Wednesday, May 31, 2006

They don't build 'em like they used to


Yes, that's my husband. Not bad for a man in his 50's. I think he needs to work out a bit more, but, I really can't complain.

Mr. Cruisin is a remarkable man in many ways. This is not the first time I've written about my groom, and of course, won't be the last.

That's because he continues to provide me with excellent fodder for my blogging journey.

Now, unlike most Jewish men, my hunk can swing a hammer, climb a ladder, manuever a drill, tote that barge, lift that bail...yeah, yeah, you get my drift.

He must have somehow been blessed with a mutant gene, that allows him to set a plan in motion...fix, build, and just about do anything.

Thing is, he really CAN do just about anything he puts his mind to. He spends time reading and educating himself, until he knows the ins and outs of whatever it is he sets out to accomplish.

He has taken on woodworking...building two beautiful wall units, a kitchen table, and various other projects involving wood.
He can fix leaks, solve electrical problems, build gates, install broken windows...you name it...he can do it.

The main thing is, he's not afraid to try...

anything.

So, when he discovered that our wood patio cover of almost 20 years was rotting away due to termites (hey, I actually understand those little guys...they go after wood like I go after icecream) and rot in general, he pronounced that he was going to rebuild the entire patio cover.

Now, mind you...this man is well into his 50's. This is no easy undertaking for a guy in his 20's. It means tearing down all of the existing wood, moving beams, climbing up and down a ladder, bringing in new wood, painting the wood, and climbing up the ladder and carefully placing the wood to form a new patio cover.

Whew!

My theory, of course, is to F*#KING HIRE someone.

Which he did actually think about doing. He even had someone come out to give an estimate. Of course the guy never called back, which set my man in motion.

Every day for about two weeks, Mr. Cruisin would walk outside...

and look up. Yes, that's right...look up.

Gaze, contemplate, think, gaze some more and think some more. If I didn't know better, I'd swear there was a Hooter's waitress sitting on top of the patio overhang that he was looking at everyday.

Truth be told, I could deal with that. Makes alot more sense to me than watching my husband look longingly at a patio cover.

But that's how I knew...I saw it coming. Each day his head would tilt just a little more. The drool became more and more prominant.

Until finally, about one week ago...he came to me and said "Cruisin-mom...I'm fixing the patio...by myself".

"Oh crap" I thought. (or said out loud, I can't remember which).

Before I could take a breath, he was hammering, pounding, and in general, ripping it up. The cover was "goin down". And that was that.

Now, I don't mean to sound ungrateful...because I'm incredibly grateful. He has saved us more money over the years, than even I can figure out what to do with.

But, it's worrisome. I worry about him climbing up and down, and straining himself. This is no easy undertaking...but can I stop him?

Pu-leeze. Of course I can't.

I tell him what I think, (you shouldn't do this, pay someone, what if you fall off the ladder, it's too much for you, blah, blah, blah) while I watch the words breeze in one ear and out the other.

And then, I surrender. I stock the fridge with plenty of diet coke, and the cupboard with plenty of chips (to keep him nourished of course) sit back, and watch my man go to town.

I married a man who is not afraid to work hard and create.

He inspires me everyday.

As I walk through my home, if you look closely, you can see my heart beaming, (remember E.T.'s heartlight?) while I spy the numerous projects that are the exquisite creation of my husband's two hands.

25 comments:

torontopearl said...

Can I hire your man? Actually my man ain't so bad, either. His two or three toolboxes and drill bits and levels (you know, those measuring things that have little windows with water in them)have been laying in the main hallway for the past three days because he's been involved in a project. A building project that looks quite good.
Maybe our hubbies can go into business together -- and we can go out for ice cream while they're busy flexing their muscles.

Stacey said...

Ahhh, I think I am related to your husband. He sounds like my father. We never had a repairman in our house growing up. My father could fix everything from furnaces to TVs to the cars.

So one thing I detested when I was dating were the men who couldn't screw in a light bulb. Nope! And I married one just like my dad.

Ezzie said...

BOO-YA!! (Sorry, I just thought that was appropriate...)

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

What I wouldn't do to have your man around my house. My husband starts projects but NEVER finishes them. He has all the cool, must have tools, and there they sit, some still in their boxes, surrounded by lots of clutter and "just in case I need this" treasures that fill our basement.

I figured that there are four things in life that would make me a very happy woman - an on-call handyman, an on-call babysitter, a housekeeper and full-time chef (ok we can throw in a personal trainer who looks like the man in the picture, and a personal shopper too.)

