Math, Mulch, and Mr. Murphy

So the plan was this -- 10 cubic yards of mulch delivered on Thursday night and 5 guys coming on Saturday to help spread it. Sounds like work, but not too bad.

Well, factor in Mr. Murphy's Law and add it all up again.

Now you get 5 cubic yards at 6:30am Saturday morning and 0 guys to help spread it. Who let Murphy pass the bar anyway? Why does he get to write laws?

The Mulch Man called Thursday night and was running behind schedule. "I'm not going to make it tonight" That was disappointing, for sure, but not totally unexpected. He had first told me he couldn't deliver until Saturday and then was able to "work me in" Thursday night. Well, thanks to Murphy that didn't pan out. "But don't worry," he said, "I've got your mulch. See you first thing Saturday morning. Most people won't take deliveries that early." Well, who can blame them. I don't like getting up at 6am during the week and I don't like doing it on Saturday either.

Saturday morning at 6:15am the Mulch Man calls. "I'm on my way, but I've only got 5 yards." What?!? "I knew I was low but I thought I had 10 left. But the stuff at the bottom was contaminated." Contaminated??? "You know it was a little dirty, with some other stuff mixed in." What to do? Murphy strikes again. I guess I'll take the 5 now and get 5 more later. After all, we've got help coming today to spread it.

Then two people couldn't come. Darn Murphy! Then three more couldn't show either. Murphy, I've had enough! You will not defeat us!

So, Melissa, Delaney, and I spread it ourselves. It covers the whole play area, but we'll get the other 5 yards this week and spread it on top. The prep took considerably more time than the spreading, anyway. Hopefully we'll get the other 5 yards this week. Murphy, stay back. Get thee behind me, Murphy!

No hard feelings to those that couldn't show up to help. It was completely understandable and even laughable in the end. In fact, they're coming tomorrow to help with some other stuff. I think. Even the Mulch Man was a nice guy, but I think he overextended himself.

And I've got a picture of Delaney on top of the mulch mountain, but I'll have to pull it from my Palm and upload it later. Monday, maybe...unless Murphy has other plans for me. Posted by Chris on 3/27/2004 08:40:00 PM :: Permalink   
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