Archive for February 3rd, 2010

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Categorized under Featured Stories, Musings

I, Handyman

It may come as a surprise to some people that I am quite the handyman.

That last statement was a complete lie, and Carlee will attest to it.

Victorious, at least this time.I mean really, it took me nine or so months to install my sprinkler system. Even after it was finally finished the filter that connects us to the city water explodes in a sonic boom and a thirty foot geyser every now and again. I try, but more often than not, I fail when it comes to handyman work.

Honestly I think it is my dads fault. Seriously. I realized at a young age that my father could build and fix anything, and he often would. Some of his most notable accomplishments in my mind are a shed that could survive a category 5 tornado, a sandbox that I spent most of my summers in, and an addition to our house fondly called the blue room. Twenty feet by twenty feet and what seemed to me a fifty foot ceiling, this room was nothing short of astounding.

With such great skill exercised in my daily life by my dad, I guess I feel that I can’t ever measure up. The questionable sprinkler system, countless missing bathroom fixtures I promised Carlee I would replace, and even a botched attempt at trying to fix a tear in our leather ottoman that appeared mysteriously after I had placed a bowl of hot soup on it. A whole lot of fail going on here.

The next chapter in my attempt to procure myself a competent husband and handyman?

The basement.

Some of my framing skills, don't look too close.

With another child soon on the way, we decided that an extra room was needed. My plan was to have the three bedrooms upstairs for the family, and finish the basement room so I could have an office/man cave. Carlee, on the other hand, later informed me that it would have to be office/man cave/playroom. Win some and lose some right?

I thought building this conglomeration of space would be a simple task: throw up a few pieces of wood, maybe a few sheets of drywall, paint, and done. Nope, not even close. Luckily, my dad has decided to help me each step of the way, thus ensuring a successful outcome regardless of how much I try to help out.

A door, that I am planning to hang on my own.I did actually frame a few of the walls myself and no matter what you say, I will always blame their appearance on the condition of my wavy basement floor.

It’s a funny thing, I had actually sworn to Carlee this project would be done by Christmas, and that was over a month ago now.

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