I think I'm a genius!
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Bree does not.
So, the tiling of the bathroom began last weekend and went pretty well. As I started to tackle the corners and around the toilet I started to have difficulty. I just couldn't get the right angle on anything and I was starting to believe that I should have re-thunk becoming an engineer (not that I ever really thought of being an engineer - I use words like "re-thunk," after all).
Then, this morning, it hit me!! I could just make a paper template first and then cut the tile!
I thought this was remarkably brilliant of me. Bree figured it was something that many people have done. Ah well...I may not be a genius but I have a pretty bathroom floor!
First days
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Don't even ask me about the bathroom. It's a process people!
Last year I worked part time for the school district and I was pretty blissfully happy. Of course this means that they had to screw it all up and tell me that I could no longer work part time - full time or nothing! It was a difficult decision, but given how ready Wyatt is for learning it seemed like the right thing to do.
That was May. Today....I'm not so sure.
Wyatt started school today. First time ever he has been without me, Graham or Bree. We both cried...a lot.
"Um, I'm not so sure I have everything in here mommy"
"Ah, yes, I definitely need my blue uh oh"
"Yep, that should do it."
"Come on, Jessie, let's do this!"
"Wait. What is it we are doing again? And are you sure it's a good idea?"
We both survived. Wonder what tomorrow will bring?
I can tell by the look on your face...
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That you are not that impressed.
Trust me...a lot of work has been done!! Only one piece of drywall on this wall but that's a new fancy tub underneath all that padding (and by "fancy," I mean "clean").
So, here is how it all went down. On Thursday evening I went to Home Depot and bought nearly everything I needed. In order to do this I had to rent a truck and needed a lot of assistance from my friendly Home Depot helper. Now, let me just take a minute here to say that I am not what you would call a feminist. I like for Graham to hold my door and put gas in my car. I like to be the one to cook the dinner and do laundry. I also, just so happen, to really enjoy home DIY projects and I'm generally pretty good at it. Graham doesn't enjoy it so it's not something he does. He helps me with the heavy lifting and anything else that I ask but it's not something that he would ever initiate. So, honestly, when I go to Home Depot and they start asking questions like "Well, does your husband want to do ____ or ____" I just smile and answer. Totally not offended. Mostly.
Anyway, so I (not my husband) rented the big huge man truck and nearly peed my pants driving it home - it was a bit scary. I bought my tub, toilet, vanity, sink, sink faucets, tub faucets and drywall. As well as various other needed items. Graham did most of the unloading and then I got most of the bathtub installed that night. It wasn't extremely difficult but was a little on the tricksy side. Now, true renovating genius that I am, I bought a one handle shower handle versus the current two handle that I have. My friendly Home Depot worker assured me that this was an easy fix and that "my husband" would have no trouble getting it done.
Friday morning I headed back to Home Depot to get the plumbing items I needed and mixed up with a little Lowes to look at tile. Bree went with me and when we were nearly there Graham texted to say that Wyatt had locked him in the bedroom and he couldn't get out. Right. So, we turned around and came back to "save" him. So, when we got to Home Depot and the man immediately started in with the "What does your HUSBAND want to do" the irony was not lost on us that they were referring to a man who was just locked in a room by a 3-year old.
So this time I felt compelled to correct the friendly worker and assure him that I was doing the work and was completely confident. I bought all my plumbing goodies and left the store feeling very much like Betty Badass. I got home, took one look at this:
And said "Yeah, fuck that!" Went straight back and returned it all. Two handle fixtures it is!!
Today was drywall day and it went fairly well. Other than the one board above the bathtub, I also finished this wall. Yes, that is a huge crack on the top. That's what putty and tape is for...right?
Scorecard:
Time spent over the past 2.5 days: Around 12
Cost for bathtub, drain and drywall: Less than $200
Trips to the HD: Enough to prompt one employee to say "I'm going to give you an apron and put you to work"
Number of hours Wyatt was allowed to play video games today so he wouldn't get in my way: 8
Alrighty then...
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Now what?
Drywall is completely gone, vanity gone, and toilet is completely gone. Notice that there is some old tile placed over the toilet hole because Graham was worried about 'gators getting in the house. *
Scorecard for the day:
Hours: 3-4
Cost: 7 bucks for a new toilet shut off valve
Injuries: Bleeding toe
Times I had to call Pa: 2
Times Graham said "You'll never get that toilet out of there": At least 40, maybe 700
* Ok, ok, Graham didn't actually say 'gators. However, his reaction of "Oh my god, you better cover that up. Something will come in the house!!" said 'gator to me.
Love you honey!
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