If I Had A Hammer...Slow Progress

I finally got going on that bookshelf I've been wanting to make. Usually little crafts like this can be done on a Saturday, but for some reason, we've been dragging it out. I think it's because I'm not in "project mode". When I am working on BIG projects, I don't clean up the mess every day, and I work through nap times, and get going as soon as the kids are in bed at night. Lately, by the time the kids are in bed, I am ready to veg out too! I am SO exhausted all the time, I wonder if my iron is low. Today I headed back to my bedroom to fold laundry while Quin was watching Dora. I got so lightheaded that I sat on my bed, then ended up snuggling up with a pillow.

Quincy came in 45 minutes later to tell me that Dora was over. WHAT? Yeah I am a good mom. I'd TOTALLY fallen asleep and let my 2 yr old roam free in our house. (please don't call CPS)

ANYway... here is the progress report on the bookshelf:

I borrowed a router from a friend, but having never used one, I just couldn't figure out how to get it to do what I wanted it to do. After getting very frustrated and giving up, Aaron made a phone call and took my cut pieces of wood over to his buddy's house and returned 30 minutes later with it routed EXACTLY the way I wanted. Awesome, thanks Randy!
And thanks Aaron, for just "fixing" the problem. Usually I get mad when he steps in and solves a problem. This time, I am super grateful for his natural need to "just fix" what's wrong. I still need to sand up the rough edges, but it looks great!
Measurements made, shelf placement marked, shelves labeled and cut, MORE measurements made and marked for holes for the dowels. Since the shelf is so large, I plan to secure the dowels in place using finishing nails and a nail gun, but I wanted to sink the dowels into the sides with wood glue for extra stability.
I used 7/16" dowels, and a 7/16" drill bit. The guys at Lowes said to use a larger size bit, but I am glad I didn't listen to them, because the holes are the perfect size. I didn't want the holes to go all the way through the wood, but I wanted them all to be a similar depth. A little trick: tape off the end of the bit to use as a guide.
See? Now I can tell how deep my holes are, and stop drilling when the tape lines up with the wood. Not perfect, but they are much closer than had I tried to eyeball the operation. My dad would be proud.
And this is where I quit tonight. Some of the dowels are still a little too long, but I need another set of hands to help hold everything in place to measure correctly. Once everything is the correct length, I'll glue the dowels into place, then hit everything with the nail gun.

Still on the To Do List:
-measure and cut the beadboard so it fits on the back of the frame.
-nail the beadboard into place
-sand and caulk everything so it's pretty
-paint
-pray that it doesn't fall apart the first time Quincy climbs it like a ladder.
-vacuume all the little wood splinters off my living room carpet!
-Make mini version of this shelf for Big Willy's room. (Aaron had that piece routed tonight too...smart guy, thinking ahead!)

It doesn't look like much right now, but it will be FABULOUS when it is finished! I can tell already...and for 7 bucks? woot!