Week of Feb. 15, 2015 - Dames of Demolition

By Joan Whetzel

 

We’re coming up on 2 years since my husband died. In almost 3 years to be semi-exact. Of all the things my daughter and I have learned in that short time, the biggest thing is how much we can do for ourselves.

True there are some jobs that required hiring some help – fixing the soffits under the upstairs roof, cutting down a huge growing tree too close to the garage trimming dead branches way high up in the pine tries. This was mainly because we lacked the tools and the skills to accomplish the task.

Bur we have discovered that, for most tasks, it’s cheaper to get the tools we need and do it ourselves. Last summer, for example, we rented a chain saw from Home depot to cut down another tree behind the garage. It taught us that we could wield a chain saw if need be. Last month, when it came time to trim back 2 badly overgrown crepe myrtle trees, we bit the bullet and bought our own chain saw for $90 and spent 2 weekends trimming the 2 trees. (We have a handful of small logs to use for firewood next winter.)

Last weekend we finished cleaning out the rotting, falling-apart tool shed out back. This weekend, my daughter, granddaughter, and I began the demolition of the monstrosity. All it took was our new chainsaw, a crowbar, 2 hammers, and hand drill with screwdriver bits.

Next weekend, we’re going to try and complete the demolition by destroying the floor to the barn. Unfortunately, like a couple other projects the previous owner built, the floor and the barn itself were put together with about 10 times more screws and nails than were necessary. Worse, the particle board has a couple rotted spots, so it has to be torn down. We’ll go after it again with the chain saw, crow bar, and hand drill/screw driver again. Of course, if anyone volunteered to lend a hand, the Dames of Demolition wouldn’t turn them down.