The other night, dh told me the bathroom was complete and ready for me to decorate!  At that point, I was exhausted from the Medieval Feast, and being evening already,  I planned on decorating the next morning.  However, dh soon discovered leaks in his sink and the toilet...  

The next night he came home from work, fixed the problem and told me I could decorate.  Being evening, I decided to put that on my to do list the next day...today!

This morning I got a phone call from dh to tell me the status of the toilet...since I had slept in, still exhausted from that feast!  lol  It was leaking, still!  I decided to go ahead and decorate.  After today, life gets hectic again!  Wed I will cook our little Thanksgiving dinner (not a lot of the extra dishes, just enough to enjoy leftovers and have wonderful seasonal aromas in the house) and in the afternoon we see the doctor for my son's EFMP paperwork...in the middle of the turkey roasting. That could be interesting!  Thurs we are at my mom and dad's.  This weekend we hope to decorate for Christmas and spend a day in a lovely town in the hill country.  Then I need to get lessons done for next week...and school and Christmas and shopping and wrapping presents and baking...oh my!

The tub was still a mess, it turned out, and I had to scrub that and dust some other areas...oh the allergies!  I was wearing out, climbing up and down the stairs, hauling up the bags of stuff I had gotten, getting them in place, helping the kids with bits and pieces of school work... In the meantime, I discovered the leak under his sink was still there. Sigh...

Some decorative things I changed my mind on and now I have a pile of things to return. DH though, is quite pleased with the room, so I can finish a few pretty things here and there at my leisure now. Perhaps I'll find a few things in the charming town we will hopefully get to go to this weekend.  ;)

DH redid the toilet and the trap under his sink.  Hopefully they stay dry! Well, enough chit chat!  MIL loves the details! ;)  On with the show!  =)

Panning around with my camera, here's the shower...

Here's the shower curtain.  I was going to buy some sheets to make this, but decided to special order it ready made.  I am shocked at how short it is!  Hmmmmm, one of these days I think I'll drive dh nuts and sew a little black gingham below the toile!  oo-la-la  ;)

 DH didn't want typical bathroom rugs...so I found these chenille rugs.  They are so soft and cozy on the bare feet!

See the bathroom scale in the upper right corner of the picture above?  DH wanted a new bathroom scale, one that talks!  Well, I didn't find one of those...but this one should keep him busy...it displays not only weight, but also...well, the instructions don't make any sense to me...what does the box say?  Let's see, it also measures body water!  And it even has an athlete mode for highly fit individuals....hmmmm, I might not get to use that feature!    It also has a terrific memory, storing data for up to 6 people!  DH and DS had sooooo much fun setting it up!  It may take me years to figure this baby out!

Here's the vanity.  There are medicine cabinets behind each mirror.  We have more storage now and of course there isn't enough room on my side for my stuff, and I took an extra middle drawer.  DH is so sweet to let me use the rest of the space under his sink. First I'll wait to see if it stays dry tonight!  ;)

Here's a close up of the flowers...

The kids just loved watching me put this arrangement together...

The kids were enamored with all the seashells...

Here's the picture near dh's side of the sink.  There's a tea party set out on the tables.  Hmmmm, I think I could hang out here for a week and rest up...

  Here's the new cabinet he built for me.  I changed my mind on a lot of stuff to put here.  This will be a work in progress. 

Here's a close up of more seashells.  I have some seashells left over, but not enough to fill the other 2 containers I had gotten.  I think now that would be too much.  Just as well.  I will put some of the extras in the kids' bathroom.  They are elated!  Oh, I'll have to show their bathroom off one of these days. That is a fun room!  I am thinking I might even make some decorative arrangements in frames with some of the seashells for some of the bare spots in the bathroom.  Hmmmmmm......  

Here's a floral arrangement I bought at Coldwater Creek at their 50% off sale last month.  In fact,  a lot of these items were on sale when I got them.  

Practically speaking, hmmmm, I need to put a trash bag in here...

But my favorite practical thing, the tp container in the back corner!  Hmmmm, any leaks back there?

Well, dh successfully took the first shower.  I think it's my turn for a lovely bubble bath!  =)  

In!!!!!

Wow, that was a lesson in patience!  We had to wait all weekend.  Then this morning no one was in the store or warehouse so we couldn't get things going until after 10am. 

