Up On The Roof
by Jenners • 10/03/2010 • Travels • 78 Comments
When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space
On the roof, it’s peaceful as can be
And there the world below can’t bother me
Let me tell you nowWhen I come home feelin’ tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof)
I get away from the hustling crowd
And all that rat-race noise down in the street (up on the roof)
On the roof, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Let’s go up on the roof (up on the roof)–from Up on the Roof by the Drifters
Thanks to my adventures this past weekend, I’m now able to write my version of this song.
When Mr. Jenners starts getting stressed out
Because of all the pine needles in the gutter
I climb way up to the top of the ladder
And my fear of heights just hits me like a punch
On the roof; it’s where I scraped my shins
And the lawn down below is way too far to see
Let me scream out loudWhen I climb up I’m shaking real bad
I go up where the gutters are clogged with leaves (up on the roof)
I try to clean them with this weird tool
And I hear the kids screaming “Look out, Miss Jen!” (up on the roof)
On the roof, the only place I fear
Where you just have to make one false move
And you will fall (off of the roof)– from Scared on the Roof by Jenners
How I Earned My Keep This Week
I Think I Need To Renegotiate My Contract With Mr. Jenners
You are out of your gourd.
I’ve been told that several times.
No way! I can barely climb to the top of the step ladder to dust the transom windows – you are brave (or insane. or a little of both!)
Yesterday our power plant had an Open House and my 8 yr old went 55 up in a bucket truck. She was a little nervous before she climbed in the bucket and I was boosting her up “oh, this is going to be so much fun; I wish I could do it” but thinking “oh. my. god. That is SO far up in that tiny little bucket. Better you than me, kid!”
Yes, Mr. Jenners needs to give you a book bonus for the gutter cleaning!
I love how you encouraged your girl to do something that terrified you inside. We’re so sneaky as parents, aren’t we?
And I’m stupid (not brave or insane).
don’t you just look so cute (up on the roof)…..(up on the roof)……
Yup … cute (and stupid!)
That is one really high roof! Wow, I applaud you for going up there
I’d probably give up halfway up the ladder! I take it that Mr. Jenners was the one who took those pictures of you?
Hey, on the bright side of things, you now have clean gutters!
I wavered at least five times before actually moving off the ladder to the roof. I had to climb in the bedroom window to get back in though … too scary to back down to the ladder!
WOW! I don’t blame you for being afraid- your house is super tall! AH!
wow! thats high up. you are brave!
Brave … or stupid!
I’d say! Looking at those pictures gave me heart palipatitations. See? It’s that bad. I can’t even spell the worD.
Or you coined a NEW word!
Hope Mr. J is going to increase your book allowance after that heroic effort!
I hope so too!
You are far braver than I am. We have a two story house and it’s just understood I’m not going up there.
I’m glad you survived!
It was scary but exciting at the same time. But I’m not clamoring to go up there again!
Makes for a very nice blog post, though.
True that … and what is life if not coming up with blog fodder?
Riveting, little poem. I really enjoyed this.
I hope The Drifters feel the same …
I’d be scared too. that’s a long way to fall.
I’m sure at least a few bones would have been broken.
You are a brave women..that is a long way up, or a long way down.
Fortunately, I didn’t get to experience the “down” part!
Yes how did you end up with this job instead of Mr Jenners? Awesome job facing your fears.
Whoever could overcome their fear of heights first got the job. I “won.”
You are a daredevil! I would be a nervous wreck going on top of the roof.
I WAS a nervous wreck … but I saved us $75!
Oh that’s way too high for me! I think you absolutely have to renegotiate! Scary stuff!
I think my new contract will prohibit work above two stories.
Holy crap! Mr. Jenners is working you in ways he ought not!!!
Get down from there!
Your comment just cracked me up. He ought not to do that!
Definitely time to renegotiate (LOL)! But seriously I would be scared way up there!
I was scared but also kind of thrilled and proud at the same time.
Holy cow! You were UP there!
Yeah … it was HIGH!
Cool! You’re the top!
You are the only person (so far) excited about my adventure!
I must be psychic – I saw the words Up On the roof and straight away started singing this very song though I have to say I much prefer your version. How did you get the courage to climb up there? It makes me feel sick and dizzy just looking at the photos.
