Garden Enclosure Repairs

 I finally got at the broken garden enclosure PVC/conduit pipe frame the other day.  It was harder than I expected.  The problem with re-attaching 10' pipes is that you really need to be at both ends at once, and my reach doesn't go that far.

So, I had to make supports at one end to attach the other.  2 ladders involved.  And the far end kept slipping off the support.  It was sort of maddening, and a few times the pipes just fell on me.  But when things fall, you just pick them up and try again.  

What do you do then?  Try again.

I didn't want to use PVC cement too often.  Friction holds them pretty well and allows pulling them apart again if required.  But many of the connections were broken enough to really require cementing.  That in itself was awkward.  The cement comes in a can with a built-in brush.  But using too much melts the PVC.  So you have to wipe the brush almost clean.

Standing on a stepladder, holding the PVC pipes generally in place, and then wiping the cement brush around the PVC pipes is not easy.  But all you have to do is succeed once for each one and I managed.  

It went from...

There are some more connections to replace at the sides, but the center one was the hardest and most important.  There is only so much you can do in one day.  

I have to mention that it took more than 2 hands.  Sometimes people don't think about other parts of their bodies.  I supported PVC tubes on my shoulders, lifted chicken wire with my head, and even stuck one PVC tube supported with my suspenders at one point.  Whatever works, LOL!

Next to do, the PVC sides and the chicken wire top...

New Car

Well, I spent yesterday transferring all the stuff from the old Toyota Highlander to the new Subaru Forester. 

The BEFORE pictures:

Cloth bucket seats.  The shift it automatic, but made to look like a stick shift.  I don't drive a stick, too much work...

Second row seats are split bench but effectively bucket seats.  Doesn't matter to me, I'll just fold them flat and leave them like that.

The back.  There is a moonroof, spoiler, and rails on the roof.  I have little use for those, but they came with the package.  

Corner view.  Never saw the rear lights split between the side and the tail lift before!  That little shark fin on the top is the antenna.  Good; I had to remove the Highlander antenna to go through car washes.

Driver seat view.  Overly complicated.  I do like that the sound system controls are duplicated on the steering wheel.  Cruise controls are there, too.  Also, I like that the headlight and wiper controls are virtually identical to the Highlander.  I also like that the display shows current MPG.  And there is a little display that shows compass directions ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR.  But the A/C and fan controls are less convenient and the sound system selection is more complicated.

Front view.  The headlights are LED and adjust to turns.

Inside Back view.  

Enjoy the nice new uncluttered car.  It will never look like THAT again!

AFTER:

The bins are from a huge Daffodil order.  Excellent for loose stuff like bags of groceries.  I immediately folded down the rear seats and removed the cargo cover.  The gray carpet is from the Highlander.  I always cut an area carpet to fit.  Saves wear on the installed carpet.  It almost fits perfectly as is.  I will cut it more to shape later.

I keep plastic boxes on the floor behind the front seats.  They hold booster cables emergency kits, rope and bungee cords, gadgets (like powered tire inflator, flashlight, DC-AC power convertor,etc).

Passenger front seat holds useful stuff (tissues, N95 mask, coupons, and stuff I need to bring to a store).

I'll take a few more pictures soon when the car is in the driveway for better light and color.