the hammock project, part 1

When i moved back home, not only had my old room been overtaken with sewing, scrapbooking, and various craft supplies, but i didn't have a bed anymore.  My old waterbed had a leak so we got rid of it...all except the headboard, which makes a lovely bookcase.  When i moved home, we gradually began moving some things out of the black hole that my room had become.  I was given an old full size bed with box spring that my youngest sister had been using.  It was already an old bed that had been given to us used, but i was glad that it wasn't a twin, even if it was only standing on the floor and there was no frame.

But that was a couple of years ago.  All that remains of the black hole is one bookshelf that is still filled with scrapbook supplies, empty boxes, file boxes, and gift wrap.  I have most of my room back.  But the bed...the bed is dead.  Springs are starting to poke out of the mattress and there is no support left.  This is disagreeable for anyone, but especially for me because i have a bad back.   When i first started using this bed, my back appreciated it and felt much better; now there isn't a morning that i don't wake up with my back complaining.

Well i am between graduating from college and finding a job at the moment.  Looking on CraigsList...beds seem to be going for $400 upwards.  I definitely can't afford that.  But no more can i afford to keep using this bed.  So i started dreaming of buying a hammock again.

Way back in 2003, before i even got my GED and decided to go back to school (this time to college) i moved in with my aunt and started paying her some rent.  She didn't have an extra bed, so i slept on an air mattress for a while.  I didn't have a bad back yet, but my back didn't particularly care for this mattress when my job required me to be on my feet all day long.  So what i really wanted to buy was a hammock, but upon some research i realized that it was beyond my budget.  So we bought a couch at a thrift store that was like new because it had just been recovered.  That was quite comfortable and served me well for nearly a year before i moved away.

But this time...i really wanted to make a hammock setup work.  Hammocks are good for your back.  Hammocks themselves are relatively inexpensive, it is the hammock frame that costs a lot (upwards of $100, which is extreme for my budget).  And then i stumbled upon this video.

RayD888 apparently sleeps in a hammock that has bolted into the wall.  All that you need is your hammock, two eye bolts, two carabiners, and some rope.  Much more cost effective than a hammock stand!  So i broached the subject with my father.  My mother tells me that he cannot comprehend why i would want to sleep in a hammock.  He has no back trouble whatsoever.  Well he didn't object at the time.  It wasn't until over a week (something like 10-14 days) after i ordered my hammock that he told me that he didn't want me drilling holes in the studs in my bedroom.

By that time i had already purchased my hammock online and received it in the mail.  So what's a girl to do?  Stay tuned for part two.