When I became a Mrs. Cee I also said adios to the days of hiring people to help fix things around the house (I must have missed that line in our marriage vows). The mantra of “I can fix that” became a common term in our house. At first I was hesitant, but now almost eight years later I have drank the kool-aid, but it hasn’t come without its hiccups.
Enter my poor father-in-law. You see, my darling husband travels frequently which leaves me to have to do some emergency fixes around my house. This gives me many opportunities to learn some awesome things, and my FIL is on speed dial for all my questions.
The calls to him vary. Sometimes it is for curtain hanging tips, others on how to reset a breaker box. Shoot he has even taught me how to fix the vent on the dryer … that’s right, I am one hand Mandy.
At least once a month he gets a call that ends with, “No you aren’t going to die and I will be by tomorrow.” Secretly I know he loves it, I mean he does have three sons and didn’t get this with them as kids … that much (I kid!).
Just take the night where I came home to hear all the smoke detectors beeping like loud banchees for example. Instead of being sane and waiting outside while calling the fire department I ran in like a crazy lady to rescue the puggle. As I run in I realize, “Hmm this probably isn’t the smartest thing,” but none the less I keep on trucking through the house, waving pillows thinking there is smoke I can’t see, which now seems illogical.
And then the lightbulb goes off and I call my husband to ask him how to disconnect the smoke detector in our bedroom. You see, the night before we changed out the battery, so it had to be that. And darn tootin’ I went in there and it was the only one not beeping. So I ripped (okay, lightly pulled) that sucker out, unhooked it from the wiring system which followed with a “good job babe” from my sweet husband. Then I made a bee-line for the kitchen to grab a drink of the alcoholic kind to calm the nerves.
And then I freaked again and thought to myself “What if there really is something wrong and now the house is about to implode on me!?” So I call my FIL and tell him what happened. After composing his giggles, because you know I did not sound like a sane person on the phone, he explained what happened (hey learning moment hey), told me I wasn’t going to explode and said he would be by tomorrow.
So who needs a handyman when you are Mrs. Cee and have a clan of Mr. Fix-Its in the family to help you think you are handier than you are — because they will always come behind you and fix it secretly while giving you all the credit.
Aw that’s kind of sweet that you have that kind of relationship with you FIL. Sadly, in my household I am the fixer.
Venassa recently posted..Parenting in Blended Families: My House, My Rules?
I wish I was handier. I love that you are the fixer in your house!
The smoke detector thing I can totally relate to. They are enough to drive anyone insane. Although mine are usually going off when I’m cooking.
Mine too! Our smoke detector is super close to the oven so it is super sensitive.
I’m completely hopeless when it comes to home repairs.
Ashley @ this girl is anratliff recently posted..This Girl Is… A Daughter
But you are a super painter now! Give yourself credit!
I am jealous that you have a back up handy man!
Bella Michelle recently posted..Gorgeous Homes of Edenton, NC
Yes I do secretly love it.
That would be me. When I lived alone, but my sister was staying with me, I lived in a basement apartment of a home. Well, I come home and there is a beeping. It’s the carbon monoxide detector in the laundry room next to my apt. So I called the fire dept and lo and behold, someone left their car running in the garage earlier without opening the door. My sister, asleep in the apt had no clue it was beeping! She is a maniac, I told her you could have died!
Jennifer recently posted..Emma is 9 months
Dang she sleeps like a ton of bricks. I am sort of envious of her, but am glad she is okay! That is scary!