Household entropy
By M on Saturday 6 January 2007, 14:13 - Journal - Permalink
It's time I took stock of what needs fixing at my parents' house. Making a list
always seems to help.
Dad called seven times this morning to ask what I am doing about the light fitting in his bedroom. We noticed yesterday that it is coming away from the ceiling. I stood on a chair and began to have a look at it but gave up after a minute or two. Though I had the stitches out and took the crutches back yesterday morning, my Achilles tendon is still too tender to support me if I lost balance. Therefore, standing on a chair would not be clever.
I had had enough of a look, however, to detect that this is another example of dad's sloppy do-it-yourself ethos. He had attached a heavy light fitting to a plasterboard ceiling with two short wood screws. He didn't bother to find a beam to screw into or use expanding bolts. The screws have simply pulled out of the ceiling. I'm amazed they lasted twenty years.
Dad has been remarkably cavalier about work around the house for as long as we can remember. In the hall he installed a cupboard whose badly-hinged door would never open more than a few inches. A pane of glass has been missing from the toilet window for years (it aids ventilation). For many years the toilet cistern had no cover because he replaced the flush mechanism with one that didn't really fit. However, now that he is incapable, rather than merely uninterested, the house is actually being maintained to a slightly better standard. It is just that recently we have let outstanding jobs mount up.
To be honest, I am just not in the mood to handle these tasks. Since I hurt my leg my own apartment has turned into a complete tip. I've been reluctant to carry anything further than necessary so my natural tidiness has been completely reversed. I have avoided housework any heavier than wiping down the work-tops. I have my work cut out for me here - more than I feel able to handle. I cannot help feeling that it is unfair that I should have to worry about the state of affairs at my parents' place too - and the childishness of my reaction just irritates me further.
Anyway, the list:
Dad called seven times this morning to ask what I am doing about the light fitting in his bedroom. We noticed yesterday that it is coming away from the ceiling. I stood on a chair and began to have a look at it but gave up after a minute or two. Though I had the stitches out and took the crutches back yesterday morning, my Achilles tendon is still too tender to support me if I lost balance. Therefore, standing on a chair would not be clever.
I had had enough of a look, however, to detect that this is another example of dad's sloppy do-it-yourself ethos. He had attached a heavy light fitting to a plasterboard ceiling with two short wood screws. He didn't bother to find a beam to screw into or use expanding bolts. The screws have simply pulled out of the ceiling. I'm amazed they lasted twenty years.
Dad has been remarkably cavalier about work around the house for as long as we can remember. In the hall he installed a cupboard whose badly-hinged door would never open more than a few inches. A pane of glass has been missing from the toilet window for years (it aids ventilation). For many years the toilet cistern had no cover because he replaced the flush mechanism with one that didn't really fit. However, now that he is incapable, rather than merely uninterested, the house is actually being maintained to a slightly better standard. It is just that recently we have let outstanding jobs mount up.
To be honest, I am just not in the mood to handle these tasks. Since I hurt my leg my own apartment has turned into a complete tip. I've been reluctant to carry anything further than necessary so my natural tidiness has been completely reversed. I have avoided housework any heavier than wiping down the work-tops. I have my work cut out for me here - more than I feel able to handle. I cannot help feeling that it is unfair that I should have to worry about the state of affairs at my parents' place too - and the childishness of my reaction just irritates me further.
Anyway, the list:
- light fitting in dad's room - reattach properly
- locks on the front and back doors - replace
- screen door lock - remove
- post box - replace
- sliding door - replace wheels
- washing machine - service or replace
Comments
Just smiling, here.