When I married Mike, I got a lot more than I could ever have imagined. When I met Mike, I soon discovered him to be a Jack of all Trades and a Master of Many. Talent abounded. He could fix just about anything. His vast array of skill showed up early in our relationship. He was running the YMCA on Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town at the time and was always fixing something. I remember him saying the Y’s washing machine was not emptying properly. He set about dismantling the whole machine. He soon discovered the problem. It was a sock that had got stuck in the pump. When we got engaged, his talent rose to new heights. Almost everything we bought was secondhand or made. Mike put his hand to anything and everything. He upholstered a shabby second-hand lounge suite. He fixed an ancient washing machine that was donated to us as well a cheap very well used stove. He made wall units and a writing bureau (we still have both). I used to say he got a degree in saving money when he spent 7 years at the YMCA. He was a great asset to that organisation. He carpeted the entire place, painted every room and got reprimanded when it started making a profit! And when I say, “Mike did”, I mean Mike did the work. He didn’t organise it. He got down on his hands and knees and laid hundred of square metres of carpet tile. He donned his overalls, chose paint and painted all the rooms. He serviced the vehicle and did the grocery shopping. One day there was spare dough and a hot stove, so he made bread.
My Dad couldn’t change a plug.
Imagine then, getting this incredible handy-man. I was reminded of all this today, when Mike got into his overalls, packed the car with all his tools and we drove off to Echo to fix the gate. The gate is small, wooden and probably the original one. It was hanging off its hinges and the latch was partially broken too. It was only a matter of time before it came completely adrift. Julian arrives tomorrow, so we decided to fix it today. I say we because I have long since learnt that these jobs are easier done with two people. Mike loves me to bring my hands as an extra pair to help. It’s more the company than anything else and not leaving him to sort out a job on his own.
I also took the garden shears and trimmed the bushes away from the outside sensors. The other day when there was a storm brewing, the alarm went off when what we think were branches, blew across the outside sensor.
#785 of my 1000 thanks is that we fixed the gate! 
David’s You Tube channel is building some momentum. If you haven’t checked it out, go see.
Apart from the gate, I did just over 5 hours of work.
Isaiah 40:28
Have you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
These are the days!
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
- 30 minutes fast walk
- 30 minutes The Grid – heart rate 151.
- 5 minute cool down cycle.