Adventures in Housesitting Part 3

A short while ago I mentioned in one of my posting that I was heading up to the roof to shovel it. Here is the story of that adventure. 

Ryan called me that morning mentioning that I should look into getting someone to come and shovel the roof. With the amount of snow we had received and the threat of rain it could spell "collapse" for the roof. After pondering that chore for about 2 seconds I thought, " why the heck would I pay money for that. Dad did it all the time. It's my turn to pony up and jump in that saddle." Of course I didn't dare mention these thought to Ryan as he would have feared for my safety.

My sister Ardie agreed to come and help me... again. She has a keen sense of caution and brought her climbing ropes and harness. No problem. We could totally do this. Settling Greta with some toys and Edwin in charge of her entertainment we mounted the roof. 

Climbing up the sloping roof at the side of the balcony was probably the "scariest" part of the whole afternoon. Stepping over the railing onto the knee-deep snow, that I thought would provide grip until my foot began slipping  out from under me ready to plummet to the ground, I held firmly to the lead Ardie had wrapped around the chimney. Yes, my dear sister did go first under the protest that she didn't have children to worry about if she died. 

Once atop the roof it wasn't a problem.  Besides, check out the view. Not me silly.... the mountains in the background. I know I look stellar in Ryan's oversized sweatshirt and my dad's snowpants.... I hadn't even showered. I know hard to believe. :)
I love this picture and the mound of snow plunging off. You can tell Ardie is having a blast. 
I had the "good" fortune to use the roof scraper that's about 1000 feet long.  Midway through shoveling there came yell from Edwin. "mom, mom, mom...." I went scrambling across the roof leaned over it's peak and question Edwin's distress. "I'm bored, mom." I promptly replied he had no need to be bored as he had the most important of jobs... babysitting Greta. 

Then came the call.  Ryan was on the phone and he had read my post on the blog that I was heading up to the roof. I was in big trouble. After explaining that all was done with the greatest of precautions he told me to be safe and hung up. Good thing he didn't see this picture. I don't know if all that rope spilt everywhere would have kept me from hitting the ground. I'm sure having it wrapped around the sewer pipe would have at least slowed me down.  And besides, just between you and me, I think he kind of likes my wild, adventurous, disobedient side. Keeps the spark alive.  Truly, how could he resist all this...