A Little List

My first year as a stay-home-mother/housewife has passed and I've felt a little lost lately. I used to be a professional working woman. I used to use problem solving skills and software programs to fill my day. Now, I struggle to figure out what, besides dino nuggets, we can have for lunch today. I sometimes feel like some helpless version of June Cleaver, but the Bizarro World version. You remember Bizarro World, right? I'm rough edged and not quite right? But waking up this morning and coming out of that little dream reminded me: I'm not helpless and I'm more well rounded than I tend to remember.

This list is mostly for my benefit, but maybe you will be able to take something from it. Maybe you didn't know me as well as you thought or maybe you'll make your own list. Some of the things in this list may seem elementary and simple, but you wouldn't believe how many people don't know how to do these things or just don't even try.

These things are just in the order that I've thought of them and no other particular sequence has been given to them (*OK, I went back and grouped a little bit*):

• I know how to check my tire pressure and put air in my tire.
  
• I know how to change a tire on my car. I may have trouble lifting a tire without killing whatever outfit I have on, but I can get it done.
• I know how to put snow chains/cables on my tires and which tires they go on.
  
• I know how to check my car's oil and refill it.
• I know that I don't need to have my air filter changed every time I go to Jiffy Lube, no matter what they tell me.
• I know how to use a level, screw driver, and hammer.
• I know how to find a wall stud.
• I know how to read directions/instructions.
• I know how to assemble furniture.
• I know how to put up a tent.
• I know how to build a proper fire.
• I know how to put out a fire.
• I know how to build an emergency outdoor shelter.
• I know how to tie that "rabbit goes around the tree and down the hole" knot. I don't know the name of it though.
• I know how to paddle a canoe.
  
• I know how to read a (paper and online) map.
• I know how to use a compass.
• I know how to read a topographical map.
  
• I know basic first aid and CPR.
• I know how to fix a leaky faucet.
• I know how to remove a shower head and (gasp) remove that stupid little water saving device. Forgive me, my eco-friends, I'll save water elsewhere. I don't believe it's really saving that much water if it takes twice as long to rinse shampoo out of my hair.
• I know how to repair a hole in a wall.
  
• I know how to wash my own dog.
• I know how to wash my own car.
• I know how to install a hard drive in a PC.
• I know how to connect peripherals (mouse, speakers, keyboard, lcd, monitor, etc.) to a computer.
• I know how to connect entertainment/electronic equipment. For example, the TV is hooked up to the DVR, DVD, VCR (yes, we still have one), CD player, and game console. All of these are routed so that I can turn on the amlifier and listen to anything we play in stereo (surround sound if we had more speakers set up.)
• I know how to balance a checkbook register.
• I know how to perform inventory and calculate cost.
• I know how to calculate change from a transaction without a calculator or cash register.
• I know how to cook rice. (Again, this is one of those things some people don't even try.)

Before you judge my pathetic little list, remember that I know more than this, but this is the stuff I forget about knowing. I'm not helpless and it makes me feel better knowing that.