Don't do this at home

Just grow me some ears and call me "Dumbo". I was cleaning up in the Jungle House and rolling up the heat mats. Well, I didn't get one unplugged before rolling it up. I was sweeping at the other end and heard something that sounded like popcorn popping. I finally saw where it was coming from. The heat mat had shorted out, caught on fire and the floor of my green house(Landscape fabric green house floor covering) had caught on fire too. I didn't have any sand, knew not to use water so dumped dirt on it. I was stomping on that fire like a crazy person and hollering for help. No one heard me. When it was out, I told the other workers and DH what had happened. Well, for the rest of the day you can guess what they said: One fry short of a Happy Meal, Not the brightest bulb on the string, lights on, no one home, etc. I don't think it can be fixed. It was 25 feet long, hope I didnt short out the thermostat, that's the expensive part to replace.

oh Cala, could have happened to any blonde, I mean anyone!!! :) I hope it can be fixed too!!!!!

Oh Susie, it's not funny, but it's funny, hehehe.

Just tell them "it's not real blonde", that's whay I always say.

LOL cala-i can relate-not to the "blonde" part!
i wrapped up one of those light ropes and plugged it in and melted it! same thing with these heating cables-It was in a coil and i wanted to know if it worked so i plugged it in to see-it worked melted together and i had to toss it-sure would have been a nice heating cable!

If it makes you feel any better, I once tried to finish wiring a plug in. (I've wired a lot of them, but this was really dumb.) The fuse for the overhead light was off because we were also re-wiring that. But the lamp was plugged in. To the plug I was working on.

Do you see where I'm going with this? Yeah, I *thought* I could finish screwing the silly thing into the wall, even with a lamp plugged into it. Don't try that one at home, kids.

I felt very fortunate I only fried the plug, and not the entire wiring system inside the house. I'm now a firm believer in tripping the fuse before we do ANYTHING beyond taking off the face plate on switches and plugs.

Cala I hope you are okay and not injured. Sorry to hear about your incident...what's most important is that you are ok...heating cables can be replaced, but people can not.

Joydie

Oh I'm fine, just felt really stupid after I did it. yes, the heat cable can be replaced, and I did remember to unplug it before trying to put out the fire. I have a new nick name---it's "Sparky" lol.

lol "sparky" that is funny, but glad you are okay.

We all have those days!

Calalily: If you could have flung that burning Landscaping fabric at that moose that was trying to stomp me, he would have stopped chasing me and stomped out your fire. That way, two clueless women could have been heroines!

LOLOL Weez. But - clueless? I think not!

That's a good idea, Weez. I'll try to be calm and collected next time and save you from the moose.

Calalily: I guess there are a few holes in the plan.

What's a few miles between friends?

Or are there more flies in the ointment?

I think keeping calm and collected might be a big hole. It took me a day to calm down after my matador experience. I don't know about Calalily.

Hmmm see your point. Can't imagine anyone who could crack that particular stumbling block! Talk about adrenaline high............

The one good thing about garden traumas is that one has to get past it in the busy season. I imagine Calalily had to step over the mess and get on with the greenhouse business. I just keep an eye on the woods and keep transplanting!

That's the thing with traumas of any kind lol. Get your head down and carry on!

Well, said, Philomel. I'm from old peasant stock that didn't have the option of swooning.

Well DH finally allowed me to throw it away. ( I think he kept it around in case I forgot) now I feel better, lol.

That's good Calalily :~D

Could have been worse. A greenhouse near Mpls, MN caught fire yesterday,(don't know how), caused 1/2 million damage!
Bernie

They do catch on fire, and believe it or not, it's the battery chargers for their carts that usually do it!!

Calla, I know it wasn't really funny, but it reminded me of the time I used our brand new Smoker on the wood deck. I came out a while after starting the briquets and there was smoke coming out of the deck. I was the only one home and was terrified that it was going to burn under the deck to the hose. I must of hosed it down for a couple of hours before I felt like it was safe to stop.
I still have that burn hole in my deck. I think my building contractor husband leaves it that way as a reminder for me. I still get teased about it .

sparky I am glad you are taking it so lightly HAHA

This is so funny, today DH almost made the same mistake. He needed the end of the heat mat out of the way to light the gas heater. He started to roll it up from one end!! I asked to check and see if he was now blonde!!
TA, I've made so many silly mistakes, I've learned to laugh at myself, since everyone else is already doing it!!