By Linda Shaffer
We recently dealt with the topic of hobbies and things which keep us actively engaged in life. They are good things and for the most part keep us happy. Not mentioned were what I like to call the “necessaries”. They are not nearly as much fun, typically cost a lot of money and don’t bring a level of satisfaction on the same scale as painting a bird house. In fact, most of my necessaries don’t bring the level of satisfaction found in cutting my toe nails.
When you find loose flooring behind your toilet, it’s a necessary. Wet flooring next to the water heater in your closet? Necessary. Worn door locks that slip down and lock you out of your home? Yup. Shrubs making holes in your screens? You got it. Mouse turds on the counter? Yikes. Moldy walls. Wet ceilings. Plug ins that won’t hold a plug. At one time or another I’ve seen some amazing stunts pulled by my homes. After 30 years, I’ve pretty much beaten this one into submission but there’s always a surprise.
Last week the drain in the main bathroom sink leaked and put on quite a show before I knew it was there. I missed it but my cleaning friend didn’t. Why? It was Mr. Ss bathroom. Nobody uses it now so it can do whatever it wants. And it does. It wet down his hair cutting kit which makes me believe he was in on this deal. He never liked his hair cuts. Nice try buddy, but the landlord fixed the leak. Necessary. The hair cutting kit is dry. Bring it.
When it comes to home repairs you have to have a good landlord or a budget that will allow for repairs. While I’m lucky to have both, I still remember the good old days when I didn’t. I also still believe I can do things around this house when I can’t. This week was a great reminder for me. I need to stop believing I can do things I can’t do. Sound familiar? This is why I love old people. We continue to slog along, thinking we can do things we really can’t and in many ways manage to do them anyway. I’m not saying we do them well or safely but we are so damned stubborn sometimes that people give up and let us go.
This week I have been recovering my desk with stick on vinyl tile. I considered this necessary. The top of the desk was shot. It is a large desk with five different levels. It is in a corner which requires a lot of measurements and special cuts. Cuts? There’s where I ran into the first obstacle of old age. My landlord, neighbor-lady and daughter refused to loan me a box cutter. After pouting, I ordered my own box cutters, t-square and roller. Thus equipped, I began the project which she deemed too complicated for her. This is the same woman who has completely remodeled her own home. The difference? Speed and this old woman. This desk job of mine is slow and tedious. It is not for people in their 60s. It is also not for daughters who don’t want to watch their funny old moms use box cutters. It is certainly not for anyone who thinks all this trouble is worth covering a black desk with black tile.
After watching myself during this project, I have to admit that the girl I gave birth to has something right. I’m not skilled at this but I am persistent. At no time did I endanger my life but I did make some bad cuts due to lack of strength. Really? At my age, light bulb moments are few and far between. I am amazed that I got as far as I did. I am proud of me but I ran out of tile before I could finish the job. I will need help to finish. The one who already knew all this was camping down the coast on a 5 day getaway. See? Your kids. They always get everything right if you let them. Your house? Not so much.
Home repairs are critical to me because I can’t do even some simple ones now and I want to live here. It’s up to me to help get this right so I can stay here. Same with you. In the old days I could make repairs, just like you did. Like most of you I painted and stripped and caulked and scrubbed and papered and tiled and did all sorts of amazing things because I was stronger then.
OK, I can’t do those things now but I started the week with this desk. For me, it counted as a home improvement. The old top was black paper. At least 80% of that is now black vinyl. Thank you very much for your applause. The next box of tile will arrive on Tuesday. Wish me and the boxcutters and the landlord, neighbor lady, daughter luck.
Take care of your home. That’s necessary. It’s your place and you need to be there. If you need help…it’s available at all Senior & Disability Services offices in every Oregon county. At least it’s a starting place. This is not a time to be proud. It’s your time to be home. Just don’t call me if you have a shabby desk.
Have a great week my friends!
