It was seven years ago when my spouse and I got our own little apartment. During our first Christmas together, he asked me, "What do you want for Christmas, sweetie?" Without batting an eyelash, I said, "A toolbox"
I assume most men were wanting to hear "I'd like a necklace" or "A new purse" or maybe "A pair of designer jeans and shoes." Well, that's not me.
All I wanted was a toolbox - complete with screwdrivers, a wrench, a small hammer, a vise grip, long nose pliers and a wire cutter. I also wanted some washers, a few nuts and bolts, nails, electric and plumbing tape, hooks and screws. My reason was for practicality. I am not the person who would be on the phone calling a plumber to fix a leaking faucet. I can do that myself. Saves me a lot of money. I can assemble my own electrical extension cord, change washers, install clotheslines, and tighten door hinges. I can craft a small wooden stool out of scrap.
I learned these skills from my Dad. I guess he really wanted a boy for a first born but instead, he got me! Haha. Tough luck. Nevertheless, I did not regret having grease on my hands, getting a few cuts, or hitting my thumb with a hammer. I learned how to properly position a jack and change car tires all by myself. Neat, huh? I am a true-blue HANDY-WOMAN, Save-Your-Money-And-Do-It-Yourself mom.
Well, I did get my wish and I have my own set of tools that I use for minor repairs around the house. The hubby is so proud of me. He is simply amazed at how a woman like me can do things like that. Maybe its because I am Filipino? Unfazed by adversity? Or is it just because I was trained early in life to be independent? I have no idea. All I know is that it saves us money. Maybe next Christmas I would ask for power tools.
How about you? What was the most unconventional present you asked from your spouse? Are you a true-blue HANDY-WOMAN, Save-Your-Money-And-Do-It-Yourself mom too?
I love having a toolbox handy! I definitely need my own little kit because I'd never find anything in my husband's gargantuan nightmare of a toolbox! My Mom always had one handy...it gets old asking your husband to do something small around the house when you can fix it relatively easily by yourself (with the right tools)!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Good for you.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great little toolbox!! My husband is very handy, but I am not so much :) That's awesome that you are!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this kit! I am a handy woman too!
ReplyDeleteI didn't ask for a present this year to be honest. Though I did get a new espresso maker, which is nice. :) I have a bit of tools already and can do many repairs myself. Though since I'm in a rental and it's an older one, if I find a repair that would potentially cause issues (such as the issue with had with the pluming in the bathroom) I will call the rental agency to take care of it themselves. That way I don't get dinged for damages.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on this one! I have my own tool box and NO one, I mean NO one is allowed to get into it except me! I like the freedom and satisfaction of being able to do for myself!
ReplyDeleteFor our first Christmas, my new husband was at a loss as to what to get me, I told him I wanted a Miter Saw. He was confused, till I got it and started building stuff. Then for my birthday again he asked what do you want for your birthday? I said a table saw. He didn't hesitate - so for our first anniversary, I got a work bench! LOL! I redid our whole house over the next 8 years and acquired more tools, a bridge saw and so many other Cool Tools!
ReplyDeleteI made my ex buy me lots of tools actually! I think my favorite was my dewalt circular saw. My dad was a general contractor, and I always fix things myself. I'm very in touch with my handy-woman sice.
ReplyDeleteI am so awful with these things. I dislike do it myself - my husband takes over pretty much all of this in our house. I am so awful when it comes to this stuff. My most unconventional gift was asking for a sewing machine - I love the more crafty DIY at home
ReplyDeleteYes I'm a handy man. My Dad bought me a pink tool case and I attempt to fix most things around the house.
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome little toolbox! I use my husbands tools often to fix things around the house but it would be nice to have a cute little box like yours.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really touched a tool box, I'm not that much of a handy man; I haven't really learn much into that field but I think it's something I should work on because it's always easier to do things yourself.
ReplyDeleteNope, not really good with my hands. I can do some stuff around the house but nothing bigger. I know it saves a lot of money but until now, I have somehow managed.
ReplyDeleteI am terrible! I would do DIY if I had to, but honestly I'm just not that talented. I usually ask my dad to help!
ReplyDeleteThat's a cool toolbox right there! And wow, how I wish I could be like you. When I need something done in my room, I feel so helpless LOL it's like I have to wait for my dad to get home to get these kind of stuff done.
ReplyDeleteOh my friend I think we were cut from the same cloth. I remember buying myself a red tool box when we bought our first house. I filled it with things I thought my dad would have felt were important to have on hand. It bothers me to no end to hire someone to do something I can do myself ( or feel I should be able to do myself.).
ReplyDeleteI tried for several years,but I gave it up. If my husband can't fix it, I call a handy man.
ReplyDeleteCould be a sign of my age.
I love to have this kit.. it's easier to fix broken things .
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
I want to be handy but I'm not that handy. I think I am & would love to be but its easier & cheaper for me to let me my husband be the fixer in the house LOL
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring as I'm a spend your money to make it easy gal. :( This kit may not work for me but I could try!
ReplyDeletePlanning you savings is the most crucial part of being parent being mom precisely. I learned this from my mom and practiced through out resulting in easy help when my doll needed to go to medical college and would be further to my help during her marriage in few years, small habit saved me for financial sudden burden.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! I can do little stuff around the house. My mom had to be a handy woman so I learned a lot from her. I will admit that I have never changed a tire and I feel like this is a skill I need!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had asked for a toolbox! I like to fixing things but I'm not terribly good at it. Enjoy your DY tools
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
great post! I like the pictures.
ReplyDeletewill comment back - http://www.oldfashionmom.com
Cool tool box.
This is an awesome post. I try to do it myself but I am not the handiest person thankfully my hubby is. Great blog, stopping by for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on that! I'd love to have a tool box, power tools of all sorts and even a work bench. That might be another thing you could ask for. LOL
ReplyDeleteWhew you are a wonderwoman...unlike you gee I honestly dislike working with tools hahahaha I grew up watching my dad work with electrical gadgets and carpentry stuff but never had an interest using them...I wish I had your eagerness for DIY stuff....love yah!♡
ReplyDeleteIt is really a beautiful and creative blog having some vital information over the subject.
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