Mangling my own items

[tarotfindsandmore]

Why does it seem that the older I get the harder it is to open a box?  I seem to have lost the ability to do anything gently anymore.  I actually had to include a line about ME wrecking the package on a new item in the description in one of today's listings.  I took a perfectly pristine box and wrecked it while trying to get to the contents to take pics of the item. When did I become so feeble? or brutish? or whatever it is that has made it impossible to just delicately open a box? I've only had two cups of coffee today for crying out loud.

Am I the only one?

[mtgraves7984]

Am I the only one?

@tarotfindsandmore 

When it happened to me, I got creative with other tools. Like a wallpaper smoother to run under the glued corners. 😊

[pickapaper]

@tarotfindsandmore 

It gets worse.  

The most important tools in my kitchen are a pair of scissors, a heavy knife, a box cutter, and a screwdriver.  And these are all just to open packages with.

A lot of it has to do with loss of strength in my hands but a lot of it is also the way things are packaged these days.    One day, my DH asked why, for just two people, do we have so much trash?  I pointed to something I had just opened and said, "That right there is a good example"; it was a box that had to be cut open and then had an inner box and layers of cardboard and styrofoam packing and other stuff. 

And let's don't even talk about trying to open those sealed plastic packages that hold batteries and things.  

[tarotfindsandmore]

It's the tiny ones that give me the most grief.  Things that are so small I can't get most tools under a corner.  Today it was a box with a bottle of perfume, last time it was a crochet hook.  It's like I'm wearing mittens or bbq gloves...but it's just my old grandma hands.

Those infernal plastic packages just have to wait for my son.  I can't risk putting out my own eye or cutting off one my useless digits with those miserable things.

[toysaver]

As I have gotten older I noticed they have developed machines to make bottles jars nearly impossible to open.   I guess it's for security so somebody doesn't try to add poison to the pickles.  

[tinsoldierunderground]

While I appreciate the sellers who like to do bulletproof packing, it's difficult for me to unearth the packaged item in many instances without damaging it.  I too, keep a variety of implements in the kitchen/dining room area for this purpose. scissors and single edge razor blades are among most reached for tools.

I still have enough manual dexterity for the most part, although hand strength and steadiness have diminished somewhat.  You're certainly not alone.  

[tinsoldierunderground]

And yes, those damm battery packages are the worst!!!!!

[gloryglorygifts]

You reminded me of a sale I had last month for 10 beautiful picture medals. When I was processing the order, I dropped one of the medals, stepped on it, and gravel on the bottom of my flip flop got embedded into the picture. I ended up sending a message to the buyer saying you were getting 9 and and partial refund. They were very nice about it and even included a photo in the + feedback. I am becoming a klutz in my older age. 

[chapeau-noir]

Well, I have strong, grabby hands and can rip things open with my fingernails, and I still have problems with those stupid battery packages.  It's not us, folks, it's the weapons grade packaging.

[tarotfindsandmore]

It's so sad.  I used to be able to crochet, embroider, quilt, paint, and all kinds of other delicate, precise things.  Now, I crochet with blanket yarn (the stuff that is so big it looks like it was made by Fisher Price) for an hour and wake up with T-Rex claws the next day.

[chevymontecarlo88]

@tarotfindsandmore  Maybe it is time for a bigger cup 😀

[tarotfindsandmore]

That's perfect!! Maybe I could even sit in and absorb the caffeine transdermally!

I am very jealous of the young lady in that picture.

Then again, adding potential shakiness to my already semi spastic paws might not be the be the best move.

[chevymontecarlo88]

Maybe I could even sit in and absorb the caffeine transdermally!

@tarotfindsandmore 

Reminds me of a funny story (at least to me) that i hope you don't mind me sharing and hopefully will not gross anyone out. I remember i first moved out to LA (early 90's) and visited the famous Venice Beach. I remember walking through the crowd of people and seeing tents set up where people would sell incense, art, jewelry and all kinds of things you would see at the beach for tourists to purchase. At that time coffee enemas (cleanse) were popular and being administered in these tents that thousands of people would walk by 🤢.  No, i did not participate in any of that butt (😆) many stood there waiting to be called into the tent. Blew my mind and all i could wonder was where were they dumping the coffee after the procedure. 😳 Never did find out where. 

I still prefer drinking it. (call me old fashioned) 

[tex-421]

Huh, I keep a claw hammer by the mail box, doesn’t everyone?

[soh.maryl]

At the grocery store, as I'm checking out, I have to resist the ultra-powerful urge to ask the cashier if she/he can loosen all the lids on the jars and bottles.  Or I could pay them to come home with me and loosen, sort and put away my groceries.