Meet my new ladder.
For many many years, I’ve wanted my own ladder. My very own 6 foot ladder. My husband has ladders that are 12 feet or 20 feet or 100 feet something crazy like that. Manly ladders. They are so tall I cannot get them in the house myself without wiping out a few lamps on the way in.
And even when he brings a ladder in for me, I’m afraid to climb up on it because …. dun dun dun… I’m deathly afraid of heights. Have I mentioned that before? I am SO afraid of heights, I panic if I see someone else get anywhere NEAR a high ledge. Even if I see someone just LOOK over the edge of a building — while they are on a TV show — I panic from the sofa and my heart leaps out of my throat. I have to look away.
Imagine me up on a ladder.
I almost fall off the ladder just thinking about falling off.
But, even though I’m horribly afraid of heights, I do like to get things done myself around the house. And if that means hanging off the edge of a ladder, risking life and limb, that is what I have to do. But, I don’t want to lug a 20 foot ladder into the house in order to paint a wall nor do I like waiting for my husband to bring one in for me. I’m impatient and impulsive.
When I want to paint, I usually resort to getting on a chair or standing up on a counter or table or something crazy like that.
I have fallen off of chairs and stools and nearly cracked my head open (slight exaggeration) because I was trying to balance myself while painting way above my head.
I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to not be able to reach over six feet! I’m only 5’2! I have to stand on a chair just to get stuff out of my cupboards! Not having my own ladder puts a damper on my ability to get stuff done.
Now I have a six foot ladder to call my own. Isn’t she lovely?
Let me make it clear that I don’t personally weigh 225 pounds at 5’2 inches tall but just in case I want to wrestle a giant deer head or some other humongous thing up this ladder with me, I will be all set. My ladder can handle up to 225 pounds. She is nice and sturdy. I still could fall off, but I’d rather fall from 6 feet than 20 feet. Just sayin’.
My ladder is my new BFF.
I have a feeling we are going to be spending A LOT of time together.
Do you have a 6 foot ladder? And I’m curious, are you afraid of heights?
I do have my own ladder. I found a really good one at a yard sale, near a friend’s house. I remember the excitement, MY OWN LADDER!!! I had asked for one for years, and Mr. C would insist on using his own bigger ladders, never realizing how serious I was about wanting one I could handle all on my own. I love my ladder! And honestly, one day when one of his friends stopped by to borrow my ladder, I made it clear it was MINE, and would need it back asap. I need it often, being 5’4″ myself, so I relate totally to your joy of being a ladder owner.
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Twitter: sallykelly1
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I do have a ladder – I inherited it when my grandparents passed away. It has a piece of old indoor-outdoor carpeting tied with twine to the very top – I guess as a soft spot to lean. It’s ugly. I will never take it off. It reminds me of my grandpa. =) I’m not in love with unenclosed high spaces — but in general, heights don’t bother me.
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We have a marvelous thing. Probably came from Wal Mart. It’s a folding stool. It’s only got two steps, but it has a tall u-shaped handle, so that even if you’re standing on the top step, there’s a handle to grab. I love it, and I can reach all of our near-the-ceiling shelves with it. (We live in a 605 square foot house, and have LOTS of those.) My walls are only 7 1/2 feet on the sides, (I’m 5’6″) though, so this wouldn’t work with really tall walls, but it’s really safe. Also, since it folds up pretty flat, I can carry it right in front of me and not hit everything in the house.
I’ve never been too keen on ladders, until I found my BFF. I was starting a painting business and needed a ladder that I wouldn’t fall off & wouldn’t cause my knees or back to ache. This one is fantastic. Not your typical version, this one sports actual steps instead of narrow rungs, and a standing platform that allows me to reach ceilings up to 10 feet. There is also a fold-down tray that will hold a bucket, paint roller tray, or any other item I need at hand. When I’m done it all folds away like a regular ladder & I can stow it in a closet.
Sadly, I haven’t seen another like it in several years. Luckily, I think it’s sturdy enough to last me another 10-20 years!
Fear of heights? Check. Visited the Royal Gorge in Colorado this summer. Don’t want to talk about it… except to say that I made it across! My husband has a ladder that can reach windows three stories high if he stands on the highest rung. I can’t watch him use it.
i’m cracking up at the image of you wrangling a deer head up a ladder… what a hoot!
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Twitter: fieldstonehill
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and such a pretty aqua color too….
