Construction–the True Marriage Test

As I mentioned a while back, we had our windows replaced. Today the workmen came to do some minor fix-ups, and one pane of glass had to be replaced because it had a scratch. Guess what? The replacement glass was also scratched.

Anyway, as they are prying the window interior molding off to unbury the security system lines, I started thinking about the shed project my husband and I are completing.

When an engineer marries a teacher, there are bound to be personality conflicts. My husband is very precise-minded, very detailed, and quite an excellent home-improvement guy I might add. I, on the other hand, am fairly laid-back about such matters. Plus, I have virtually no clue about tools. Oh, I can grab a hammer and a screwdriver. But you might as well ask me to go get a hecklemoggle wrench instead of a channel lock wrench. I need very specific directions when it comes to home improvement projects. :loser:

The other day, we were trying to mount the trim on the shed. I knew it had to be lined up with the outer edge, but it wouldn’t go flush because the roof line was in the way.

Husband: “Is it ready to nail?”
Me: “Um, it’s lined up, but it’s not flat. Is that going to be a problem?”
Him: “Well, make it lie flat.”
Me: “Uh, there’s a roof in the way.”
Him: “Then you’re not lining it up right. Move it around until it lies flat.”
(I play around with it, but there’s just no way to get it to go flat.)
Me: “Just go ahead and nail it. I’m sure it’ll work out once you get to my end.” (Inwardly thinking–use LOTS of nails, honey. Lots and LOTS, and then it MIGHT lie flat).

Well, the end result was nicely lined up trim with a huge bow in the middle. Not so good. An argument ensued, :blahblah: harsh words exchanged, cuss words uttered at the shed, until at last we ended up planing the edge of the roof to make it lie flat.

Each time we make more progress, there is inevitably an argument of some sort. Each time we have a new part to do, I wince, thinking–what’s going to go wrong this time? Because it’s always something.

It reminds me, in many ways, of writing a book. Most of the time, something goes wrong with a scene and you have to keep molding and shaping it until it comes out right. The moments of “Wow! Did I write this?” are so rare, it’s like getting a home project right the first time.

Right now I need to go find my hecklemoggle wrench to fix the current plot problem. Back to the drawing board.

What’s the most challenging home improvement project you’ve encountered?