I’ve been in a mad dash to knock out my repair list before New Baby
arrives. So far, I repaired (in order):
* all 3 of Prue’s Disney Princess Christmas ornaments & various
other broken ornaments (about 8 total)
- required a hobby drill, bracing with 12 gauge wire, and snazzy
super glue
* hallway bathroom’s toilet
-replaced the toilet’s lid/seat, flush pump and handle, one of my
longest-awaited repairs (since I remodeled & painted that bathroom
back in the Late Winter of 2009, just after we finished the hard
flooring). Due to PacNW weather, it could still use a damp catcher in
there.
* our multi-function printer
-a 1/4"*1" piece of duct tape to repair a tear in the print head’s
track
* iPhone’s cracked touch screen
- purchased a new glass screen online for a fraction of the cost
to repair/replace at an Apple store
* master bathroom’s toilet
- replaced the toilet’s lid/seat (needs a damp catcher)
* basement toilet
- replaced the handle (needs to have a new flush kit and damp
catcher installed)
* MacBook
- replaced the mag power port, optical DVDR/CDR drive, installed a
new battery, upgraded it to Snow Leopard (was decommissioned due to
these issues plus erratic wi-Fi-now it works consistently)
* kitchen bill pay station
- installed supports to the desktop and installed shelving that
rests on the desktop
* cat room floor primed
- to prepare for hardflooring, I painted the floor with odorless
Kilz to eliminate pet odors
* dishwasher manifold and revolving spray arm
- this was a really old list item, happening the same few weeks as
the dryer’s belt snapping, the Saturn Vue dying, and the
refridgerator’s freezer giving out
* Nintendo DSlite
- Prue and the guys fought over the DSlite, breaking its hinges.
This required a new plastic shell (see photo below of my handiwork).
First electronics repair that required soldering (for me, Drew did one
back in 2002)
Still on the list:
* the refridgerator’s freezer excessively defrosting
- Not beyond my skill level, but the piece of junk is from like
1980 and we hate it. Just want a super cheap, new fridge.
* the light above the sink
- electrical & automotive repair intimidates me
* woodpecker hole in the siding
- I waited too long to comfortably climb a ladder. Now we have
season 3 of baby birds, & I’m just too darned preggers to deal with
it. Going to have to hire a dude.
* blocked gutter
- see above. Too darned preggers to climb a ladder.
* painted patched and retextured spot in master bedroom
- so happening before New Baby’s birth. I can’t stare atthus
ghetto fabulous wall much longer
* Master bathroom’s tub
- going to try a fiberglass patch first. If that doesn’t fix the
crack satisfactorily, will have to replace the tub. After necessary
repair, shower surround needs tiling
* wind damaged deck
- address wind damage to the deck sustained in November 2006.
Likely will be Drew & I tearing down the entire deck, and hiring dudes
to rebuild it (mostly because I really don’t want to deal with
permits. It’s worth hiring someone, just to avoid that part!)
* install hard flooring in all bedrooms
- because it isn’t happening before New Baby’s birth, contrary to
Drew’s hopes & dreams. 
We finally for quotes for a lawn service; I was able to keep up the
lawn, even with the 3 kids running around the yard simultaneously, but
we have a major off-leash neighbor dog problem (that’s chased 3 people
and attacked a dog). Animal control isn’t doing anything about it. We
want to install a front yard fence if our loan modification occurs.
Right now, we’re unable to use our front yard thanks to the off-leash
dog issue and a problem with neighbors driving 40 mph down our dead
end street to the cul de sac 4 houses down. (really, what’s the point
of that? One of those winners actually passed me on a residential
street. Theoretically, we should all be driving 25 in this
neighborhood, but apparently, I was going too slow.)
So, lots done, lots still to do. I’m so proud I got most of this stuff
repaired while caring for the kids. They’re great big Helpers,
usually, and we sure do get a lot done, with such few workers. Seeing
the fruits of our labors really helps us internalize Phil. 4:13;
slowly but surely, He’s giving us the strength to do what needs to be
done, even when I’m ready to throw in the towel. I look forward to
seeing what He’ll do in the next few years!
Posted on March 10th, 2010 by Deedee
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