Feeling pleased with myself

Thanks, GrammyGrammy and apologies, Jane71, for being so blunt.

MerylStreep, I'm right there with you on the rolled hem foot! Definitely the work of the devil. I've watched YouTube videos galore, spent hours practising and still can't get the hang of it.

Hetty58 really no need to be so rude. I was brought up in a family of boys and also learnt similar skills to you, but I also appreciate everyone's individual strengths may not be the same as mine. That doesn't make their personal achievements inferior, particularly when they tackle something new and succeed. Sometimes (all too often, unfortunately) women are other women's worst critics, and that makes me mad as hell...

Womankind does actually need Hetty to be telling us to get a grip. It's how things change. She is right. We have stayed in the lanes we have been told to stay in. Then the man leaves and we learn to do all these things. Then a new man turns up and we retreat back into the lanes we are now allowed. My initial response to the first post was concern the husband would feel upset that she had succeeded with the shelf. I have been divorced 20 years and yet still felt a rush of 'oh dear'. That's a lot of eggs being walked on. A lot of social conditioning and brainwashing too.

Hetty58

Crikey - I've always done the DIY, building, garden projects - even replaced guttering - since being a child. It's not rocket science. If I'd waited for my husbands to get around to it I'd have been living in squalor! Why do women admit to being so clueless and dependent?

I think that it's more division of labour. If women did most of the DIY etc. they would probably, in the main, end up doing everything. I think that it's a question of balance. Of course the traditional balance is now changing, but I would hope that if someone is doing guttering it's not the same person who is peeling the spuds.

I would be completely hopeless, my husband would also be completely hopeless
We learnt many years ago, that if we were to avoid tears, tantrums and rows, it would be best to let the professionals do it.
I’m a perfectionist, and he’s a ‘I think that will do’ type of person, very bad combination.
Oddly, both our girls will turn their hands to anything, and our son is useless.
Hettty, I truly admire your skills, but I don’t feel helpless or needy, I just know someone else will do it better.

Well, I wouldn't even attempt to put a shelf up, so we'll done Jane71.

Methyl Streep, just….
Hahahahahahahahaha , brilliant!!

Shelmiss, Why, honestly? - because I find it so pathetic that anyone is proud of putting a shelf up. What happened to competence and equality? Is there still some 'pride' in being the needy and childlike 'little woman' in relationships? Some are still their own worst enemies!

You’ve been sucking lemons again, haven’t you,* Hetty58*

I wish I could report that I’d cracked using a rolled hem foot.
I’ve given it too many hours now so it’s going in the bin.
But I do have my own electric drill and several sanders.

Well good for you Hetty58 but obviously not everyone is like you. Why do you have to be so rude?

Crikey - I've always done the DIY, building, garden projects - even replaced guttering - since being a child. It's not rocket science. If I'd waited for my husbands to get around to it I'd have been living in squalor! Why do women admit to being so clueless and dependent?

Well done👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Always nice to find we can do stuff we thought were beyond us.
DP just loves DIY so I never get a chance.

Whow Daisymae, that's very impressive.

The screw driver was dead simple. I normally can't use a conventional screw driver as my wrists are too weak, but with the electric one you just press the button and in the screw goes. I was amazed that DH let me use it.

Well, since you ask - inspired by the Repair Shop, I took a screwdriver to a music box and fixed it! I have also rehung curtains, replaced the sink pop up waste and project managed a complete refurbishment of a room. All jobs that my DH would have done when he was fitter. I am awaiting delivery of replacement shower seals. Well done for mastering the electric screwdriver!

Good work Jane71.
I fear that if I tried the same it would resemble the Peppa Pig episode in which Daddy Pig's attempt to hang picture required remedial action from a plumber and a plasterer.

Wow! I am very pleased for you and feel your success.