Jen the Tool WoMan

I’ve been admiring this Adirondack chair from The Company Store for quite sometime, but I felt like the price was just too high. The last magazine I received from them had the chair on sale, so I just had to get it for Hannah. I’ve always loved Adirondack chairs, and Hannah really needs a seat of her own. Besides that, it was a bargain! Steve has been in “bargain shopping” training since we met, so this was just another opportunity for me to show him how it’s done.

The chair arrived yesterday, and I was a little overwhelmed when I saw all the nuts, bolts and screws that came with it. I really wish I would’ve taken a picture before I got started so you could truly appreciate my accomplishment. After we finished dinner, I sat down in the floor with the chair parts and my screwdriver.

The Company Store did a good job of putting labels on all of the wooden pieces, so it made it pretty easy to figure out which pieces I should be using where. After about 30 minutes of using my screwdriver, I remembered we had something else.

I’ve enjoyed making fun of Steve since we got married because I brought more tools to the marriage than he did. Since we’ve been married, Steve has acquired a power tool – a cordless drill. He’s even used it a few times! Well, last night it was my turn to show off my skills. Sure, I had a little challenge trying to get the screw bit to stay in the drill, but I figured it out and away I went assembling Hannah’s chair.

I think the total assembly time was almost an hour and a half, but I persevered. I figure this is just the beginning of putting together toys for Hannah, so I might as well hang in there. Besides, it was good for practicing patience – something else that I’ll need plenty of in the coming years.

Just before Hannah’s bedtime, the chair was complete. Ta da! I think Hannah really liked it was well. It’s a good thing the weather is cold outside right now because I don’t think she wants me to put it on the front porch.