I started with an old book, unavailable on the Internet, that I last read as a kid. But it’s one of those books you just don’t forget – you know what I’m talking about; it’s different for every person but it exists.

I converted that one using a flat-bed scanner, and it just ruined the spine. After I turned the text into bytes, I went to work on it with the skills I picked up at my last job – good for something then I guess.  A few hours later and I had a corrected document, then on to epub and lastly .mobi. Perfect!

Then I discovered DIYBookscanner.org. I’ve been obsessing over the forums over there. The idea behind their design(s) is firstly to make a book scanner out of cheap parts, and to use a (minimum 8MB) camera instead of a flatbed scanner. The rigs are built ideally for two cameras. Then use free software to stitch the pictures together, run ‘em through more software for ideal images, then OCR the result.

I’d like to jump right in and create one, but their latest design is built around using a CNC router. I have a few tools in my garage, but that particular machine’s not in the budget. I’ve read where some have laid out the paper on plywood and used it to cut out the parts. I may end up doing this, but it seems to invite inaccuracies. Especially given the non-printing margins on my printer. There are no measurements given in the CNC router plans, except one (1) line that says it’s 12 inches long.

I’m trying to decide if I should use a previous version; and if so which one.

But in the meantime, I did decide on which method of lighting to use!  I bought high powered LEDs from Hong Kong that should do the job just fine. Based on recommendations at DIYBookscanner.org of course.

These tiny little beasts put out a lot of light!

Handling a string of these is made easier but this little thing called a BuckPuck.

My neighbor was kind enough to solder these together, now I need to attach ‘em to my frame.

The power source is an old PC power adapter, fits nicely in the range of the Buckpuck.

And here’s my aluminum frame, hacked together. Now, should I use thermal paste or hold down the lights with screws?

But then I started adding new plants.  As I thought I should,  I first added some compost, including some humus. But nothing I added thrived, indeed the only new plants that survived were more mature transplants from the box stores. FYI, I’m trying to grow stevia this year, its leaves are really very sweet.

Here are the plants, the new ones are struggling.

The only herbs growing are the ones whose soil I did not modify.  And that’s mainly because there wasn’t room in the square.

I debated whether to buy the prepackaged Mel’s Mix and just fill in the malfunctioning squares or to mix up a whole new batch. Well, it would take several bags to fill in what I want to replace, and at $20/bag…  Although, if Marshall Grain had been open when I went out last night it might have been a different story.

I actually added six composts, instead of the recommended five. But then again I’m not sure if that molasses counts as a compost. The woman who worked there recommended it based on what I already had.  But after I mixed it in, I wonder if it’s really a compost. Unlike the others, it has a strong fragrance, which probably means there still something active in there. I’m not certain it is wise to be messing with Mel’s Mix ratio; it didn’t work out so well with the new plants. I guess time will tell.

After I laid out all the ingredients (1/3 compost mix, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 coarse vermiculite), it didn’t look like I had enough of the composts.

It may have been misleading, kinda like the Titanic with that iceberg, but I added more of the composts anyway.

Here it is, mixed.  Which involves dragging the now heavy plastic sheet this way and that until it looks uniform.

Then I had to remove the frame which, according to Mel, is the difference between having a Square Foot Garden and having a raised bed. First, I removed the new growth and wrapped it in a wet towel. Then I started digging out the old dirt which was a real shame because it looks perfect for growing.

Here are the beds with the replacement soil, and the new plants moved around a bit.

In the meantime, I reworked all the indoor plants. They were hanging on for dear life as well. I removed all the plants from their pots, put all the dirt in a single container, and added copious amounts of vermiculite and fresh potting soil. Then replanted.  See, I believe the major problem with the potting soil I got (Miracle Grow Organic) was that it has poor drainage; I’m hoping vermiculite is the answer. More waiting and seeing.

Here I had to strip off the old wallpaper. It was tough sledding with just my scraper, but then my wife came along and sprayed it with a water-fabric softner mixture, and bam! it came right off.

Painter’s tape.

I’ve also put the mirror back where it belongs, rather then in our hallway.

Textured.

The color picker at work.

Ooops, missed a spot.

Still need to do a few things, like finish the door trim, put in the toilet, add baseboard. And oh yeah, tile the tub.

But I got to a point where I said f* it. I’ll have to trust that the work I do will not leak and just move forward. The amount of time that has lapsed is unconscionable.

and so, and so, and so

So the tubs in place, and the studs are furred. More or less. Next, the 15# felt goes up. This covers everything, and makes it everything all right! Well no, but…

Then, backerboard!

Now, let’s add drywall!

Although there is a long way to go, adding the backerboard and drywall makes it seem so much further along.

