After my oldest brother and I moved the big heavy washer and dryer into my basement this past Saturday I didn't really have the energy to tackle my shelving project until the next day. I slept in until the nice late hour of 7am Sunday morning and then shuffled about for an hour or so trying to completely wake up. It was still overcast at 7am but Jazzmin's internal doggy watch apparently felt it was time to wake Mama up so she was at the side of my bed staring at me until I acknowledged her existence. I enjoyed my breakfast and then decided to tackle the shelving project. I opened up the box my drill came in and groaned at my stupidity for not charging the battery the day before. Curious, I pressed the trigger and was pleasantly surprised to find that the battery had come fully charged. Apparently I'm not the only DIYer out there who lacks foresight. I then gathered up all the tools necessary for the job including the shelves, brackets, supports, level, drill and 3/8" drill bit and headed into my youngest daughter's bedroom. My oldest daughter helped put up cute wall clings over my youngest's bed and I didn't really want to rearrange them because they never stick right the second time. I managed to find a spot for each bracket that did not interfere with the clings and that would provide proper support for the shelves. I set about mounting the brackets which first involved using my level to make sure they were straight and the same distance from the ceiling. I then made marks with a pencil until I somehow managed to lose that pencil in my daughter's bedroom and was forced to get another one. I also managed to misplace two screwdrivers that I didn't find again until the project was done. In the process of climbing up and down off the bed and in and out of the room to fetch things I discovered that it's not only possible, but highly likely that I will step on a bright orange and black cordless drill even though it isn't in my direct path on the floor. I stepped on the drill and the drill bit several times and I don't recommend doing so. I would've put the drill up somewhere except then I'm certain I would have managed to somehow lose it. I do believe I've mentioned before that I am not grace personified. Drilling the holes for the wall anchors was enjoyable in that using power tools always makes me feel rather rawr. My little drill didn't have as much oomph as bigger ones but it worked. Making the holes was actually the easy part, cramming the anchors in was a bit of a pain. Next time I'm choosing my own anchors because the ones that came with the brackets had to be squished down and shoved in and by the time I was done, my finger strength was about gone. Live and learn like always. When the brackets were mounted I stepped back and was pleased to see that they actually looked level and evenly spaced! I then grabbed my shelf supports...and discovered that they didn't fit the shelves. Ugh. So much for the employee at the home improvement store actually being "helpful." I was dismayed that I couldn't finish the project right then but I already had plans to meet a friend for lunch and there just happened to be another home improvement store near the restaurant. I showered the sweat off, dressed and headed to the store and sure enough, they had the right length and style of shelf supports. I returned home from lunch with my friend and quickly finished the shelving project. I then began artfully arranging my daughter's plethora of toys and stuffed animals on the shelves. I made her favorite toys easily accessible and put the ones she probably forgot she owned on the higher shelf knowing I could always get them down if she wanted. I then made her bed with fresh sheets and comforter and tidied a bit more and stepped back to admire my work. I was certain she'd be pleased with the results and I was indeed quite proud of myself. There had been a couple minor snafus but nothing I couldn't handle. When I brought my daughters home later that day I suggested that my youngest check out her room and she eagerly stripped off her coat (throwing it on the floor) and ran into her bedroom. My oldest was on her heels and I smiled when they both expressed how surprised and pleased they were with the shelves. My youngest immediately began doing stuffed animal roll call and was soon happily playing on her bed. I sat on the bed with her while my oldest went to do more "mature" 10 year old girl things and we all had a lovely rest of the day. This single white female can do it herself and the rewards are well worth it!
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