Diary of a Bathroom

July 26, 2010 ~ Remodel Day 1

The bathroom took on a few different forms on Day 1.

From this:


Which is how we left it for them.

To this:


Which was after the removal of sheetrock, toilet, tub, and vanity.

Then this:


Which was the laying of the new subfloor.

And at the end of the day, the front yard looked like this..........

Habitat for Humanity is coming next week for our
tub, toilet, sink, and the infamous shower doors!

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July 27, 2010 ~ Remodel Day 2

We got sheetrock on the walls...........

And an unplumbed tub installed...........

And we resorted to begging people for showers.

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July 28, 2010 ~ Remodel Day 3

I was gone all day for a workshop at school. I left before Bob
even arrived, so I was anxious to get home to see the progress.

I was not disappointed.


Not only did the cement board get installed on the floor and
shower wall, there was progress on the sheetrock (patching the
seams) as well as the plumbing for the tub. And as if that wasn't
enough, I discovered that part of the kitchen wall we needed
work on had been sanded and painted! Bob is a rock star.

Oh. But can I use your shower?

The End of an Era

Upon returning home from our second camping trip of the season yesterday, we had list of things that had to be done for Bob's arrival today.

Unlike last time, nothing on the list included a Lowe's trip. So I wouldn't have to stand in a corner.

Probably.

Our skanky bathroom saw its last two showers. Then we had to finish demolishing the remaining tile. A few hours later, we chiseled the final piece of tile and carried the skanky shower doors outside. Banished forever. And as sentimental as I am, I shed no tears as we said our goodbyes.

After countless trips to the dumpster outside..............


We were finally showerless...........


And so begins the remodeling. Officially. Bob just walked by with my bathroom door. The sheetrock is coming out next. Here we go....

I am giddy.

Panic in the Classroom

Three weeks are left of my summer. I am panicking. For lots of reasons.

But mostly because of this:


This is the current state of my classroom.

One word: overwhelming.

I don't even know where to start.

And I am not the most motivated person. I find lots of ways to piddle when I'm standing amongst a sea of unpacked boxes.

I'm very accomplished at dilly dallying.

Very accomplished.

And then there are distractions to contend with. Such as this:


Who put a sombrero topped bust of JFK on my desk?

I can claim the sombrero. It's a Cinco de Mayo staple.

But that is most definitely not my JFK bust.

Even so, I can feel the beginning of some excellent shenanigans coming on!!

Watch out folks......

Garage Sale Mishap

The fourth annual garage sale was a smashing success. We had fun. We made some bucks. We got rid of stuff.


But....it was a scorcher. Both days. Heatstroke inducing hotness.

And when you leave tea light candles out on a table in the heat, they melt.

And when you're clumsy and not paying attention, you spill them all over yourself when you go to pack them up for charity.

And then you have hot wax on your favorite t-shirt from Hawaii. And your shorts. And down your leg. On a superhot day.

Good times.......


The mission then becomes: How do you remove wax from clothing?

Determined to salvage this fave shirt of mine, I attempted a technique found by Schlager on Google. Materials needed: iron and brown paper bag.

After a trip to Dillon's to request paper, not plastic, I was set.

And so began the ironing of the shirt........with paper bag over it........to soak up the wax the iron was remelting.


And VOILA...........


Thank you Schlager. Thank you Google.

I Win & Other Stuff

The tub battle is mine. Bob agreed. It'll be a 30" tub. And I'm sure to behave in the future in regard to all remodeling projects.

On an unrelated matter, I googled the trial I had a chance to be apart of (but wasn't due to an unexpected torrent of tears). The jury came to a decision, and this article explains the whole incident and verdict very well.

And lastly, today while I bake in the sun at our annual garage sale, I'll think back to Tuesday's poolside sushi date with Nancy..............


And wish I'd done one more cannonball.....

Love & Hate ~ 2nd Edition

Hate: Cave Crickets

One morning before work, I was greeted by one of these, perched atop my bathroom sink. Like it was waiting for me...............


I hate these creatures. Almost more than spiders.

Well, more than spiders actually. Because they jump. High. And they're fast. Super fast. Impossible to slam with a shoe.

And they find you at the most inopportune moments. Since they seem to be nocturnal and show up while you're barefoot and groggy.

So what did I do upon noticing the little creeper?


Well, I trapped it, of course. In a mug. In the sink. And filled the sink with water. Then smiled a smug little smile and went to fix my morning coffee.

And upon returning, there he was again. Same place as before. Looking at me from sink's edge.

Smug smile gone when realizing he'd crawled down the drain, which I hadn't plugged, and up through the overflow drain.

Round two begins: Drain closed..........check. Captured in mug..........check. Water in the sink.........check.

Left it all for the mister to find when he got up for work later.

I did leave a sweet note explaining the situation.

That is why I hate cave crickets.

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Love: The Annual Garage Sale

This huge event is coming up this weekend!!!! It never ceases to amaze me, that even though we donate every bit of what we don't sell, we are able to fill a driveway again every summer.

My goodies are priced and ready! Unlike last year, I'm not parting with anything sentimental. So I'm sure not to get teary eyed over selling anything. And I'm hoping we have time for a fashion show again. Some different friends are joining the crew this year, so it'll be bigger than ever! And more fun than ever!

That is why I love the annual garage sale.

A Revelation

After a long day yesterday, I'm feeling better. A bouquet and brats from the Farmer's Market are sure to cheer a person up. And sandals from Target (on clearance) don't hurt either. Throw in a Starbucks Frapp, a St. George's bear claw, and a swimming pool and you're on the road to recovery.


