Maintenance items for the motorhome weight on my mind constantly. If a trip is coming up, I just can't sit still until I've done everything possible to be sure it's a safe one. Sometimes that gets me in trouble.
Yesterday, it warmed up enough to check the air in the tires. First off, that scares me. One of our construction employees (actually the son) aired up some huge tires that exploded in his face. Just imagine the broken bones. So when I pull out my little air compressor, I'm super careful.
I checked the air and filled them all except one. It's the inside dually whose valve stem is at an angle making it difficult to attach the gauge. Seems like I let OUT more air than I put in. I finally gave up, figuring I'd have it checked down the road by someone a little more proficient than I.
No problem, I grabbed the rake, wrapped the tines around the rope and let the door slowly down to the floor. I should have quit there.
Okay, here's the part where you can laugh! I grabbed my ladder, climbed up and attempted to pull the door open, hoping to reset the latch. It refused my every attempt. So now I'm stuck up on the ladder holding on to the door for dear life to keep it from slamming to the ground. I discovered WAY too late that the cord wasn't long enough for me to keep hold while my feet were on the ground. I had visions of standing on the ladder all night long.
Amazingly, I had my phone in my pocket. Who can I call?? HELP!! I'M STUCK!!! How embarrassing! That's what I said when I called my neighbor, hoping her husband might be home. He was not, but she sent her not quite tall enough son over instead. He was able to hold the door open with my rake until I got down and we slowly lowered it to the floor. Good grief!!!!
Now to find someone to FIX it! I remembered seeing Garage Door Man while doing bookkeeping for an apartment building. In an amazing minute of luck, I sent him a text message, whereupon he stated he would be here this morning at 10:00 to fix my door. Hallelujah!!!!
I spent the rest of the evening relaxing in my new slippers, relieved that the door would be fixed and the tires had air. Yes, that's Cooper's moose, who is never far away.
I think I need a new mantra!! Or a handy MAN!! Or SOMEONE to get me out of trouble when I try to fix things!!
Nancy, most garage door openers will re-engage if you press the button to activate the door opener, try it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bill. I tried it, but it didn't want to hold. It just needed a little more oomph!
DeleteNancy I just cringed reading this. I don't often bring this up but I had a bad fall down basement steps about 5 years ago and broke my neck, ankle, arm, and had a calcaneus fracture of my foot. There were many other bad results I won't list. What I will say is that ONE careless step can totally wreck your life. Like you, I have always been an independent woman, fearless and self sufficient. But it is a lot harder to come back from a fall than you can even imagine. You have money to burn. Call for repairman when needed. Stay off that ladder.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Penelope. That's a horrible story. I'm so sorry that happened to you. Unfortunately, there are few repairmen around men, although this time I did find one. I do try to be very very careful.
Deleteat your age the best tool in your toolbox is your check book wwm
ReplyDeleteYup I think you are right Wayne!!
DeleteYikes, doesn't sound like fun to me! I still think the things you do (and have to do) are pretty impressive. Glad you got down off that ladder safely!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes there's no choice and I AM very extra careful!
DeleteAs for the Tire Stems you have to have them changed but also insist that they are easy for you to reach.
ReplyDeleteLike Bill said most Door Openers have a reset but you have to give them time to do so.
Like others have said if you are not secure on a ladder stay on the ground. as we age we heal a lot slower.
Wishing you a Safe, Healthy and Happy New Years.
It's about time.
I feel pretty good on ladders. I even change shoes so I have hard soles on ... an electrician told me that one!
DeleteYou are a brave woman, I personally will only go up one step on a ladder. Glad in the end everything worked out, you got down safely, and the door shut.
ReplyDeleteIt worked out even better when the garage door man showed up! LOL
DeleteSent you 2 1/2 emails
ReplyDeleteThe garage doors open manually or electrically it's the sensors that you want to look at
Use a different tire gauge email will explain
as for Pentolope I would not go on Anything higher than the tallest BOOK dictionary that you put on the floor
Come to think about it she might wanna rule of high heels to
I'll check my emails!! Thank you!
DeleteDo you want a safer way to air up your tires on the rear duel using Internet and look up the word crossfire tire inflation or cateyes tire inflation
ReplyDeleteCat eye you could check individual tires (best)
with crossfire you only have one filling inlet but it's pre determined to the psi for the unit that you purchase
Gosh, that's interesting. Never heard of either. I'll look it up.
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