There has been a running joke that DH and I cannot stop remuddling, er, REMODELING. This is a rumor. We have stopped countless times to go eat and sleep, then we start up again. When D3 left the nest, it opened up real guest room possibilities for the first time in, well, ever. Since we are expecting company in about 24 hours from now, it was a good time to perk up the basement where our younger two daughters have slept for at least the last 11 years since D2 left the nest to get married. It was showing its wear. As was the bathroom. So, before the door swung shut on D3's Big Move, we had a new bed in her room to accomodate a couple (hers was a twin size, so while it is cozy, would not be all that comfy for two). So here is the timeline the last few days: Friday: Go shopping for new sink. The kids' bathroom is the only one with a tub, but when we originally remodeled that bathroom about 16 years ago, I put in a kitchen sink with a spray faucet. It was great for bathing babies, washing hair, etc. But its time was overdue and it was looking a bit rusty. We found a great sink/cabinet combo at Costco. As one can't be real choosy at Costco, they have ONE, and no other choices, we picked other cabinets based on the color of the vanity, which is a dark espresso color. It looks lovely, and the bonus is, it has a granite top and sink built in. Our Home away from Home (Depot that is) was next, for a mirror over the sink,paint, light fixtures, and floor tile. We had priced out a new floor and it seemed ridiculous, plus it might take weeks to put it in, so we decided to put in a self-stick tile floor that has ceramic qualities. It looks good, priced right, and most importantly, we can put it in, save thousands and do-it-ourselves quickly. Lowes was next for a storage cabinet to match the sink base. Saturday:We demo'd the bath in a matter of hours and set to putting it back together. I have just gotten over being extremely sick so didn't want to go anywhere, so hey, why not destroy the bathroom? We also went to the plumbing supply and picked out a new toilet. DH and I are in our element. Foolish idiots!
The first funny thing we did was when we picked out a paint, I grabbed three samples that I liked. Out of those, I immediately chose a very pleasing chocolate brown. When hubby came over to the paint department, I showed him the three choices. He grabs one, the same one I liked. (No, I did not influence him in any way) We laughed when we got home. It was the exact same color we had picked for our room a month before. Anyway, painting, laying the floor, staining moulding, hanging cabinets took the better part of two days...a LONG time in remodeling world for us. DH hurried and put up moulding last night behind toilet and sink, as the plumber was coming today.
Full disclosure: We tried to pull toilet and it just wouldn't give. I looked down, realizing it was still hooked to water lines. We laughed and laughed as we averted disaster, thinking what might have happened if those water lines had been pulled out of the wall. DH swore me to secrecy that we wouldn't tell anyone. The blog doesn't count, right? You won't tell anyone, right? Next crazy moment was this: We bought a three light fixture and a matching four light fixture for the larger wall. He had just wired in the base for what was to be the four-light, when I glanced at the box and saw he was installing the other one erroneously in its place. Another good laugh and happy it was caught quickly. Crisis averted. Obviously, we are getting tired and things are going to heck rapidly as we determine that we should not work past 1 AM on projects. We are getting too old for this, but we do love it. We work well together and enjoy the process. We both have similar ideas of design and complement each other well: I focus on design, he focuses on the implementation, although we crossover often into the other's territory. He will suggest a design, I will say "Hmmm..." then do it my way. I will try and install something, he re-does it to his high(er) standards. It is a win-win. I think I'm loving his (partial) retirement. It is so much fun working together to build something beautiful. Remodeling is like a relationship. You work hard at it, you shuffle things around until they fit better, you compromise, you try to see the other's vision, you give in, or you stand firm, but then when all is said and done: It works. Thanks babe. You are amazing...I love us together.
PS D3 texted me from her new home to say she missed us. Although that is so normal, I know it's good for her. She also said I am "mom-like". That made me feel deliriously happy. That made my entire week! ILY Bubby
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