Holiday Over: Time For Work Projects

January is always a time to plan and get started on work projects for the year. I suggested to Handyman that he could set up a few of the small "finish up" jobs to work on throughout the winter months of January and February- he thought that was a good idea. The thing with these little jobs is that they go unnoticed when the major work season of springtime arrives. They are those pesky little things that need job lists and little bits of time here or there.

Recently, Handyman knocked out a few: attached a robe hook in an extra bedroom, put up the winerack shelf I bought while out Christmas shopping (aaahhh- you know you do that too! -buy something for yourself while out there in the shopping mode). One of the peskiest jobs seems to be our screen door in the back. I don't know why, but it pops nails, gets out of plumb and generally won't behave no matter what. I know you read this dear Handy-dandy, so put it on the list - thanks! HUGS ;)

We still have some trimwork that needs to be installed in the garage office area, and there are little maintenance jobs in the bathroom, etc. It's always something...., but it is easier when remembering the old saying "a stitch in time saves nine". Akin to "measure twice cut once", just some old words of wisdom reminding us that it pays to keep things in working order and give attention to the state of affairs around the house.

My son showed us pictures of his DIY work in his newly purchased home. Really nice work with bold color choices- Maybe he can post here! I'll ask him. Both my older sons have inherited their father's handiness and have done some impressive work in their respective residences. And like Red Green says: "if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy"

The Handyman Who Has Everything

I think I should get you this for your desk, Handyman, as a testament to your "My Hero" status. As long as we are talking 'home improvement', your status is safe :)



Somehow, though, I know you would more appreciate a six pack of Guinness... but this would last so much longer! Anyway, I don't know what to get you for Christmas, even though you are usually requesting the same old "socks and underwear" under the tree. I know that a trip to the hardware is your personal weakness, but I can't imagine what more you would want from there... although I know this is like telling a woman she has too many shoes. Well, unless you would like this ironman pencil holder, I need ideas.

"Sorry, HandyMan" OR What I (actually) Did Today

Last time I posted I said I was supposed to paint this weekend. I meant to paint, honestly, but instead I gardened. See the post on my gardening efforts. So the dining room is still wrecked and awaiting my attention. You can't garden and attend to do-it-yourself jobs on the same day- at least I can't. But I did manage to empty out some of china cabinet so it can be moved away from the wall... or rather I delegated the job while I was outside gardening.

While outside, I noticed some other painting I need to get around to on the exterior. One is to rectify the mistake a delegated painter made in painting some of the trim the accent color of green when it should have been the trim color of gray. It bothers me no end when I see it. I also need to get the porch painted and the lattice trellises so the porch vines can grow properly this year. The work mushrooms when you're having fun...or something like that.

But since it rained today anyway it wasn't ideal for painting. At least that is my story.

The truth is that I am a terrible procrastinator. there. I said it... I go gung-ho for a day, and then can't get back to finish the job for two weeks. Sometimes more, but we don't want to jinx anything. I will paint next week. for sure. It's in writing, isn't it? That must mean it's so.

And in the meantime I'll resume the story of my kitchen on this blog. I love my kitchen - it's my favorite room of the house, because it is so pretty. Well, except for the refrigerator. We need a new one- besides the fact that it has glitches in how it works, it is starting to show rust spots. You know the fridge is old when it does that.

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Types of D-I-Y People

Especially as I have been reading different houseblogs, it has occurred to me that there are types of people who are interested in remodeling. They can kind of be divided up according to magazine titles. That is magazines that are aimed towards certain types of interest. Think of the 'Fine Gardening' or 'Colonial Home' type. Many of these are artistic, detail oriented, and sticklers for accurate historical style and materials. Money doesn't seem to be an object for them.

There are the Arts and Crafts type who navigate with "Old House Journal" in hand. They like to do fine quality work, are more likely to do tough jobs themselves and have an interest in, but not a devotion to, historical purity.

Lately I have come upon the "Cottage Living" types, which I am not among and don't know too many of .... these morph out of the crafty ladies interests and interior decorating of the Cottage type. The difference is that they become real D-I-Yourself enthusiasts with charming results. Most of them have newer homes, but sometimes cottage or Victorian types. These are dedicated to refinishing their woodwork, but also painting murals and creating homey and sweet vignettes.

Then there is the "Family Handyman" type. Guess which one we qualify for here at our house? This one ranges from the bungler to whom you would to say:"I wish you wouldn't" to the truly accomplished Craftsman. What ties all together is the practical motivation of wanting to update an affordable "fixer-upper" and quite possibly a love and talent found in the area of home renovations. You know we do it cause we either love it- or we can't afford to pay for help or both! But let me tell you... having seen what pro labor does... some of the Handymen around are should I say it? better. I shouldn't say that...because some pros are friends and they really do a stand up job, but we have all seen and heard the horror stories.

So there are my types as I thought of them... Have any profiles you would like to add to the list? I'm sure this isn't definitive by any means. And.... did you see yourself?

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