random thoughts - Day 1,994 (Monday) - labor day labor

Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend were heavy on R&R. Labor Day itself started out easy, but somehow turned itself into a day of labor. There was a tentative plan to go to a consignment shop with Mom, but first I had to do the unemployment weekly thing, and then there was some background preparation for an interview this week. 

Disassembly commenced.

When I checked in with Mom, she didn't feel like going out any more. That set me (finally) on the adventure of the disassembly of the bedroom built in dresser. It had been thought about and analyzed for weeks, since discovering the limited capacity of the drawers. The drill had been charged. A plan had been formulated. 

The drawers were emptied and the contents arranged in the recently painted drawers from the chest where they used to reside. The now-emptied drawers were removed, which in some cases required a lift and a yank to liberate them from the staples attaching them to the sliding mechanisms.

The strip of something rubbery that trimmed the top of the unit along the three walls it sat against was removed. It took close to forever and involved a utility blade, screwdriver, needle nose pliers, and blow dryer. The next step was to start the unscrewing, which is where it got frustrating. The screws weren't flat head, so I started with the Phillips head drill bit. Nothing productive happened. 

The cell phone was used to take photos that could be reviewed. The heads were square, which became my introduction to Robertson screws, thanks to the Internet. There was a side quest to find the proper drill bit. StepDad next door had one and I was back in business. It took several hours to remove screws, lift the top out, lift the shelf out, and slide the front out. Nothing was demolished or even damaged, and everything was placed in the shed pending a decision on what to do with it next.

The various paints in a closet were reviewed and one selected for the alcove from which the unit had been removed. Old wallpaper marking the location of the former unit needed to be covered and the rest of the wall needed a fresh coat. The can was labeled "front spare bedroom," which didn't seem like it referred to the main bedroom, but the color was workable. The lighting was tough due to it being overcast and late in the day. The overhead light and a lamp were enlisted, but it was a little tricky.

Emptied and painted.

The alcove was painted. Tomorrow, it will be examined in better lighting and if all goes well, the chest of drawers will be set into the alcove. If all does not go well with the examination, it will get another coat of paint. 

Once the alcove and chest of drawers are set, attention will be directed to the companion dresser and mirror. These will be sanded and painted black and the set will match again, a state in which it hasn't been the entire series of decades it's been in my possession. Most of the time I've had these pieces they haven't lived in the same room, so matching wasn't a concern. The mirror has sat on a mantle, its dresser has served as a dining room piece holding art supplies, flat completed works, and table linens. It will be fun to have them match and be in the same room. 

It was a satisfying day of labor with visible progress. If sanding wasn't so messy and I wasn't tired, I might have started working on the mirror tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Definitely soon.