First major plot point

And just like that, my garbage disposal stops working.  Unsure what the omen or portent is that it's the garbage disposal that gets the distinction of being first project.  Time to institute a format.

Problem:  I'm washing some dishes, horribly mundane, and flip on the garbage disposal.  Silence.  No disposing...no humming sound... either R2-D2 has shut down the disposals on the kitchen level, or this is trouble.

Now, shut them all down, hurry!

Plan:  The extent of my knowledge regarding garbage disposals includes they should work when you flip the switch and don't stick your hand in them.  So I venture out to the 2010 handyman's guide - Google.  "garbage + disposal + repair"

As it turns out, no noise from the garbage disposal means the disposal has tripped its cut-off switch.  Most likely due to something clogging the blades.  The reset button exists on the bottom of the disposal.

Push for service.

Ok, easy enough.  Push button, and flip switch again.  Now I have a humming disposal that is not spinning.  The next remedy (before buy new disposal) is to manually spin the blades to free whatever is holding them up.  The web suggests a broom handle.  I opt for a piece of leftover PVC pipe.

Finger-Saver 500.

Result:  VICTORY!  A few turns with the PVC, flip the switch and the disposal purrs away... quickly destroying whatever the clog was (hopefully nothing I'll miss; it was definitely not a finger).  

Great... 1 problem, 1 success; while learning what had clogged the disposal would have been nice, I guess I'll have to live with the mystery.

The haves and have-nots

So, here is what I have.  I have a lovely wife and two great kids (both under age 4).  I have a house with a lawn, and all the awesome issues that come with home ownership.  I have a job that keeps me busy 40 hours a week. I have not enough time in the day.

What I do not have is a hobby. I've tried a few things over the last 5 years, but nothing sticks... but let's face it, if I had a hobby, where would I put it?   Ok Ok...no whining.  The point is, I want some creative outlet.

So, let's bring these things together.  I have a house full of people and things that need taking care of, and a desire to do something creative.  Alright then, I'm going to take what I have and turn it into my hobby.  More specifically, I plan on tackling all my do-it-yourself projects around my house and document it.  Failures, successes  (most likely in that order) with pictures and comments.  Stick around if you like and enjoy.