When getting hammered takes on a whole new meaning.

I know that in certain circles, many husbands or partners don't seem to have the "fix it around the house" gene.  This was not the case for me growing up, as my father, who studied electrical engineering, was able to fix most everything around our house. If he didn't know how something worked, he fearlessly read the manuals.  And lucky for me, he did not discriminate in our household of 3 girls and one brother and he taught all of us the difference between a flat head and Phillips head screwdriver by the time we could talk.  He took us to hardware stores, still a favorite of mine, and left us with advice like "be sure to turn off the power before doing any electrical work."  He clearly didn't want us to electrocute ourselves, is that love or what?? We learned a bit of the joy of figuring out how things were engineered, of how things fit together, and how great it feels to actually fix something and not make it worse.   His business at that time was as a manufacturers representative for all sorts of electrical items.  In fact when we worked for him over our teenage summers we would fearlessly take orders for galvanized nipples without cracking up!

Lucky for my husband and family that I was well trained as my significant other, though he has tried, simply does not have the training, interest or patience for such things as fixing, assembling, trouble shooting or even just changing filters around the house.  When we got married, I came with my own tool chest.  He was very impressed, though he didn't know then just how significant the electric drill would become in his life.

I kind of like the power it has given me.  I am "the man" of the house in the more traditional, 50:s sort of way.  My friends call me to fix their ice machines.  I have been given countless toys to assemble, light timers to set, and can troubleshoot the alarm when it goes off in the middle of the night.  I can pretty much tackle most things that break in the house, or at least know when its time to call in the professionals.   I do draw the line on heavy household appliances that involve gas or other combustibles, and cars, however I did install new windshield wipers on my husbands car one time!   I may be getting wrinkles, I may be fighting off the gray hairs and the sagging body, but I still look pretty sexy with my screwdrivers!

I therefore officially dedicate this blog to my father who is about to turn 80.  I want to thank him for a lifetime of advice and encouragement, for making me less afraid of electricity, and showing me numerous ways to make life around my house better.  Thanks, Dad!!