The Fix-It Follies
How many bloggers does it take to change a light bulb? In my case, none. I was absent the day they were passing out repair genes, so count me in the legions of the repair-impaired. (Fortunately, as I remind my other half of the male persuasion on a fairly regular basis, I have plenty of other redeeming skills and qualities.)
I mean, it’s not as if the hubby is so handy around the house. He does try to tackle the basics (albeit always with much muttering about the thing he’s putting together having come without a critical piece). But he’s not exactly slapping a new deck on the house or patching a leaky roof; we’re talking hanging a picture on the wall, jiggling a runaway toilet, or reattaching a kitchen cabinet door. Still, next to me, he looks like he could co-host “This Old House.”
So yes, I am on the receiving end of a fair amount of ribbing about being repair-challenged. That’s why when my handy man/husband was out of town the other day and one of the recessed lighting bulbs just up and expired in our kitchen, I debated pretending I hadn’t noticed, before deciding to show him that hey, I wasn’t all that helpless with the repair thing after all.
I dragged out the stepladder, hunted down the (sort of right) bulb, remembered to turn off the light switch, and proceeded to screw the bulb out of the socket. Piece of cake, I’m thinking – until I realize that the whole thing is firmly stuck up there and isn’t going anywhere fast. So I did the only thing any self-respecting suburban resident would do. I asked the tile man who happened to be working in our bathroom to give it a whirl. Oh, yea, he says. This happens all the time with these old fixtures. Just try to jiggle it next time before you unscrew it.
Next time? I don’t think so. Next time I plan to resort to my time-honored method of home maintenance: selective sight. (What burned out light bulb?)
Comments
The lights on my driveway, in my garage and by my front door all went out at the same time, so armed with ladder and assorted bulbs, I went out one Saturday afternoon to fix them. The bulb by the front door wouldn't come out, when i replaced the bulb in the garage, it still didn't work and the bulbs in the light posts couldn't be reached w/o unscrewing four teeny-tiny screws (that didn't want to come out). So, an hour later, i still was in the dark. I called the ex.
Your husband may be handyman-challenged, but is he electronically-challenged like my husband? My hubby still can't set the alarm clock!! Can you imagine what I have to deal with on a daily basis???? If I ever develop addiction issues, you'll know who to blame!!
Before screwing in a new light bulb try twisting the base in a sheet of wax paper. It will be much easier to screw in now and much easier to remove later.
