Do-It-Yourselfers

Since I wrote Six Random Things About Me the other day, er month, I've been thinking about all Blair and I have done together over the years. We've done everything from clean out and paint to installing sprinkler systems and re-finishing hard wood floors. In our current house, we've knocked down walls and learned to lay tile. We've changed out every light fixture and every door knob. And before you start thinking this is a real estate ad (though you're sure welcome to come take a look!) let me reiterate, this is just a blog about me and Blair working together.

There are a couple of reasons why this works for us:

First, we never want to spend the money for someone else to do it. I think we both learned this from our DIY parents. Sometimes I think that everything my mom knows, she learned because the so-called experts charged too much. If I needed to refinish or even build furniture, she and Dad would be there. Same for reupholstering, matting and framing, plumbing, working on the car... She once helped a friend of mine rebuild his engine! Of course, she did have a vested interest in getting it out of her garage.

Second, we have those four parents to call when we need instruction or advice. They've done it all and can always help even when they can't actually be there to lend a hand. Just the other day we needed to remove a pop rivet. Pop rivets aren't really meant to come back out. With one quick phone call, we found out how to do it and what tools to use, then we got back to work. (Not sure I ever said thank you, Dad!) And that's another thing, our wonderful parents know how we are and buy the tools for us. Or donate them to the cause. Or gladly hand them down. I could probably count the tools we've purchased ourselves on one hand.

Third, and perhaps most important, we never have a melt down at the same time. There are certainly moments when we think something's just not going to work, but the other one's always there to encourage and cajole. Five minutes later, the other one has a near breakdown and we just switch roles. Sometimes we argue about methods and sometimes I think he never likes my ideas, but all this means is we need a coke break.

Simply put, I love working with Blair. I guess it really works because I just like being with Blair. I love when we finally quit at the end of the day, get cleaned up, throw a pizza in the oven for dinner and collapse on the couch. I love that we get to look back and say, "we did that" and best of all we did it together.