Nifty Night Light

BF installed this nifty night light in the downstairs guest bathroom. 

Don't quote me, but I think there was an extra outlet space already installed.

The night light turns on when the sensor doesn't detect another light source.  

If you look closely, you can see how the sensor is currently located at the bottom right corner.  BF unintentionally installed the light upside down.  He figured the vanity light's rays should have reached the sensor.  The night light is always on.

Oops.  BF will switch it around whenever he's done with everything else.  You know, when he has nothing else to do.  At least it works...all the time.   

Bathroom Progress: Downstairs Guest

Before we moved into the construction zone, BF finished most of the downstairs guest bathroom.

The IKEA Lillangen sink and matching mirror fit very nicely in the very small bathroom. 

The bathroom sink is where I currently wash the few non-disposable dishes we use. 

The toilet paper holder is worth every single penny.  It holds four addition rolls.  There's no annoying spring-loaded bar either. Those two attributes are especially handy during the middle of the night when I don't wear my extremely strong-prescription eyeglasses.    

I originally wanted polished tavertine or marble tiles for the shower wall, but they weren't in our budget.  I thought the porcelain tile was a nice alternative. 

TV Addiction Denial

I never considered myself addicted to television until I wasn't able to watch it.

We decided to go without cable or internet until we're done with the living room.  Depending upon how smoothly the staircase is painted and installed, this may take a couple of months more. 

BF is functioning fine without TV.  I assume he's focused on home renovations, while I suffer from withdraw.  We both have smart phones, so we're not completely disconnected.  I write my posts during lunchtime.  Sometimes I actually handwrite my posts at night and type them after the work day is over at my office. 

I miss hearing the Today Show while getting ready for work in the morning.  I miss catching glimpses of HGTV while sorting laundry.  I miss being inspired to cook after watching Saturday afternoon PBS cooking shows.  

I missed the last three episodes of Justified.  I am completely behind in Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock.  I even miss rolling my eyes when BF becomes excited while watching fishing shows.  Yes, fishing shows.  

TMF, "Are you aware the draft is this week?"
BF, "Wow, I am really out of it."
TMF loud sigh, "OMG.  Are you serious?!?!?  Who are you?"

Last night, BF's coworker generously let us borrow his digital TV box.  I was so excited because I heard some people can receive nearly 30 channels.

I'm not sure if it's because of our metal roof, tall and thick tree branches or our home's location, but we only receive five to six channels at night. 

1.  Spanish channel
2.  Spanish channel
3.  TBN
4.  Miscellanous Christian network
4.  E/I
5.  WJXT Channel 4

Oh the irony.  Ugh.  Have I ever mentioned my distaste for local news? 

HGTV Complaints

As someone who recently purchased a home and is currently renovating, I watched a lot of HGTV before moving into the construction zone.

My favorite shows are House Hunters, Property Brothers, Kitchen Cousins, Sarah's House, Selling L.A., Selling New York and everything Candice Olson. 

 

I love watching the HGTV network, however I have a big issue with buyers who complain.  For example:

• "I don't like the counter tops."
• "I don't like the carpet."
• "I don't like the wall paint color."

Really?  REALLY? 

• Did you know you can replace counter tops?
• Seriously?  Carpets can be ripped out and new floors can be installed.
• OMG.  Wall color?  A decent gallon of paint costs $30. 

I know most buyers don't posses the handyman skills BF has, but all of those complaints are cosmetic.  With a little shopping and research, all of those cosmetic issues can be easily addressed.
 

I'll stop complaining now.

Screwdriver Quiz

BF is installing the vanity in the master bathroom...

BF, "Can you hand me the Allen wrench?"

TMF, "The what?  Is that a screwdriver?"

BF, "Are you telling me you don't know what an Allen wrench is?"

TMF shrugs, "They all look the same."

BF, "You can't tell the difference between a Phillips Head and Slotted screw?"

TMF gives BF a blank stare.

BF, "Come on!  What about a Torx or Robertson?"
Another blank stare...

TMF, "You're making these words up, right?"

BF, "Seriously?  What about a Frearson or Clutch?"

TMF, "Keep asking, you're going to get the same answer."

BF, "Your dad is going to hear about this."

TMF, "Eh."

Drywall & Knockdown

We now have new ceilings and a loft railing. 

We hired Rafael and his crew to apply a knockdown texture to the majority of the ceilings.  They also installed the drywall to the master bathroom walls and the loft railing.  The interior of the house looks completely different.

Rafael and crew also smoothed out the former door areas.

Sometimes I walk through the house, stop and say to myself, "Hey, there used to be a door there!"

Wardrobe Assembly

After installing the hardwood floors and painting the walls, we are ready for our new wardrobes. 

The master bedroom originally featured a small walk-in closet and a half bathroom.  We decided to create a full bathroom by removing the small walk-in closet and installing a shower. 

This situation left us without closets.  The solution was IKEA's Pax wadrobe system. 

I'll confess I never thought I'd be so excited to have wardrobe closets, but these things are beautiful. 

