Yesterday, I also discovered that my small, inexpensive greenhouse was ripped apart like a trailer in a huricane. The frame was a metal with couplings. Some of the couplings busted, alot of the metal bent and twisted, the original cover ripped and shredded in spots. Luckily, I had just purchased a new cover for it…though I had it on during this storm, it was strong enough to survive. There was nothing to do but take it apart, piece by piece.
I looked online for one that I had my eye on for quite sometime. Then I decided…heck, I helped build my house and I am a quilter from long ago, I just know I can reconstruct the frame to hold the new cover.
Off to Home Depot I go, after dropping DD#1 and friend at mall to do some shopping, I was determined to pick up everything I needed. Never mind that half of the stop lights were not working on Meridian. Who really cares that it would take at least 45 minutes to go 12 miles. I was determined.
Measure twice, cut once. In contruction, be it home or quilt. I purchased different couplings, 10 – 3/4 inch x 10 ft. pvc pipe, pvc primer and cement. Now, picture me, Ms. Determined, with two men behind me at Home Depot, talking to each other how they wouldn’t be doing plumbing in this weather. Ha. I wasn’t going to be plumbing anything.
The commuter car that DH put together for DD#1 (when she gets a job) has been mine to drive since DH had to take the Tahoe to Eastern WA with all the pass conditions he would be dealing with. It’s amazing how the back seat of this little Ford folds down, giving me plenty of room to put these 10 ft PVC sticks in. I felt like I could take on the world.
It took about four hours to get it all done. I ended up using as much of the couplings from the original structure that I could (it was a kit), which was perfect. Instead of cementing the pvc together in the very cold weather, I drilled holes and fastened with screws, so I could take it apart or adjust if needed.
Five o’clock rolls around, I have to turn my garden house lights on to see what I am doing. I put the cover on…OMG, it fits PERFECTLY.
Tomorrow I plan to do some garden house cleaning, try to weed a few beds (if ground not too frozen) and put cement blocks around bottom of the greenhouse, to help retain heat and keep those icky creatures I am deathly afraid of out (sssss).
I’ll take a picture to show off my handywork. DH just laughed on the phone, he said to just buy a new one. Nope…2007 is my “no spend year”. For $12.40 I was able to completely reconstruct and have a great greenhouse. I took everything else back that I didn’t need…yes, I spent more time in traffic, but I am STAYING home tomorrow.
Will I ever knit again…maybe, but time for Theraflu.
Whew! Good for you fixing it! It must have been a bummer when you first saw it! Glad the new cover fits!
Way to go! My “working like a woman” theory is proven again. You are amazing.