Success

Yesterday I succeeded in fixing something that Tom had promised to do weeks ago. The water faucet in back was missing a screw-like device on the top, which created problems whenever we needed to turn it on. When the faucet was turned, water would not only come out of the two holes where it was meant to come through, but would also come shooting through the hole on top created by the missing screw thingy. I remember Tom saying he was going to fix it, but since I was the only one who turned it on to water the plants in back, I was the only one made increasingly aware that it wasn't fixed.

So yesterday I decided to take the matter in my own hands (actually, the only real hands left to make repairs now since Andrew isn't all that handy and, besides, he won't be there all that much longer, so it's probably perfect timing for me to take on the role of home handyperson.) I went to the local hardware store – one of those small ones with personal service, because I knew I was going to need to discuss this with someone to get the right answer. And I did. Well, I got an answer, even though it wasn't what I was expecting.

I had hoped to find a replacement for the little screw thingy that had disappeared. What I discovered was that there really weren't replacement screw thingies. But, according to the helpful hardware man, I could Gerry-rig something that would involve a large metal screw and silicone filler. I got both, and, I must say, I am pretty satisfied with the results. It's nice to succeed at something. It makes me aware that maybe I can get by on my own!