While other families celebrate, Labor Day for us means labor. Summer sweep-up. Fall welcome. And so today, my husband took to a ladder and washed the kitchen ceiling. I made the mistake of giving it a swipe when I balanced on the kitchen counter several months ago to wipe off the top cupboards. That clean swipe continued to mock me as it emphasized how dirty the rest of the ceiling was.
I’m not big on ladders. They wobble. I prefer to teeter on top of a chair or a table or the stove or counter. Or even straddle the stairwell with one foot on a window sill and the other on top of the short wall. I’m not sure why. I’ve had a lot of near misses.
Maybe it’s just because it takes too much time to get the ladder from the garage, maneuver it inside without pinching fingers or scratching woodwork, set it up, pray it doesn’t fall over, take it back down, and carry it back outside.
Squirrel thought: I stepped off a ladder once. I was barefoot, and the arch of my right foot met the corner of a crowbar. I should have had stitches.
Anyway, the ceiling looks better. Not perfect. I need to paint it. I suppose I’ll need to use the ladder for that.
He also washed the bathroom ceiling and cleaned all the window wells.
And then he crawled out the basement window and around under the porch to stuff steel wool in any holes under siding to keep the chipmunks out. And found evidence of other critters–raccoons and skunks and possums and woodchucks. He wore a long shirt and then threw it away.
I’m glad he didn’t get stuck in that window opening.
And I love how he’s willing to go up, through, out, and down for me.
Linking up with L.L. Barkat’s On, In and Around Mondays at Seedlings in Stone.
Oh, I’m with you on ladders–I’ve never been on one that felt balanced enough to hold me. My worst times have been trying to put wallpaper border up near the ceilings. The reach and stretch while standing precariously on a narrow step–I shudder at the thought even now. But like you, I have a husband who would be right there to help–if I would but ask. Much to be thankful for…
Nice post!
I hear you, Kenda. Or trimming the wall paper way over in the corner with the razor blade . . .
You take such a simple topic and bring me right into the middle of it:) Lovely!
Thanks, Terri.
I’ve had to learn to climb ladders because Fred finds it very difficult with his knee replacements. I used to hate to go up on the roofs to clean off snow, leaves, etc. & to stand on the roof of the motorhome to wash it. Now I remind myself that the view from up high is worth it, although I still hate that first step coming down off the roof.
I hope you’re taking your calcium, Sara! I hate when Dennis gets on the roof, the shaking of that ladder. I hope Fred’s at least holding that ladder!
“squirrel thought” I love that!! I never know what to do with those when I’m writing! You just put it there and it worked beautifully!
and also… there are extensions for paint rollers that make ceiling painting ladder-free. Just saying.
thanks for your post, and for linking it to where I had a chance of finding it.
I am stuck on the picture of the potential window husband capture 🙂
Kinda like Pooh Bear… 🙂
Now I wish he’d gotten stuck. That would have been a whole ‘nother post. Honey-dooed. 😉