Cube Party

Sigh.  We're doing exactly what I didn't want to do...We are going to live in our renovation. 

Our funds are running low and in order to complete the renovations, we decided to move from the town home rental and into the construction zone. 

We're very fortunate to have one bathroom and two bedrooms completed.  According to my parents...

"All you need is a microwave, toaster oven, refrigerator and bathroom!" 

To ease the stress of moving, BF rented a Go Mini storage container.  I think they look like cubes.  They're smaller than PODs or SAMs but just perfect for our needs. 

BF showed his parents the Go Mini cube.  It looks as if they're having a little party, drinking a few longnecks. 

Wish us luck as we venture into the next phase of the renovation!

Sneak Peak: Wallpaper

Check out the beautiful wallpaper in the master bedroom. 

I bought the rolls at Lowe's and the pattern is named 'Spanish Tile.'

I am giving BF's mom a big THANK YOU for hanging the wallpaper. 

She happily hung the wallpaper while reassuring me how BF would like my second round of paint for the other walls.

Air Duct Bench & Night Stand

I love the little bench and night stand BF created in the second floor guest bedroom. 

Although it looks pretty darn cute, it has a practical purpose.  It covers the ugly air duct sticking out in the corner of the room. 

BF covered the side boards with bead board and placed a hand-made cushion on top.  The night stand is made from re-purposed granite.

BF is convinced his work is one of the best ways to hide an air duct.  I have to agree with him. 

Kumquats & Broomsticks

Home renovations can be very stressful, especially when being married to someone who is completely hopeless.

BF decided to relieve some stress by using a broomstick and kumquats for batting practice. 

Like most boys, he had lots of fun playing baseball. 

I'm not sure if it was because someone was watching, but BF missed hitting several (many) kumquats.

TMF, "Um...since you're not hitting the kumquats, why don't you try hitting some oranges?"

BF, "What are you trying to say?!?!"

TMF, "I'm saying oranges are bigger and will be easier to hit."

BF, "Just you watch."

He proceeds to swing and hit many kumquats.  He continued by plucking the remaining oranges from the tree and hitting those as well.  The backyard smelled strongly of citrus afterwards. 

Air Duct Platform Bed

The upstairs guest bedroom presented a few challenges.  In one corner, there's a portion of an air duct sticking out.  The air duct doesn't allow us to use a traditional bedframe.

I was extremely annoyed with the position of the air duct.  At one point, I wanted to ask BF to move it.  Then I decided I'd rather move sooner than later.

BF's design skills kicked in and he quickly created this platform bed.  Bailey likes it too :)

Sneak Peak: Bathroom Wall Tile

Here's a sneak peak of the our guest bathroom wall. 

I originally only wanted a small area around the sink to be covered with the backsplash tile.  My dad convinced me to fill in the entire remaining wall. 


BF groaned and complained at the extra time and cost, but I think it'll look very nice. 

Green Flux

BF is soldering copper pipes as I visit him in the master bathroom...

TMF pointing at the propane flame, "Oh look!  It's green."

BF, "Yep." I think he's concentrating.

TMF, "Is it a reaction between the flame and flux or something?"

BF, "Yes it is."

I'll admit I'm pretty proud of myself for even knowing the word "flux."

A few moments pass as I watch the flame while BF is working.

TMF, "What's the difference between soldering and welding?"

BF long pause, "Well...do you know what's going on right here?"

TMF laughs, "No, I have no idea what's going on!"

Swedes & Instructions

BF, "Those Swedes have nothing on me!"

After BF finished installing the new bathtub, new toilet and floor tiles, I asked him to assemble the IKEA bathroom vanity for me.  

He opened the box and pulled everything out. 

TMF,"Wait, don't you want to use the instructions?"
BF, "Those Swedes have nothing on me!"
TMF raises an eyebrow, "Really?"
 His reference is towards IKEA's Swedish company heritage.

A few minutes pass...

TMF, "Um...are you sure you don't want the instructions?  Look!  You don't have to read anything, they only have pictures."

BF gives me the "Fool, please" look.

A few more minutes pass...

TMF, "Here look at these pictures."

BF finally relents and glances at the booklet I pushed towards him. 

He proceeds to have an unintelligible conversation with himself, the booklet and the unassembled vanity.  He also undid everything he did. 

You know he means business when there's a backwards cap.



Cousin Bagster

It was a sad day when my Beloved Dumpster was taken away.  We still have many items to throw away, but we didn’t want to pay another month’s rental fee.  BF purchased the Beloved Dumpster’s baby cousin-once removed. 

Meet the Bagster.  It’s not made of clanky, industrious metal nor is it as big, but it’ll do.

