| "body"> | | | | after picking up my first tools! |
| My husband is a computer geek. He's great at his | | | | I bought a couple of "how to" books specifically for |
| job, but tools and repair work are just not his things. | | | | women. I have to admit that I hated them both. |
| I didn't know anything about tools or making repairs | | | | They were terribly condescending. They said things |
| either. When we bought our house and problems | | | | like, "This is a screwdriver. You use it to tighten |
| arose, we hired repairmen. After being overcharged | | | | screws. It's OK for women to use them." I'm only |
| and witnessing how simple some of the repairs were, | | | | exaggerating a little bit. At first, I did need some |
| I thought, "I can learn how to do that." | | | | basics, but that was ridiculous. In this age of home |
| I didn't think much more about it until our garbage | | | | improvement shows constantly on television, I knew |
| disposal broke. When my husband suggested I call | | | | enough to know what projects I wanted to try, but |
| someone to come out and fix it, I got online instead. | | | | I didn't know how to do them. I have to admit I was |
| I went to the manufacturer's website and found a | | | | a bit intimidated, too. |
| troubleshooting guide. I also found a couple of | | | | You have to be prepared for a bit of patronizing |
| step-by-step websites that told me exactly what to | | | | from certain men. When my husband is with me at |
| do. It was so much easier than I thought! When I | | | | the home improvement store, the male employees |
| told my husband that I fixed the garbage disposal, he | | | | sometimes talk only to him, even if I ask a question. |
| was incredulous. I was so proud of my | | | | It's as though they can't imagine that a woman is |
| accomplishment that I then had the confidence to | | | | capable of using power tools. The best part of |
| take on bigger projects. | | | | learning about home improvement comes when you |
| I discovered that the Internet is a great source of | | | | have to hire someone for big jobs. You're less likely |
| information on "how to" projects. Everything I | | | | to be swindled when workmen know that you're |
| wanted to try was right there with a simple | | | | "home improvement literate." You're also more likely |
| explanation. The next Valentine's Day, I asked for a | | | | to get exactly what you want because you can |
| circular saw to make the shelves I wanted in the | | | | describe things specifically so there's no doubt. |
| pantry. I was officially a "repair chick." | | | | If you're intimidated or new to the world of home |
| I've repaired plumbing, installed sinks and faucets, | | | | improvement, start small. Fix the garbage disposal, |
| fixed major appliances, tiled floors, painted, | | | | change out the lint exhaust duct behind the dryer, or |
| wallpapered, installed carpet, and I've even dabbled in | | | | install a roll-out cabinet organizer. These are all pretty |
| drywall. My latest project was building our deck, | | | | easy projects, but you'll be amazed by the sense of |
| which I even designed thanks to some cool | | | | satisfaction you'll have and how empowered you feel |
| software. I got help on the deck from men who I | | | | once you discover that you can do it yourself. |
| had to teach how to help me. This is all only six years | | | | |