There is a popular children’s book titled, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, that I am sure most parents and grandparents are familiar with. The premise of the book that the cookie is only the beginning of a seemingly endless request list. The original book by Laura Numeroff has spawned a whole series of similar titles such as: If You Give a Pig a Pancake; If You Give a Moose a Muffin; If You Give a Cat a Cupcake; and, If You Give a Dog a Donut. I have a suggestion for a new book in that series – If You Build a Girl a Bookcase.
I have been living this book – If You Build a Girl a Bookcase – since November 2012 when my boyfriend Mike successfully completed the built-in bookcase I envisioned and requested he build. What I envisioned and the way it ultimately turned out were not the same. It turned out way better than I had imagined it would. Well, that got me to thinking. If he can build me such a fine bookcase, what else could I have him build me?
I cannot express how fabulous it is to have a handy boyfriend. He knows how to do all kinds of home improvement things, and what he doesn’t know he takes the time to learn about. He had never constructed a built-in bookcase before he built mine. Since then I have managed to think of all kinds of other projects for him – surprise, surprise. That is what happens when you build a girl a bookcase…she just keeps going down her never-ending wish list.
I have been considering having him do other bigger projects now that I am fully apprised of his potential. I have thought long and hard about having him do a complex built-in dining room bookcase/seating/table alcove design that has long been in my head. I have also pondered a built-in bookcase/wardrobe in the bedroom. I have to catch myself when I get started thinking about these projects, take a deep breath, and remind myself that one house can only have so many built-ins before it becomes overwhelmed. That usually calms the overwhelming desire to have him start yet another project for a week or two.
It hit me today though that it would sure be nice to have a nice little studio cottage in the yard near my garden. Mike has never built anything like that before, but I am confident in his ability. I haven’t yet designed my studio cottage in my mind, but the idea is starting to take root. I do believe the yard is my next frontier.
Can you imagine what will happen if he builds this girl a cottage? Well now, that is a whole new book. 
Day one thousand three hundred and sixty-nine of the new forty – obla di obla da
Ms. C
