Stu News and Photos

Leslie and I just put together this magnificent bastard. And yes, I mean that in a George Patton way.

Sincerely, no real knock on Stiga, but they could really use some assistance in the instructions area. Gee whiz, I mean, really! Wow. What a giant pain in the butt, completely.

First, after we bought it, they wouldn't help us put it on top of our truck. Apparently they have a liability issue. Ok, yeah, I kinda get it, but what a suckfest! So I paid $20 each to two Home Depot guys who were not supposed to do it either. But they were quick and got that heavy son-of-a-gun on top of the roof.

And to those of you who scoff and think I'm too old to lift such a thing, consider that it weighed 190. So back up, and step off!

Ok, so we drive home, slow. Real slow.

Eventually, we get home, into the driveway, and get out, only to realize that we have to get the One Hundred And Ninety Pound Box Of Joy down! That's when Leslie really stepped up, and continued to be a perfect partner, no lie.

First, she jumped up on top of our Xterra and helped shove the thing to the edge. Then she jumped down and helped me slowly lower it to the ground. Success.

Except that we still had to put it together.

On hindsight, I would have not used the #13 bolts for the base when they specifically wrote #19 bolts in the instructions.

It really was bad, in that the instructions were written in half the words (and half the point size) required.

Again, the light of my life stepped up, partnering with me beautifully, creating perfect sync. When I got too tired to understand the directions, she took over and set things right. When she couldn't suss out which way a flange was supposed to sit, I was there to shrug my shoulder and mutter, "I have no idea". We were a match made in heaven.

Thank the Lord, we finished as the last of the sun was whispering goodnight. Now it sits in the garage and makes our children happy.

If it weren't for Leslie, I would have been lost, no doubt. But that's ok, I make up for it in bed.


PS- What I've Been Listening To While Writing This:

Somebody Loves You
by
The Delfonics

Time To Get Down
by
The O'Jays

Love Buddies
by
Billy Paul

P. Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)
by
Parliament

I'm In Love
by
Bobby Womack