Those of you who know me, know that I am fairly well acquainted in the area of computer geekery. You may also know that in the area of home and/or automotive repair, I....er...well, let's just say my knowledge of home and/or automotive repair helps keep me humble.

Therefore it is with great joy that I am able to report that this week I made two huge strides in both arenas. Ok...maybe one fairly large stride in home (electrical) and one small step in automotive. (Note to Electricians or Mechanics: Please try not to laugh too hard, but feel free to be entertained at my efforts.)

Earlier, I reported the light in Isaac's room went out and it wasn't just the bulb. After some delay (and a great deal of reading), I made use of the continuity tester Betsie purchased last week and tested both the switch and then the light socket. The switch worked fine, which is kinda what I thought since the fan worked, too. The socket was most definitely burned out. So Isaac and I made the trek to The Home Depot and purchased a new light socket and came home and with a bit of wrangling finally was able to install the new socket into the old light+fan fixture. We turned on the house circuit that controlled the room and turned on the light and .... LIGHT SHONE FROM ABOVE!!!

But alas, the fan no longer worked. And there was great weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Actually, there was just a huge groan in the room. No real gnashing occurred.) However, after all I had learned in replacing the socket, I realized the wires just weren't connected correctly and was easily able to rectify the situation the next evening - since it was already past Isaac's bedtime.

We were all elated that the light worked again. And no one was more elated than I, especially since I wasn't electrocuted in the process.

On the automotive front, the battery in our Buick Century had been on the fringe for some time. Our good friend, Pat, from church helped us test the alternator and it tested out fine. But the battery still seemed a bit weak when starting the car. Like it wasn't going to start at all. So we finally went to Auto Zone and had them test the battery and sure 'nough - it was dying -- rapidly. So we bought a new one. (It should be noted that the only-somewhat-helpful AutoZone rep stated that changing this battery would "be a booger" since there's a frame brace (I guess that's what it's called) angling across the top of the battery, which must be removed before the battery can be replaced.) Now, I have changed car batteries before (I think). And I've changed tires and changed the oil (though I don't think it's worth the effort. Just pay the $20 and be done, that's what I say...). But for some reason this experience was a bit different.

Tonight, while the girls were out watching a movie and Isaac was sleeping, I pulled the car halfway into the garage and began looking for my socket set. After only a short time searching, I began to prove the AutoZone rep truthful. I was finally able to extract the battery and placed the new one in the battery tray and was ready to connect the side battery terminals. First I connected the neutral terminal and then made my way to the positive terminal. At which point there arose a spark from the battery which caught me quite off guard! Phooey. Now I wasn't quite sure if this part of the procedure was as safe as I thought it might be. I'd never heard of anyone getting electrocuted putting a battery back in, but I didn't want to find out. After some thought and brief (careful) experimentation, I decided it was too late in the evening to call my dad (who still knows everything as far as I'm concerned) and came up with a safe work-a-round.

I took my rubber mouse pad from next to my laptop and wrapped it around the handle of the socket wrench. Then I secured the positive terminal back into the battery. I was either right or lucky. No further sparks - and more importantly no jolts of electricty traveled through my being.

Mercifully, the car started on the first try. And I must say it sounded much better. And the headlights were definitely brighter.