So since the start of the year, I’ve been preaching that everyone should #BeBrave. I really do want that to be the theme for so many people this year. Step into the unknown. Try new things. Be courageous. Tonights post is to share that I am actually taking my own medicine. I’m practicing what I’m preaching. I wanted you all to know that I’m not just sitting on the sideline and cheering for you (although I AM cheering for each of you). This is a challenge for me too. In 2014 I want to be brave.
If you know me, you know I am NOT a handyman. I am awful with tools. It’s ironic that I used to work for a major tool manufacturer, but I was in their ivory tower and in a different division so I was exempt from learning how to actually use tools. So when both of our showers started drip, drip, dripping, I knew we were looking at some major costs. I knew this because the last time this happened to our shower, I called a local plumbing company and they charged me a heavy amount to repair it. They also said “we had to jerry rig this so if it ever breaks again, you’re looking at a major cost to repair.” As if their cost to repair wasn’t major enough already. They did give me a free roll of toilet paper with their logo on it when they were done. I wish I was kidding about that….
So I decided to be brave. I looked at some videos on Youtube, grabbed the few tools I own and started dismantling both our standup shower and the kids tub/shower combo. I learned that I needed a new filer (or so I thought). I also learned that Kohler doesn’t sell that filter in Lowes. The nice guy at Lowes told me I basically had to reconfigure my entire setup to use other manufactures. I went home and told my wife that small tax return we were getting was going to be gone before we even get it.
Then I decided to be brave and actually call Kohler. Last night before I went to bed, the parts I needed were on order. Simple as that. They also told me there was a local distributer whom I visited today. Turns out I didn’t need half the parts Kohler was sending me AND I could upgrade the handles and hardware for HALF THE PRICE. As I type this, we have two update shower/bath hardware sets and it cost me a whopping $110. Total.
No runs
No drips
No errors (well, maybe a few errors, but fixable errors)
Long story to encourage you all. I’m not bragging here. I’m not that bright. I’m not a plumber. I don’t know my way around my tool box. But I decided to be brave and give is a shot. You never know what you are capable of if you don’t try. It could have gone horrible wrong, but the worst that could happen was calling a plumber fix my mess.
I’m hopeful that this is just the first of many be brave moments I try this year. I’m also hopeful that they are all NOT home repairs.
So what are you afraid to try?
Be Brave.
