Ester's guest blog spurred my thought process when she spoke about her fears regarding physical conditioning.  I too have resolved myself to overcoming fears in the upcoming year.  I have always considered myself mechanically challenged.  I know it is more an interest and time factor than an aptitude factor because occasionally when I have guidance and motivation, I have actually done some good work (I actually now have become quite adept at sheetrocking and limited spackling after re-doing my first two homes).

Over the holiday break, I had a leaking pipe and called my buddy to recommend a plumber.  Instead, he asked if I had time and came over with his "ultimate set of tools", talking me into giving it a shot ourselves.  Forty minutes and thirty dollars later, we had replaced a 4-5 inch stretch of pipe.  Even though my buddy's knowledge was only slightly better than mine, it was really so easy that I kind of felt embarassed.  I vowed that it was time to stop letting my fear of getting in over my head keep me from trying and learning on my own.

I have no doubt that this will lead to a future blog lamenting my stupidity in thinking I could fix something that turned into a disaster...but what the hell, eh?