One day freshman year of college, Moira and I got back from the grocery store (thanks to our friend Ed who had a Jeep) with many healthy vittles to consume. Well, that may be an overstatement. It was probably ramen noodles, frozen burritos, and all flavors of Home Run Pies. Nevertheless, when we got home with our groceries to load into the mini-fridge, my dad had sent us a rocking chair that needed assembly. Ru-roh. I don't assemble. Not handy like that.
Moira got to assembling the chair with the allen wrench while I unloaded the food and started boiling water for some ramen. I probably prepared some beverages too. From then on, it was established that she was the handyman and I was the domestic. The funny thing is that she's probably a much better cook than I am, too.
But, lately I've been feeling the winds of change (mysterious whistling). Since Eduardo has been gone from the house, I've had to step up to do lots of things I would normally have left to him (or, you know, Moira).
From snow shovelling to minor fix-it projects, I've learned a lot. In the interest of full disclosure, yes, I had some help from a neighbor teen with the snow shovelling but I did plenty of it myself, as well. We had more than enough for everyone to shovel this year.
Last weekend, for the first time ever, I built something. Granted, it was just a piece of Target shelving with step-by-step instructions. And, yes, Jamie was in town so I had some help with it. (Thanks, Jamie.) But I did it. And it looks great in Johan's room. And I am damn proud of myself for it. And it makes me want to try to do more stuff like this.
I've also recently realized that I don't have to do the projects I don't want to do. I like planting flowers and I don't mind mowing the lawn, but I have been dreading doing the spring clean up. The get-in-there-and-rake-those-gross-leaves-you-should-have-raked-last-fall-but-you-couldn't-because-it-snowed-early-and-you-were-in-an-emotional-crisis-anyway-so-not-really-focused-much-on-lawn-care. I've picked up some of the leaves by hand but there is much to be done.
Then, a nice lawn care company came by and left a flier stuck to my glass door with a "custom quote" to do all the spring clean up in my yard- front and back- for $49.95. Uh, yes please! I can't ignore this project, but I sure can hire someone to do it for me.
That means that on this beautiful spring day, instead of having to worry about gross leaves and moldy yards, I could spend the day going on a walk with Johan, then to a birthday party with about a million little kids blowing bublles on the deck, and then sit in the sun and read a book. Worth $49.95? You bet.
6 comments:
Ohhhh. Please tell me this lawn care company will do work in St. Paul? If so, send them my way!
I can completely relate when it comes to whether or not you should invest the time into doing those household projects that you despise.
We hired a woman to clean our house once every few weeks in January. It took me months to work myself up to doing it. For the longest time, it made me feel lazy and it seemed extravagant. Who were we kidding? We don't have kids and have student loans to pay. Eventually, though, I bit the bullet and sure am glad I did.
We work too much to have to spend our precious free time doing chores we despise! This notion has to be even more magnified for you since you have Johan to spend that time with.
It looks great with all the books on it! I'll be recruiting you and Johan to help us with any projects we have when we move. I definitely anticipate needing a certain someone to pre-tap any areas that need hammering.
Nice work on the bookcase and good call on hiring out the lawn business. I will appreciate it's beauty when we have drinks in your front yard soon. Whoot whoot!
Ummm...I said that, not Nate. Although he'll appreciate Johan's help too.
Randi, I'm sure they work in St. Paul. The number is 1-855-466-9464.
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