PM5K, I recommend that if you have something in the area you live in such as a Home Depot or other large building "supermarket", please check out the "do it yourself books" for a beginner's guide to home wiring. However, I'm definitely stating that you NOT even consider fixing your problem yourself. You seem astute and courious enough for a non-electrical type. These beginner's books can often enlighten and eventually allow some homeowners to safely replace their plugs and switches. In your case, you could, in simple terms, learn how a house is typically wiring and probably satisfy some of your curiosity.
Burns.........
