    p.s...
    I wonder if there are any books on how to (undo it yourself?)

    Dodi :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I see Swans Forever has been bribed by Elmer....sigh... And Dodi, your stories are great! Love the tip about Liquid Nails. Good for you for tackling these projects. Women really can accomplish a lot and you'll nudge some others to turn their "fixits" into fixed! thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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