My H and I have always had an inside joke, about when someone does something minor around the house but wants a lot of WOA for it, like changing a doorknob: "Gee, honey, look at my doorknob". We've used it so much, that whenever my H completes a small project, no matter what it is, he'll say "come look at my doorknob".
Now, I didn't grow up in a handy household. Once I was living with roomates in college and grad school, I learned a few things, and tackled some projects, like tile work and replacing toilet innards. When H and I married, we worked together on remodelling an ancient house.
But since H came from a builder's background (his dad), and is something of a perfectionist, over time my "fixit" skills fell into disuse as I relied on H to do these things, and frankly, feared his criticism if I did them myself and did them "wrong". This is something I regretted when I thought H was leaving and I was going to be taking care of this house on my own.
Anyway - ironically, the doorknobs in our current house have been failing for some time. H is good at grand projects, but so overschedules himself that the little fix-it jobs start to fall by the wayside. I NEVER nag about these things (never did, I'm proud to say ) - but the door to the kids bathroom has a lock that hasn't worked properly in years (this is also the guest bath!), the door from the kitchen to the garage has part of the knob fallen off and sometimes locks you in the garage, the inside handle to the front door fell off 2 months ago, and the door to our bathroom sometimes locks when you exit, requiring emergency lock-picking at 4 am when my H gets up to pee.
Pretty pitiful, huh???
So after seeing a segment on a home show the other day about how easy it is to change a doorknob, I went to Home Repo and bought some doorknobs. (Not one for the front door yet, unfortunately, as they have changed styles and I was uncertain which size would fit my door without having to repaint or redrill something!). Then I came home and changed the knobs on those other doors. I told the kids to keep quiet about it, and asked H when he got home if he noticed anything different - "hey, check out my doorknobs" .
Frankly, the doorknobs weren't really bothering me (since I am like the boiled frog, I tend not to notice those things) - but now that they are fixed, I realize what a constant low-grade aggravation they were.
So ladies, pick up your toolkits and start fixing those nagging things that you've been waiting for your H to do!
Ellie (BTW - I think H is just relieved it is one less thing he has to do )
Just popping over to wish you and yours a joyous Thanksgiving Weekend!
We don't really celebrate thanksgiving over here but maybe I should think of all the things I have to be thankful for. Like the wonderful support and friendship I have on this board, for a start.
Livnlearn
"The unexamined life is not worth living" - Socrates
A few years ago, we had H's 2 yr. old niece with us for a couple of days. Her favorite saying at that time was to crow loudly "I'm a genius!".
So - yesterday H and I are getting ready to do something about our front door, still missing an inside doorknob. I had thought the doorknob and the plate with the handle were one piece, but they were not. So H and I debated whether to buy a whole new set, or just replace the knob. Unfortunately, a new set of good enough quality to withstand out salty ocean air, and with the craftsman look we like, was going to be anywhere from $300 on up ($1100 for the nice one!!!!) - and there was a problem because the location of the holes drilled in our door for the lock and the deadbolt did not fit with these modern locksets.
So, we thought perhaps to just replace the knob itself - although it would be difficult to match the patina of the existing handle, and a good-quality knob that would come close would still run $80 to $120 or more.
Anyway, I was waiting for H to be ready to walk out the door with me for an excursion to Home Expo to look at doorknobs - on Sunday, likely to be a 2-3 hour chore, by the time we got there, picked out a knob, returned and replaced it. I decided to take out the trash before we left, and as I exited the garage side door, I got my brilliant idea!!!! The knob set on the side door matched the front door! And I had already bought a replacement knob for the side door that I had planned to install, so that its key would match the kitchen entry knob I just replaced.
SO - we took the old knob from the side door and installed it in the front door, slipped the new knob in the side door, and voila! Problem solved, mucho dinero saved, and more importantly, freed up our Sunday afternoon.
While in the middle of our projects yesterday, I walked up to H in the garage where he was getting a tool and asked for a kiss. He gave me a peck and then said (jokingly, really) "You're so needy". I stopped, stood up tall and said "I'm not needy, I'm DEMANDING!" That got a smile out of him
Can I raid your thread and ask that you please head over to mine for thoughts/observations on a recent development in my sitch! It is in the newcomer's section...Determinted & Steadfast II. I've seen your advice on other sitches and many of them have been spot on!!
Keep being demanding, Ellie, it's very attractive in the way that you do it. Wanted to say thank you for all the help you offer on my thread. Your specific suggestions are very much appreciated.
) - but the door to the kids bathroom has a lock that hasn't worked properly in years (this is also the guest bath!), the door from the kitchen to the garage has part of the knob fallen off and sometimes locks you in the garage, the inside handle to the front door fell off 2 months ago, and the door to our bathroom sometimes locks when you exit, requiring emergency lock-picking at 4 am when my H gets up to pee.
