Just "Do It Yourself." We have all heard this phrase at some point in our lives. When we were young it may have came from our parents, a teacher, or a frustrated sibling not wanting to help us tie our shoes! But, as we've grown older and matured, this phrase has also changed and matured in it's meaning; it has become a common term used in our every day lives. There are TV shows about it, magazines with the same name, articles in newspapers, blogs that specialize in DIY for just about any topic!
DIY has definitely become a household expression and lifestyle by many of us today. Whether learning to tile an entry for a home improvement project or taking a chalk painting class so that you can finish your dining room set yourself, DIY is the smart, trendy and money saving way to go!
I was thinking about this the other day and it occurred to me that my mom (probably like many of yours) was THE ORIGINAL DIYer! As a child growing up in rural southern Missouri my family was always looking for ways to save money or do it ourselves. Back then DIY was a necessity in life, not a trendy choice.
I wouldn't say that we were poor, because we had everything we needed and never seemed to lack for anything. But, I know that my parents sacrificed and saved for what we had. Unlike so many today, they did not spend money without much consideration. We did not go to fast food restaurants on a regular basis, as a matter of fact we very rarely went out. (When you live in the Ozarks though, you don't miss such things. We went fishing and frogging and had all kinds of fun in the fields and woods around our house.)
My mom was so clever and thrifty. She often made her own curtains, she painted and refinished all our furniture herself, I remember once she distressed our front door using a hammer and a chain. People driving by would stop and ask her where she got that door! She planted flowers and gardens and mowed lawns and worked harder than any woman I have ever known. And, she usually had us kids out there helping with all those chores. Now, am I complaining? Oh no I'm not! I feel blessed to have had one of the best childhoods in today's America. My folks taught me to look at everything as an opportunity to learn and grow by doing it myself! I learned how to use a hammer and nails by helping my dad roof the house once when I was a teenager. I learned how to paint, mow, grow a garden, pull weeds, sew, cook, clean, be humble and help others from my mom.
So, I love the term DIY. It is near and dear to my heart. Not just because I am the total DIYer! (No joke. Last week I fixed my dryer all by myself! Yes, I was a bit proud of that task. However, it was easy to do after I got clear directions from a nice handyman!)
I also love the term DIY because it is a mentality that I was raised with. A necessary lifestyle that we embraced. A way of life. And my parents had no idea what they were starting! Trendsetters, who woulda thunk it?
Colossians 3: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men
I am happy to announce that I will soon have a new page on my site for DIY craft tutorials! You can also find them along with free scripture printables and encouragement at IndoorOutdoorSpace.org
DIY has definitely become a household expression and lifestyle by many of us today. Whether learning to tile an entry for a home improvement project or taking a chalk painting class so that you can finish your dining room set yourself, DIY is the smart, trendy and money saving way to go!
I was thinking about this the other day and it occurred to me that my mom (probably like many of yours) was THE ORIGINAL DIYer! As a child growing up in rural southern Missouri my family was always looking for ways to save money or do it ourselves. Back then DIY was a necessity in life, not a trendy choice.
I wouldn't say that we were poor, because we had everything we needed and never seemed to lack for anything. But, I know that my parents sacrificed and saved for what we had. Unlike so many today, they did not spend money without much consideration. We did not go to fast food restaurants on a regular basis, as a matter of fact we very rarely went out. (When you live in the Ozarks though, you don't miss such things. We went fishing and frogging and had all kinds of fun in the fields and woods around our house.)
My mom was so clever and thrifty. She often made her own curtains, she painted and refinished all our furniture herself, I remember once she distressed our front door using a hammer and a chain. People driving by would stop and ask her where she got that door! She planted flowers and gardens and mowed lawns and worked harder than any woman I have ever known. And, she usually had us kids out there helping with all those chores. Now, am I complaining? Oh no I'm not! I feel blessed to have had one of the best childhoods in today's America. My folks taught me to look at everything as an opportunity to learn and grow by doing it myself! I learned how to use a hammer and nails by helping my dad roof the house once when I was a teenager. I learned how to paint, mow, grow a garden, pull weeds, sew, cook, clean, be humble and help others from my mom.
So, I love the term DIY. It is near and dear to my heart. Not just because I am the total DIYer! (No joke. Last week I fixed my dryer all by myself! Yes, I was a bit proud of that task. However, it was easy to do after I got clear directions from a nice handyman!)
I also love the term DIY because it is a mentality that I was raised with. A necessary lifestyle that we embraced. A way of life. And my parents had no idea what they were starting! Trendsetters, who woulda thunk it?
Colossians 3: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men
I am happy to announce that I will soon have a new page on my site for DIY craft tutorials! You can also find them along with free scripture printables and encouragement at IndoorOutdoorSpace.org