fix it girl

Despite the lack of help from males of any species, Nats and I managed to figure out that a 20 foot ladder is required if you want to reach something that elevated from the ground by 11 feet.

Given that extension ladders are adjustable, I am certain that a woman would have called this ladder a 9 to 13 foot high ladder, not a 20 foot ladder that smacks of I have more horsepower and a bigger bingle. Anyhow, we purchase a nice ladder, brought it home, placed it in the garage and sipped port while we watched the Discovery channel.

Today started out with a quick cup of coffee and then a test ascent of a shiny new extension ladder. Despite wearing flip flops and not having my climbing harness, three pieces of protection (one of which must be fixed) and being on belay, I managed to ascend and descend the ladder, much to the amusement of chap next door.¹

The first fix it job of the day was to repair the driveway lamp, a rather quaint relic that I think was acquired from an RCAF Sopwith Camel hanger. It’s actually a nice light, it’s bought and paid for, has lots of character and is mounted 11 feet above the ground. Hence the ladder as I can’t quite reach it if I stand on the roof of the van.

Up the ladder, replace the light bulb, down the ladder, inside the house and turn the power on. Nada. No light. Damn.

Up the ladder and wiggle the bulb – semi success as the light flickers on and off. Down the ladder and off to fetch a screw driver to scrape the contacts on in the lamp socket. Up the ladder, down the ladder and inside the house to turn the power off. Anyhow – the contacts were badly oxidized and now the lamp works a treat.

That job being done, the ladder and I tackled the task of placing rigid insulation around the air conditioner. Two jobs done and the ladder is back in it’s place of honour – for now.

Job three is to fix the kitchen faucet that is dripping – it’s one of those one handle adjusts the temperature jobbies. While I think it’s a Moen, I’m taking the parts up to the local hardware store where I’ll smile and ask for help – I learned a long time ago that all sink parts are carefully designed to look the same and be totally incompatible with each other.

My hair is all over the place, my Hello Pirate shirt is covered with dirt, dust and sweat – perfect, looking like a crazy woman will help me get good service…

[1]the guy next door is quite nice

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