A Lesson in Patience and the Like

The title of this post really only has to do with one small part of my life as of late, but I couldn't think of a better title so it remains 'A Lesson in Patience and the Like'. But I guess it is appropriate, as I'm sure you all have been patiently waiting on me to get my act together and finally update you all on my most recent adventures and for that I do apologize. Although excuses are generally lame and insufficient, I will try and explain the details of my ridiculously busy life as a way of explaining away my lack of communication.

The day after my last post I left for Maryland to go to my cousin Shane's wedding. Although I spent most of Friday and Saturday in the car alternately driving to and from the wedding, the trip was well worth it as I was able to see my lovely family whom I have missed dearly. I don't think I realized how much I missed them until I was face to face with them again on Friday night. Even though I only got to see everyone for a very short amount of time, it was a nice refresher to help me survive until I get to see everyone at Christmas.

Immediately upon arriving back at the house, I had to head up to Orientation for a full week. I know you may be thinking 'But Bethanie haven't you been in Kentucky for a while now?'. Well, CAP runs an Orientation every few months and I missed the last one by two weeks so I found myself heading up to be oriented just about two months after I arrived here. It was a very long week of lengthy meetings and group discussions and seminars with the final crowning moment of the week being a group of us reading the Volunteer Handbook from cover to cover out loud. Fascinating, I know. I would be remiss however in leaving out the wonderful moments I had with my fellow volunteers in between the sessions. I got to see some of my friends that live on the other side of the state who I don't get to see very often due to the distance between our volunteer houses. And I was able to form even closer bonds with some of my roommates that I don't work with everyday.

And all of that brings you up to date to last week in which I spent a good portion of my time exploring a new hobby - building mini corn hole. I had never heard of corn hole until I came to Kentucky, but for all you North East people its a game that involves two boards that you set about 20 feet from each other. The object of the game is to throw bags into the hole in the board or on top of the board. You score 3 points for getting it in the hole and 1 for on top. (You can find more specific and complete rules at http://www.playcornhole.org/rules.shtml). I decided to try and replicate a tabletop rendition of this game that I had seen being sold at a festival we went to. I made a set for Kate because her birthday was today and I must say I am pretty proud of how they turned out. Maybe I'll start selling them to supplement my $75 bi-weekly stipend. 

And now last but definitely not least, the reason behind this blog's title. I have completed another task off my 101 list - #34: Build a piece of furniture. I learned over the past four or five weekends how NOT to build a picnic table and in the process ended up with what you see below - 10 feet of beautiful treated 2x6 lumber in the shape of a table.

The issues we (Kate and I) encountered on this adventure were endless and would take far too long to recount to all of you, but I feel I should at least give you the highlights. But before I give you that, I must share a disclaimer for at least part of our struggles. The plans we were given were written up for us by a former CAP volunteer. Unfortunately for us, his hand writing is less than desirable leaving a little too much up to our interpretation.

So with that in mind, here are the best of our worst moments.

• Mishap #1: we cut a 45 degree angle on the table legs instead of a 15 degree angle which resulted in our table being suitable for extremely vertically challenged people.
• Mishap #2: we used the wrong type of bolts/screws to put together the legs of the picnic table which meant we had to remove them all and replace them which meant re-drilling all 16 holes.
• Mishap #3: we had re cut the legs of our tables with the correct angle but when we set our bench we realized our table was now only comfortable for people with very long torsos. For people of normal height/build, your feet were on the floor and the table top was just under your chin.
• Mishap #4: in order to make our table comfortable for average people we had to shave some inches off the top of our table which meant re-drilling half the holes (again).
• Mishap #5: we set the benches so that there was only a 12 inch overhang on each side, but then we realized most people need a little more cheek room than that so we had to take apart the entire bench in order to make it a roomier 18 inches.

Well, I think that about sums up our most thrilling moments with the table, and now you probably understand what I meant about a lesson in patience. Every time I look at the table now, I am alternately proud and enraged. Its the most intense love/hate relationship I've ever had with someone/thing. But it is another thing done off the list and for that I am happy.