I learned something about myself yesterday that I honestly didn't know. Or had never even really considered.

I was called in for jury duty. In my mind, I was prepared for a minor civil case or a home invasion. Never in a million years did I think the case would involve murder.

The day started out at 8:30 a.m. I made the first round and was ushered to the courtroom for mass questioning. At 7:00 that evening, I was brought back in for small group questioning.

The small group was seated where the jury sits. The judge, the defense team, the defendant, and the prosecution were all stationed in front of us. Just like on television.

I was petrified. It was surreal.

We were given the specifics of the incident. This person had already been found guilty. This would be a sequestered jury, and we'd be sent to another part of the state for this trial. We were then asked individually if we could deliver a death sentence. Because that was what the state was seeking. And that would be our job, as the jury.

All this being said right in front of the defendant. I'm looking at this person. This person was maybe 15 feet away. They were asking us if we had it in us to sentence this person to death.

One by one the candidates answered. In the meantime, I was having a panic attack. My heart was racing. Tears were welling up behind my eyes. I couldn't breathe. And then it was my turn.

I shook my head.

The prosecutor said, that for the record, the court needed a verbal response.

I muttered something that was supposed to mean no and proceeded to burst into tears.

I sure didn't know that was going to happen. And I sure didn't know that I felt that way. It's easy to say what you think you'd do in a situation like that. Until it's really happening. And you're facing it. I know what this person did was unforgivable. Terrible. Awful. But my heart just couldn't say yes. I think having to make that decision about someone's life would haunt me forever.

The whole ordeal made me thoughtful. Sad.

And an 11 hour day confined to the jury room didn't help my sanity either.......


Needless to say, I was skipped over during the remaining questions and promptly dismissed after 11 hours in the courthouse. Crying, whether intentional or not, is evidently a great way to get dismissed from jury duty.

I couldn't wait to get home.

Then when it was finally time to hit the hay, what do I see dangling above the bed?

A dang spider.

Really? Really????

With the mister being away, it was all up to me. I ran for a weapon. When I returned with a wad of paper towels the size of a basketball, the darn thing was nowhere to be found. I tore the bed apart looking for it.

It had vanished.

There was no way I was gonna inhale that thing in my sleep.

So I slept, fitfully, on the sofa.

July 9, 2010 couldn't get over fast enough. July 9th, 2010 is dead to me.

Luckily, the outlook for today is appearing to be much better. Look out flotation device, here I come.

Tile: Take Two

The shower tile is taking a different (and cheaper) direction. And I think I'm starting to like it. Now it's looking like this will go on the shower wall........


It matches the floor tile very nicely.....


And every few feet, we'll throw in a horizontal row of the glass tile as a fun little accent. Can you picture it?


This makes painting the bathroom a fun color MUCH easier. I'm thinking Marlboro Blue by Benjamin Moore........


And getting a fun shower curtain with a bold pattern will be easier too. Since I have skanky shower doors, I've been longing for a fun shower curtain all these years. I was so excited with the tile development, that I bought three shower curtains. But I probably won't make the final decision until the tile is up. Until then, you can weigh in on the choices.....

My fave of the patterns......from Target.....


Love the blue in this one, again from Target.......


And the last option is from none other than Wal-mart.......


Once the shower is done, I'll hang each one of them. Then I'll probably hem and haw over the decision for awhile.

So help me folks! Faithful readers, this is a chance to make your voice heard. Even if you've never commented before. Be crazy! Comment! Help me decide!! Cast your vote, if you have a fave, and give a detailed explanation why it's your pick.....

How teacher sounding is that?

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Every year around the 4th of July, a realtor who lives in the neighborhood decorates our street with little flags. The entire street is lined with them.......each house has one by the driveway. It's such a simple thing, but it makes me smile, and I look forward to it every year!


Red velvet cookies with patriotic colored sprinkles also make me smile! I usually make these around Christmas, but when I saw red, white, and blue sprinkles, I figured a summer batch was in order.


And lastly, a few weeks ago at a yard sale, I spotted this baby. I just had to have it.

Happy Fourth of July!

June 30th, 2010

Yesterday was monumental for a few reasons.

1. It was the fourth anniversary of the day I closed on my very own house. Bought by me. All by myself. GIRL POWER!

2. I was one of those people. I stood in line outside a theater waiting for it to open so I could see Eclipse on opening day. I am not usually one of those people. But I was, suddenly. Yesterday.

3. Yesterday was D Day. D stands for demolition. We tore the tile out of the bathroom. Flooring and walls.


It was fun at first. I did 80% of the floor on my own. I left the toilet area for the mister to tackle. But then we started the walls. I was over that in seconds. And in that moment, I decided that doing your own demolition, for the sake of saving a few bucks, is for the birds.

But this morning, now that I'm rested, the tile chunks are in the trash, the mister put plastic over a scary part of the bathroom wall, and I'm clean and no longer bleeding (yes, bleeding.......flying tile chunks are dangerous), it's not so bad. A day later.

What is bad is what we found under all that tile. We knew we had some issues to deal with. Remember that patched floor?


We were prepared for a bad floor. The floor tile wasn't even on cement board. They'd tiled directly to the wood sub-floor. COME ON!

We weren't prepared for a bad wall though......


Rot, rot, and more rot. A terrible patch job. Poor workmanship. And talk about creepy. That toilet has seen the last of me. Even though the mister put plastic over that area. No. Way.

Anyway, some of the demo is done. I have rugs strung out everywhere. We'll wait on the vanity, tub, and shower tile a little longer. It's our only full bath. And after all, we still need to shower. But thank goodness for another toilet.