Yep, that would make me a very HAPPY, Happy wife!

Another meshugannah mommy said...

I am married to a handy dude, as well. I am ususally drafted to "help," be he is never quite satisfied with the quality of my work! He ripped apart and redid our loft when we were newlyweds, and he currently has about a million projects in our house. He recently redid our dining room - it really looks good. Our friends joke that the rabbis are coming to take away his "Jewish license"

Wendy said...

That is so great! Did you invite your friends over to drink the Diet Coke while you watched him work? (remember that commercial!?) It's so nice to read you rave about your hub!

Regina said...

OK, ditto on the handy guy. But does Mr. Cruisin-Mom like you to be with him when he works or not? Does he want you there to hand him tools or just hand him his drink? Mr. Sparkle actually wants me out there helping repair the fence after it got blown down by a hurricane... something that I would rather not be doing. I dunno, he's got this togetherness thing going on...
Anyhoo- a very nice post as usual. Loved the "looking up" part!

Regina said...

Oh, forgot to mention... that husband of yours sure is a looker! ;)

PsychoToddler said...

I dunno...I would F&%^ing hire someone.

Shira Salamone said...

Well, at least the Punster is good at trouble-shooting the computer!

Personally, I'm afraid to do anything more radical than flip a lightswitch.

In other words, consider yourself lucky.

On all counts (ahem). :)

I bet you folks have a gorgeous sukkah every fall!

cruisin-mom said...

jackt: he probably would've figured it out in 30 minutes, and all you have to pay him is diet coke and chips.

T.P.: Icecream, did you say icecream?

Stacey: Glad you got one like your dad...they are rare.

Ezzie: I know, you're hoping to look like my husband does in his fifties, right?

S.T.: I think the man you are looking for is Richard Simmons.

A.M.M.: take away his Jewish license...LOLOLOL

Wendy: why, of course...he really does look like that picture. I can't get him to take that cute little hat off.

RCJ: actually, he prefers to work alone. He is quite the looker, huh?

P.T.: ROTFLMAO

S.S. thanks for commenting! I'm with you re the lightswitch!

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

Richard Simmons would definitely NOT make me a happy happy wife!
(and did you not catch that the personal trainer MUST look like your hubby in the picture!) ; )

Jeremayakovka said...

lol! And with a tool belt, too...

- Jeremiah

cruisin-mom said...

S.T.: Richard Simmons doesn't remind you of the guy (oops, I mean my husband)in the picture?

Hi Jeremiah!: every guy needs a toolbelt :)

Anonymous said...

I am the handy dude around the house. But Mr. Ek is learning. We have done some projects together and he is doing well!

Nice picture :-)

cruisin-mom said...

E.K.: somehow, that doesn't surprise me! Tell Mr. E.K. we're proud of his progress. You like the picture? My husband is rather shy about it.

JJ said...

I'm happy to be married to a handy guy- sometimes when he's fixing or spackling or building, etc., I call him "Norm" (you know, from This Old House). My hubby would LOVE to build a deck all by himself- he's got this thing about wood. But most backyards in Israel are too small for a deck. Poor guy!

cruisin-mom said...

H.O.H.: that is one fight, Mr. Cruisin and I never have...only thing I am good at is eating icecream.

RR: Oh! my husband ADORES Norm!!! (sorry there is no place to build a deck...maybe he could go work in a lumber yard!)

kasamba said...

LOL!
Mr Crusin is sure eye candy!
My dad is mr fix it and I married a guy who would hire someone to flip the fuse!

cruisin-mom said...

Kasamba: my dad was pretty handy too...but my husband? Definitely a mutant gene :)

Neil: good for you, finally, a man of tradition!

cruisin-mom said...

Danny: you married the right woman for you!
"I grew up in a household where we'd consider moving if the toilet stopped up or buying a new car if it needed new brakes". ROTFLMAO

socialworker/frustrated mom said...

Funny! Great pic!

StepIma said...

Great post... and yummy pic!

Especially after the haggard-Paul shot from the other day :)

I seem to be the fix-it person in all my relationships. Which is pretty laughable because I'm not handy at all. But there is something pretty flattering about the look of awe and respect in a man's eyes you get when you say "I fixed the toilet..."

cruisin-mom said...

swfm: thanks!

Stepima: "I fixed the toilet"...I think that is truly the way to a man's heart.

cruisin-mom said...

Mirty: and to think I have to look at that everyday!