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.

Peanut Butter Glue

BF, "This stuff is so sticky it feel as if I am spreading crazy thick peanut butter."

TMF, "Wow, it's that thick?"

BF is laying down the hardwood floors in the first floor guestroom.  This is his first experience with the extremely strong and sticky adhesive.

 I started humming the Peanut Butter and Jelly song.

BF, "What are you singing?
TMF, "Peanut, peanut butter and HARDWOOD FLOORS!"

BF, "Really?"

TMF, "Yes!"

Bathtub Breakdown

TMF, "I would really like a new bathtub."
BF, "Are you sure?  This one doesn't look that bad."
TMF, "Not that bad?!?!?  That thing is gross."
BF,"Oh come on!"
TMF, "There is no way I'm bathing your babies or beagles in that disgusting thing."
BF sighs, "Okay."

As you can see, the old bathtub was nasty.  I don't think the previous owners ever heard of "bleach" or "bathroom cleaner." 

After my convincing argument on how gross the old bathtub was, BF agreed to install a new bathtub.

He used a sledgehammer for the demolition and it was insanely loud!

I give BF his props for skillfully installing the shiny new tub.

I think he's proud of himself too.

Inflatable Pool

Can you guess what was once here?

Yup, that's right.  There was once an above ground, inflatable pool.  

I had no idea these things actually existed.  Sure, inflatable pools are great for children under the age of eight, but for adults?  

BF hoped the previous tenants would leave the pool so he could sell it on Craigslist.  I crossed my fingers and prayed the previous tenants took the ugly pool with them.  My prayers were answered!

IKEA: Round #1

Back in December 2011, BF and I took our first shopping trip to IKEA.  Boy, we were in for a shock.

We learned IKEA keeps its prices and liability low by making their customers move the heavy stuff by themselves.  I burst out laughing when I saw the boxes that contained our Pax wardrobe frames.  

The boxes were taller than me!  Then they give you these tiny flatbed carts to maneuver through the European-style roundabout maze of fellow weekend shoppers.  

This was my first time physically breaking a sweat while pushing a shopping cart through a store.  Wide turns, many “I’m so sorry's,” and BF’s looks of death were given to make it to the finish line/cash register. 

It was a Tetris game to see how BF carefully positioned the precious IKEA items on the trailer and Blue’s truck bed.  Did I mention there were heavy thunderclouds viciously pushing their way towards the parking lot?  Did I mention I am completely hopeless when it comes to lifting furniture?  

Thanks to the kindness of a stranger, (A.K.A. fellow IKEA shopper and heavy lifter) all the items were carefully stowed in their correct positions and we were off to buy a plastic tarp.

I can’t wait to show you the IKEA items, but it’ll take a few more weeks before pictures appear. 

Sorry for the lack of real pictures.  During IKEA:  Round #1, I didn't think it was an appropriate time to snap pictures.  Lesson learned.

Puppy Paw Prints

I recently brought Bailey, our little Wonder Beagle, over to the construction site to visit his Daddy.  

BF and Bailey have a great father-son relationship. It's darn right cute.  It melts my heart to see the two of them cuddling.  BF calls this effect, "Barfing a rainbow."

The day after Bailey's visit, I stopped by the house to drop off some tile.  I noticed these little puppy paw prints and it made me smile.

To Slide or Not to Slide...

The question was whether to install a sliding or traditional door for the newly created second floor half bathroom. Because of the slanted ceilings, the half bathroom challenged BF on what type of door to use.

The traditional door’s height would force BF to install the door at a diagonal angle.  I think it looks strange to see a random door sticking out in the middle of the room. 

If we chose the traditional door, it would have to swing open to the outside.  It’s strange, but I have a strong aversion against bathroom doors opening towards the outside.   

I’m scared of accidentally opening the door while someone is sitting on the toilet.  Perhaps if the door swung in, the victim could grab the doorknob before seeing my shocked face?  I have issues. 

Our other option was to use these beautiful sliding doors.  They were another BF Craigslist buy.  

I am worried the glass panels may be too transparent.  The last thing I want to see is a guest sitting on the toilet.  Fortunately even with light shining straight through, the glass panels are opaque. 

After many lengthy minutes of arguing, I said, “I don’t care!  Whichever one will make things go faster.”

We went with the sliding doors.