Thursday, August 7, 2008

People that do that chore for you...nah!

In all the 38 hundred years we have been married we have not had to call a repairman or had to pay one either.

My husband was blessed with the ability to fix things, and do things like build homes and additions, install bathrooms and kitchens, fix appliances, put bicycles together etc. Magically and laughably at times he has had some left over parts, but everything still does work!
Actually, he had a grandpa who taught him; and my husband passed on that ability our sons.

We were one of the few people that were back in our destroyed home after Hurricane Charlie by December of 2004; the same year it happened.
And the only reason it took that long was because our insurance money didn't come until October, but the hurricane hit on August 13.2004, a Friday!

Years ago my hubby was the one that our neighbors would call for consultations on their home projects.
Or they would ask for his availability to do the project and in his early years way back in the 1970's he was a yes man to all who requested his help.
It helped that he also had 5 years of engineering school, and had worked as an apprentice plumber while a college student.

Times change and unfortunately age creeps up plus an injury to his back, which he is receiving disability for, and for the last few years he has found himself saying no to all that ask.
Many people just don't seem to understand this dilemma of his, but as his wife I see how hard it is for him to still do the necessary jobs around our home. He refuses to call someone else to do them for us, and we really can't afford to hire someone now either on our fixed income.
He is in pain.

Fortunately, the lawn mower was replaced after the hurricane with a ride on one, and the edger and blower are both electric making them much lighter than the gas models.

So that is pretty much what he does once a week in the summer, of course he makes sure the pool sparkles, and has most recently painted the trim on the house. We do garden together.

But long gone are the days of the big projects of building major things. Fortunately, we do have everything and anything we could possibly want at this point in our lives.
That makes it easier not wanting or really needing things.
Upkeep is the only thing that we must do.
So things take a little longer, and are thoughtfully determined the best way to do them.
We are much more careful with body mechanics not to do more damage, and breaks are taken frequently.
Logic and care is much more useful now than ever before.

And saying no was hard for my dear man, but he has learned like we all have to on occasion.

Just a little more insight into how we handle our own daily grind.

Goodnight to all!

Which way will the war go?

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