It really does work!

Sometimes it's better to be a participant than a host.

I discovered that last Thursday, when Chad Head from ETSU led us in a maintenance course covering plumbing. As I've said previously, I know NOTHING about plumbing, so when Chad started talking I, who normally plays the happy host, sat down and shut up.

It's funny - I understand why Eastern Eight is sponsoring this program. We want to help new homeowners feel secure in their finances, community and the physical structure of their homes. I've always had the knowledge that that was a good thing.

But Thursday, I put myself in the shoes of the homeowner and realized just how wonderful this program is (in my humble opinion).

Everything I needed to know about plumbing, I learned Thursday night. I had always thought plumbing was difficult and too big for me to learn, but Chad made it all seem easy. He gave examples, showed us how to do everything and answered all of our questions.

I can now confidently say that I can fix all of the most common plumbing problems, saving myself time and money because I don't have to call a plumber.

And that's quite a feat for me. I never thought I'd be able to understand any of this. Now I don't understand why I thought I couldn't.

I can't wait until the next course.

Cheers,

What's a Toilet Flange?

We've got a workshop coming up on August 20, covering Home Emergency Planning and Plumbing and Bathroom Maintenance.

Not at the same time, lol.

The first hour will feature Glenda Bobalik, executive director of The American Red Cross in Northeast Tennessee. She'll be presenting the Home Emergency Planning portion.

The second hour features Chad Head, ETSU maintenance supervisor. His portion covers the plumbing. I had the pleasure of going to Lowe's today and purchasing materials he needed.

It was an adventure. I know nothing (emphasis on NOTHING) about plumbing, and I was looking for toilet flanges (pronounced flan-GEEZ?), chrome-plated brass traps, wax rings with bolts and other confusing implements that basically ensure the water goes down the hole.

Lucky for me, the nice young lady working in the plumbing section knew where everything was and could lead this big dumb man in the tie to the exact parts I needed.

I'm thinking I need the maintenance training more than any of the participants.

Oh well. Hope to see you Thursday!

Cheers,

Exciting changes to HOW 2

Ever had a great idea that makes you feel stupid?

Like strawberry wine, those types of ideas are indeed bittersweet. Sweet, that they're great ideas and that you thought of them.

Bitter, in that why didn't you think of them in the first place?

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting with Maria Catron of KHRA and Fresh Start Foundation, to discuss the possibility of starting up a HOW 2 program at a Kingsport location. We had a great meeting - I think HOW 2 in Kingsport has a very bright future ahead of it. We're working out the details now, so stay tuned.

However, when we got to the topic of how we'd offer HOW 2 in K-Town, I proudly presented the (at the time) current schedule for Johnson City's HOW 2 program. For those of you who don't know, up until a few days ago, we offered a workshop on the third Thursday of each month and a maintenance course on the fourth.

Maria took a look at it, made some approving comments on the content, then questioned whether we could offer the program on two dates in Kingsport. I agreed, and together we came to the conclusion that we should offer a single combined two hour class, covering both the workshop topic and the maintenance topic.

After our meeting I began the 20 minute drive to JC, feeling satisfied. Somewhere during the commute it hit me.

Why not just offer one class in Johnson City too?

Gosh, it makes so much sense when you say it. Instead of asking folks to come twice a month for two one-hour classes, just ask them to come to one two-hour workshop! Brilliant!

Why didn't I think of that in the first place?

I think I'll exclude incompetence, to help keep my self-esteem up. I could go with the fact that I honestly didn't think about until I was almost four months into the program, but that doesn't make me sound too good either.

Maybe it has something to do with us starting the maintenance course portion of HOW 2 a couple of months after we launched the workshop portion. That might work.

Whatever the reason, HOW 2 is now combined into one workshop, covering homeowner issues and maintenance all in one night. You're invited - every third Thursday at 6 p.m.

Just try to be nice to me when you get here - I really didn't think about it!

Cheers,