I had to expand the holes a bit to get the pipes through.  That turned out to be a mistake, as the pipe on the right fit right where the original hole was.  And the waste pipe could have been smaller.  I hated doing this part, because I had to turn off the water in order to remove the valves in order to keep the holes small. Ideally, just a bit bigger then the pipes. Then there’s always more water coming out AFTER you removed the plastic bucket. So I’ll patch those holes and call it done.

Now, anyone know how to mud?

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. Now that I’m done, I feel like I need to talk about it! Anybody?

View all my reviews

Here’s where the RotoZip came in handy:

That tool just cut right through those nails in seconds. Handy!

That wood is warped and twisted every which way. I used many thicknesses of furring to flush it out.  And then re-did it when I couldn’t drag a straight edge all the way up across multiple 2x4s without gaps!  Still can’t (quite) but it will have to do.

Now I may have to redo it because the lip has a slight angle.  I set the furring flush with the top of the lip, not the bottom. -sigh-

What a waste of money. The tub was loose, the surrounds had a lot of give and none of it would ever have been waterproof.  And he use plain drywall screws to attach the surround. That would have lasted a year or so. After months of doubt, I tore it all out and returned it.  Well, I tried to anyway.  On two separate occasions I stopped at the front desk and asked if I could return it, even though it had been installed, and holes cut in it. They said sure, no problem, just bring it in.  So when I finally did they said no, it has holes in it, we can’t resell it.  Ass hats.  I didn’t use their store for months afterward. Well, they did refund the tub price.

But let me back up a bit.  I never did post about installing the CBU and tile.  Here’s the floor after it was slathered in mastic and covered with backer.

Here’s the tile layout.

Cleaning up after grouting.

Here’s Madison, thinking she will have a new bathroom soon. Guess I fooled her, huh. -sigh-

So basically, the bathroom has been used as a storage closet for the last two years.

After much harping, complaining and snide comments, I went back to work. First, I had multiple Skype conversations with my friend who used to work construction. And who is, incidentally, a member of Mensa. He showed remarkable restraint and gave me a few pointers.

First, I had to get a tub. Before it was finally placed (set in cement as it were) I must have set it in its alcove and removed it 15 times.  Good thing too, as it can’t be slid in; it has to be set directly on top of the pile and smooshed until it’s resting on the ledger board.  Doing this isn’t as easy as you might think. I couldn’t drop it straight in as the spout and handle protrude out from the wall. So you have to tilt one end, then schooch it over and drop it in. It’s a tight fit; I ended up sanding some of the 2x4s for that little extra space. Anyway, practice made perfect and it seemed to work fine.

I didn’t want to use cement for the bed. The instructions said to use paster of paris or casting plaster.  Well, that’s $60 I won’t ever see again.  You see the white rings on the felt above?  That’s about as far as I got.  The stuff turned to stone while I was still mixing it. I tried to dump it out by upending it, but it was too late.

So I ended up using cement. Much easier to mix and plenty of working time.

So I placed the tub, then nailed it in.  Had to use shims everywhere. Between the settling of the house and the careless construction, there’s nary a straight or even board to be found.

Today I started furring above the tub. This allows the backerboard to come down over the lip of the tub without bowing.

I had the insulation stapled directly to front facing part of the 2x4s. Today I decided it would be better to staple it to the sides instead. This would make it easier to work with the furring strips. There’s a lot of guess work with this process.

When I was done, I noticed all the dark spots on the wood where water had penetrated. Mostly it was where the drywall had been nailed.

It would probably have been fine, but I erred on the side of caution. I took a large drill bit and cleaned out that nasty stuff.  Then I filled with wood filler.

After I sand that down, I’ll continue with the furring and hopefully the backboard!

It’s been nearly FIVE MONTHS since I signed the papers for the siding on my house.  Apparently there was a big mix up with the colors, between the siding company and James Hardie. I probably still wouldn’t know about it if I hadn’t called.  This siding company has an outstanding reputation on Angie’s List.  We will see how they fare on the list after they finish the install. They did extend a 5% discount from the quoted price. That is nice, but COMMUNICATION would have been nicer.

But there is a problem. The coupon(s) aren’t scanning correctly. Bam, the register is locked up. So we (by this time there are more people in line behind me) wait while the cashier goes to find someone to call for a CSM.

OK, now this is where I start to like the cashier!  While he’s waiting for CSM to come, he jumps on another register and asks if he can help me. As I’m approaching, she gets a panicky look and sounds out “Can you call the CSM again?  I’ve got a doctors appointment in five minutes!”

As the cashier is helping me with my thirty second purchase, I begin to smile a little. As I walk out, get in my car and drive away, I’m thinking that she may be there awhile, waiting on that CSM. Ain’t karma a bitch?