So it's official. I'm moving Saturday morning. And now I begin the packing process. Fortunately, my physical possessions have slimmed down over the past year. I think it may have something to do with having moved 3 times! And, the fact that Goodwill is a permanent tax write-off for me at this point.

Oh, and pictures of the platform bed will be posted tomorrow. I expect oohs and ahhs. Our next big project? Built-in reading/breakfast nook. There's no stopping me (and my table saw) now!

There was a mission Friday - build a King Platform Bed Frame.

Task 1: Buy Tools
Thankfully all the crazy shoppers were at Best Buy and the Mall. Home Depot wasn't nearly the madhouse I was expecting.

To complete my wanna-be-butch-lesbian carpenter starter kit:
An early Christmas present from Amanda: 10" Bench Table Saw with Stand and a few "to me, love me" presents: Ryobi 18 Volt Super Combo II (6-in-1 kit), Skil® Jigsaw, and a Skil® Sheet Sander.

Task 2: Buy the Materials
It amazes me how friendly men can be when they see two women in the lumber section.

Headboard/Footboard
2 - 1x12x80" - Poplar

Side Rails
2 - 1x6x82" - Poplar
2 - 1x2x78" - Pine

Center Rail
1 - 2x4x8' - Pine
(although, you really needing 2 more rails)

Slats
12 - 1x3x8' - Pine strapping

Hardware
Set of Bed Rail Fasteners
Set of Center Rail Fasteners
(Both are specialty hardware that I could only find online - Rockler.com)
A bunch of screws, 1", 1-1/4", etc.
1" Brad Nails

Task 3: Build the Bed
I measured out the rest of the needed cuts, since the helpful gentlemen at Home Depot did most of the exact cuts.

Not really sure which saw to use (I had so many options), I busted out the reciprocating saw and that seemed to work well for most of my cuts. Well, once I went back out and bought a set of C clamps to hold the pieces in place.

And, after several small trips out to the local Wal-Mart for the right screw lengths, the bed was underway. There were really only a few small flubs (screws in the floor, put the bed rail fasteners on incorrectly and cut a couple pieces too long (phew, easy fix).

When everything was said and done, the bed fit together seemlessly, it didn't squeak, and more importantly the mattress fit.

I built my first major piece of furniture. Not in two weeks, or two months, but in one day. I'm off to tend the fire and figure out what to build next. Lots of scrap wood to utilize!

It's Thanksgiving morning...

I have built us a little fire (well roaring actually).
The duck has been rebasted.
The dogs are fed (round & happy).
I will now begin cooking a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

THE PAOMNNEHAL PWEOR OF THE HMUAN MNID

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it
deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod
are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and
lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a
taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey
lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh?

PITY - Party of One.

Okay, so I think I'm going to set a new record for the most moves in one year. I have given a 45 day notice and will be moving (somewhere) by December 15th. I've decided that I can not live in a situation where I have to worry about what others do (or more importantly do NOT do). I simply need my own space where I only have ME to blame if it is not cared for.

After looking at a very dismal first choice (2 br in Belmont) I was a bit overwhelmed... Sooooo, I did what any other self-pitying lesbian would do. Eat and shop. Okay, so most lesbians would just eat. The shopping comes from some inner childhood trauma (or so say the experts).

Instead of turning back up the hill to my dead-end street. Miss Anthony kept ong going.... back to the comforts of home - the South End... Deluxe. Grilled Cheese. Dirty Martini (ooooh, so dirty). And, of course, a short trip to Virgin Megastore. The entire night cost me less than $100. I think therapy is finally paying off.