The Right to Assemble

Finally, my microwave, the cart on which to place it and the bookshelf unit that I purchased were delivered yesterday evening.  What I didn't fully understand was that I was going to have to assemble the cart and the bookshelf.  I thought I was thought with furniture assembly when I finished the last of my IKEA products.  I would have gladly paid the delivery people to assemble the pieces, but they were running behind schedule and could not spare the time. The "chef," Yannick, did leave me his phone number if I need help. 

Come on, Charlotte.  You can do this.  You've done it before.  All that is true, but now I am hampered by lack of good tools and lack of decent eyesight.  Even with, or maybe because of, these progressive lens  glasses, I simply cannot judge distances, and constantly am fighting to figure out just where the hole is that some screw or joinery is supposed to go.  Most of the time I have to resort to simply blind feeling about.  It really becomes apparent when I try to get a key in any door lock, especially mine, these days.  So, yes, I have done the assembly bit before, but am not as well equipped as I once was.  I also seem to be suffering from declining fine motor skills, as I can't seem to hold on to a nail or a bolt without dropping it several times.  And, oh yeah, I can't drive a nail straight, either.  So, the task that was to take two people an hour and a half took me about 8 altogether.  But hey, I am retired, so I have the time.

I used my kitchen table as a work bench.  The instructions are almost non-existent:  just a series of line drawings that I had to get out my magnifying glass to read.  Last night I managed to get the hardware installed in the sides and the drawer assembled before there simply was not light enough for me to work. 

Together enough to hold the microwave

This morning dawned cloudless and bright. Plentiful light streaming in the kitchen windows meant that  I was able to get the cart put together far enough to at least hold the microwave, which I tested.  It works beautifully--after all those years without one, I seem to have joined the ranks of those for whom it is a necessity. This one will also grill, so I will be able to cut down on the use of my big oven, which is an electricity hog.  My friends in the US might be interested to know that the instruction manual comes in 14 languages, including Greek, Polish, Czech and Portuguese...a fact of life for businesses wanting to market their products in the EU. 

Doors are on, but sans handles

The cart is assembled, and needs to be leveled--I think the fault lies with my floor, not my handiwork.  And I need to attach the handles to its doors and  drawer, but that part of the process requires a drill, which I do not own.  I may be handle-less for a bit, until I can locate one.  

Now , on to the bookshelf!  Or to the phone to call Yannick.

Next--the bookcase