Bull in a China Shop

Growing up in my grandparents home, I can remember not being very dainty. From first memory I’ve always went at things aggressively, focused, sometimes to a fault. I would end up bumbling into things or breaking something. My grandmother’s words to me were, “you’re like a bull in a China shop!”

My grandmother was a master of all trades. She could do anything! She sewed, upholstered, knitted and crocheted, she built a fireplace out of left over materials, she quilted. All of these things she attempted to instill in me. I cannot say I was a great student but I was paying attention! I stored them to be brought forward at a later time in my life.

Like sewing. One year I made quilts for everyone on my Christmas list. Another year I made,and gave away, scrapbooks. I crafted moccasins – hand stitched – for a while. Crafted indian mandalas. Whatever it is that catches my creative attention, I go at it like a bull in a China shop!

I can do anything!

My grandmother imbedded in me that I can do anything I set my mind to do! I will google it, get my ideas in place, buy the materials and go at it by whatever unconvential means necessary. It drives my husband nuts.

When we began remodeling my grandparents home we started with the kitchen. Hubby tackled the biggest project to get it out of the way. Our plan was to remove a wall, a sophet and a closet; take everything down to the studs, re-wire and re-insulate.

My husband and I got busy tearing everything out. Cupboards, counters, appliances. Everything down to the sub floor. Then came the work week. I’m motivated! Hubby said “don’t touch nothin!” because there was that “bull in the china shop” thing. But every day he went to work I would tear into that wall until it was down to studs. Next the studs were gone. Then, I moved the wiring of a left over plug so that the living room was on its own breaker. (He should have never showed me things about electricity!).

A helping hand

My mom helped us a great deal. I had a lot of fun with her. I got a big idea that the microwave should be located in the wall of the stairwell that led to the basement. Mom had asked me what hubby said. He told me to wait, I said. Mom advised that I should wait but I thought what harm would it be to mark the spot. I took a hammer and made a hole in the wall. Mom was out the door, in her car and going home. I barely heard her say “I’m outta here!”

Well, when hubby got home he was very upset with me for not waiting. He finished the hole in the wall, to house the microwave, barely speaking to me. It’s not the brightest idea I ever had, I must say. After several years of having it there, it is a pain in the butt. Hubby still stings of that day and said he is not doing another thing with it.

Lesson learned?

I’m older now but I still have  the “bull in the China shop” feeling! I am chomping at the bit, wanting to get on with our second round of living, The idea of retirement finds me sharpening my horns and getting ready to crash through the nearest obsticle I can find. I will tackle that sucker like there’s no tomorrow! Whatever it is!

To this day, hubby hides the hand and power tools. He wants me touching nothing but yard and craft stuff. I’m satisfied with that but I get tired of waiting for a project to be completed. Then I go and find what I need and do it my way. My grandfather showed me how to do stuff with ingenuity. That’s not to say it’s the right way. If hubby sees me walk by with a hammer (or any other tool) in my hand he starts rolling out the what, when, where and why questions.

What could possibly need to be done in retirement?! My big idea is that we will not have to WORK at anything unless we want to. Mostly it will be fun, fishing, site seeing… whatever we want to do, when we want to do it.

I think my husband is relieved. The other day he bought me a present. It was a hammer from Harbor Freight. I nearly cried. He has finally forgiven me!