This is how it all started... Nora's toys are slowly overtaking the family room. For now, it's the most appropriate place for her toys to be. When she gets a few years older and can play 'unsupervised' she can have the large guest bedroom in the basement. (Don't worry, it's not a creepy basement, it's finished and has windows and is very bright.)
I began today on a mission to find a tasteful organizing solution to Nora's toy storage dilemma. She and I trekked through town in pouring rain and hail in and out of several stores. She did well, for the most part. My girl has never been much of a shopper. As an infant I could take her shopping for groceries and clothes and she'd sleep like an angel. As. long. as. I. didn't. go. to. Target. She'd be sleeping beautifully and we'd (oh, so gently) cross the threshold into retail utopia and her eyes would instantly pop open. Writing this I'm having flashbacks to the day I went to Target to buy some real clothes when my Maternity clothes were no longer doing the trick. Amy rapidly pushed the cart (with six-week old Nora in it) in circles around Target because that was the only thing that would keep Nora calm. To this day, her tolerance for Target remains VERY LOW. (Connie, I do think it may have to do with the colors, and I found it very interesting that you have problems in Target also!!!!) Anyway... I found what I was looking for at Target, and we were able to be quick about it to avoid any screaming, stare-invoking meltdowns. At least now, when she fusses in public, people don't tell me how hungry she must be, which is nice.
When we got home this evening, I was so motivated to put the shelves together, I started while she played in the living room. That didn't last too long, because the instructions quickly became confusing and Nora decided she wanted to learn how to use a screwdriver. I 'shelved' the shelves for later, after she was in bed to avoid any mistakes.
Too late. And I was being so careful! It took me an hour and half to do and I have had to take these stupid things apart twice to switch pieces I installed backwards! Basically, everything that needed attached to something else was done backwards. DOH! I almost grabbed the hammer (which the instructions said I would need, but never did...) and destroyed them! I think I was following the pictures as well as the written directions, and I think the pictures were oriented incorrectly. Written instructions went: "take left legs" Picture showed: "right legs"
Yes, I'm blaming the instructions. Maybe it would be better if I were one of those people who didn't read instructions. Probably not, because I even put the stupid back piece, that stops things from falling off the back of the shelves, on backwards. I fastened it to the shelves by screwing all 20, yes 20, screws in, admired the chestnut color of the back piece (as I was looking at the part that faces THE WALL), then turned the shelves around and saw grayish-brown particle board staring back at me.
Silly me bought two of these. I don't know if I have it in me to put the other one together tonight. Let's hope I don't make the same mistake(s) twice...
*Well, I did it. I put together the second set of shelves in the tiniest fraction of time it took me to do the first set. I'm very happy with them!
Before
After
4 comments:
Can we fix it ...Obviously not. Gotta take some lessons from Bob the Builder :)
In the end, it all worked out and that's what keeps us semi-sane.
The finished product looks luverly!
You remembered to do a before picture this time! I love the shelves and the baskets look great. Well done :)
I'll take this opportunity to comment on the last 5 or so posts; sorry I've been a slacker. Your new camera is amazing! The pictures are beautiful, especially the park ones, the flowers, and the close up of Nora getting her hair cut. They are so clear and crisp. I guess it also helps to have such a pretty subject :)
Looks really nice!! Josh has the same problem putting together shelves and things too!!! He hates it so much and I think most of the time the instructions are really really bad!!!
Ikea has pretty easy instructions and simple things...usually
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