In article ,
"Denise" wrote:

I am in the process of buying new drapes
for my living room windows, and I went out to Canadian Tire and bought
myself an inexpensive drill. When I asked the guy in tools about drill bits
and other things, he looked at me as if I had ten heads, and I want to avoid
further embarrasment. (Needless to say, I didn't ask what other kinds of
tools a female new to home repairs would need)

Forget about being embarassed! I'm new to this stuff too, but I noticed
that no-one suggested that you buy a level so when you hang the drape
hardware, your drapes will be straight. This is very important!

I drive everyone insane with my insistance on girlifying stuff up. I
found a swell plastic case filled with a collection of drill & screw
bits which I refer to as Malibu Barbie's dream drill accessory kit. I
actually prefer a corded drill because I have small, arthritic hands and
the cordless drills are too heavy & hurt. Buying several good power tool
rated extension cords has been great. We have a couple of drills and we
have bought a couple from Sears that are reconditioned and work really
well.

Don't worry when people look at you like you have three heads. That
Reader's Digest home repair book that someone else mentioned is
wonderful and has pictures. I am very methodical in my approach to
things and I think about what i want to do very carefully & make
drawings, etc. It doesn't mean I won't go to the hardware store twenty
times.

I now have a variety of home repair skills. Yesterday, I replaced a
faucet on a bathroom sink that a plumber tried to scare me out of
trying. He was a bad plumber who wanted to take advantage of me (wanted
me to buy the faucet from him & said that basically, we'd have to buy a
new sink). Unlike my much handier husband, I find that slow & steady
makes for a good job. Lay everything out in order, read the directions &
understand that you can call in a pro if you mess up too badly. But you
probably will do a great job!