While the tile was being transported from one warehouse to another for pick up, dh loaded up the van with our old countertop (like new, really), huge window sized mirror, hollywood lights and I'm not sure what else.  He took them to Habitat for Humanity Resale Store.  We donate them and anyone doing a remodel or repair can come to the store to buy something gently used for minimal cost.  All the proceeds benefit Habitat, one of our favorite charities. It's a win-win-win situation. DH has built homes with them before.  People with minimal income apply for a house through Habitat.  If selected, they need to work a certain number of hours on their house as well as other houses being built.  Then they get a house with low payments because it was inexpensively, yet well built. The idea is that a house that they invest with time, sweat and labor will be well taken care of.  These houses are prayed over and scripture verses are written all over the framining before being dry walled. 

 http://www.habitat.org/

As for our bathroom, I think all that is left is grouting the floor and backsplash tile and installing the toilet and baseboards.  Then I can put the pretty things in and we can use it! 

The van is happy, it can finally fit in the garage!

On the health front, ds is hanging in there with a cold.  Not too bad with the ziacom nose swabs.  His lungs are tight so I pulled the inhaler out for him. I have experienced symptoms of a cold myself so I am using the ziacom as well.  If I get sick, the house usually goes under!  We have our medieval feast in 5 more days!   

Fri afternoon dh came home early to lay out the floor tile for the master bathroom.  I think much of last summer was spent driving around with dh making choices for the bathroom.  I was content to get the lovely tile he had put throughout the rest of the house from Lowes.  They are cheaper and if one store goes out of stock, there are many more Lowes to get more.  After all our choices were made, a few weeks later dh took me out to select different tile because he had fresh ideas.  Once again, we spent a few hours in Lowes.  Then a few weeks later he heard about a tile store on the north side of town he wanted to check out...and we made another trip.  By this time, school had started, my son was coughing a lot and I was tired and wanted to focus on my lessons.  But off to the store we went, and the prices were outrageous.  We had a long day out and had a late lunch out and we saw it was near yet another tile store.  So we went to that one and the lady there gave us a lot of good information about floor tile.  One of the things I really liked was that she agreed with me!  =)  Therefore, dh came to my way of thinking!  =)  We found stunning floor tile there and we wrote down the stock # and home we went so dh could finalize his plans for the bathroom. By the end of September, right before he ripped out the bathroom, he ran final errands to get a city permit and order the floor tile.  The lady took our credit card and rang up the order, then placed the order...but the tile was discontinued.  DH called to tell me and said he had selected another tile...could I handle just going with that, sight unseen?  Ummmmm, no.  So he brought some samples home but I didn't like them at all.  I told him we could get that same look for cheaper at Lowes.  However I laid it next to the tile from Lowes that had already been laid throughout the rest of the house and I liked the tile from Lowes better.  So did dh.  But he was determined to set the master bathroom apart from every other room in the house.  This tile had to be special and he did not want it to come from Lowes.  So the kids and I left our lessons,  and we headed out for the tile store.  After an agonizing search, we finally found the tile.  It cost a little more, but because of all the trouble, I think they charged us the rate of the discontinued tile.  DH gave them our dimensions and they put in the order.  I was surprised to see only 3 boxes show up.  But what do I know, right?  =)  I am awful with estimation!

Well, all this to say, Fri evening dh came to me and said he didn't have enough floor tile.  He called the store and left a message.  A few hours later they called back and said the distributor for the tile is here in town but they wouldn't be open until Monday.  So Monday dh will call the distributor to pick up the tile.  But the nagging tugging at the pit of my stomach is...do they have the tile?

Sat I ran errands and I came home to all but 2 of the tiles laid out.  DH didn't want to mix up more mortar for 2 tiles (I don't blame him.)  Here is all that is left to do...

Isn't this heartbreaking?  He also needs a little more to go in the linen closet on the right.  The lady at the store argued that he miscut the tile because there was plenty of tile.  If there is no more of this tile, dh will have to rip everything out and start again.  At this point, he never wants to buy from those ladies again.  If this happens, I just want to go back to good old Lowes. 

In the meantime, here is our new closet while the floor is being done. How about the lovely shop vac in front?  At least dh vacuums at the end of each day's work.

Here are the dining room piles I keep talking about.  This is all the stuff for the new bathroom (shower curtain, rod, towels, etc) 

The paper bag was a pile I had tried to get rid of the other day, but dh didn't have time to take it to the thrift store.  I have another pile or two to take in, but they are very picky.  Only 12 items a day can go in and I have to tag everything with the dates.  So I have to retag everything.  Sigh. 

