<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by RWD:
<strong>Hey, I found out how to keep curtains clean. I took them all down!</strong><hr></blockquote><p>If the blinds get dirty just pull them up.<p>Ceiling fans - Never turn them off.<p>Dishes - I swear I got some that have been through the dishwasher 83 times and still ain't clean.<p>Sorting Laundry - This laundry came from this room and that laundry came from that room - it's sorted.<p>Guest Towel & Soap - HA!!! no comment..<p>Actually, I must admit, I'm only jesting. I did all the domestic chores in marriage therefore to do it as a bachelor was no switch. However, I'd love to see what my X has learned.

The best way to clean mini blinds, is to take them outside, hang them on the fence or line, and turn on the hose and spray them off. When they are dry...hang them back up.<p>Even tho I am still married, if I want anything done, I do it myself. I have found, if you call a repairman, and explain that you are trying to do something yourself, (ususlly because I can't afford to pay to have it done) and ask for advise, they are usually more than happy to give you instructions. But be careful, the one time the dude was wrong, I was on the phone with him, behind the kitchen stove, with counters on both sides, and he said "now, take the 2 wires you took off the clock, and wire them together and tape them." Well, the electricity was off when I did this, and when someone turned it back on, let's just say, if they had an olympic event for jumping over a stove with counters on both side and an overhead cabinet, I still would have one.
There were lot's of blue sparks and scary noises.<p>As far as my H goes, well, I'm doing him a favor. Since I know he's going to on his own soon, (even tho he doesn't think so, I have quit doing his laundry(about a year ago), I quit fixing his lunch, mending his closthes and shopping for him. He thinks he is being neglected, but I'm just getting him ready for the real world, the one where you take care of yourself. He is a pro at cooking white rice and Ramen Soup.<p>It's nice to have someone do things for you but there is nothing worse than being dependent on someone who consistently lets you down.<p>When I get a little more time, I tell you guys how I got rid of the termites under my house!

Dear Anna,<p>"Hey I change the light bulb in my high ceiling entrance way and I am sooo scared of heights. "<p>There are extension pole thingies with suction cups on the end of them especially made for changing high light bulbs. You buy the thing, and put it on the end of a pole, and guide it to the bulb, get it to suck onto the end, and unscrew it.<p>Home Depot or hardware stores carry them. Why risk a fall or an injury?<p> [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]<p>[ April 09, 2002: Message edited by: Bellevue ]</p>

Very impressive! And original.

Resilient: About the car jack: Very impressive! And original. And creative.
[img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

How 'bout this twist on this topic?<p>Before my good friend became OM, he was constantly seeking my help to accomplish "guy" tasks because, well, er, ah.........let's just say he's not a REAL guy. NOT a handyman. His VCR flashes 12:00.<p>So, I've frequently fantasized about whether my X attempts to rely on him for various things she would have previously relied on me for, or does she follow the examples described here by our resourcefull ladies?<p>WAT

well, I often wonder the same (but different [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img] ) thing about my X. I took care of ALL the bills, checkbooks, insurance, calendar, etc. He can NOT keep up with details or pay bills on time. So I wonder if OW takes care of these things for him, or if he's having to take responsibility for himself.<p>As far as "manly" things, he's no good at that stuff either (just a little better at me, tho [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0[/img] ... he can at least start the lawn mower!!) so, I know he doesn't help OW with those things either. sheesh... he's a real "giver", huh?<p>Good question, WAT. I suppose it depends on if she's capable of doing those things FOR him... if not - it probably still blinks 12:00.

Okay----duct tape comes in handy again....the dog ate the phone! I'v gotta keep the battery in there somehow!<p>I can do the lawn mower....it's that weed wacker that I had trouble with...until my Dad bought me a new one for Christmas (what a great present!!) I now love weed wacking......I'd love to wack my STBX.....but I'd hate to break my new weedwacker.... [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img] <p>I also have cleaned the heck out of the garage....what a good feeling, throwing out all kinds of stuff....my H hasn't done anything like that in yrs.<p>This was a really great thread!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img]

You guys are all so wonderful and funny!<p>Can't imagine why anyone would let any of us get away from them. <p>Thank you for all your responses. <p>Knuckleheads Rule!<p>Love,
Jo<p>[ April 09, 2002: Message edited by: Resilient ]</p>

Ok---What fun it is trying new things. I used a chain saw yesterday........<p>WATCH OUT!!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img] <p>MAX<p>[ April 13, 2002: Message edited by: Feeling So Alone ]</p>

I'm proud to say that I can do lots of "manly" tasks. However, there was one thing I hated doing, and would always fetch my H for...<p>squashing roaches<p>A few days after finding out my H wanted to divorce me, I found a HUGE roach in the shower. It was at least an 1-1/2" maybe 2" long (I live in GA). I squashed it, picked it up, and threw it in the toilet--not too happily I might add. I realized at that moment that, in the big scheme of things, my H's primary job and the only one I had a hard time living without was ROACH MASHER. Great. I could have saved myself a whole hell of alot of trouble if I'd just called the Orkin man instead of marrying my H.

in day to day and weekend activities, there isn't much that only a man can do. . . you just have believe in yourself that you can LEARN. . . .<p>and most of the stuff everyone is discussing does not require a college degree, just requires practice and keeping an open mind about learning. . . and believing in yourself. . .<p>so now, i guess i can't really call the X or the cleaning lady, i just gotta get off ths seat and learn how to use the vacuum cleaner. . . . [img]images/icons/tongue.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif" border="0[/img] <p>wiftty

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by WhenIfindthetime:
and most of the stuff everyone is discussing does not require a college degree, just requires practice and keeping an open mind about learning. . . and believing in yourself. . .
<hr></blockquote><p>In agreement, Wiftty. Although I would add that a small degree of resourcefulness certainly doesn't hurt either.<p>Jo

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>...most of the stuff everyone is discussing does not require a college degree, just requires practice and keeping an open mind about learning. . . and believing in yourself. . .
<hr></blockquote><p>Amen to that! My latest challenge is figuring out how to hug the sidewalk with the edger when the edge is all covered up. Boy howdy, I had some sparks flyin! Lawn service sounds better and better each week.

Great thread! Made me smile and thats kinda hard! Made me kinda laugh and thats near impossible right now! [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img] <p>I've had my fair share of 'man' tasks and hey! when I do them I end up cursing XH, at least he was kinda doing something worthwhile. <p>I have learnt
- to unblock drains (and that drains are connected and that the drain cleaner in a can bursts all the crappy stuff out the other drain overflows - ewwww!)
- to change lightbulbs
- to get a garden service [img]images/icons/tongue.gif" border="0[/img]
- hot glue telephone wires back that XH pulled off and never fixed...<p>ah..... girl power [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img] <p>Pantha

My next job is to rebuild my kitchen faucet. It's seriously leaky but I found the right lever position to cut the leak off. But that's a pain. One of these days, I gotta do that job.<p>You know, give a woman a needle and thread, a dinner knife, some safety pins, some hair pins, some duct tape, and a hot glue gun and there isn't much she can't do. <p>Men, on the other hand, think they need a whole toolbox.