Rooves? Roofs? Rooi? Whatever. Anyway, Lloyd was going to clean out the gutters on Wednesday, but we had a windstorm. He was going to do it Thursday, but when he put the ladder up, the day’s ‘milder’ winds blew it down. On Firday I didn’t have to go into work until later in the morning, so I was around to ‘help’. What that means is that I move the trash can around so he can throw the yuck into it, ‘hold the ladder’ – which is more dangerous than it is useful, and document. I tried to clean the gutters once on my own, and I was way too terrified. It’s the moving around on a ladder that’s so precarious. No thanks. Lloyd is brave, though (I took this picture leaning out a window.)
When we got to where the soffit damage was, Lloyd said he was going to fix it. Zoinks!! It’s not that I didn’t think he could do it, it’s just that it involves standing on the roof, which is 212% more frightening than ladders. He thought it wouldn’t take long, but when you’d shove one piece of soffit in, the rest would pop back out. It was a long, long, long process, and when his foot DID slip a little, he asked for some rope to tie around his waist and also the house. Er, we don’t have rope, but since I love to substitute things, can you guess what we used?
Beth says
Nice robe belts. Oh, and nice gutter cleaning instrument. Remind me not to eat pancakes at the Sommerer’s house.
Peggy says
Oh the ties that bind … Lauren, do you know boy scout knots? Cause I’m thinking those belts could slip quite easily.
(Lloyd, you’re very brave … or very bored)
Lauren says
In reply to you both -- Beth, you should never eat pancakes at my house regardless of where the utensils have been. I’m a terrible cook. Actually, that spatula has been modified. Lloyd cut off the side to make it fit, then promised I could have a new one, as long as it’s free.
Peggy, I know lots and lots of knots! Well, really just two. The square knot, which has a bad memory associated with it from the guy who taught me first aid. He insisted that it always be ‘right over left, left over right’ so you could tie it in the dark if you had to. (I like to look at it and make joined loops.) The other is the ‘not that way, Lloyd, that will slip and you’ll fall to your death -- tie it this way’ knot. Whatever that one’s called.
Whew. Way too long of a reply.
Brad says
I seem to recall being mocked for saying “rooves”, and everyone is just giving Lauren a pass? Criminy!
I’m lucky… the trade off for having a flat roof that needs to be replaced every 10 years and can leak at a moments notice is that I don’t have gutters to worry about. Nice.
Incidentally, that gutter muck would make GREAT gardening soil.
Lauren's Dad says
Better than pancakes would?
Lauren says
Better than my pancakes would. My pancakes would be like salting the earth.
Lloyd says
I wish your pancakes would be like salting the earth.