It’s the first weekend in a long time when I didn’t have research or writing that I should be doing (finally finished the term paper — woohoo!), so I decided to tackle a few of the seemingly endless items on my household fix-it list. My 13yo offered to help, and together we repaired a cracked bed boxspring (too many dog-piling boys!) and installed a ceiling fan in my bedroom.

Isn’t it pretty? It took about three hours, and I’m pleased to report that there was no bloodshed or electrocution involved, although I did cuss a couple of times and dropped a screwdriver on my foot. I have installed a ceiling fan once before (replaced a light fixture), but this was the first time that I replaced a whole fan with a new one. I called my dad for advice on the wiring to be sure I understood the instructions, and I thought I put everything together the way the diagram showed. Unfortunately, when I turned the switch back on after the whole thing was assembled, nothing happened. 😦

My fingers and arms were so tired from holding them above my head all that time using a manual screwdriver; not to mention that my knee was expressing extreme discontent from standing on a ladder. I had to call it quits for the day. I will re-inspect the wiring tomorrow, if time permits. and see if something perhaps came loose during assembly. In the meantime, I have a lamp in my room. It’s kinda cozy, actually, but I do miss the fan. (I know I could call for help, but it irks me that I couldn’t do it myself, and besides, none of my parents need to be standing on ladders, either.)

Anyway, after all that, I forgot that I needed to bake a few dozen cookies for work tomorrow, so I was on my feet for another hour-plus doing that. I’m ready for a hot pad, some ibuprofen and bed. At least the bed is fixed! :p