Tool Time

Linda wrote about her DIY skills and it got me to thinking.

When I first moved out of my parents home, my father helped.
My cousin Frank, his friend Tony and my dad all helped me move to my very first horrible apartment. I didn't see how bad it was, I just saw the freedom. It was actually quite bad.

It was a very hot muggy summer day. When we were done, my Dad bought us pizza and beers for the guys and we all sat around eating in my new apartment on the 2nd floor with no A/C and we were all dripping wet but happy as hell. 90 outside 120 inside. But I was livin' the dream.

My dad gave me 3 gifts at this time. He gave me a tool chest of sorts. 
It actually was a thing that folded up and there were slots for the tools. It was blue and while I don't know what happened to the tool carrier, I still have most of those tools to this day. 

At first, I was not thrilled. A tool chest? Really Dad? But I found it funny.
But let me tell you that hammer and screwdriver came in handy when it was time to hang something on the walls. (or my macrame hangings...I mean it was the 70's)

The tool chest was what my husband referred to as my "Girl Tools" 
I said, "no, they are just tools" 
To me that was him being a 'tool' saying that to me.
Then he compared his hammer to mine. Oh, I see.
Mine was so light. His was heavy. I liked mine better. It does the same thing but it's just easier for me to hold it and swing. But instead of "girl" tools how about beginner tools? I like that better. 

It didn't matter I had a beginners tool chest of screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, and things I had no idea what to do with anyway.
Over time as was needed I sure did learn. Too bad there were no Youtube videos at that time or DIY TV.

I recall a time I called my father and he was walking me through what I had to do. He would say get this or that tool while on the phone. 
I would respond with this logic, "the thing that opens it's mouth?"  
That made my father laugh. 
What the hell are you talking about he'd ask me laughing? 
I'd tell him it's kind of round on top and it looks like you can open its mouth. 
He laughed and said I think that is it and he would continue to walk me through the plumbing type issue. I recall all I had to do was tighten this thingy. Yes, that is indeed the name of it, "thingy"

As my Dad did with all other issues he never taught me when I lived at home. He obviously thought it was important that I know this yet until I moved out he never showed me anything remotely handy. I think the answer lies in his thinking if I moved out I'd be marrying someone who would take care of me. That was my dad's generation of thought. 

As you will see with my father's housewarming gifts they were very much about fire. I guess he was worried about this with me or just a nutjob. 

Part 2 of his exciting gift was a rope fire ladder to get my ass out the window in case of fire. 
Mom gave me a Tupperware of yummies for my new roommate and myself. My Dad gave me tools and a fire rope ladder. 
To my 19 yr old self, this was not exciting.

Part 3 was a can of something and for the life of me, I don't recall what it was. I believe that too had to do with fire. It was apparent to me that my father had a real concern for me being in a fire. I wish I could ask him.
Did we even have fire detectors in 1975? 

Because I was on the 2nd floor and the ability to get out was a bit crazy he thought this rope ladder was the key. 
I opened that box and just howled. If a fire occurred, I would throw that ladder out the window and climb my way out of it and be safe. According to my father anyway. That damn rope ladder moved to many cities and apartments with me. But it still makes me laugh. But he's right, it's useful, funny as hell to me, but useful

Part 4 was a small red fire extinguisher that he insisted we keep in the kitchen. I said to my Dad, gee Dad Georgia's parents got her a new bed. 
You are setting me up to become a firefighter.
He laughed but said I would appreciate them if needed. 
Well, of course, but this 19-year-old gal would have preferred a sofa since all we had were bean bag chairs at first and a very uncomfortable wicker chair. 

I learned all about my tools but I did not have a drill. 
Many many years later I had graduated to the need of a drill. 
(hey, keep it clean) 
I recall living in an apartment where I needed to hang this planter from the sunroom ceiling. I called my friend Michael who lived 4 blocks away from me. I asked him to bring his "man tools" and c'mon down. 
He laughed and said, "best request I've had all week Peg"  
I laughed when I realized what I said to him. 
Yep, air head moment.
I told him I'd cook if he brought his drill and hung this for me.
So now I knew I needed a drill.  It kind of worked like that.

Then, of course, I met the current handy Rick.
He has enough tools to open his own Ace Hardware. 
My tools are never used anymore and honestly, I am no longer singing, "I am woman hear me roar"  He can do it and I don't feel terrible about asking Mr. Handy to do it for me. We have been together long enough to have our secure roles. 

So do you have your own tools ladies?