It's was around 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, October 3rd. Just about a year ago.
My husband walked into the house and smugly sat on the couch. I asked the obvious question, "Where were you last night?"
"I was with another woman, but that's the least of your concerns. You have a lot of fixing to do."
Whoa! That set off quite the roller coaster ride, needless to say.
A week later, I kicked him out of the house. After spending a couple of weeks shuffling around in a house that no longer felt like a home, I opted to move out so that he could move back in.
Lo' and behold, my replacement was right at his heels. The day after I moved out, in fact, they moved into "my house" together. Ouch!
Really, this blog isn't about all of that. This blog is about that run-of-a-mill household toolbox. You know, many are red. The cool ones are made of metal. Not too big, just big enough. They have that handy-dandy handle, so that you can carry it anywhere. Open up that lock clip, pull out the handy-dandy top that holds some essentials which then uncovers a few more essentials.
Leave it to "a man" (sheesh), when I was putting together my "take with list", my soon-to-be-ex insisted on taking ownership of all of our tools. How easy it was for him to forget that, when we got together 14 years earlier, I had my own house and work shed. That work shed was well organized and stocked with a very respectable collection of household and gardening tools. No, the man who was not man enough to work on our marital relationship had to prove himself by taking ownership of all of our tools.
By the time that I decided to escape his garbage last year, I chose not to quibble about "his tools". However, every home needs a toolbox filled with the essentials. To this day, I wonder why he wasn't willing to share our essentials.
Just about a year ago... "You've got a lot of fixing to do..."
My sternum doesn't ache quite as much these days. I am starting to gain an equilibrium -- summer's sunshine helped.
I am beginning to nest and put together a home for myself. Tools are required! Thank goodness for Sears and Home Depot. At Sears, I spied the perfect toolbox on wheels at 50% off! I just had to get some Craftsman tools to start filling it. Every few weeks, I add essentials to my toolbox. Oftentimes, it's when I have a project in mind and am wandering aimlessly, passing some time on a Sunday, at Home Depot.
Before I could set-up my household, with toolbox at tow, I had to take care of myself and set-up my internal toolbox. I must be feeling a little better. I look around my humble rental and it's starting to look like a home. Timing is impeccable. Daylight is becoming more and more of a precious commodity. I dread the idea of less sunshine, but at least I have my toolbox.