Building a Scooter

I got the brilliant idea to take my credit card points and redeem them to get the girls scooters. They choose the Disney Princess scooters. I know you are all seeping with jealousy. Especially my sister Andrea as she is such a huge fan of the Disney Company and all of their products. Cherie might be a close second because she knows when my girls outgrow it I am dumping... uh... I mean giving them to her for her own little people to use. (No use trying to ward off the princesses Curry!)

It might surprise you to know (I know it did me) that these things arrive in pieces. Lots of pieces. With vague directions. Directions that were really just one page with a diagram and a lot of arrows. Not to mention their own little tools.

Why does everything I buy lately come with its own little assembly device?

At least the couch was kind enough to come with two men to put it together. I think the UPS man could have hung around longer. Really was it necessary to dump it one the back porch and run? At any rate needless to say I was feeling some pressure as I opened to the boxes this morning with two eager faces staring at me and looked in at all the small parts. I will tell you I skipped taking any photos of the assembly process as I was still drinking coffee in my pajamas and felt it was kinder to spare you all that view. Let's just say I got them both together. I did have these things left over.


But I mean how important could they be really?

Upon finishing my girls promptly spent time hanging various stuffed animals on them and cutting the boxes apart for art projects. So it turns out I should have just bought a couple hangers and boxes.

I did finally get them outside on them and look... they worked. They are of course strapped in helmets in the event that nut really was suppose to go to something.

And the other bright side is those two new little tools can join the Allen wrench collection from my new office chair and futon couch. Who said I didn't use my tool box?

Office Seating

I am 37 years old. I have spent the last 18 years sitting in this chair when ever I have "office" work to do.

This chair came into my life via my ex-husband. He "found" it on a loading dock of a former employer (we shall withhold that name to protect those that accidentally left it off the truck and then came to own it). We always called the chair "Grandpa". Grandpa has character squeaky wheels and the original, now rusty, metal screw to adjust it. Not that the adjustment actually works, but it is the original. This chair has been moved from Maine to Massachusetts to Colorado to New Mexico to Vermont. Sweet huh? It might surprise you to know then that I hate this chair.

I tried to recover it about ten years ago to feel better about it but as is often the case in such situations superficial changes do little to change our real feelings. My problem? It is the most uncomfortable chair ever! Part of the bottom is broken and it lunges back and slopes to the left. I have to remember to warn people before they sit in it. If I forget they flail their arms of their heads and get a rather panicy look on their faces (I'll admit that is kinda funny). You always feel like you are going to be dumped out of it. I use to tolerate it because I did not sit in it for long periods of time. However since I have new computer I find that I can get more done at home and quite frankly my back was starting to rebel.

So, I decided it was time to purchase a comfortable office chair. I wasn't looking for anything overly luxurious. Just something functional, not hideous to look at, and relatively inexpensive. I picked one out a Staples. I was surprised that no less than two employees tried to sell me the extra warranty coverage on the chair. "In the event that the parts do not hold up."

"Like what parts?" I asked.

"Well, the manufacturer's warranty only cover the basics like the wheels."

"What else is there on a chair?"

"Well, the seams could rip, or you could poke a whole in it and we would cover the replacement."

"I think I am all set."

"Are you sure?"

"It's a chair, but if it makes you feel better I will remember you did your best to warn me."

The sale moved ahead with out any more dire warnings and I happily arrived home with my box. I excitedly opened it and discovered I had some work to do.

But the title on the directions seemed hopeful.

Even using some humor which I can always appreciate.

And look! Another complimentary Allen Wretch.

Soon I will need a bigger tool box for all these little lovelies. Just think all my office furniture is now held together with funny little screws that require there own personal little assembly device. If I ever move I hope the movers appreciate that I am dutifully keeping all these. Of course I will have to warn them to be extra careful with the chair as I didn't buy the extra warranty.

You will be so happy to know that I did successfully assemble the chair. Ta DA!

It is called the Culley Luxuria Manager Chair. That's right people. I am now in the manager's chair. I feel more important already.

And what of Grandpa? Well, don't worry he is off to my ex-husband's house. It is best to keep him in the family. You know I am not totally heartless to the little bugger.