A Hardware Store-y

My dad as built 3 houses in his life. I've lived in one. So needless to say, he knows how to make stuff. My favorite uncle is also an architect and has made some of the most amazing homes and buildings I've ever seen. 

I'm not here to say I'm handy. I have the tools but lack the verbiage, meaning I can see how I want something and how it can be done inside my head but have a hard time describing what I need to make it happen.

Because of this, my husband kind of assumes I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about. Until this visit with my dad, he did, at least. I was telling one of my friends about my dad's talents and building achievements and the response was "And you didn't get this gene?" I did, just without the support to get shit done, if you will.

This trip the hubby finally saw in action what I've been talking about. How we have these visions and abilities to use what we have and do things on smaller budgets and just make it happen. How a little extra hard work doesn't make it not worth doing. Which is why I now have a fully functional bathroom door, I'm down a chandelier I hated, and about to get stairs/shelves for the dog to get to the kiddo's new loft bed.

I've always loved going to the hardware store, something else my husband has poked fun at me about. To me the hardware store is endless potential, ultimate creativity and projects that make a house a home. Today I got to adventure with my dad for supplies for final projects. Tomorrow he shows hubby the ropes.

I live by two rules: either learn to do it yourself and do it yourself, or make enough money to hire a professional with said skill to do it for you. I have no problem learning to do and completing household tasks, so long as I'm met with patience and understanding, and I'm good at testing those boundaries. 

So here we go, learning from each other and all for the sake of what I think are common, run of the mill home projects. Because I always think there are ways to create what you want and need with what you have or within a budget. It doesn't always have to be pretty or cool, just functional.

Today I got to go to Lowe's with my dad and watch it all happen. I even helped him find something the store clerk couldn't. Why? Because I could envision what he was talking about but my dad didn't describe it all that well. That is how I irritate my husband; I'm the same.

So we got the supplies. we got what we needed. And tomorrow creations will come to life. Hitting the Hardware store was nostalgia at its finest. My dad build a deck and screened in porch, a sun room, a play house, a swing set, a move-able basketball court, and a cabin in the woods completely off the grid, run by solar, generator and with spring water, in my 33 years on this planet. Watching him create is a favorite.

I feel lucky my daughter gets to see it in our house too. She'll always remember that grandpa gave mommy her coveted bathroom door, that grandpa built her stair shelves and fixed the garage door, gutters and kitchen light. These are the memories that keep my hardware stories, my nostalgia and my creativity strong and are making this house evolve into a home. Now to enjoy Sunday!