Closet Light

Closet Light

In my Yellow River post, Barbara asked me what my next project would be.  I mentioned that I needed to fix the fluorescent light in my closet, but I have been hesitant to do so.  You see, I want to fix the light after my absolute best day ever so if I get electrocuted, I will at least go out on a good day.  I have never changed a light fixture by myself before, so I guess it’s back to YouTube for a good tutorial and also back to the large chain hardware depot store to ask seemingly experts in orange aprons how exactly I should accomplish this task.  Of course I then wonder if these orange apron employees are really knowledgeable folks or just people who get a good laugh out of misinforming clueless customers such as myself and then imagining the mayhem that ensues after they go off the clock and I head to my project.

My research tells me that changing a light fixture is as simple as turning off the electricity to my closet, matching the colors of the wires, and screwing in the fixture. But doubts ensue.  What if I’m colorblind and don’t know it?  What if I mix up my righty-tighty and lefty-loosey?  What if I get dizzy from the thrill of DIY victory and fall off the ladder?  All of these things could happen.

Since I haven’t had my best day ever which would involve losing 25 pounds, having a date with Brendan Fraser, and twirling my baton again in my favorite sequin majorette outfit with authentic white go-go boots, I decided to proceed with the task of changing the light anyway.

I had my almost best day breakfast of Cap’n Crunch cereal and a peach. I then checked my color vision by coordinating a few outfits in my closet and feeling somewhat satisfied that I could match the wires in the lights,  I headed up the ladder.

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Don’t ask why because I can’t remember why, but I actually have a headband light. I put that on and I was in business. It also glows red.  Not sure of the function of that.

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Here is the old fixture.  I have already taken off the cover, taken out the lights, and am ready to unscrew it from the ceiling. The picture is rather dark because it is rather dark in my closet with out a light, hence the purpose of this project.

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Then, I am stopped in my tracks.  Can we add any more danger to this day?  What exactly causes the risk of fire?  Putting in the light? Messing up the wiring? Using the light for a prolonged period?  Who knows?  I’m thinking it’s yet another example of someone getting a good laugh out of sneaking in a few stickers.

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Finally I get the light up after an extra visit to the hardware store for shorter screws and also after getting a helping hand from Davis to hold the fixture while I screwed on the caps to the wires.

This picture is also a little dark because this time the camera adjusted for its wonderful and amazing and totally working brightness. Yay me!

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5 Responses to Closet Light

  1. Sally June 16, 2016 at 6:49 pm #

    Good job! I’ve done a lot of home repairs but I’ve never replaced an electric light.

  2. Joanna Addison June 17, 2016 at 2:18 pm #

    Way to go, Julie. Can I hire you as my Honey Do? I have so many projects to get done

    • Julie June 20, 2016 at 9:27 am #

      Yes! Make me a list. Be aware that I’m not bonded or insured and I don’t really guarantee any results except to show them in the blog and marvel at my handiwork. LOL

  3. DOROTHY ALLCORN June 22, 2016 at 4:43 pm #

    I HAD A VERY NICE “ORANGE APRON” GUY HELP ME IN A HOME DEPOT OR LOWE’S (I CAN’T REMEMBER WHICH) IN NORTH CAROLINA. I WANTED A MOTION LIGHT FOR ON MY PORCH AS I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS PLAYING TRICKS ON ME AND RINGING MY DOOR BELL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I WANTED ONE THAT PLUGGED IN TO AN OUTLET–AS I AM NOT AS BRAVE AS YOU, JULIE. THEY DID NOT HAVE SUCH A THING, BUT HE SAID I COULD PURCHASE A FIXTURE AND AN EXTENSION CORD AND HE COULD WIRE IT TO THE FIXTURE. (AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!!!) I FOUND OUT I JUST HAD A SHORT IN MY DOORBELL–SO I CALLED AN ELECTRICIAN TO DO A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL JOBS. THE LIGHT REALLY HELPS ME FIND MY KEYHOLE WHEN I COME HOME AFTER DARK, SO THE LIGHT WASN’T WASTED!!

    • Julie June 22, 2016 at 4:49 pm #

      I had a similar thing happen one time when I left the garage remote control on my golf cart outside. Water got into the remote and in the middle of the night one night, the garage door kept going up and down. Pretty scary at the time since I have heard of criminals who have universal remote control door openers. But we were able to figure it out without much expense.

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