YOU WERE ALL CORRECT!!

You know how when things really bother you, you can't sleep?  My brain just wouldn't shut off, thinking about that darn gate.  At 6:00 in the morning, I was outside in the fabulous cool morning air, contemplating how to get the arm off.  After all, it's been there for many years, making the parts and pieces stick together like concrete.

But wait ... I'm always watching those reels on my phone about WD40 and it's amazing properties, kind of like penetrating oil.  We used that stuff on the ranch constantly because everything was old and rusty.  I went to work, spraying everything that SHOULD be movable.  

The problem with just unhooking the gate ... the arm stuck out too far to get the rig in while making a dogleg turn.  I really didn't want to replace the entire thing (or my rig).  While digging around inside, I found a plate with a name and serial number.  I went online and called a guy in Florida that sells them.  He gave me the name of a repair guy about 30 miles away.  The price was $365 PER HOUR.

In the meantime, my very experienced handyman neighbor came by.  He was able to disconnect the arm completely with his Superman-like strength.   YAY!!  See ... WD40 works!

THEN ... as mentioned by Anonymous in the comments yesterday, he just reached in the box and touched one of the tiny switches.  VOILA!!!  The arm moved.  I'M BACK IN BUSINESS.  Apparently it was just the slightest bit stuck.  We put the arm back together and attached the gate.  

I was so excited to get my trailer INSIDE the fence.  Well ... excited until I realized that meant I had to begin the unpacking process.  This baby is full to the brim!!!

That was a load off my shoulders.  Maybe now I can sleep!!

Or not ... the closest garage door STILL won't open.  We pulled the cord and I propped a ladder underneath to keep it open while unloading the U-Haul truck.  It's not absolutely necessary it get fixed, but you know how it is ... it bothers you ... or at least it does me, until I figure it out.  

I tried with no results.  The neighbor tried with no results.  The neighbor's kid tried with no results.  I went inside to contemplate.  I looked up online for the manual with reprogramming directions.  We all thought that HAD to be the problem.  

At long last, after a phone call (you know who you are) about checking the trouble shooting part of the manual, I discovered all those flashing lights actually meant something.  Three flashes meant the lights at the bottom of the door were not aligned.  You know, the ones that make the door stop if you walk into them.  I realigned the lights.

Then it began flashing FIVE times.  I sat down and thought about it some more.  Gosh, so much thinking goes into repairing stuff.  AHA!!!  I GOT IT!!!  There is a "vacation" switch on the wall control.  Who knew?????  It makes the door not open at all if you move it one way.  I've absolutely no idea HOW it got moved, but when I looked ... yup ... the other two controls had the switch in a different position.  

I moved it over and I couldn't believe my eyes.  The door opened.  GOOD GRIEF!!!!  At least I saved myself $75.00 by not calling the Garage Door Doctor, who would have just walked over and flipped the switch!!

I think this was the look on my face when the garage door opened.  It was also the look on my face when I realized I never fixed this plug.  Readers said it's a loose connection inside.  OH BOY ... more electrical stuff that can kill me.  Big sigh .......

Since my brain was pretty fried by then, I decided to take a break and read Patsy's blog.  Here's a solution for those bees and Yellowjackets that inundate your hummingbird feeder.  MINT!  It might help with the ant problems eating all the sugar water at the Chance residence.  It's worth a try anyway!!

Even after a hard day of thinking and unloading, I find it hard to just sit and relax, but sit I did just long enough to enjoy this gorgeous sunset.

It's not often that we have beautiful skies like in southern Arizona.  

That won't last long though ... the weather guessers say rain tomorrow morning, which means I have to manhandle that queen mattress and box springs into the garage to keep it dry.  Sounds like fun, NO??