Single, Divorced Mom? Learn to Do Home Repairs Yourself!
Are you a mother who is newly single due to a recent divorce? I'm confident you're peddling as fast as you can because so much needs handling these days all by yourself. You may not have the funds to hire things done, so this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to do home repairs yourself. Lots of women are quite capable in this arena.
1. One of the best ways to learn about home maintenance is to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity projects. You'll be taught how to swing a hammer, use a saw or use power tools. And you'll be with others who are also learning how, so any discomfort you might feel spreads around among the bunch of you.
2. There is a great site for teaching women how to do home projects (they have over 200 projects currently posted) at www.BeJane.com.
3. Make friends with your local Do-It Center or Home Depot employees. Tell them what you want to do and see if the store might be holding a how-to class. If not, ask the department personnel to explain what you need to do, and what you need to purchase to get that job done.
4. The next part happens when you arrive on your home front with everything you purchased and a feeling of overwhelm about how to begin. A tip that's gotten me to the end of a project is to ask myself at the beginning: "Can you see ONE step to take? Can you take that one?" The next one always shows up. It takes willingness, perseverance and bit of courage to begin, persevere through all the steps and then enjoy your handicraft.
5. Go to used book stores and purchase How-To books. Now that the internet is the be-all, end-all, do all, the old Encyclopedias showing "How To" are available cheap at yard sales and used book stores. Then, when you've got a project to do, you'll have information at your hand to get in there and get started on it.
6. Be creative. I knew a lady who wanted to replace a garbage disposal. It's kind of tough to hold it up underneath the sink and tighten it down from above, so this very creative lady got the jack from her car (you do know how to use a jack, right?) and jacked the disposal in place while she worked on it from above. Clever girl!
7. Keep all your tools together in an easy to carry container. Plastic cat liter containers are great and if you're handy sewing, you can make an apron with pockets for it to hold tools on the inside and on the outside.
8. Home Improvement television shows are a great source for educating your newly growing expertise. You can learn a lot from watching designers re-do homes with the help of their talented handymen on HGTV. Those fellows have great tips for making the jobs easier.
9. There are toolkits designed for women. Frankly, I cannot for the life of me see the difference except for color. A tool only needs to be functional to work. Color does not improve functionality.
Because of divorce, you are often challenged to unfold some more talent from within yourself, and for single moms, home repair is one of those places. Do research on the internet. The internet is today's library and contains up the minute advice on how to accomplish any project. You can if you think you can!
About the Author
In his book "Getting Over It: Wisdom for Divorced Parents," Len Stauffenger shares his simple wisdom gleaned from his divorce with his daughters and with you. Len is a Success Coach and an Attorney. You can purchase Len's book and it's accompanying workbook at http://www.wisdomfordivorcedparents.com
|
|
HOME SEWN GIFTS AND DRINKS TO SIP N SEW* PROJECTS AND RECIPES $7.79 |
|
|
Patchwork Projects ~ 15 Full Size Patterns ~ Better Homes & Gardens $5.00 |
|
|
STITCH IT: 21 CRAFT PROJECTS FOR YOUR HOME ~ SUPER SALE $9.95 |
|
|
Seasons Greetings 32 Christmas Projects Great Gifts & Home Decor Sewing Pattern $6.99 |
