Home Improvement: the battle of the sexes edition

I’ve heard from a few people lately that I haven’t been updating my blog often enough. I know, I know. And I’m sorry. It’s not that I haven’t had anything to talk about… it’s almost that there’s too much to talk about, so much going on – and sometimes that means the blog gets neglected.

Some news I can share, however, is that I have a buyer for my house and we will be closing within the next few weeks! This is very good. It’s another step towards the next exciting chapter…

It does make me think back, however, to about 2 1/2 years ago, when I had just recently moved into that house and I was in home improvement mode. Many, many things in my life were very, very different then. Just reading a post on my old blog from that time confirms that fact.

So as I say goodbye to my house, here’s a little blast from the not-so-distant-yet-so-very-distant past, when I was all about making a home rather than making a move:

I’m not what you’d call a Home Improvement Do-It-Yourself-er.

If I can pay to have something built, fixed, painted, tiled or whittled, I will.

But today I had to trek into both Home Depot and Lowe’s all by my itty bitty self to look for a thingamajig that I now know is called a wing nut (more on that later).

The whole experience of walking into a Home Depot or Lowe’s is daunting to me. There are way too many aisles, way too many thingamajigs I’ve never heard of, and way too many men who seem to realize that I’m like a frightened turtle in there.

Lowe’s was my first (and I thought only) stop. I attempted to locate – on my own – this thing that, until this point, I only knew as some piece of hardware. Luckily, I had brought a sample thingamajig along.

Since I couldn’t find it in the aisle I picked, when a man who worked there finally walked by, I asked for some help.

Not surprisingly, I was in the wrong aisle, so he led me to where I could find my piece of hardware. Lo and behold, Lowe’s was all out of my little thingamajig… and my “helper” wasn’t exactly apologetic. He basically up and left me before I could ask for any possible alternatives.

Down but not out, I got in my car and drove to Home Depot (yes, it was imperative that I got this thing today), just knowing I’d have to deal with another man looking at me like I didn’t belong.

These home improvement stores are not for women, I thought.

At Home Depot, I walked right to the Hardware department and went up to the first employee I saw. Holding out my palm, showcasing the thingamajig I needed, I asked if he could help me find one.

He looked at me as if I’d asked him to split the atom.

I looked around to make sure I was in Home Depot.

Check.

I looked around to make sure I was in the Hardware department.

Check.

“Let me call someone who works in Hardware,” he finally said.

You think that might help? I wondered.

And to my surprise, who came around the corner to help us out but… a woman.

She looked at the thingamajig in my hand. “Oh, you need a wing nut?” she asked. “What size is that, a ten-twenty-four?”

Talk about impressive. Not only did a woman know her stuff in a home improvement store, but she was actually… helpful and informative!?

Maybe home improvement stores are for women, after all.

Next time I need something whittled, I’ll know who to call for help.

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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4 Comments

  1. 8.12.09
    Leas said:

    Growing up is hard to do, Jane.

  2. 8.12.09
    Chrissy said:

    Cute story. I’m with you on the home improvement stores – I tend to stay away! My parents, on the other hand, make regular pilgrimages.

    I hope everything is going well with your move!

  3. 8.15.09
    Nadine said:

    I enjoyed your story. Isn’t great that women can do anything and some better than men.

  4. 8.18.09
    C said:

    Great post, Jane! You totally rock!! Congrats on the closing! Exciting news! 🙂 XOXO

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