Check!

With three weeks of summer break already behind me I’ve finally accomplished my to do list.
There were many other things on my to do list, but for some reason these things kept eluding my memory so three weeks ago I wrote them down hoping not to forget.  Every time I walked out the door I was reminded, but it still took me three weeks.  Since I’m not terribly handy around the house I tend to put off those jobs that a) require me to be handy or b) require me to call someone handy.  On Sunday, I decided enough was enough.

Even though I was shown where and how to change my air filter on my new air conditioning last year, I couldn’t remember for the life of me.  After some online research I was able to remove both of the unit’s doors and located the filter for cleaning.  CHECK!  Since the sprinklers’ timer is right next to the AC I reset it as well.  With our hot temperatures, it was time to set the sprinklers to go off twice a day instead of once.  Luckily I keep the instruction sheet next to the timer.  CHECK!

Since my handy jobs were finished yesterday, I worked on the handy phone calls today.  I don’t like to make phone calls like this.  I’m not exactly sure why, BUT it could have something to do with the volume of phone calls made when making arrangements for someone handy.  In today’s case, between leaving messages and call backs, 17 phone calls in all.

The first one was quick and easy - one of my new shutters wasn’t staying closed.  After a couple of appointment time changes, the installer came by and fixed the thingy that kept it closed.  CHECK!

The last thing on my list was the one I dreaded most.  I’ve been unhappy with my gardener for a few years now.  He and his guys just “mow and blow”.  That’s what I pay for so it’s fine, but since I am the complete opposite of a gardener I need someone who will take care of things that need to be taken care – a broken sprinkler, a dead plant, dry grass, whatever.  My gardener didn’t do that on his own.  If I called and asked, sometimes he would, but a lot of time he wouldn’t so I couldn’t rely on them.  Regardless, making this phone call wasn’t just going to be hiring a new gardener but basically firing the old one, which was why I kept avoiding it I think. 

Anyhow, I finally called and arranged for another gardener (recommended by a friend) to tell me what he would do and give me an estimate.  I really liked him, and I think he’ll take care of my yard nicely.  He starts Thursday.  check…but there was still that pesky issue of canceling the other service.  I tell you what, I could never be in a business where I would have to fire people, ever!  Even though I was just stopping a service, I felt so bad about calling.  I did suck it up though and called, soooo hoping to get an answering machine.  When the woman who answers the phone picked up I almost hung up, a nervous wreck.  Instead I powered through and canceled the service with her.  She didn’t seem to care one bit, so it ended up being painless.  CHECK!

I always feel so empowered when I take care of home repair or maintenance…or maybe it’s relief that I don’t have to think about it anymore.