At least I was able to return two other bags to the store.  One was a vanity stool dh really wanted me to have, but there is no where to squeeze it into our bathroom.  The other was a project I was going to attempt, but in light of all the things going on, I decided to forego that attempt.   

 If you can make it out there is a black kitty laying on the dining room chair.  She is so funny, she meows every time I walk by. 

Here you can see my sewing area.  There is dd's medieval dress.  Mine is the green bodice hanging on the chair.  So much to do...actually I think I'll be done with the dress today.

Here's the pile of the stuff for our Medieval Feast Nov 17.  There is also some autumn stuff peaking through. 

I was hoping to have the bathroom done for me to decorate and clear out the dining room by midweek.  Then I could focus on the feast.  I hate to give too much away, but if these piles are still here, I could be going insane! =0  

Now there is another issue. Fri afternoon we got flu shots.  This morning my son woke up with a sore throat, coughing, and headache.  Sigh.... 

In the last few days dh got a few more big things done with the bathroom.  The drawers and doors got new hardware. 

He cut holes for the sinks out of our new laminate countertop.  The sinks and faucets are in, the plumbing is connected and the water works!  The tile backsplash is up!  The blue tape is to hold the heavy trim pieces in place.

Hopefully in the next couple of nights he can get the grout done on the tile backsplash and get the other two false drawers in front of the sinks installed. Then Saturday he hopes to lay the floor tile!  That night we are supposed to sing at the nursing home.  Because our closet is on the other end of the bathroom from our bedroom, we'll have to remember to pull out clothes for the nursing home, bed, church the next morning and everyday clothes for Sunday because we won't be able to walk on the tile for almost 24 hours!  Then the grout has to go in, then the baseboards go up and the toilet reinstalled! He has Monday off for Veterans Day so it could be done! I think that will be it.  I should be dressing up the bathroom next week!   Then I can decorate for autumn...then the Medieval Feast...then Thanksgiving...then Christmas!  Whew!     

The faux attempt is not going well.  I am so discouraged.  Before I get to that, here's the mitered corner dh did on the tub tile trim...

Here's the cabinets when they were Lemon Meringue, causing the walls to look like Key Lime Pie...

Here are the cabinets repainted Pam's Lace and the walls look sage again...

And here is the back of an old kitchen door that I tried some faux glaze on.  The other side shows a heavier look, so I added more glaze to the pigment.  Here is the sample against the sage walls in the bathroom...

I'm not liking it.  I sent a picture to dh at work.  I'm ready to quit.  I'm getting a headache.  I have so many other things I need to do, like lesson plans, sew medeival costumes...laundry! Yet, he has such confidence in me.  Sigh.  I'm thinking I'd like the bathroom to stay a nice white.  It's a small space and we have so much else going on.  However, I have considered a crazy thought of doing this in the kitchen, which looks too white! However, they've already had a polycoat put on top.  I have no sample boards to test drive.  Here's the white kitchen with the sample board propped up on the counter by the stove, awaiting dh's opinion...

I think I've met my match!  Pam's Lace, in the kitchen and the master bathroom, is nice!  Any tips?

Two Saturdays ago dh told me his goals for the day: he was going to tile around the tub and paint the cabinetry.  A week later....lol isn't that so true of remodeling.  Things never go as speedily as we think or hope they will! 

This is truely the most fun part of the project, when the pretty stuff goes up.  Unfortunately, we did not feel this way when the cabinetry paint color went on.  Named "Swiss Almond", we matched it to cabinetry at the store we loved that had an antique glaze, which I hoped to simulate.  However when Swiss Almond went on the cabinetry, it looked more like Yellow Meringue!  Where did the yellow come from?  There is nothing like learning about all the various shades of a color, until one puts paint on the wall.  We tried living with the idea and I planned to do the antique glaze with gusto.  But I feared the yellow base just looked too sweet.  Then as we analyzed the yellow, it seemed to take on the green of the walls, so that it reminded dh of Key Lime Pie.  Now don't get me wrong.  I love a great slice of lemon meringue or key lime pie on a hot summer day.  But that is not the look for this bathroom.  So off to the store I went to get our old standby, which I'm sure one of my blogging friends will love!  =)  Pam's Lace is the paint color we have on our kitchen cabinetry.  Last night dh repainted the cabinetry with the lovely, safe, neutral Pam's Lace and we fell in love with it against the sage green walls.  But do I do an antique glaze over it?  I have time to change my mind.  It's too cold outside right now to practice on the doors and drawers in the garage.  I told dh I could do a sample to get his approval tonight.  But he wants this project done!  lol  So he told me to go for it and if he doesn't like it, he'll just paint over it.  Hmmm...  

