The great bathroom remodel of 2011

Alternatively titled:  The great remodel of the smallest bathroom in the world!


So when we bought the house the extra bath looked a little like this:  actually it looked a whole lot like this:

Nice white walls....green accessories...and don't be too jealous but the green crusty toilet brush came with the deal!   Oh yeah,   and it was rockin this boarder:

Stephanie, you might say, you didn't take any other angles of the bathroom?  Not even a picture of the vanity?  Well there's two explanations for that....the crusty toilet brush was the most impressive thing in there...and it is seriously the smallest bathroom in the world (other than trains, and port-a-potties but those don't come with showers).  It is really hard to take pictures in there.  I seriously have to stand out in the hall to get it in focus.  

Before moving it we made it more liveable. The crusty brush was history.  The towel rack?  Gone!  A new shower curtain....some happy yellow paint and it began to look more like this:

  Liveable...yes!  Fabulous?  No!

Pictures from today you want? ...no problem....

 Notice the 80's lighting....and the lovely sink....Want a closer look at the awesome stick-on tile floor?  Sure thing:

Why isn't the vanity drawer closed? Because Michael had already taken it out to begin today's projects...but I needed fresh pictures.




So today began the great bathroom remodel of 2011.  On the agenda?

• new paint
• tile floors
• new vanity
• new mirror
• new accessories
• new lighting

So as of this afternoon, should you come for tea and need to tinkle...this awaits you:

I'm excited to be adding blog updates with bathroom updates.  A few more notes to consider:

• It's totally awesome to have a toilet sitting on the back deck...I hope the neighbor appreciates it.
• Anytime I mention the words "us" and "remodel" in the same sentence I'm totally referring to Michael in the singular form.  Although I did sweep the floor about ten times today!

♥♥♥♥♥Our Love Story♥♥♥♥♥

   Michaels,
    I can't celebrate a Valentines Day without thinking of Valentines Day 2007.  That date sealed things for me.  You made it so special.


     My grandfather was so sick. I would spend weeknights at his house taking care of him.  And go home for the weekend.  I had met you in August of '06.  The first time you called I was at his house.  You sounded so nervous.  We didn't talk for long.   
     It was now Wednesday February 14.  I remember what I was wearing.  I remember I was putting heart stickers on a craft with my Kindergarten kids when you walked into my classroom.  I was shocked!  I would never have dreamed you would have the guts to show up where I work.  
    Then there was the nice restaurant. (Even if my principal showed up a few minutes after we got there).  Our nice talk as you dropped me off at my car.  And the card.  
            I left there and went back to papaws with my flowers.  Those flowers traveled around with me alot over the new few weeks.  I could stand to leave them at home or papaw's house when I was staying at the other place.  Everyone laughed  at me.  


           I relived this story today as I was scrubbing the toilet.  I remembered all the details so fresh and true.  To so many this story will seem insignificant.  But I smiled as the butterflies still formed in my stomach.  It's memories such as this that I don't want to forget as I go through life.  It isn't always flowers and candy.  There's not always sweet cards and romantic dinners.  Scrubbing toilets and taking out the garbage must be done.  But it's so much sweeter knowing I have you to do it all with! 

It's done!

Remember this picture?

 Well my sweet finished pantry now looks like this:

What was useless wasted space before is now very usable!  Who couldn't use an extra closet?  Once again I'm blessed that I've married a handy man!

Returning to Reality

      Being a teacher comes with some great benefits.  One of which being Fall Break!   Michael took off last week with me.  We had the best week!  We spent a few days in Townsend, took a day trip to Gatlinburg, enjoyed a day or two at home, and he even worked in a little hunting trip.  It was probably the best break I've had from school.  We spent so much time together and enjoyed every minute!  I was feeling refreshed.  And now it's back to real life with the daily grind.   

 Townsend

because mom loves close ups as much as I do....

 

 Deer at Cades Cove

I loved this picture of Papaw

 

Happy Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my buddy's-lovin, hard workin, popcorn munchin, hardwood layin, sleep deprived sweetheart!

Now join with me in the Hallelujah chorus as we celebrate the end of night shift!  *wink*

P.S.  Happy B-day to Josh (who officially has more gray hairs than me!) and Renee also!

Happy Valentine's Day

Since Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday, Michael and I celebrated tonight. We had a great time together. He's working nights this month so I don't see him much through the week. I live for weekends now more than ever.

We enjoyed a nice dinner at Aubrey's (so yummy!). He bought me two more charms for my Pandora bracelet (so spoiled!), turtles and Reese's cups (good bye diet.) While we were out I ended up getting some books and a new outfit. Undoubtedly the best part of tonight was spending time with my love

Make a Smilebox scrap pages

A Whirlwind Weekend

My weekend was full of things like......

lots of this a little of this

one of these

a smidge of this

a view of this

the sight of that

but most of all missing this!!!!

What have we been doing?

I'm so glad that you asked!

I guess all my loyal readers have realized that I'm not finishing the 30 days of Thanksgiving. I'm totally ok with being a quitter. I am truly thankful. I'm one blessed gal! Hopefully, you are not too disappointed with me. All that blogging left me needing a break. But I'm back and feeling revived.

