Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Saturday Blitz...

... or make hay while the sun shines.

Since the sun was shining and the boys' soccer games were all in the morning, all systems were 'go' for a work party at home.  Lots to do before bad weather sets in.

If I tell you that we washed all the exterior windows and cleaned out all the gutters, that may not sound like much.  So easy to write, but quite a challenge to do.  Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the first time we've washed the windows since we moved in seven years ago.

Why?

Well, let me remind you that we live in a two story house on a sloping lot, and parts of the roof are pretty steeply pitched.


But we did something smart when we remodeled a few years ago.  We had fall protection anchors put onto the roof.  Basically, metal rings along the ridge-line, to which you can attach a rope.

Long ago, in a previous life before children, I used to do some rock climbing, and still have a bit of gear.  We used that gently sloping roof above the front porch as our staging area, and Tate was my fearless volunteer monkey.

Kerry did the manly-man thing and went up to the top to snake the rope through the anchor,

... while Tate waited on the porch roof...

...to be safely on-belay.

Then he had no fear.

Don't freak out.

Yes, some of us are on the roof, 'unprotected'.
On the flattish part of the roof.

Yes, it looks like his belay anchor is running the wrong way - down.
Only because he was standing at the tip top.

He was the only one allowed near the edge,
you know, where the gutters are,
and then the belay was properly positioned.

Wyatt, posing, while Gunnar took the pic.
Check out the great view behind him.

6 comments:

melanie said...

I'm guessing your boys can't wait for spring cleaning with a repeat of roof climbing!
(I agree: "Smaaaaart!" said with the Cape Cod accent of a UPS commercial years ago)

The last house we lived in for 8 years ~ and never washed the upper windows... We'll see if I do any better at this house :o

Abi's Blog said...

Wow! I think the view was worth even cleaning windows!! Maybe someday!
Blessings,
Ava

The dB family said...

Again with the gorgeous views!! Sounds like a great testosterzone day! Apparently no one is afraid of heights :o)!

Blessings!
Deborah

Gramma Grasshopper said...

I want you to know that I am SO PROUD of you ALL for doing this.....and SO GLAD that I wasn't there to see it. Now you can come and do mine :)

Ruby said...

Kids love to get on the roof....
Let's not talk about how long it is since we have all washed our windows.

leah said...

Roof-climbing- I sense a new sport! I love it! I bet Tate had a great time with that project. You certainly have a gorgeous view from the rooftop- is that a lake or the ocean? You need a deck up there!