“Does anybody have an adjustable crescent wrench?”
I like to know how things work. In fact, I’m as nosey as a cat. This came in handy when we had a church clean-up day yesterday: in my nosey curiosity, I had long ago figured out how a toilet works, and was not afraid to fix the one in the mens room. The lever arm had broken, and the chain on the flapper didn’t work with the new arm so that needed replaced as well.
I felt like one of those chicks on the HGTV, who wear flannel shirts but somehow still manage to look like models, and have shows telling people how to do fixer-upper projects. It’s a fabulous feeling! Why should guys get to do all the work? I read somewhere that chivalry is nine-tenths the desire to have all the fun. Sorry guys, I love ya, and you’re free to take on emptying the mouse trap, killing giant bugs, and taking out the trash, but most of us ladies want to help you with some of the other stuff. Now, don’t feel threatened. But isn’t it really more fun when we do things together?
I like power tools. I like refinishing furniture and fixing things. I like painting walls and re-doing rooms. I can’t do much of this at the moment of course because I am far from owning my own place (excet re-caulking the bathroom, which my roommate does on average once every three months; the stupid tub bows away from the wall making it impossible to keep sealed and our landlord doesn’t have time and trusts Steph with it). But there are usually plenty of projects to take on at the church, due to our old building and small budget, which is insufficient to hire these projects done.
What skills do you have that you could use to help your church?
September 17th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Melby, Moms and I need you to call us so we can figure out her travel plans– we think you figure in to them.
Grazie!
~Merry
September 19th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
Some good thoughts. I was reading a book recently that referenced the importance of using our talents to benefit our faith community and our local community. Both definitely have substantial needs as you point out.
It would be great if more often we would recognize that some things are more a matter of personality than gender. I have a few tools, but it doesn’t sound like I’m anywhere near your level of hands-on involvement.
September 19th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
It’s all a matter of what you like. I’m no expert. I just like seeing how things go together. It’s the same reason that I sew: I like seeing how the pieces go together to make clothes.
The funny thing is that I hate puzzles. I mind them pointless and merely frustrating. They aren’t useful, and the people who make them are apt to make the more complicated than they need to be, just for kicks. A beautiful and ingenious simplicity of design is what appeals to me. Like, you know, the back of a toilet.