I was never a girly girl. When my friends wanted to play Barbies, I wanted to climb a tree. When they wanted to play with dolls, I agreed, providing we could play Atari afterward. I loved to catch frogs with my bare hands and gut fish after a full day of baiting hooks for the boys.
One of my favorite past-times was to sit in the workshop while my father created something out of wood. I loved the smell of the sawdust. I loved to stare at the wall where my father had drawn an outline of each tool to show where to hang them. I loved those mini drawers where he kept all the different sized screws, nuts and bolts - each labeled to show its contents.
Instead of playing with toys, I liked to take them apart and put them back together.
I shouldn't be surprised when I reflect on a week-end of productive home improvements. A week-end where my husband fully uses his talents to create a comfortable home for our family. A home where we can enjoy the best lasagna we have ever tasted. Lasagna made by my husband while I changed lighting fixtures and painted window casings.
We knew from our first date that our roles would not be traditional. I will always remember how we clearly defined our relationship on that dark desert road where his car broke down. I quickly determined that he was in need of a new alternator simply by the sound of the engine (or lack thereof).
I am the "fix-it" lady and he is the cook in this family.
