I know my northern hemisphere friends are still busy bringing in the New Year, but here in Australia we’ve been there, done that. And no, I’m not bragging. It’s just that I’ve already let my New Year’s resolutions slide, and it’s only January 1. π¦
What did I resolve to do? Just two things, both ‘completers’ that have been hanging around the house for over six months.
The first is a flat pack, mini-greenhouse [apologies for the terrible photo]:

I did make a start…
I bought the greenhouse off the internet in the hope that it would be easy to assemble. You’d think I’d know better by now. The damn thing has a million parts and the instructions are, as you’d expect, rat shit. But I can deal with all that. What I haven’t been able to deal with is the sheer physical effort involved in making the parts fit together. And before anyone asks, yes, I am trying to put the correct parts together. Those two things that look like small windows are panels for the greenhouse. Unfortunately, there are so many more to assemble. π¦
The problem seems to be one of gender. I’m reasonably strong for a 5′ 3.5″ tall, 63 year old woman. Unfortunately, everything seems to be designed for a 6′ tall, 30-something man.
I have absolutely nothing against 6′ tall, 30-something men. I think they’re gorgeous…but they have these very strong hands. Wait. That doesn’t sound right.
Ahem.
Things that come in flatpacks seem to be designed for people with lots of muscle and very strong hands.
But what about me?
I don’t want to beat the feminist drum, but really, would it be that hard to design flatpacks for the other half of humanity? You know, the women who have small hands and don’t look like plumbers?
At the risk of sounding sexist, all the gentlemen out there can go do something macho now while I talk about project number 2.
So…my second incomplete project was to turn a lovely sarong into a simple top. I do know how to sew, but this project has proven to be more challenging than I thought.
Mistake number 1 was that I thought I could whip something up without a pattern. Mistake number 2 was that I neglected to test the fabric before reaching for the scissors. Sadly, that lovely fabric frays like you would not believe, so every seam has to be hemmed first. Plus the fabric has a pattern that should match up…
Anyway, these two projects have been lingering like a bad smell for a very long time, so last night, as the minute hand neared 12, I resolved to complete them…first thing in the morning [January 1st, 2017].
So far today, I’ve mowed a great swathe of the back garden [because it was nice and cool]. I’ve also done some washing, tidied the kitchen, made a start on the floors, had multiple coffees and spent some time on social media. Now, I’m writing a blog post. In short, I’ve done anything and everything except what I swore I’d do last night.
-sigh- I am so tempted to throw both the top and the flatpack into the nearest bin. Why are New Year’s Resolutions so bloody hard to do?
Or in my case, ‘not happy, Meeks!’
Am I alone?
January 5th, 2017 at 2:44 am
lol–I’ve found a good remedy for that one. I no longer make resolutions π Happy New Year!
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January 5th, 2017 at 10:37 am
lmao – trust me, I won’t be making any in 2018 either!
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January 3rd, 2017 at 1:29 pm
As soon as I see “some assembly required” I move on, so I admire our ambition and ability to make anything at all! Have a fabulous 2017 with lots of projects (both completed and stalled)… Because we all learn from those incomplete adventures.
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January 3rd, 2017 at 3:50 pm
-grin- complaints aside, I am getting better at the whole flatpack experience, it’s just that I’ll never be /good/ at it.
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January 2nd, 2017 at 5:03 am
“rat shit” instructions – lol! Wouldn’t it be great if you could just tell AI to put the darn thing together? As for making the top, I’d give that up in favor of mounting it on cork for a pretty bulletin board.
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January 2nd, 2017 at 10:08 am
lmao – oh! Now that’s an idea. It’s actually attractive enough to be displayed. I’ll keep you posted. π
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January 1st, 2017 at 7:56 pm
yes. I ditto Chris π
May 2017 bring you joy and only pleasant surprises.
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January 2nd, 2017 at 10:09 am
lol – thank you. I hope we all have a kinder year.
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January 1st, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Thanks for the smiles on this New Year’s Day, Meeks. You have some good advice above, and once again I curse the distance and that I can’t just jump in my car, visit you, and sort that greenhouse out for you *sigh* π *hugs*
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January 2nd, 2017 at 10:10 am
Awww….thanks Chris! I’d send the airfare but methinks Poland is just a wee bit too far. π You have prodded my conscience though. Maybe I’ll give it one more try. Happy 2017!
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January 1st, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Happy New Year Meeks. If it’s any consolation many of my project evolve similarly, and I have to get my 6 foot tall, 60 something man to rescue them. Not so long ago I found out I can’t even dig a hole… so I’m assuming my application of my Cert 3 in Horticulture will be theoretical… As for your sewing project, I have a history here… my Dad used to do my Home Ec sewing for me… What I’ve learned is just keep doing what you’re good at, and ask for help for everything else.
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January 1st, 2017 at 7:20 pm
‘…keep doing what youβre good at, and ask for help for everything else.’ I would, but the only tall guy I know runs a home handyman business and doesn’t work pro bono. π
Maybe that hole digging thing just needs practise?
Happy New Year to you and the GO. Yay, 2017. π
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January 1st, 2017 at 3:21 pm
Better resolution: forgive yourself, give yourself lots of time to finish complicated projects, borrow someone else’s tall strong man for a while – and let him do his good deed for the day.
Life is too short. Happy New Year!
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January 1st, 2017 at 4:08 pm
lmao – I’m more than happy for a tall strong man to do his good deed for the day. Know any?
Happy New Year to you too. π
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