Electricity is my friend

[bunchofgrapes]

Tonight I have accomplished something I have never done before. I installed a light fixture. And it works. No snap, no crackle no pop and a puff of smoke (so far). I've replaced toilet guts, including the water line from the tank to the wall, I've tiled and grouted, I've installed a couple of sinks and a couple of vanities. But before now, I've never done anything electrical other than changing out a light switch. I'm confident now. I only wish I had three hands.

This was not an easy fixture to install. I was one of those vanity lights with four frosted glass shades. Over the weekend I painted the downstairs bathroom, installed a new toilet paper holder thingy and a new towel bar. The light fixture was a bigger project because I had to cut the power and then of course there's the whole working with wires and connectors. Like I said, I wish I had three hands but after an hour of cussing at getting those stupid wires into that connector, I got it all done and the light looks great.

But next time I'm calling an electrician.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

That is a major accomplishment! I don't do electrical stuff. I leave that up to the husband. I know I drive him crazy when he is doing it because I'm constantly asking him if he has the power off. I'm a chicken when it comes to that. I'll change a light bulb, though. Does that count?

N.

[bunchofgrapes]

Um, no to light bulbs but I have to admit, whenever I change a light bulb and the light suddenly comes on, it always makes me jump.

As for the power off, yeah, that first time I touched what would have been a live wire, I did say a little prayer. The key is knowing you cut off the right breaker.

[inamberclad.livejournal.com]

You brave DIY person, you. I've been contemplating putting a ceiling fan in my bedroom lately but I'm afraid I'll wind up a crispy critter. So I'll just stick to the easiest: using a regular fan.

[bunchofgrapes]

Yeah, well, the longer time has passed, the more I wonder if I did everything correctly. It took me forever to get the little connectors connected, mainly because I needed one hand to hold the light fixture up and two hands to connect the wires with the connector thingy. If you already have a light fixture in the ceiling, it shouldn't be too hard to install it. Just make sure you read through the instructions beforehand and you have someone around to help.

Oh, and have lots of Advil on hand. Man, am I ever sore!

[snowydragon1776.livejournal.com]

*jumps up an down cheering for you*

Great job.

hehehe my dad always curses when having to do any work like that.
my mom makes me help him cause she hates when he gets mad at it...she does not understand that it helps

[insanityonline1.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!!

I"m very proud :D

[bunchofgrapes]

Thanks! I'm pretty pleased. When I got home tonight, the house hadn't burned down. That's always a good thing.

[bunchofgrapes]

Thanks! And cursing is the key. You have to use the right cuss words to make everything work right. Seriously.

[snowydragon1776.livejournal.com]

Yup I completely agree
we should write a book.

[jenbachand.livejournal.com]

I leave the wiring to BD. I try to calculate and over think it. Could probably do it in a pinch, but that's the joy of having him around. ;)

But is so proud of you for doing it. Mad Skillz - U Have Them

[tos-lover.livejournal.com]

Nice!!!!!

I won't mess with electricity, I'm one of those paranoid nuts that worries the electricity's not really off although I've flicked all the circuit breakers like three times.

I did a fair bit of stuff to the house we're in now, and it really does give a totally different feeling of accomplishment. So, congrats.

[(Anonymous)]

That's wonderful to hear! When my roommate finally moves out in the next month or so, and I have something I need to fix around the house, I am giving you a call! J/K But seriously, you are brave for messing with electricity like that though. I would be calling someone to do it for me.

Rebecca