A 2x4 by any other name

Did you know that a 2x4 does not measure 2 inches by 4 inches? It's more like 1.5 by 3.5....does that make sense to anyone?  I wonder who named it a 2x4 when it isn't 2x4?  And those 9 inch wide boards I bought? Not 9 inches either.  Now I knew about the 2x4's, but I expected 9 inch boards to be 9 inches.  I guess I've learned my lesson!

I'm in the garage today starting on my new storage shelves.  I was off to Lowe's and perusing the aisles of wood, trim (thinking of another project), bead board (another project), baskets (you get the picture), and then I finally got back to the 2x4's and loaded up. 

Why 2x4's? Why not something nicer, more finished?  I thought about this.  I decided to go with basic, cheap (they are only $2.47 each) lumber to build basic shelves at this point.  I just need to stash stuff.  When I get to the point of building "mudroom" type storage near the door, I'll do a more finished look.  Working with inexpensive pieces allows me to test my basic shelf ideas and do it cheaply.  And without planning.

Back to the "2X4" boards: When you forget this, and measure based on this width, the above is what you are left with.  I wanted the depth of the shelf to equal the "supposed 9 inch" boards, and it's a simple x+y-a type of math.  And I was a math/accounting major in college, so I should be able to handle this.  After I figured out why I had 1 inch of overage (each board being 1/2" short than the 4 inches I added in), I just went with it.  I'll add some trim or something to fill it in.
See why I'm not using the good stuff yet? Here is the side of my shelf.  Since I have studs attached into the concrete wall, I am just building sides and then attaching them to the wall studs.  

shelf/wall section

shelf  side, not attached.....

....and then attached to the concrete mounted stud.

This? Just the 4.5 inches I had to cut off the length when I realized that the ceiling was not, in fact, 8 feet high.

So this is how far I got before the bus came today. And you know what? Looking at these pictures I realize a problem I will need to correct first thing tomorrow! (I think....) So this is how I roll. Cut, measure, think, install, rethink, redo and start again. And that's ok, because I enjoy the process. I learn a lot this way also, so there's no harm in trying and failing. Tomorrow's a new day! Bring it on!