It is amazing what a woman will do to get blog fodder, isn’t it?
Okay, I say it’s time to sell this house and buy a one level ranch if Mr. jenners is going to have you do this job! LOL
That is the house we moved out of!!! : )
methinks you just went up on the roof so you’d have a blog post.
Ssshhhh…but the thought did enter my mind. Why do you think I have photos?
My heart is racing just looking at these photos. Yikes!
I think after climbing on the roof, you deserve some help cleaning that big house of yours!
But how would I earn my keep?? : )
Omigosh – I could never get on the roof of a 2-story house. I did it ONCE on a 1-story Habitat house – getting up wasn’t bad, but having to get back on the ladder to climb back down terrified me. I can’t tell you how impressed I am that you made it UP and BACK DOWN again!
You are right … it is the getting back on the ladder that is frightening. I actually climbed in through the bedroom window that opens up onto the garage roof. I had second thoughts about the ladder.
Love this…. LOL….. and love your poem…. very nice.
Oh my! I couldn’t do that, and I recently forbid my husband from doing it as well. He was up there a few weeks ago, My neighbour feeds pigeons and they messed up the skylight. So we, like to two fools got the ladder out to power wash the skylight and then the roof which was covered in droppings. NEVER doing that again. I thought I was going to stroke out. and just looking at you up there I’m nauseous. All this comes with age. Forget the negotiating with Mr. Jenners, neither of you need to do that, get someone else to do it. Your little one needs you both and not in wheel chairs. PLEASE.
OK … wow … your impassioned plea is making me have second thoughts.
Oh my! That is a really high roof, and I would have been scared too! I also like the mention of the weird tool. We have so many of those around here!
Thank God for the weird tool … it allowed me to stay away from the very edges of the roof!
I know this probably won’t help, but that looks waaaaaay too high for my liking. Renegotiate for sure!
It is waaaaaayyyyyyyy up high. I think I could touch clouds.
If you cut down all of the trees (which doesn’t involve heights, btw), you’ll never have to climb on the roof again.
I like your thinking.
Ah you see, my motto for anything dangerous that my husband will not tackle (for that read all such things as he is not a home maintenance sort of person whatsoever) I do the sensible thing and outsource
You really are quite a ticket Ms Jenners.
But why outsource when you can do it yourself? That is our — I mean, Mr. Jenners — motto.
Silly Mrs. Jenners
Hope you’re ok!
I did survive … thankfully.
Oh my gosh!!! I don’t think I could have done that. You are one brave woman!
Not brave … stupid.
1. Your house is GINORMOUS.
2. You are very brave.
3. I hope you have good insurance.
xoxo
1. It is ginormously high.
2. I am stupid.
3. I think we’d max out our yearly max insurance if I fell off the roof.
LOL my first thoughts were oh my god you have a big house!!!!!
I never go up on my roof. It’d be okay on the one we have now (it’s a ranch) but the one we had in WI was extremely steep and scary!!
ps – I just saw the new header and I love it!!
We used to have a ranch too … and it was easy. This house is another matter!
Yep, keep alert for just the right time to renegotiate this, although it did lead to an adorable song. I think he’d feel bad if something bad happened to you & had to explain why he wasn’t the one to take care of this guy-task.
I will play my cards carefully during renegotiations. And believe me, I milked this feat of daring for all it was worth afterward.
WOW — you are a far, far better woman than I Mrs. Jenners!!!!
Better … or stupider? I think it is stupider!
Holy cow! That’s a long way up….or down as the case may be. You’re a far braver soul than I am.
It was really high!!! We used to live in a ranch house and that was EASY! This house feels like it is mile up into the air. And I’m not brave … I’m stupid.
Ha! I’m the one who has to climb up on the roof in our family too. I’m a born tom-boy, so it’s not bad for me. Plus, our roof isn’t quite as far off the ground as yours is……
Glad you survived the experience!
The roof didn’t seem as bad until I got to the top … then it seemed much much much steeper. I’m glad I lived to tell the tale!
Uh, you do know you can hire people to do that, don’t you?
Yes … but it is CHEAPER to do it yourself says Mr. Jenners. (Never mind that your wife might end up in traction. At least we saved some bucks!)