Bathroom Update

 Well, the bathroom is not exactly where I wanted it to be when we returned to school, after spring break, but there are many improvements. The walls are up and painted and the floor is ready for tile.

 I am hopefully that this weekend will bring the completion of this phase of the bathroom remodel.

During the break, I also found a little time for crafting. I started this blanket back in July of 2010(!!) It had been hibernating on my couch waiting for me to come back to it. Since I had a large influx of Lamb's Pride wool in many beautiful colors I decided to pick up the hook again. It feels great to finish a row and see the way the colors flow together. 

Day 5

 Mudding drywall is not fun. 

End of Day 4

I didn't get as much done yesterday as I had planned, things just took longer than I expected.

We did get all the drywall up and most of the tape and mud. Today, we are doing a second layer of mud and working on the backing for the floor. Most things have to dry 24 hours in between layers which is throwing off my time table.

Also, I was mixed up about the day of my daughter's party. It's actually tomorrow. How could that happen, you might wonder.

 Well, we are going to see the 12:01 show of The Hunger Games- which is at 12:01 on the 23rd meaning the girls will be sleeping over tomorrow night not Friday night. My solution is put the door back on the bathroom and put caution tape up.

My goal is still to get the toilet and vanity in before returning to school on Monday.

End of Day 3

 End of Day 3 and looking good.

We have an electrical outlet, a "level" floor, and some drywall is up.
Goals for today are: all drywall up with tape and mud, backing board for floor in place, light fixture and outlet attached.
Personally, I think we are making great progress considering this is our first major remodel. Our friend's were over last night till 10pm helping with electrical and drywall. I am so thankful to have them not just for their sound advice and help but for being our cheerleaders and giving positive feedback!!

Day 2 Bathroom Remodel

End of day 2 Vanity, toilet and drywall removed
One layer of vinyl flooring removed (1 layer of tile and sub-flooring to go)
Next on the agenda- put in electric outlet, new drywall, new light fixture and paint. Hopefully these items will be completed by end of day on Wednesday.

My daughter's birthday is on Friday and we are having 4 girls over for a sleepover so we need to get the vanity and toilet in by then. I think it's possible.

Remodel, Day 1

I have been unhappy with our bathroom since we moved in but haven't had the courage to take it on, until now. Here's some beginning pictures:



First, I took out the vanity and mirror. Then, I started on the tile but halfway through I decided that new drywall would be cheaper and easier soooo....

I am afraid but I have faith that it will work out somehow.



More Swimming

Since it's been in the triple digits, this week, the only sensible thing to do is swim.

Summer's Last Chance/ Fall's First Glance

I'm hosting an online Thirty-One Gifts party.

You get a sneak peak at the new Fall Catalog which goes live on August 1st. For each $10 you spend, you get 31% off select items from the new catalog. Click the link to shop now: Jackie's Online Party.

Swimming

We have been swimming, a lot. The kids are perfecting their dives and front flips.

Awkward Family Photo

Yoga

This is me at the Grand Opening of Firefly Yoga Studio. I have been working hard to practice yoga, everyday, either at a studio or a few minutes at home. I'm having some pain in my neck and upper back but the yoga and chiropractor seem to have helping.

My intentions are to build strength and flexibility and cultivate calm.

Sock Yarn Blanket

12 rows completed

Family

D is on extending school year which means he has to work until June 16th but he has Fridays off. It's nice to have everyone home and to spend time together.

Friday Night Knitting at Sugar Bunny Blvd

Friday night, I drove to El Dorado for KIP at Sugar Bunny Blvd's new location.

I brought my Sock Yarn Blanket which is growing and growing. These are all my mini skeins, how I love to collect them. Above is a picture of some micro-mini squares I made.

Just before I left, they went outside to knit.

A few of our favorite things

1. Henna- We are lucky to have an in-house doodler to create temporary tattoos. D free handed this spider for TT.
Our friends from India, told us the best place to buy premixed henna in a cone and the designs last about a week.

2. Starbucks Double Walled Venti cup- This cup is awesome. It's 24 oz and double walled so it stays cold and doesn't have lots of condensation on the outside. I fill it up with Peach White Tea for only 59 cents at QT.

Legos

Both the kids are getting too old to really "play" with toys.

One exception is legos, the more pieces the better. TT is very talented at assembling the kits and imaginative in creating his own structures. Many nights, we will find him in his room creating miniature houses, cars, and cities when he's suppose to be sleeping. His current favorites are Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Knit and Fit

Yesterday, I got my copy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's newest book, Knit One, Knit All. It is full of garter stitch goodness. I have a couple of things that I want to knit in the fall (it's too hot to use wool, right now.) I'm planning some mittens and a vest. Right now, I'm in a KAL for the sock yarn blanket. I love trading the little skeins of sock yarn.

In fit news, I signed up to run the half-marathon (13.1 miles) at Prairie Fire on October 9th. I haven't run any races since the marathon last year and I think it's time to get back to it. My first year of teaching was so busy and intense that there was no time for training. I felt like a hypocrite telling kids to exercise for 60 minutes a day when I'm falling into bed at night without a single step in that direction. I'm not running it for speed and right now I'm walking more than I'm running (using Jeff Galloway's method.) I just want to have fun and run!!

I'm not much of a gardener but I'm trying my best to make the front of the house look nice. D created this area and my friend gave me some plants from her garden. I water it everyday and hope for the best.

Weekend

Friday night, ST and I were in the River Festival parade. We were with Fuel Up to Play 60, an organization that promotes being active and eating healthy.

The weather has been crazy hot!!

We have been spending most afternoon hanging out at the pool.

We planned on going to more of the River Festival but the 100+ temperatures are too much to brave.

Thursday

The best way to take all our stuff to pool is our trike.

My teen's favorite pass time is hanging out at the mall with her friends. Four hours later, I had bought 3 tubes of my favorite Buxom lip gloss, 2 pairs of tights and a GIANT jawbreaker (TT's request.)
The girls love playing dress-up and tried on at least 10 dresses each.