Life has been super busy around the Joneses' house recently. Between the holidays, play practicing, ballgames, crafting, lesson planning, decorating, ornament making, cooking, laundry, and cleaning (well not so much the last three) we hardly have a free night. I wouldn't have it any other way though. Our life is full and happy.

Thanksgiving came and left with a smile. We spent the morning with the Joneses and the evening with the Hursts. I love being able to sit and talk with family we haven't seen in awhile.

Black Friday I got up at dawn-thirty to go shopping with my fam. Actually they were late picking me up. It's kind of the story of that shopping trip. They are always later than what they say! I could have slept 30 more minutes. I didn't even buy alot. A griddle to replace one I broke and few gifts for my angel tree girls. At least mom got some good buys....I think.

Michael will start his new job on the 14th. I'm so happy and excited for him. He's welcoming the change!

School life is crazy trying to teach all the normal stuff and fit in Christmas crafts & ornaments. We're be going on a field trip Monday that I'm super nervous about. We're ending the trip at a nursing home (that I've never been too) singing Christmas Carols and giving out a craft the kids have made. It could be a huge flop! I hoping that the kids will at least look cute and that'll out weigh them not singing well and the chaos that might follow!

It's hard to believe that this year is close to winding down! Where has the time gone?

Have a great Tuesday!

Sunday Scripture and Some Love!

I found him whom my soul loveth...

Song of Solomon 3:4

It's been 15 months and I'm still crazy in love with this guy! I know God placed us together and his timing was perfect. I'm thankful for the stand he takes and the love he gives. I love how he makes me laugh and never complains when he's changing/plugging another tire. I love him with my whole being!

Ways to Steal My Heart!

• Name your wireless network, "Virus Infected", really how cute is that?
• Don't get upset when discussing paying my red light ticket
• Be understanding of my ability to "collect" things
• Always tease me about reformatting my computer but totally understand that I have many "treasures" collected on my computer also
• Don't file divorce when I drag out the tarp, yet again!
• Pray with me nightly
• Tolerate my natural ability to destroy sheets and covers in only a matter of minutes of laying down!
• Sing to me in the car
• Always encourage my singing no matter how off key
• Share your popcorn
• Love me no matter where I leave Styrofoam laying

I'm blessed!

The past 365 days

It's hard to believe that the Lord has already given Michael and me a year together. It has honestly been the best year of my life. There's nothing like the peace of knowing that you waited on the one that God would have you marry. We enjoyed a nice weekend away together. I'll post about that later when I have more time. This week I'll be driving to Athens everyday for preshool training. It's going to be a busy week.


The past year has been filled with
· Breath-taking views of Niagara falls
· walking around Canada
· Butterfly observatory
· Board patrol yelling at us (Michael, I’d hate to say it but I told you so)
· Hugs-n-kisses
· nightly prayer and devotions (one word…Apostable)
· a new job
· boat rides
· Styrofoam cutting
· walks down our road
· driving by possible houses
· touring possible houses
· church services
· laughing days
· sobbing nights
· death of a loved one
· illness of another loved one
· warnings for expired tags
· warnings for not paying parking fee
· a new niece
· a new tractor
· 18 tomato plants
· first meal at home: Pancake breakfast
· Many ruined meals….(whoops)
· Walks at the park
· tennis matches
· sleeping in Saturdays
· Dollywood at Christmas
· Fireworks on the fourth
· Adventure on the Ocoee
· Graduated Sister
· Ruined cell phones (who would have thought…2 in one week.)
· Barking at dogs
· Crowing at roosters
· Rooster catching neighbors
· Lawn-mower riding kids
· Craig’s list browsing
· Police at school
· Being mistaken for a “young driver”
· Car- reposing (not our's)
· Totally bombing a newly wed game
· singing in the choir
· singing in the car
· Hosting a Christmas party
· A companion to listen
· many MANY bowls of popcorn
· sweet texts
· changing tires (in the rain)


It has been good.

Weekend

The Lord gave Michael and I a wonderful day together on Saturday. I love simple days where we are not rushed and can enjoy time together. We started off the day in Knoxville. While he took a test at the testing center, I drove to Turkey Creek and visited Old Navy and the Dollar Tree. (He passed the test. I have an incredibly smart husband!)
After he was finished we ate lunch then headed to the Sweetwater flea market. He promised to buy me something....and he did....playing cards for school. Maybe we went on a bad day but we felt like it was 90% junk being sold. He did buy two cd's (that I'll be stealing later).
After that we drove to the Ocoee river. It was a lot of fun. We didn't tube, just watched...and let me tell you it was awesome.

Fun fact: They had the 1996 Whitewater Olympics here. It was neat seeing all the flags and how beautiful the area was set up.

It was kind of major when the rafts flipped.

You can see the man on the bank throwing a rope to the ones stuck in the rapids.

I'm so ready to do this now.

Here's Michael pulling the victims from the water. Ok...not really but that would have made a great story!

These guys were pretty cool! They'd get out in the rough spots and do awesome tricks like flips and the such!

This was our notice saying to go pay $3.00 or receive a $75.00 fine in the mail. We missed the whole paying to park signs.

After that we drove to Cleveland and met Michael's Parents and Steve for dinner, then went to their house to visit for awhile. I didn't get any pictures there...sorry.

It ended up being a loooonng day but it was still perfect!