Meanwhile, here is how the bathroom looks now. I took some shots of the yellow cabinetry, but they looked pretty good on the camera!  So just imagine Key Lime Pie in our first attempt!  lol

Here are the mirrors, which seem strange because we don't hae sinks or a counter top yet...

Corner of the tub tile...

Mosaic and the 3D trim.  He was able to use the trim pieces, even though they are wavy.  That's what took the most time.  I should have gotten a shot of the corner pieces coming together.

Towel bar...

Shower head...

We have water in the shower now!  Here's the cabinetry with Pam's Lace, before the faux treatment...

Here's the base cabinet with Pam's Lace.  We still need a countertop, sinks, faucets, and a floor!

So what do you think?  Should I faux or not?

Last night dh put up the new lighting.  Does the paint look more green today?  The name of the color is "Sage."

Yesterday after work, dh went to two more Lowes stores to get more trim pieces for around the tub.  Then he painted the walls while I went grocery shopping.  When I came home, I ran upstairs to see the progress.  Wow, that was a lot of color!  Dh thought so too...ds assured him it might lighten as it dries.  Since there is no official lighting in the bathroom yet, we can only view the color with the work lamp.  I brought the color sample in to compare.  It was a match.  Hmmmm, we had liked all the samples laying together.  But did we like this color on the walls?  That's a lot of color!  By the time dh was done, he was in love with the color, and I think even picky me can live with it!  This morning the sun shone brightly through the house and I ran upstairs to see the color better...but it is so dark, it absorbs the bit of light that comes in.  This used to be one of the brightest rooms of the house.  Hmmmmm, I was afraid of this.  But I think I like the color.  I had to turn on the work lamp to take a picture of the color.  For better or for worse, here it is...

The inspector came and gave dh an A+ for the copper work and a few tweaking ideas for the pvc.  He was so impressed, he said dh should go into the plumbing business for himself!  Well, dh got a few more supplies and got to work tweaking. 

Then.....I saw the garden hose in a most unusual place!  It was snaking through the back door...

up the stairs...

 through the bedroom...

and into the plumbing to check for leaks.  DS was downstairs at the back faucet on my cell phone getting instructions from dh.

Hurrah! No leaks!  By 10pm, all the holes were patched...

Day 1 of our master bathroom makerover was all about destruction.  That was difficult on me emotionally!  Day 2 was a little better, because it meant the new plumbing for the second sink would be put in.  DH labored all day.  

Throughout the day he made numerous trips to the store to get different and more plumbing materials.  After dinner, he turned the water off.   Late that night, it was finally all cut to size, connected and soldered together.  It was time to test it by turning the water back on!  Enlisting my help, we each grabbed our cell phones.  He went out front to turn the water on, while I sat by the big hole in the floor looking for leaks.  He rang my cell, turned on the water, I heard gurgling and then....oh no!  Water blew from one end and was drenching me!  He quickly turned the water off and ran into the house and upstairs.  Meanwhile ds sleepily came running in with a panic, fearing that the house was on fire.  I got him back to bed and grabbed old towels to soak up the water and dry myself off.  DH got the pipe resoldered and we tried again....well, I didn't yell this time.  I couldn't find a single leak! 

Day 2...mission accomplished!

Day 3 dh went to his day job with the USAF.  While we started math lessons in the morning, ds kept sneezing and started coughing.  I had been having more trouble with allergies over the weekend...it had to be the dust that filtered out of the construction mess into the master bedroom and possibly the rest of the house.  I got the kids settled in seatwork and I crazily worked on dusting all the dust in the master bedroom.  Having recently dusted, I worked to dust items off to put in storage until the remodel was done.  So now even our bedroom looks dismally bare, yet full of construction materials.  Sigh...at least this is only for a season.  Thankfully, by the time I had our bedroom clean, ds had stopped sneezing.

I also had to remember to keep the bathroom door shut.  Because of all the water that sprayed out of the pipe the night before, we had to be sure everything thorougly dried out.  The door had to be kept shut so that our cat would not go adventuring.  Could you imagine the troubles that would cause?

Meanwhile dh arranged for the inspector to come on Day 4.  DH will have days 4-7 off to work on the bathroom.  When he came home in the evening, he spent the time taking "Surround Sound" wire that had been stapled to corners and ran it into his new hole.  Now I have a corner to repaint in the living room.