Do-It-Herself

I took a class at Home Depot last night. Nathan thought it would be a good idea for me to get out of the house without the kids and learn a new skill that would come in handy with the new house. (Of course he was right.) So last night I took myself to Home Depot to learn how to tile a floor or wall.

I have to say, I was unsure just how much I'd learn in such a short amount of time. By the end would I really know how to tile? I didn't bring any note-taking things because Nathan had the diaper bag which had my planner which had all my paper, pens, etc. (not to mention my driver's license) so I worried that I wouldn't remember anything from it.

My worries were pretty much unfounded. It was informative without making me feel overwhelmed and the two instructors encouraged us to try things ourselves right there. I got to put mortar on the board, smoothing it out with the proper tool (while I know how to do it, I can't remember what anything is called, but that's ok because Nathan does). I didn't actually lay out a tile, but I did get to do the grout from some tiles that were already laid out. It was really fun. I got to learn the differences between products (like grout or mortar) that are ready made and those that you have to mix yourself (get the ones you mix yourself). We learned how to cut the tile, too, which was really cool.

Then we took a little field trip through the store to see a table and some counter tops that these two instructors had worked on for the employee break room, and then we went to see the tile aisle and we talked about the different types of tile and the different types of looks and what you would do different for varying types of tile.

It was all very interesting and fun. The two guys were very friendly and informative and offered their help if we ever got into our projects and realized we messed up, or were nervous about a cut we have to make, or for any reason. It was a lot of fun and I recommend it to any of you ladies out there. It's a great excuse to get out of the house and I think it's one that your husband would gladly agree to. Just think, you'd go up to him and say, "Honey, I think I'd like to learn how to tile our bathroom and use a wet saw. I know a place I can go and learn for free. Think you could watch the kids for a couple hours?" I think he'd be pretty up for it.