Lately, I have noticed I rarely take the time to read directions or the 'fine print' on things...all sorts of things. I bought a new lock set for my back door. I couldn't even find the directions, but forged ahead anyway. I figured I had enough common sense to do the job; I mean, there are only so many ways you can install a doorknob, right? Fortunately, in this case, I lucked out and my door locks just fine. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Now that I think about it, this is not a new problem for me. I recall quite a few years ago, when I was watching my young granddaughter. She had a bit of a rash on her bottom, so her mother told me to please make sure she was very clean every time she was done in the bathroom. She also said there was a box of wipes to use.
After several days, she questioned why the box of wipes was still sealed. I looked at the box in her hand and said, "I haven't been using those. I've been using the ones under the sink." She nearly fainted.
"Mom, those are Lysol wipes. They are for disinfecting and cleaning."
I checked. Sure enough, that's what it said right there on the canister. I just didn't read it. My granddaughter had no germs on her bottom. She had been disinfected for several days.
Now that I think about it, this is not a new problem for me. I recall quite a few years ago, when I was watching my young granddaughter. She had a bit of a rash on her bottom, so her mother told me to please make sure she was very clean every time she was done in the bathroom. She also said there was a box of wipes to use.
After several days, she questioned why the box of wipes was still sealed. I looked at the box in her hand and said, "I haven't been using those. I've been using the ones under the sink." She nearly fainted.
"Mom, those are Lysol wipes. They are for disinfecting and cleaning."
I checked. Sure enough, that's what it said right there on the canister. I just didn't read it. My granddaughter had no germs on her bottom. She had been disinfected for several days.
It isn't entirely my fault. Look at the tiny little print on these 2 make-up pencils. One is for brows and one is a lip liner. There are 78 million baby boomers in this country and we know the majority of us can't read anything that tiny without glasses. Why don't the manufacturers make the entire pencil in different colors so people like me can distinguish between them? I don't usually wear my glasses while putting make-up on my eyes. And with similar colors being used for everything, I didn't feel too bad when I used the lip liner on my eyebrows. 'Perfect Plum' eyebrows were rather interesting.
It isn't just the fine print I ignore. I can ignore large print also. All I read on this box was Shredded Wheat. Not the other words....BIG biscuit. What a shock when we opened the box.
Obviously, this not reading the fine print condition is hereditary. My daughter very seldom wears make-up, but lately she has been put some on when she is going somewhere. I asked after a week or so what she was using to remove it at night.
She answered, "Those pad things."
Curious, I asked, "What pad things?"
"You know, the ones in the bathroom in that jar."
I had no idea what she was talking about, but she showed me. I apologize for the blurriness of the picture, but in case you can't read the 'fine print' under the words, Medicated Pads, here it is: Hemorrhoidal / Vaginal Pads with Witch Hazel.
I can't even tell you how long we laughed over that one. Her comment was, "Well, my face doesn't itch." No, I'll bet it doesn't.
I certainly am glad I didn't choose nursing as my career path. You wouldn't have wanted me passing out meds.
I thank God on a daily basis for keeping me safe..from myself.
She answered, "Those pad things."
Curious, I asked, "What pad things?"
"You know, the ones in the bathroom in that jar."
I had no idea what she was talking about, but she showed me. I apologize for the blurriness of the picture, but in case you can't read the 'fine print' under the words, Medicated Pads, here it is: Hemorrhoidal / Vaginal Pads with Witch Hazel.
I can't even tell you how long we laughed over that one. Her comment was, "Well, my face doesn't itch." No, I'll bet it doesn't.
I certainly am glad I didn't choose nursing as my career path. You wouldn't have wanted me passing out meds.
I thank God on a daily basis for keeping me safe..from myself.
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