Picture Update

Here they are, as promised.

Ahh, relaxation. This wasn't what I thought my first nap in the bathtub would look like. Also, I never thought the cat would join me (she's tucked into the space under my feet).

I haven't yet introduced our helper for this project. She is so knowledgeable in the ways of being a distraction.

This is something I never thought about when starting this project, and it just shows how little I know about constructing houses and their various parts. Right now, there are wires coming out of every nook and cranny, like so many tentacles. It's as if our house is alive, protesting it's unfinished state.

Close quarters, so pardon the angle. This is about the best I could do. Missing from this picture are the studs for the far wall. They are in though, so just imaging 2x6 studs, every 16 inches. 

  

The doorway leading to the bathroom sits right in front of the window overlooking the back yard. I can't get over how gorgeous it is, even from our bedroom hallway. We've taken the best views in the house all for ourselves. I would feel guilty if I didn't pay the mortgage.

Here is part of that view. I love it, even when our yard is a bit of a mess.

Things have slowed down more than we thought. Work has been busy for both of us, leaving little energy for the to-do list left on the project. We have one light up, which is exciting, since the fixtures we chose are some of my favorite parts of this whole redesign. As always, pictures to come.

Days 04-07

I have pictures and updates galore. But the breaker that the computer is plugged into has been off for the last few days, so I haven't been able to process photos yet. We've made good progress, but we did not meet our June 24th goal. We did, however, finish framing. Having the space defined brought on a surreal moment for me. Our hard work and planning was outlined. Our plans were made into a 3D sketch right before our eyes. I couldn't help but see where every fixture would sit, every angle the light would brighten. It was beautiful already, even though it was still hollow; still just framing.

I feel like I'm writing about something much more profound than some boards and wires and pipes. People do this everyday and it's just a job to them. But it's a lot more than that to me. Watching David challenge himself and succeed the way he has been is amazing. He cusses his way through each puzzle or problem, but solves it in the end. This is our first big project together, and making our way through it has been a small, yet significant journey. I'm looking forward to the end result in a lot of way that aren't necessarily obvious.

Hoping to have pictures processed tonight for an update. Thanks for following along with us!

Bathroom Days 02 and 03

We've been busy. And by we I mostly mean David. I didn't have the time to take off of work, but luckily I work for an awesome company that let me work from home. This way I didn't have to worry about commuting, and was here to lend a hand when needed around getting my actual work done. While not doing the hefty lifting, I like to think I've been an integral part of this process. Also, the wall we have up was totally a team project and I'm super proud of it.

The wall is lovely and scary at the same time. There is no going back now. There wasn't really going back before either, what with the bathtub in our sitting room. But this is much more real. There are screws in the floor (along with the aforementioned hole). The room is now definitively divided. I can't wait to add more.

That was all yesterday's work. Doesn't seem like much, but we are quickly learning everything takes about 5 times longer than you think it will. Especially when you have never done it (or haven't done it in a really long time). Today wasn't much different in the time department, but David will tell you (hopefully in a blog post!) that it was infinitely harder. Not only did he hang all the new pipe in the newer end of the house (the bonus room), but he also drilled and jackhammered multiple holes in the foundation where the original house and the bonus room meet. It shook the whole house and sounded like the sky was falling. But 5 hours later, he emerged once again, victorious. House: 0 David: 1

Bathroom Day 01

There has been a hiatus, but we are back now. Today was the first official day of the bathroom renovation. The goal? To have The Perfect Bathroom done by Sunday, July 24th. Please wish us good luck and God(or your chosen deity)speed.

It always strikes me as odd that the first few days of any construction looks like nothing. The only signs that David did any work today is the hole in the floor, which in an other circumstance would be a Bad Sign. But it's actually a very good sign. Progress was made today.

It was hard won for sure. This week is David's vacation. And he spent the first day doing something he truly hates; he went under the house.

David is a Man's man. He can chug beer and throw a punch with the best of them. He fells trees and shoots guns and I find this all sexy and awesome. But there is one thing he cannot stand doing, and that is going under the house. It is smelly and dirty and dark. I don't blame him for his hatred of this task. What keeps the manliness in it is that he does it so I don't have to.

I wish I could say it's the last he'll be seeing of the underside of our dwelling. Unfortunately, he'll have to do it at least another time or two before we see the end of this project. We also have to lay down some traps for some less than welcome inhabitants. Apparently, the term Rat City still applies.