First, get your own tools! If it's power tools, learn how to use them properly, and if you're married to a carpenter, insist that the tools stay home! You laugh I'm sure, but that's what I've done with my own erstwhile spouse! I recently insisted on purchasing a circular saw. I was told it would never do for what he needed, to which I responded it wasn't his needs I was fulfilling! I wanted that saw for the house and that's what I got. I also got my back screen door hung. Something I've been asking for, for three months. He needed to remove about an inch from the bottom and kept forgetting his work saw . . . This is when I finally bought the house saw! I'm not suggesting he was putting off the door stuff on purpose. I'm just saying that sometimes a smart woman facilitates actions by making sure all needed tools and materials are available!
About five years ago I started collecting my own set of tools for the home. From a small hammer to screw drivers of various sizes. I have a plastic storage case for them that goes under the sink, and my spouse has a strong warning that by God, those tools best be back in place if he uses them! That warning has mostly worked, though I'm missing my pliers, both needle nose and plain. I'll replace them eventually. The tools aren't the most expensive tools, they're just what I grabbed that would work for me. In a pinch, a butter knife can work as a screw driver, but a screw driver is better!
Because of the condition of the cottage when we moved in, I've had to add new tools to my home kit. The electric drill and power cord are awesome! It was a little weird at first, but I admit I'm getting used to it. I cannot do as my husband does, holding the drill in his hand and letting it spin as he loads a tip in. That just freaks me out, besides he has hands that are nearly twice the size of mine! Plus years of experience doing just that. Still, I'm learning new skills from him. I'm somewhat confined in what I can do right now due to an ongoing shoulder injury, but I can watch him and learn. One thing I had to get over was the hesitancy of using a power tool. After all, isn't that a man thing? Well, yes, but it's also a woman thing when you need to hang those drape pull backs and he hasn't got time. So get the tools and learn to use them. It's fun I tell ya! Though when I told my brother-in-law I had a new circular saw, he muttered something about a medical waiting to happen. He's a firefighter in our small town and has to go on medical calls. I just grinned at him and said, I hope not!
On Caulking - One thing I have found a love for is my caulking gun. I use the kind of caulk that is paintable and pink. Yes ladies, it's pink when wet, but turns white when dry. It's fantastic because I can see where I caulked and can clean it as I go if I must. When painting or caulking, always keep a wet rag or wash cloth on hand. It makes a quick clean up, well, quick! If you dribble something it's easy to quickly wipe it up again while the gunk is still wet. The caulk is Red Devil Pink 2 White Caulk which I picked up at Menard's. At the time it was two tubes for five dollars. They also have a pink to white spackle for smaller holes.
When caulking I learned to use a finger to smooth it out. Don't be afraid to play in the gook girls! You want to fill those cracks and holes, and sometimes using your fingers are a must! For me it also gave a more finished look to a seam. Once the caulk is totally dry it'll be white, and at that point you can paint it.
When getting a caulking gun make sure it's one that has a tab stop so you can stop the flow of caulk. Or you can get a type that has notches in the main shaft. If you're not sure, then ask for help!
Caulking can be done in any room, and is a must around windows and doors. Especially in homes that must withstand heavy winter weather. In the living room of the cottage I used nearly four tubes of caulk (pre-shoulder injury!). It will hopefully help cut down on drafts during the winter and lower the energy use.
Spackling & Sanding Sponges - When you're using spackle to work on small holes, make sure you have a good putty knife. I have a 2 inch putty knife with a metal blade that works very well. You may also need mesh tape. This tape is used over larger holes that would laugh at a simple spackle patch. You cut the mesh to fit over the hole, then press it into place. One side is slightly sticky. Then you put spackle over the mesh. making sure to cover all the mesh. Let it dry. You may need more than one coat, and you may need to sand it down after it dries to make it smooth. For the sanding you can get a sanding sponge that has different types of sand paper on either side. 3M makes several sizes and types of sanding sponges, and you can find them at stores like Walmart and Lowe's. The sponges come in handy for all kinds of sanding projects.
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