Did she ever get that bookcase built?

My bookcase project was indeed finished in time.  I started placing books on the shelves the day before Spring Semester.  However, in the excitement that followed the first week of school, I didn't have much time to spend arranging the books how I want them.  I will be posting photos as soon as the bookshelves are presentable, but for now I want there to be proof that the bookcase is done, so here is one of the latest pictures.  (Please ignore the laundry at the bottom of the picture.)

UCCS 2nd Semester, Looking Forward

It's the first day of school, and I'm early as usual, sitting at one of my favorite places on campus. I just can't get enough of this library, MY library. I arranged my schedule this semester to give me big chunks of library time in between each class. I learned from my experiences last semester that 5-10 minutes in between classes that were at opposite ends of the ~3 mile campus made for such a hectic day that by the end of it all I was ready to go home.

To be a student at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs you must pay $263 per credit hour (if you are a freshman or sophomore) or $278 per credit hour (juniors and seniors). The full-time student will pay over $5,000 in tuition plus $740 in fees EACH SEMESTER. Fees range from the modest $3.00 that goes to the Family Development Center to the $195.00 that goes to help pay off the construction debt for the University Center building.

I took a good look at my bill today and noticed that I pay so many fees on campus that I should be taking advantage of all the University has to offer me. Because I contribute to their income, in a way I own a part of each organization. I own the library, the University Center, the Recreation Center, the athletics department, the Family Development Center, I own the Student Activities Committee, the health center, and the shuttle that brings me to my car after the last class of the day. Because I own this campus, and because these professors work for me, and because in the near future I will be paying back my student loans plus 11% interest, I am determined to get the best education my money can buy.

I’m going to check out the gym today, and see about swimming laps in the mornings, joining a hip hop dance class, or climbing the bouldering wall. I’m thinking about joining a club, playing some games, whatever seems enriching. It’s going to be a good semester.

Almost done!

What's left?

1.   sand and stain 18 individual shelves
2.   install tracks into the columns and place shelves at varying heights
3.   relocate all books to their rightful home

Will I finish in time??

Last night I had a terrible dream that I finished the bookcase project, then stepped back to take a look at my hard work, and saw with horror that my bookcase was put together with such sloppy workmanship that nails were jutting out, corners were mismatched and jagged, there were huge gaps instead of smoothly sanded joints, and the books were tottering off the shelves.  

This whole being-sick nonsense is just not fair.  Spring Semester begins in 4 days and I have a lot of work to do before then.

I pulled myself together yesterday to go outside and spray paint in the sunshine and fresh air.  I had to change the color of these bright white tracks into something that would better match the stain I'm using on the bookcase.

MUCH better! No more stark nakedness.

The Bookcase Chronicles

I took a day off to socialize with my Mom and with my friend Jeff, and the next day I only worked a half-day so we could go have dinner with Dusty's family.  It is important to spend time away from work now and then.

THEN.......... I had to stop working on my project for 2 full days due to illness.  I have no idea what hit me.  It came and went so fast and so fierce that I didn't have time to blink.   Symptoms included: chapped lips, sinus related headache, runny nose, sneezing, right ear ache, right molar aches, swollen right lymph node, sore throat, sore down right side of neck and into shoulder blade, and just when I thought I was getting better I had the worst case of heartburn in my life that prevented me from sleeping through the night.

I'm better now, though.  And I'm ready to get back to work. 


This is what the first coat of stain was looking like before I got sick (and I will keep updating as progression occurs):

Bookcase Project, Part 5

Today I constructed the middle part that goes above the window, and I nailed the entire bookcase skeleton to the wall.  I hope that my next update will have a picture of something that actually looks like a bookcase.  :)

Bookcase Project, Part 4

Having taken a day off to go logging, and then having taken another day to strip the paint from the window frame, yesterday I finally constructed the main skeletons for the bookcase.

Logging for some warmth

I took an entire day off from the bookcase project to go with Dusty into the dead forest for firewood.

Dusty did most of the cutting, although I did try my hand with the chainsaw and enjoyed it very much, it was really heavy and I had a hard time holding it for long.

We had fun out there in the dead forest, and we came home with fuel for our woodburning stove.

The 3rd part of the Book Housing Situation

I didn't get a lot done yesterday.  I did a bunch of cutting and measuring and propping, and I suppose that counts for something.

It still doesn't look much like a bookcase yet.

My sister is coming over to help me today, so hopefully I'll have more progress to show by tomorrow's update.

Part 2 of The Book Housing Situation

At the end of the day yesterday, I had acquired all of my lumber, and all necessary equipment, I learned how to use my grandfather's skill saw, broke his jigsaw blade and purchased a new one, decided that I love his electric tools very much, especially his sander...


...and I spent five hours last night trying to figure out how to attach two boards at right angles...

This is all I had built by 8pm last night, and I'd say that's pretty good considering that I am a beginner carpenter, that this is my very first building project of any kind, and that I have no experience at all in this kind of thing.

I'm super excited to get to work today!  This is the kind of project that makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over...  knowing that fairly soon our books will have the kind of home they deserve.

The Book Housing Situation, Part 1

We have a lot of books.  And our books need a proper home.  This is why I have decided that my first building project needs to address the book housing situation.

Notice the leaning bookcase on the left below (and keep in mind that we are students and philosophers, and readers and writers, and just plain nerds/geeks who love information), which means that we will need better book storage sooner rather than later.

What a better time to start on a project than WINTER BREAK?!  I have until Spring Semester to finish this, so that gives me just about 16 days to do it.


The first step was to take all of the books from the current shelves, and place the old rickety shells in the shed until I can turn them into something else (maybe their future is to become a woodbox with wheels?).

Second, I made note of the dimensions of the new future bookcase.

The third step happens today.  I am off to purchase supplies at Home Depot or Lowe's (two of my favorite stores in the whole wide world).  I need pine boards, sandpaper, brackets, and some wood glue.


I  promise to keep updating on the progress of our bookcase.  Until then, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope you get to do everything you you plan to do in 2010.