Resolved

I read an interesting perspective on home repair this week when I came across this article. The writer makes a good point--every homeowner should be able to perform certain simple repairs, not just to save money over hiring someone, but for the convenience, satisfaction, and assurance that it's done correctly.

Instead of, or in addition to, New Year's Resolutions, perhaps we should all make annual Home Resolutions. Resolve to learn one or two new repair techniques each year. I know that some of the simple repairs the writer mentions--like replacing a light switch or outlet--are ones that I do not know how to do. It's not that I have tried and failed. It's just that sometimes it's easier to let my husband do the things he already knows how to do well rather than me taking more time to learn it, especially when time is already so short.

But I recall my mother's situation when my father died. He was the least handy man I've ever known, but he did do some things around the house. After he died, mother had no clue. What better target for a scam artist than an elderly widow who lives alone??? It makes me realize how important it is for people to become as self-reliant as possible.

When I was growing up, I always wanted to live in colonial days, growing my own food on my own land, cooking over a fire, building my own house, etc. (Of course, I would like to have had my own indoor bathroom and air condition, too!) Even today, I get a great deal of satisfaction from my vegetable garden, poor though it is. There's an indescribable feeling that comes from strolling out to your garden, picking a few veggies, and bringing them into your kitchen for dinner.

So, I guess I'll need to start making a Home Resolution list for myself. I'll keep it short--one or two tasks. But at least I'll be forcing myself to learn some new skills that could be invaluable in the future. And best of all, I won't have to wait on my busy husband to get around to it.