Another January project..

 We couldn't stand the 'squeak' any longer! We decided that the little bathroom upstairs needed some work. The floor boards made too much noise, the wallpaper was coming off and the big gap around the mirror was embarrassing! (After all, it had only been that way for 28 years!)

First I started stripping off the wallpaper. I still can't
figure out why I re-wallpapered it after the first time
I stripped off the original wallpaper. Well, I guess it
was because it had never been textured.

I spent about an hour on the first wall tearing off little pieces before I went and got my flat razor knife. Then I could take off the first vinyl layer and get to the second layer of glue that I could wet down with a rag. That made it a lot easier to scrap off.

It's a messy job and a lot of work!

The gap around the mirror was awful! No more shells covering up that mess up!

Next Dad started scraping off the old linoleum. It was still in pretty good condition, its just that the boards under it squeaked!

We were quite shocked to find this under the linoleum!  This is what happens to wood when water leaks on it with 7 kids showering and letting water leak all over! It hasn't been wet for years, but the damage had been done!

Then the texture went on! 

I painted it almost the same color that the wallpaper was. It's
 called 'burnt almond'. I love it!

I even painted the little shelf that I never thought quite matched.

Last, the new tile!  It looks great and guess what?
NO SQUEAK!!

We even sanded down the door and all the wood and put a new finish on them. Now they look new and nice again!

Luckily we had a nice day to work outside last week. This week its been SO COLD!  High's in the 20's!

So that's another major project done. I guess after 28 years, its

necessary to do a little up keep! We have another project in the works, sooo there's more to come!

January Projects...

With winter weather making Chad's porch kind of dangerous,

with the snow and ice packed on it, we decided he needed a 

better porch. Its got a roof and rails and nice steps!

Chad's pad looking lots better!

Come warmer weather, we will have to paint the wood, but for now it looks pretty nice!

This is just one of the projects we have going, so watch for more to follow. We are making some major improvements to the house!

My New Years OLW!

They say that "Imitation is the best form of flattery", so Kari and Becki, its a compliment to you that I'm copying your wonderful idea for my own New Years Goals.  

    My daughter Kari & daughter in law, Becki have brought to my attention a new way to make New Year resolutions. I have a hard time with resolutions and never really do them, therefore, I feel like I am never changing my behavior or ever becoming a better ‘me’.  They have picked ‘One Little Word’ or

OLW to focus on that will help them remember everything else they want to work on. That is what I want to do! The word for 2013  I have picked is

 “Aware”

< watchful; vigilant or on one’s guard against

          danger or difficulty. Apprised; informed,

            cognizant; conscious>

I choose this word because it is so easy for me to sit in my house, doing whatever it is that keeps me so busy all day, everyday and being totally oblivious to all those around me. It's easy for me to neglect others not because I want to, but because I’m usually not ‘aware’ of them and don’t make the effort to be ‘aware’. I like Kari’s categories she picked to work on: Christ, family, health, friends, talents, education, organization and I will add service.

Thank you for the inspiration I needed!