-{darlene}
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Whenever you’re tempted to be afraid of painting heights, just look at this picture and be thankful: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/SunriseSunsetApril/IMG_7118.jpg Ignore me with the roller in the front, and notice my friend up above, standing on the half-wall on the landing, reaching across the stairwell opening, bracing himself with one hand, and cutting in the ceiling with the other. Yeah.
Of course, his support arm was really tired after that, so when we went to do the second stairwell in the building, we got a 12′ ladder, put the legs on one side on a stair, and had two 18-year-olds with muscles hold the other side. Then the lightest person who was painting that day (me), climbed up to the top of the ladder (you know, past that “Do not climb above this rung” sticker) to cut in the ceiling.
I don’t recommend trying it.
But at least I learned an important lesson…I’m not afraid of heights.
LOL Love it! Its funny how the little things in life {such as a ladder} can make our day better! & I am totally in agreement with you on wanting to get things done without the asking of your significant other. When I get something in my head that I want to do, I want to do it NOW not later!
Enjoy your new BFF =)
I do have a ladder, and it’s the only one in the house. It’s one of those fancy ones though that converts from a stepladder to a tall one and I love it. I got it on sale on black friday a few years ago and never regretted it. I also have a small 2 step ladder for little jobs.
I hear ya, Melissa- I am scared to death of heights, too. I am the same way, watching tv or someone else up high terrorizes me! We have several ladders. My hubby bought me a small one for my painting projects when we lived in a house with 8 foot ceilings. Now I have a fourteen foot ceiling in my new house and am too afraid to even think about painting it!
What a pretty BFF you have!
Perfect friend, too. Quiet, thin, and you can lean on her.
My ladder is exactly like yours, only red, in case I do split my head open or something, the blood won’t show.
I don’t think I’m scared of heights.
Not yet, anyway!
It’s so nice to have our own ladders, isn’t it?
HUGS,
~Leslie
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I need a new BFF too! I think 4ft would be best for our low ceilings. I just hate using my husbands since it is left outside and always filthy and un-stable.
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I would like to have a ladder – even just a two-stepper. The only ladder at our house belongs to my husband and touches the ceiling when standing open. There’s no way anyone could use it inside.
As for heights – YES!!! Deathly!!! My son plays a video game where the character has to shimmy along a very narrow ledge and I CANT WATCH. It’s not even real but my heart starts racing and I get short of breath. He thinks it’s hilarious and laughs at me. I dont ride outside elevators, climb rock walls or get on the roof of my house. As a teen, I had to climb onto the roof to help my dad with something. Took 5 minutes to get up there and 30 to get back down!
Yes! Not only do I have a 6-foot ladder, I have the same one you do! And I use it constantly. Just yesterday I was trying to shorten a light fixture (a project that I learned requires more hand-strength than I have)! Then my toddler tried climbing up, so now MY BFF is lying on its side in the dining room, just waiting for me!
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Yes. I am afraid of heights too. You should name your beautiful new ladder, “Raisa,” because she “raisa’s” you up!!
lol, good idea!
Twitter: Mommieblogs
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I don’t have my own, but we do have a very worn, paint spattered 6 foot one! Now see your nice, clean shiny one I am alittle jealous
Enjoy getting to know your new BFF.
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Oh, I have to comment! I keep thinking we are long lost sisters…or twins separated at birth….but how could that happen when I am guessing I am maybe 10 years your elder!
I just last Thursday spotted and caressed a ladder that I want to call my own! Today I finished painting my entry way– using an old piano bench as my ladder! We do have a ladder, but it is old and rickety and wooden (read HEAVY and more dangerous than it is worth!)…So maybe if I get my new ladder, “she” and your “new BFF” could be VIRTUAL COUSINS???!!!
Let me know when you get yours and we can introduce them!!
Sounds great– she DOES have the same last name: Werner!
I feel exactly the same way about heights. When our house was being built the contractor was talking to us while standing on the upstairs stair landing, before the railing was in. I had to ask him to move because I couldn’t concentrate with him standing there. I was just thinking today how I need a ladder and if that one is really that lovely turquoise color, it’s the one for me!