|
|
SEWING BASKET FUN spiral bound book Home Decor & Fashion projects $6.00 |
|
|
SEWING SEASON'S GREETINGS 32 HOLIDAY HOME PROJECTS $6.49 |
|
|
Book Sewing Singer SEWING PROJECTS FOR THE HOME Hardcover NOT Softcover RARE See $16.19 |
|
|
SEWING COUNTRY GEESE STUFFED ANIMALS DOLLS HOME DECOR PATTERNS PROJECTS DESIGNS $3.59 |
|
|
PATTERNS PROJECTS DESIGNS SEWING MAY YOU ALWAYS SEE RAINBOWS QUILT HOME DECOR $3.59 |
|
|
Hc Dj Easy Crafts for Home & Family 200+ projects 1999 knit crochet pattern b00k $3.99 |
|
|
Hooked on a Look 7 easy FLEECE Projects for the Home $9.95 |
|
|
Quick And Easy Home Sewing Projects by Gloria Nicol ... $9.99 |
|
|
Book - New - Fabric Boxes & Bowls - 10 Pattern Projects for Home Decor & Gifts $6.00 |
|
|
SEW DOG: Book of 25 Projects Easy-Sew Dogwear & Custom Gear for Home & Travel $19.99 |
|
|
HOME SWEET SEWN 20 PROJECTS QUILTS CUSHION PATTERN BOOK $24.61 |
|
|
SINGER Sewing Projects for the Home Instructional Book $8.95 |
|
|
Better Homes & Garden-Creative Collection Publication Sewing Projects $3.00 |
|
|
EVERYDAY BLESSINGS--30 PLUS HOME DECORATING PROJECTS ND GIFTS BY KINDA TJARKS $9.99 |
|
|
24-Hour Sewing Projects Home & Holiday by Linda Causee $7.95 |
|
|
JUKI HZL-35Z Versatile Home Sewing Project Machine with Cover and Accessories $279.99 |
|
|
FOLK ART PATTERNS SEWING FABRIC PROJECTS HOME DECOR CRAFTS APPLIQUE DOLL FACE $3.99 |
|
|
FOLK ART PATTERNS SEWING FABRIC PROJECTS CRAFTS SOFT BOX II APPLIQUE DECOR HOME $3.99 |
|
|
PATTERNS PROJECTS CRAFTS APPLIQUE CATHEDRAL WINDOW PILLOWS HOME DECOR CRAFTS $3.99 |
|
|
PATTERNS PROJECTS CRAFTS APPLIQUE FOLK ART DUCK PIG PILLOWS HOME DECOR QUILTING $3.99 |
|
|
2 xBks Classic Cushions 27 Projects & Beautiful Cushions 17 projects -Home decor $6.90 |
|
|
Sewing Projects for the Home $2.73 -- Offers dozens of do-it-yourself home decor projects.-- Includes new fabrics and color schemes.... |
|
|
Happy Home: Twenty Sewing and Craft Projects to Pretty Up Your Home $12.30 Jennifer Paganelli designs one of the most popular fabric lines in the marketplace. In this gorgeous collection, she shows readers how to whip up twenty-one beautiful accessories to transform their space into a sunny, happy home. Each project showcases Jennifer's fresh, whimsical style—from luxe drapery to cheery tablecloths and napkins. Featuring simple step-by-step instructions, a comprehensiv... |
|
|
Sew Up a Home Makeover: 50 Simple Sewing Projects to Transform Your Space $6.16 Want to bring a new look to a tired room without spending a fortune? Designer Lexie Barnes shows you how to personalize your living space in just a few hours, with 50 fresh, fun, pattern-free sewing projects. Transform a living room with a custom-designed slipcover and coordinated pillows. Redecorate a bedroom in a weekend by sewing up a headboard cover, a lampshade, and matching window treatments... |
|
|
Sewing 101: A Beginners Guide to Sewing $15.81 Sewing 101 is a modern-day primer on the basic skills and techniques of sewing. This book is geared toward the absolute novice and assumes you know little or nothing about the craft. Filled with lots of step-by-step photos, useful sewing tip sidebars, and a painstakingly detailed glossary, Sewing 101 teaches you how to sew successfully. You will learn terminology used regularly in sewing, as well ... |
|
|
Venture Horizon Project Center With 1 Bookcase & 3 Bin Cabinet White $555.00 Every home has it's hub. A central location for family projects or individual activities. Project Center Top Work Surface Shelves are adjustable. Not only will it dramatically increase everyone's productivity but do it in style to boot. It combines numerous convenient ways to organize and store all the materials for any project. MDF, is a man-made fiberboard consisting of wood fibers and resin... |