Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
3

Magic Morphing Shed!

Posted by Amethyst Anne in , ,
The man I married and I are currently experiencing buyers remorse. In our defense it seemed like a good idea at the time.
You see we bought a shed. We don't have a garage, and are really rather tired of hauling up the Cub's bicycle from the basement rec room on a daily basis. Never mind all of the things we pay to heat that are in our basement that could easily be outside in a SHED!
We have a small shed outside, but it gets so stuffed full, that we can barely close the door. Trust me when I say that not much else fits in that shed other than the lawn mower!
So we've been looking for another much larger shed that didn't cost upwards of several thousands of dollars. For months we watched flyers, kijii , etc and a couple months ago VOILA! Brand new shed, on sale at Home Depot (I used to like them). So off we went, it seemed odd at the time, buying a shed while there was still snow on the ground, but we had plans! We were so excited, it was a smoking good deal, the world was full of promise!
Really the price should have been the first tip off.
The second tip off should have been when they brought it out to us on a trolley and we attempted to lift the 200 pound thing onto the back of the truck.
Well we rationalized that it was a metal shed and that shit isn't light, so we would wrap it up in a tarp and put it on our deck until we could set it up in the backyard.
For over two months it sat there until the snow had melted and we had the time to set it up.
The long weekend approached, we made plans, the new shed would be built! We were prepared!
Then we opened the box to have a peek, and get the instructions.
The husband fished out a sack of hardware and plopped himself down with the instructions Friday night.
Now to be fair to the shed, we did know that we would have to find a level place to put it, and our yard is far from anything resembling level, so we knew there would be some ground preparation involved.
Once the Husband hit Step 11 he let out a "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!" Loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.
Apparently, at Step 11, you must completed the next 2200 steps until the shed is completely done, or risk damaging your newly purchased 200 pound baby.
OK, I said, what's the big deal? That should be fine? Really what, that should take us, what max 3 hours?
 ( It is at this point that I must admit that I am notorious for underestimating the time involved when starting a project. In my defense, the man I married, is notorious for over estimating the time involved, so really either way we're screwed, or his way is better because then you would be pleasantly surprised that it only took you 3 hours instead of the 9 you thought it would..but I digress)
So right in the instructions is states that you should allow yourself around 9 hours for assembly past this point.
WTH?? Well how long for the first 22 steps? Approximately 3 hours.
It was at this point that I lifted the lid of the box to look at all of the million and a half pieces that one is lead to believe will morph into a shed! Really, shed people? Could you not take a page out of Ikea and at least give me an allen key and bigger pieces??
Still, somewhat trepidatious, the man I married and I revamped our "Shed Plan"! Saturday we would level the ground (after digging it up) and build the base for the shed. Then Sunday we would have the whole day to build the shed and Monday we would do family fun stuff with the boy.
Saturday am we got up all prepped to go, we started to mark out where the shed was going to go when each of us tried to dig out some grass at that spot. For two hours we tried! But apparently the grass had other ideas. So we made an executive decision and went and rented a tiller. While we were renting the tiller, we also decided that now would be a good time to dig up the grass at the end of our existing deck, in preparation for the deck extension we wanted to make. I mean, why rent the thing twice!
With a fairly large chunk of our yard now in dirt form, we realized that we best get some rock for the leveling phase for both places (and to minimize any and all mud tracking into the house)
So we had to go get rocks, lots and lots of rocks.
By the time we unloaded the first of two loads of rocks it was damn near dinner time. So much for planning! (Veridict is still out on who was right about this time estimate)
After drinks, I mean dinner, we had an executive meeting. We were already a day behind, so this shed project would need to take up the next two days of our weekend. This would mean no fun family time, unless you consider copious amounts of sweat and swearing a roaring good time for a seven year old boy!
It was at this point in the evening, that my love for my husband became overly apparent.
"Babe, I really don't want to build this fucking thing this weekend. To be honest I would rather build the deck extension we want."
And that is how our "Shed"  morphed into build a deck in the rain instead.
As some of you may know, the long weekend was , um, er, several weekends ago.
Yes the opened shed and it's million and one pieces are still wrapped up on my deck.
Yes we are still trucking the Cub's bike out of the basement every night.
Yes, I have seriously thought about how to return the blasted thing. But the box is open and I still NEED a shed!
Yes we have started having conversations like this;
"Well, if we had a shed. We could put that in there."
"I hear we're going to have a shed."
"You know, we could really use another shed! Oh wait!! HAAAHAHAHAHA!"
Yes, we may need to get out of the house more often!
So it is with high hopes that this weekend as I sit on my new deck and watch my Cub play in the backyard, that the Shed, will play nice and just assemble itself.
Baring that, I may just start stuffing things on top of the shed box under the tarp and call it a day!


Smooches,


4

Gobble Gobble

Posted by Amethyst Anne in , ,
So I'm outta here for a few days. Going to spend some time with the Famdamily for Thanksgiving.
I am looking forward to a change of locale even though it will be rushed, frantic, alcohol infused and stressed. Pretty A- typical really! I'm hoping a little family infusion will help with the downer mood I seem to find myself this week. I can't put my finger on the why I'm blue- well other than I fucking hate October and it can't be over soon enough let me tell you! So yeah, that add in  some work stress, some I'm tired as hell being the person who has to keep everyone else on track, husband's been away,  throw in a little nausea, some PMS and you've got all the mixin's for a fabulous weekend away don't you think?? HA!!! Hide the knives!! Who knows maybe I will  get to punch something. Either way, Time away+ Vodka+Amethyst Anne= Good week potential.
The great news is that I will get to spend a whole day with the Cub on Friday. He has no school and I was smart enough to take the day off!! So we are going to get our haircuts and hang out. And by hang out I mean pack- but it will still be time with just him.
So to all my Canadian Bloggy Friends- Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!


To all my Non Canadian Bloggy Friends - Have a wonderful weekend and we will save some  left overs for you!!

3

Invasion update

Posted by Amethyst Anne in ,

Famdamnily Invasion Update:
Good news! X made it through the neurotic company is coming clean, he even helped a lot! See how I just made that sound like he doesn't actually do anything on a regular basis? Yup having company stresses me out to the point where my girl brain forgets all the things he does do. ( Sorry honey)
So they showed up, and man I relaxed. I have to say that I am quite fortunate to have wonderful in-laws. My Sisters in law treat me like a sister, my Mother in law is pretty laid back, and treats me just like one of her daughters ( I actually take that as a compliment) and then there are my Nieces and Nephew who are not babies anymore, and have grown up to be beautiful young people.  ( I have brothers in laws too on this side - but they didn't come so no bloggy about them!)
This trip we are missing one Niece, the eldest of the bunch (19), the other two came along for their last spring break, as they both graduate this year. 16 turning 17. *sigh*  When X and I first got together, they were 5! I feel old, but proud! Proud of who they are growing up to be, proud of all they have done, proud of how much they doat and love their little cousin- Cub ( who ADORES THEM). So yes I am having a good visit, but, it is only day 3 and we are heading into the weekend, soooooooooo...we'll see. You know how families can get!
pssttt... don't let me forget to tell you about the niece who may want to come live with us..

Have a great weekend everyone!

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