I remember one night at my mother-in-law's home: someone needed a mattress moved from the basement up the steep stairs and out to a waiting truck. I'm not sure where everyone was, but M. said to our niece (who was probably 10), "Come on! We can to it! Who needs the men anyway?" Sure enough, the two of them pushed and pulled and managed to get that thing up the steps. I was watching them and thinking "I do! I need the men! Who wants to do this kind of thing when the men are available?"
I used to be more independent, more capable (at least more mentally able), of doing hard labor. Then, I got married and quite enjoyed the luxury of always having someone around to open jars, reach high shelves and do all the lifting.
One day last month I watched the weather report on the news and noted that the last warm day was upon us. I didn't yet have Christmas lights on my house. I really, really, really wanted lights. It was a Saturday, and Chad had patients all day. The snow was expected to fly on Monday. I couldn’t bear the idea of making Chad risk his life on the slickery roof just for lights. “I can do this,” I thought, “How hard can it be?”
So, after a few trips to the hardware store for more supplies and an afternoon spent up on the roof measuring and reworking the lights to get them to fit just right, our house was officially ‘decked.’ (Okay, the 'expert at home projects' DID have to help with one small part when he got home from work, but even he'll tell you that I did the lights.) As I climbed off the roof, I thought, "M. would be so proud!"
It was pretty funny that several ward members drove by, waved to me on the roof, and left looking confused. I hope Chad didn’t feel like I ousted him from his manly decorating duties. Actually, it was kind of fun. I had faced the fear of roof walking and recovered a bit of my premarital independence.
I think Chad was kind of proud of me, too.
14 comments:
The lights look great - way to go!!
I'm all for independence, but STAY OFF THAT ROOF! I couldn't have done it - I'm afraid of heights. I would only be able to decorate the windows and door with a step ladder. Kudos to you. Your determination, skill, and bravery. The lights really DO look great and you have the cutest house ever.
You go Adri! Nothing like sacrificing a few body parts for some Christmas lights. It looks fabulous--you can come to Philly and do my house next. : )
Ade, You are the woman! They look great. I'm with Jennifer, heights make me ill. Poor Jacob, he will have to be the light man for the duration of our marriage. Way to go! PS. Your Christmas card was beyond darling--thanks!!
Wow. I'm so impressed. I actually can and like to do big projects sans men but with other ladies to confer with, a support system of some kind. Doing it by myself although I hate to admit it, scares me. But there's nothing like a project finished. Hence why I love to replace floors and paint walls, it gives me such a feeling of empowerment. I envy N's Jaimes for his capacity to re-do anything that his imagination can dream. Goal officially set.
Very impressive! I love your house- it's beautiful- and the lights definitely were necessary for Christmas!
Ade, the lights are pretty, but more important...you inspire me. Every single post makes me want to be better. You are the best example setter for a needy little sister like me. I love you and don't think I tell you that enough.
Awesome job on the lights! They look very professional. I ended up doing most of our lights last year too, but they didn't look anywhere near as good as yours!
Adri, wow!! I am super impressed. Because I wouldn't have actually gotten up there, I would have whined until Maris did it, or if it was too dangerous, just settled without them (this is why we hardly ever had lights on our Farmington house...heights!!) Super cute house, BTW!!! The lights look perfect too!
Adri! I AM proud of you! I've been slacking a little, okay a lot, in the independence department, but I think I'll have to jump back in with both feet in the next year with everything we have planned for our little family. Thanks for the inspiration.
That's a lot of roof lines to deal with! Nice work!
Dang,Girl! I AM PROUD OF YOU!!!
There is such a feeling of accomplishment when you can do a task you never imagined yourself doing. It does look awesome. I will have to come see in person.
Although, I have to tell you. There are plenty of times, I am still begging for a handy man to help me out. Hence, I just call your man. Thanks for loaning his time and muscles to me, even if he doesn't like to. : )
Cute blog!! Blogs are so great to keep us all connected! We loved your Christmas card. Kate is a blond Adri - what a doll! Good job with the lights. We didn't do lights on the house this year, but thanks to Target after-Christmas-sales we'll have them up next year, hopefully they look as perfect as yours!
Wow...I am impressed too. I guess I didn't want lights THAT bad because I didn't go out there myself and do it. Maybe next I will venture out, we could start a club called the "Bright Light Babes" and we could all put ours up. I too have become subject to less "guy duties" and toughness. I used to play soccer and I went in for the kill every time, never worrying if I would get hurt or not. Well, that ship has sailed. Now that I am a mother, my attack button has been somewhat altered. Can you imagine having a torn ACL and 3 little kids....shyaaaright!!!
Great post, I love how you write.
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