About Me

I grew up farming my grandma's farm, following my dad around the farm and our house as he fixed things.  That's how I learned all the names of the tools - as I handed them to my dad.  I learned to drive a tractor before I turned 10.  I helped make hay, shoveled grain, threw corn cobs, and climbed fences.  I learned how to check the electric fence was off.  I raised beef steers for 4-H.  I groomed steers, mucked out the barn, and rocked rubber boots.

I also did 4-H sewing.  In college, I worked as an alterations seamstress in our local quilt shop.  I know my way around a pattern and a serger.  I know which is the business end of a pair of shears.

This is me now.

This is my house (copyright 2007 Google Maps).

Our home was built in 1981.

It's a roomy ranch, with a half basement (unfinished).  Three bedrooms, two baths, a dining room, kitchen, and two family rooms.  Attached 2-car garage (also unfinished).  Most features in our home are original - original to the primary build, which was builder grade.  Some things have been replaced or repaired.  Some repairs have stuck, others not so much.

Unfortunately, now it's 2012, and a LOT of our home is showing wear.  We (my husband and I) do not have enough "discretionary" income to have someone do all the repairs, so it's up to us.  

By "us" I mean "me" - my husband is completely useless as a handyman.  He has no desire to change that.

Lucky for both of us, he married a handy-woman with a "can do" attitude.

When it comes to "stuff", if it can be repaired, I'll try to fix it before I replace it.

If I can make it cheaper than I can buy it, I will.

I'll try almost anything, and I'm not afraid of power tools.