They are also nearly eight feet tall. 
BF, "Can't you hold it steady?"
TMF, "No!  My arms are too short."

BF, "Why you are sighing?"
TMF, "My arms are tired because I'm too short."

Here are some pictures of the first wardrobe being assembled.

Hammering away.

Time-out for Bailey cuddles

Making sure everything is level.

Squeezing in silicone "bumpers"
between glass and frame.

Bailey wants to help.

Where's Bailey?

14 mm Socket

BF, "I need for you to go to Lowe's and buy me a 14 mm socket."
TMF, "Nooo!!! I thought we agreed I am never again going to 'pick up' something for you at Lowe's."


A few weeks ago, BF sent me on a mission to buy a drill bit driver.  I had NO idea what drill bit driver was.  I tried to flag down an employee but it was a very busy Sunday afternoon. 

I almost broke down in tears because I couldn't find the stupid drill bit driver.  I finally grabbed what I thought it should be, only to find out I bought the wrong item.

We established a new rule.  Anytime I shop at Lowe's alone, I arm myself with a hard copy print out.  This is no joke.

As I picked up my third paint can for the upstairs bedroom, I decided to be the dutiful wife and pick up this "easy to find" socket. 

As I turned down the aisle containing sockets, I became excited because I convinced myself I could figure this out.  Then I saw this...

Are you kidding me!?!?!

Tangerine Tango Wall

Now I can never be accused of being afraid of color.  In the upstairs loft, I painted the low accent wall a very bright orange.

A few months ago I read an article on the 2012 Pantone color of the year as being "Tangerine Tango." The idea of this great color stuck with me while selecting paint colors.

The paint + tinted primer has the consistency of concession stand nacho cheese.

I've seen Tangerine Tango in many home design catalogs and new spring clothes.

As I painted the accent wall, BF walked over and inspected my work.  His first reaction?...

BF, "Whoa, are we big Gator fans?"
TMF, "What are you talking about?...Oh."
BF, "Yeah."
TMF, "Don't worry, it'll dry darker."

It never crossed my mind how the Tango Tangerine may appear as the University of Florida's orange.

To BF's credit, the blue painter's tape added to the Gator look.  

I'm sure our UF friends will love the color while our FSU friends will cringe when visiting.  Either way, I love my Tangerine Tango accent wall.  I can't wait to add a shiny white computer desk and shiny white storage cubes.  

We Need Curtains

A couple days after we made the big move, BF announced, "Uh...We need curtains."

We currently use the downstairs guest bathroom.  Our clothes are stored in the upstairs guest room.  We sleep in the downstairs master bedroom.  Every time we move from one room to another, we pass several windows. 

For our new neighbors' sake, I needed to cover our windows.

I haven't tasked myself to find the right window shades, blinds, shutters or curtains yet.  In fact I haven't even cleaned and/or painted the window sills and casings. 

What's the next best thing after hanging bed sheets as curtains?  Using discarded and recycled 11X17 paper from my office!  Yes, I am classy. 

I'm Not THAT Bad

My coworker Friendy emailed this picture to me with the subject line reading, "thought of you."

I'll admit, I'm bad, but I'm not THAT bad!  Or am I?

Hmm...perhaps I should ask BF. 


My cousin, ashamed after building a chair from IKEA



BFC

Bailey, our little beagle, has many talents. 

• Immediately recognizing the sound of a food wrapper during the middle of a REM sleep cycle
• Mind controlling humans with his eyes in order to receive food scraps
• Conveniently finding the most inconvenient location to relieve himself
• Howling, barking or baying on command
• Last but not least, falling asleep anywhere and everywhere

We lovingly describe Bailey as being "BFC" or "Built For Comfort."  With great quickness, he swiftly finds pillows, cushions and blankets for napping purposes.

Beagles are pack hounds.  They prefer to be close to people and do not like to be left alone, even during naptime. 

I worried about Bailey accidentally rubbing against the newly painted walls.  When he wouldn't stay outside the room, I grabbed an old blanket and told him to "sit."

I turned my back to finish painting the wall.  Within two minutes, Bailey was already snoring.  BFC.  Period.

Tempurpedic Motivator

Before the big move, we semi-finished the upstairs guestroom.   There's a queen-sized bed, TV/DVD player, closet space and ceiling fan.  We decided to temporarily sleep in this room while the renovations continued. 

After the fifth night, BF had enough. 

We are not ashamed to admit we are spoiled.  We are spoiled by our comfortable mattress.  We're very fortunate to sleep on a wonderful Tempurpedic mattress. 

Whenever we come home after an overnight stay, we lie on the bed, sigh with content and say, "Oh Tempurpedic, how I've missed you."  This situation was no different. 

After the fifth night, BF had enough and decided to install the hardwood floors in the master bedroom.  In less than two days, he finished the floors and moved in the necessary furniture pieces. 

We lied on the bed for over a minute, in silence, and enjoyed how everything in the world seemed to be okay. 

Now it's off to finish the master bathroom.