Men's work?

[Smart Red]

My rear blinker light has been out since the evening before Thanksgiving Day. Friday I bought a new bulb and today I decided to change the light. NOT an easy job! I suspect it is not easy because the dealership wants to do (and charge for) the work.

What should have been a simple task was made difficult with long bolts needing a special tool to reach the nuts. My Gypsy crawled into the trunk and did most of the work with her smaller fingers. It took us far longer than going to get it done. While we were working, Gypsy asked, wasn't this men's work? Shouldn't we call Grandpa to finish the job?

I told her we could do it. Whether or not we wanted to do it was our choice as women. Grandpa's hands were far too big to be able to get into the tiny spaces with the wrench. Besides, what would I do if Grandpa wasn't around? Gypsy said that "mumbling, grumpy old men" should be easy to find. We could stop at any retirement home, adopt one and keep him around to do the men's work.

Problem solved in her opinion.

We did manage to get the bulb replaced and everything back together properly. Was she ever proud! Gypsy also cleaned my cupboards of outdated cooking supplies so we can be prepared for Christmas baking.

And did I mention how delicious her first attempt at lemon meringue pie turned out? Made from scratch, it was both a beauty to behold and a taste to be savored. I'd never tried meringue before. I was amazed at how quick and easy it was. Why did it take me 66 years to find that out?

 

[thistlebloom]

Well that little Gypsy is a keeper! She's getting so skilled, all those mumbling grumpy old men better watch out, they're going to be out of work!

Sounds like she has a good sense of humor too.

 

[baymule]

Kudos to you for teaching your Gypsy that she can do anything! I was a Daddy's girl and he never told me that I couldn't do something, especially since I was a girl. I don't think it ever crossed his mind that I wouldn't want to do whatever project he had for me to do. Hmmm.......peeling pine posts with a drawing knife, running "the chain" while he ran the tractor, and all sorts of things.

What you taught Gypsy today was an invaluable lesson in life. You can pay someone to do a simple task, try to get a man to do it for you (no offense to our manly members LOL) or just pile in there and do it yourself.

Meringue is soooo good! Glad the pie came out good!

 

[w_r_ranch]

"mumbling, grumpy old men" should be easy to find.

Hey, I resemble that remark!!!

 

[Nyboy]

Good for Gypsy!! The power windows in my car stopped working Fri,was told fuse might be problem. I never knew cars had fuses.

 

[baymule]

@Nyboy replacing a fuse is real easy, but DON'T TRY IT!! You would probably short out the entire electrical system and destroy all the wiring.

 

[bobm]

The back window brake light went out a few years ago... dealer charges $ 160 to change the bulb. Yes, I could change the bulb ... IF ... I could get into the trunk and IF I could reach the bla*&^% bulb. My son tried. My neighbor tried ... oh forget it. Also the right rear brake light goes out OFTEN. I have at least 3 extra bulbs in the trunk at all times to change out if and when needed. Then a couple months back when our car was vandalized and both power mirrors were knocked off and replaced ... MIRACLE of miracles .... the back window brake light started to work and NO MORE burned out R tail brake light since . BAD FACTORY WIRING !!!!!!! GGGGGRRRRRRR ! Oh , yea ... my wife is an only child, so she was DADY ' S girl. Dady was a MASTER mehanic, so she always " helped" him fix the car, mower, etc. , so she learned how to do lots of things for herself. NOW ... do you think that she can change that burned out Right rear light bulb even once ? Or does this author do it after he is informed of the situation ?

 

[Nyboy]

Bay dont worry I have trouble opening the hood !!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Before we were married my wife took a course at a community college about taking care of a car. She learned how to change a flat tire, check and change oil, wiper blades, and such, what a water pump should not sound like, how to change fuses, all that kind of stuff. She is still good at diagnosing certain problems but it is my job to get my hands dirty unless I'm not around. Then she calls AAA.

I worked construction most of my adult life. It is definitely a man's world, but I saw many women, some of them dainty little things, operate heavy machinery, work as a rigger, weld, and handle practically any job a man could. Some of those jobs required living in some pretty primitive conditions. Don't tell me about what women can't do because I won't believe you though some are better suited than others.

 

[SprigOfTheLivingDead]

Some cars are easy to switch out the bulbs, some are hard. Mazda 3s actually have a clip on the bulb I've heard affectionately referred to as the Devil's clip; it stands up to that name. Good for you for sticking in there and getting it done.