Home Improvement-- Chapter 1

We bought a fixer upper over 10 years ago. Not our first time to do so, or our second. You would think that maybe we would learn, maybe we think it is fun?? Couldn't tell you, it is just what we do. Today we were working on new closet doors and refitting trim. We started the job a few weeks ago, but realized our eye for angles was not our best so we enlisted the help of Alex and Audrey.

Alex started work on the trim, my sweetheart started on the closet door dismantling and Audrey and I headed to the home improvement store to purchase a few boards and the new doors--No biggie--just jump in the truck, drive the 2 miles and back in less than an hour. But then, if you factor in the problems that might arise it could realistically take over 3 hours. What problem could come from a quick stop like this?? Let me enlighten you:

1. The truck door would not latch. Had the truck for 13 years now--Consumer Reports did say that the hardware was not the sturdiest--thus the seat belt that has to be fastened to the middle buckle and then put down the armrest to keep you safe, the seatback that will not fold down for access to the back seat and--now the door--should have realized that this is what they meant when they mentioned hardware.

2. Tried to use my bum foot to push the clutch and NO WAY--ouch. Audrey volunteered to drive even though it had been awhile since she drove a standard--so we lurched our way down the drive.

3. Got to the store and every kid under 5 in town was there with their dad building a birdhouse. They only had 2 doors and we needed 5. Luckily for us a few years ago they built a competition two blocks away. Back to the truck, jimmy the door, adjust the arm rest so the seat belt fits and lurch our way over to the competition.

4. Find straight wood, 2 paint brushes and 5 doors. Bat our eyes to get help loading it up and realize we were charged wrong for the doors--$50 worth!! Head back into the store, check it out, realize one door was on the wrong pile, take it back into the store, deal with customer service, go get the right door, back to customer service, adjust the bill one or two times to get it right, load it up and finally, after jimmying the door and adjusting the arm rest we are homeward bound--lurching and laughing all the way.

Thank you Audrey and Alex for a fun day and projects that went much faster than the crazy quick trip to the store. What can I say other than life is always an adventure at our house!!