Sunday, March 14, 2010

How to Waste 5 Hours

Let me just begin this post by telling a little story.
When I was in school my mom thought that enrolling me in an all day class to "Learn to Study" was needed. Clearly she was right.
But it was on a Saturday so I was less than thrilled to be going.
The class begins with the instructor explaining the importance of reading directions in full before proceeding. So he hands us a worksheet and tells us to begin. I start answering these questions one after another. I remember thinking, "Wow, these are so easy." I was plowing through. At a certain point, when I was almost finished, I heard some giggling and I looked up from my paper to see a few classmates sitting with their hands folded while the rest of us idiots were scribbling away. That's when I realized that something was going on and decided to read the rest of the questions.
When I got to the very last question it said something like this....
Do not answer questions 2-25.
Doh!
You would think that I would have learned my lesson but I didn't.
I have wasted a good portion of my life doing things over because I didn't read directions. I have destroyed many good ingredients because I have added them in the wrong order or have simply left them out.
This is how I most recently wasted 5 hours of my life.

When we first bought this house we purchased this completely utilitarian shelf to make up for the lack of cabinet space and pantry. It has served it's purpose but I've always hated how sloppy it looked and I wasn't thrilled at everyone being able to see our junk.
Now the ultimate plan is to redo the kitchen and have a custom piece made for this space but that's not in the budget any time soon.

So I purchased this cute little hutch from JC Penney.
With all of the furniture I've put together over the years I should be a pro, right?

#1 The foam was broken up into 3 kazillion piece with enough static electricity to power a small mansion. I had to vacuum each piece before assembling it.

#2 I put it together and took it apart again at least three times because I didn't read the directions far enough to see that I was missing a part. All the while time is ticking, ticking away.
Oh my gosh, Rachael Ray is on. Is it 10:00 already?
Wow, the 12:00 news is on.
You get the picture.
So four hours later this is what I had.




Sad right?



#3 Then it took me another hour to clean up the 3 kazillion pieces of foam.
It was everywhere. My hair, the carpet....the bathroom???
By the time I finished I didn't even care anymore.
I just threw our junk in the cabinets and I haven't touched it since.
It needs some decorating but I think the hutch and I need a little time apart.

I think the moral of this story is quite obvious:
Read your instructions IN FULL before proceeding.


15 comments:

Diva Kreszl said...

thanks for the chuckle this morning, I'm sure we've all been guilty of this at some time! the hutch is gorgeous and when you are ready to look at it again you can put your finishing touches on it!

Lisa said...

I used to tease my father-in-law that his two mottos were: "We don't need no stinkin' instructions." And "When in doubt, read the directions."

I'm guilty of it, too. I used to pray that God would help me pass tests I hadn't studied for. It didn't work. :)

Micki Wilde said...

lol I had that same test when I went to business college!
I still haven't learnt my lesson!!
I love your hutch though, so cute!!
Just don't keep rotten eggs in there ;)

Micki x

Unknown said...

I think we all can relate. I think very few people follow directions. The cabinet turned out nice though. I hope you two will bond again:)

claire barone art said...

it was well worth the stress its a lovely hutch and looks great!! as long as you have something pretty to stuff junk in who cares ?

Cris said...

Ha ha, I'm kind of a more visual than "reading the instructions" type too! I like when the instructions just have a big picture of it put together with all the parts highlighted as to where they go. I just bought a "cubbie cubical" system for my office/studio and had to take a side off that was actually an interior shelf. ugh! Well anyway, you hutch is darling and in time you will "make up" with it and have fun organizing and decorating it--love it on the black and white tile!!

sMacThoughts said...

BUT, but, but.... it is GORGEOUS, and time wasted or not, you did it, and I am sitting here with my jaw dropped. :)

CourtneyP said...

This story sounds soooo familiar. I too need lessons in following instructions!

Rachel said...

I love it and for all the trouble, I think it was worth it!

Sue said...

Ah, I so sympathize with you on the instruction thing - AND the styrofoam bits!!! That said, the buffet and hutch looks fabulous!

Sue

julie king said...

you are in good company with the not reading of instructions. the finished piece is lovely and i got a good empathetic smile from your story.

Diane Duda said...

:)
You should just be proud that you did it!
I'd probably never even begin to attempt this alone.
(it's pretty.)
xo
Di

Julie said...

This cabinet is so great though & I love the color! I never read directions either & as many times as I've told myself "next time" I never learn. : )

Heidi said...

I am sitting here picturing all the kazillion pieces of foam thingies in your hair. I'm surprised you had any left as I think I would have pulled all mine out after having to do it a third time.

jen duncan said...

I've put together my fair share of furniture too, but it just seems WRONG that we should have to. Furniture should come built. period! Anyway, i was getting kinda worried where your story was headed...was afraid after all that a piece was missing! It looks wonderful. You'll get over the trauma. I promise! ;-)