You buy the bag, fill it up and call Waste Management when you're done.  There's an additional pick-up fee, but it's still cheaper than renting a dumpster.  It's pretty amazing, but BF was able to fit the nasty bathtub, yucky drywall and plenty of other gross debris inside the bag.

  

Picnic on the Septic Tank Mound

There is a beautiful live oak on the corner of our lot.  You’re probably thinking, “What a lovely place for a picnic.  Look, there’s even a picnic table.”  Well…

Not sure if you can tell from this picture, but the picnic table is sitting on top of a septic tank mound. 

Some friends stopped by and were grossed out.  “Why would you want to eat on top of that?  That’s just nasty.”

BF responded, “Yeah. Why waste time?  Skip a step and throw your food on the ground.” 

I researched our home and discovered sewer lines were installed a few years ago by JEA.  What a relief.  Now we don’t have to worry about sewage backing up in the septic tank.   

If it weren’t for the sewer lines, the septic tank mound could become soft, mushy and very stinky.   Then we would have to pay to have the septic tank pumped out.  Yuck.

Now we have to figure out a way to either hide the mound or remove it.  That’ll be another time and a different day.

Two Shades of Green

Staring at the newly painted second floor guest room...

BF, "What's wrong?"

TMF, "I think I wasted a day's worth of work by painting the walls two colors, but they look the same."

A few moments pass...

BF, "I think you're right."

TMF, "I'm also beginning to think it's too much green."

A few more moments pass...

BF, "I think you're right."

TMF sighs, "I'm off to the store to buy more paint."

I originally planned to paint two different shades of pale sage green.  I painted one section, waited two days, taped off the edges and painted the second section with the paler green.  

Although the shades of green appeared different on the sample card, they looked too similar afterwards to notice a difference.  

Then I started painting the slanted ceiling/walls.  During the middle section near a skylight, I stopped to realize it was too much green.  Now I'm off to another trip to the Lowe's paint department.  Is it bad how some employees recognize me as soon as I walk inside the store? 

Shower Door

The selection of Lowe’s in-stock shower doors didn't have I really wanted.  Many appear as if they belong in an RV or mobile home.  I wanted a shower door that looks clean, sleek and simple. 

Did you know clean, sleek and simple also means expensive?  I poured through several websites and decided to make it easy by ordering a shower door from Lowe's website. 

 

BF, “I’m at Lowe’s picking up the shower door you ordered.”
TMF, “Okay…”
BF, "There’s another door marked at the clearance price of only $100."
TMF, “What’s wrong with it?”

I specifically asked BF to bring over BOTH doors so I could make an easy comparison.  He brought over ONLY the clearance priced door.

As you guessed it, I didn’t like the cheaper door.  I wanted to like it.  I tried to convince myself to like it.  But I didn’t like it.

I thought I could get past the light bronze frame, but I really preferred the silver.  I thought I could get past the striped textured glass.  I realized I like the clear glass more.  The only aspect I liked was the price, but the lower price wasn’t enough.  BF ended up driving back to Lowe’s to make the exchange. 

King Size Doggie Bed

Hi Everyone!  I'm still alive.  It's been a little crazy at work.  I haven't been able to post as often as I would like. 

BF requested I post these pictures to show everything is okay.

Bailey's grandma bought this wonderful new doggie bed.  Doesn't it look comfortable?  We decided to not let him use it until we move.  It gives him something to look forward to along with the big backyard and new places to sniff. 

BF gave Bailey a sneak peak and he loves his new bed.  He loves it so much, he decided to take a nap...

Life is ruff.

And yes, it's personalized with his name. That's how we roll.  Woof!

IKEA: Round #2

BF, "The sink cabinet is too big."

TMF, "Are you serious?  We have to exchange it?"
BF, "It'll be a really tight fit if you don't."

TMF, "Can we go to IKEA together?  I can't move this stuff by myself."

BF, "I can't take off any time from work."

TMF, "WHAT?"

Thank goodness for friends who are involved in semi-long distant relationships.  My friend Courtney agreed to meet me at Orlando's IKEA while visiting her boyfriend.  Without her help, there was no way I could move the porcelain sink and its cabinet by myself.

I also want to thank BF's parents.  They let us keep the IKEA purchases in their storage shed.  Calvin was extremely helpful in transferring the larger sink/cabinet from the shed to the truck.   What can I say?  I am helpless when it comes to moving things. 

Just our luck, it was the windiest day of the year throughout the state of Florida.  

Through a lot of laughter, flying hair, flying tarps, pushing and pulling, we returned the larger sink/cabinet and purchased and loaded the smaller sink/cabinet in the truck.

Our crazy laughter drew the attention of a nearby amused shopper and she offered to snap a few pictures for us. 

Whew!  Afterwards, we headed towards the cafe for Swedish meatballs, stuffed salmon and lingonberry juice.