Bookcases Revealed

Earlier this month I wrote about a new word I had learned and my goal to get this place organized after moving in right before Christmas and the New Year.  One of my projects was a place for the books.  There must be a place for the books, right?  Well, here you go!  This is what it looks like today!  It covers almost the entire wall between my son's bedroom door and the entryway.  








To my chagrin, I couldn't center everything because of the thermostat box.  However, I thought I was pretty clever to do the measurements and cut an opening for it to stick through the back.

But, I'm getting ahead of myself here.  Upon putting them against the wall, I rediscovered the wonkiness of our floors.  Not only were they not level, but they wouldn't sit side by side without gaps between.  My husband attached them to each other.  The units became one, so to speak, and I was able to attach the trim pieces.


I painted the inside backs a pretty, bright blue.  Made cutouts for the thermostat and electrical outlets on either side.  In the meantime, I had begun the process of sorting and bringing over books from the other house.  There are years and years of schoolbooks to sort, keep, or giveaway!  Not to mention, the other books we need. (And I do mean need!)

^ The picture above is before trim pieces.

< Here's a shot of the trim piece I attached to the tops of the bookshelves.  I just used Liquid Nails to do the job.  I attached plain trim at the center of the units to make it look more like one piece rather than two.  Also, I put thin molding at the base to make the unit appear more uniform since the bottom edges of the tall and short cases were different.

The left side is for

school books,

music,

and some old favorites....

On the right side are Bibles, reference books, study guides, non-fiction, and the grandkids books and toys.

Just so you know, this isn't all my books.  But I didn't really want the shelves in the main room to be overflowing.  There will be more upstairs in my room when I get another shelf put together.  My dad and I are working on a knock-off of one I saw in World Market that turns like a lazy susan with a full-length mirror on one side and shelves on the other!  I am super-excited about that one!!

This beautiful glass handmade candleholder is a housewarming gift from my sister-in-law.

Isn't it lovely?  One of her friend makes these.

Thanks for visiting today and have a lovely week!

I am linking to....

 

Bookcases and Other Stuff

This post could easily be titled "Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, Part 2," but decided against it.  


Some of you may have noticed that I haven't posted in a couple weeks.  I had every intention of doing so last week, because I have been working on my bookshelves and am excited to show them to you.  Here they are just after arranging and painting the backs.  I have added some simple decorative trim and filled them up!  More on that in the next day or two.

However, we received some difficult news last week that required travel, lots of family time, and time for me to process.  I wasn't sure if I would talk about it in this space or not.  I mean, I know I can write about whatever I want, but I just wasn't sure how personal I wanted to get on this blog.  


Let me just say that during this extremely trying time, the Lord has been evident.  Things that needed to be taken care of were accomplished with relative ease and we were guided by some very understanding and helpful people wherever we went.  Our family is comforted and we are making adjustments.  The Lord is near.

If you are a pray-er, we welcome your prayers.  And thank you in advance.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes....

The last week flew by in a flurry of activity.  

Isn't it funny how life's rhythm beats chaotically at times,

 carrying us along almost against our will.  

The "must do's" overtaking the "want to do's."  

Last week I had to do something difficult.  For the last decade, I have been involved with an arts organization as an actress, singer, stage manager, assistant director, writer and office manager.  It was my privilege to work with and be taught by some extremely talented people in the process.  We performed in churches, on streets, in homeless shelters, libraries, nursing homes, schools and a couple show seasons in an historic movie theatre.

Last week, we had to close.  The board of the organization decided to shut it down.  It was a shock -- but not.  Finances were tough.  Worse than tough.  Years of accumulation had to be packed and moved, or displayed to be sold.  

For those of us deeply involved in this organization it was an extremely emotional task.  How do you just stop doing something all of a sudden and move on when you've been doing it for so long?

My friend, mentor, and our fearless leader said that it feels like she'll never do theatre again.  My response was that "never" is a very long time.  

I know that many people the last several years have been faced with losing a job, having to change careers, or been forced into a life-change for one reason or another.  Questions about the future dominate the thoughts.  It appears dark.

While considering these things, my reading last night took me to Psalm 112.  Verse four reads, in part:

Light arises in the darkness for the upright....

Light arises.  The dawn comes.  His mercies are new.  The Light.  Jesus.  God's Word.

There is hope.  We are not alone in this journey.

For this fact I am truly grateful.

How have you been encouraged to carry on when the future seems dark?

2012 Goal - Bundobust!

While playing Balderdash with friends on New Years' Eve I learned a new word - bundobust.

It is a noun meaning to have one's affairs in order, well organized, arrangement, preparation, a system or discipline.

Fitting, wouldn't you say?  At least it is for me at the moment.  Oh my goodness, when I look around and see all the projects before me I'm tempted to just go back to bed.  Yikes!  Not to mention the personal, work, and spiritual goals I have set for myself.  

There's the remodeling list which includes the projects I've spoken about before including (but not limited to) installing floor tile where the dining room wall was removed, painting various rooms that are still white (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, hallway), and attaching decorative tile to the backsplash.

I'm actually kind of excited to be able to call it bundobust rather than organize or discipline or routine.

Makes it feel like I'm setting brand new goals rather than new versions 

of the same old goals!

For instance, I intend to bundobust my collection of books by setting up bookcases along this wall:

My closet will be nicely bundobusted when I get more shelving, as well.

The laundry room could use a bit of bundobusting, don't you think?

See?  Isn't it fun?

A personal goal I have for 2012 is to get better at playing the piano.  I will accomplish this with a bundobust including regular practice times, committing to learn a new song or two each week, and using skill building exercises to strengthen my fingers encouraging speed and accuracy.

My spiritual bundobust will continue to include regular Bible study, prayer, and journalling.

I pray your efforts to bundobust your lives and homes 

are fueled with inspiration and met with great success!

What will YOU bundobust this year?