Melissa,
You and I share so much in common. I too am 5’2 and have my very own fiberglass 6ft ladder. Mine is blue…a brand new one recently purchased after my husband broke my 1st ladder that was laden in paint of a variety of colors from 10years of painting in my house. I just about cried when he texted me to tell me he broke “my ladder”…I guess I should have been more concerned about him…was he ok? …off to buy my brand new beautiful blue 6ft ladder…I don’t know what I would do without my BFF! Enjoy her….and get lots of paint on her…she will look even more beautiful and will remind you of all the beauty you have added to your home!
God bless!
Yes, I have at times nurtured a love affair with the ladder. I have also been known to stand on said ladder in such states as pregnany and the like. I think I’ve been forbidden by the husb, he rserves ladder usage for the male of the home. Funny post!
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I also have a ladder. I had been using an old wooden 6ft. one but to get the gutters I would have to stand on the top step–not a good idea, especially since I’m 55 years old. My husband kept bringing new 8 ft. or combo ladders home, but when I went looking for them he had brought them to work(he’s an electrical contractor) and I would never see them again. He finally bought me an 8 ft.ladder that was rated for 200 lbs. He can’t bring it to work because too many men weigh more than that.—alas I have my own ladder!!!
We have three Werner ladders in our garage. LOVE them!!! They are great. I freak a little on our 6 ft ladder…
My husband does home theaters for a living, well used to, so we have quite the selection of random tools.
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I used to have a six-foot ladder. Until a contractor took ours, and left us his bent, paint-splattered, nasty, old, beat-up one and took ours home with him. (They were both six foot, aluminum ladders, but c’mon!)
I will be bringing a new bff home once the painting, et al, in the new place begins . . .
And no, I’m not really afraid of heights. Just sometimes, and only extreme heights. 6 feet is no prob . . .
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LOL you are a hoot! I to am afraid of heights but like you I do really try so I can get what I want done in a timely manner.
Although my sister did come and help me paint our living room and the roof of it, she painted since it’s a catherial ceiling.
congrats to you on your new BFF!!!
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I love this! I am so like you…impulsive and impatient. I hate waiting on my husband to get something done. When I see what I want to do, I want to do it NOW! I love your ladder. I have one of my own as well. Hope it helps you accomplish much:)
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I have that very exact ladder! I totally love it and use it all the time. (I’m only 5’2″ too.) I love that it’s stable, but tall enough for me to reach just about anything. And it’s light enough that I can carry it with one hand. I bet in a few years yours will be covered in paint splatters just like mine is.
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Oh yes I do have my own ladder. A number of years ago a man across the street had a garage sale. And he was selling his old but very sturdy 4 foot wooden ladder. You’ll never believe what a difference that ladder has made to me. Oh…I guess you do – LOL! Anyway…I love it!
And BTW….I’d never guess you were only 5.2! You talk tall!!!
My husband bought me my own ladder AND came home with a whole “paint kit” for me (pro-brushes, rollers, drop-cloths.) I am only 5″ but my 4′ ladder is perfect for painting my 9′ walls. He also got me a tool kit; and not just one of those “lady’s” sets. A for-real guys’ set. He’s a carpenter, but hates to paint, so I do/did all the painting in our 1935 2-family. It’s really great to see all the do-it-ourselves women out there!
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Yes. I have a 6′ aluminum ladder I can pick up&carry &reach most things from its ridged antiskid steps.To tell u what a 6ft aluminum ladder means to a 5’1.5″ “smurf” is to tell u the first thing my ex sold before we could divvy like adults was*my*6ft ladder. Now,having been daddy’s toolholder,also have a 4ft,an 8ft, a 12ft straight ladder from the barn (which will become either a potrack or flipped on the wall as an art ledge, see note@end) and a waycool multi “Jaws” ladder that does stairs,extends to 21ft, splits to 2ladders and can be a scaffold. Also love that ladder. I, however, can no longer pick it up.The DD’S & all(dx’s).Thought about selling,but it’s easier to get help on the roof when you have your own extension ladder&said help is free. Now,the height thing-Melissa, I never was afraid before,honest. Dad tells bingobuds about helping re-roof when was 10; I had the 12ft barn ladder to clean the garage&lower gutters. Until the*incident*-I now have trbl getting to 4ft on the 6ft. All my empathy!
you had me chuckling out loud with this post because I to am afraid of heights! My daughter had to do all my quotes on the top of the sewing room wall because the wall is 9 foot tall and I don’t do heights either. I can do the second rung of the ladder but the third rung I am having shortness of breath. lol
Be safe with that ladder!
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