The Potty Saga Continues

Since my last post regarding the remodeling work in my house, I’ve had to make a few more decisions. For anyone who thinks they can do a bathroom remodel in pieces, think again! One thing leads to another. If you can live with an “eclectic” piecemeal look, great—try it. If you like things to match, consider doing it all at once. That is, if you can afford to do it all at once. I had originally just wanted to replace my shower surround because it had rotting spots. Well, in order to do a good job that would truly raise the value of my home (and not drive me nuts every time I looked at the color scheme), I had to also move to fix the drywall, beadboard, and trim; add new tile floor (which had to be done because of water damage over the years); replace the vanity and marble top; and add new fixtures, lighting, and medicine cabinet. The only thing I’m not changing is the toilet (yet) and the fan/overhead lighting. I feel incredibly fortunate to have budgeted in enough of a fiscal cushion to allow for the additional changes. I better be sure to take lots of long luxurious baths in this new space because I’m not going to be able to afford to do anything else luxurious for quite some time. I’ll need to work summer school from now until I retire.

Also, I never realized how difficult it is to get the timing right for a remodel job in a one-bathroom house. There have been many jokes about peeing in the shower and using a 5 gallon pail. It is a significant problem to be without a functional shower or sink for any long period of time, but I can make do in a pinch. I can certainly live without the mirror and full lighting. I can live without electric. I CAN’T live without a working toilet for 24 hours (which is going to have to happen with installation of a new tile floor). I’ve had points in my life when I’ve used outhouses and the good old woods, but I’m just way too old and citified for that now. I am most grateful to my friends and neighbors who have offered their bathrooms for my use. Ah, the simple joys of civilized existence. I’m also certain my dad will roll his eyes if he reads this.

For now, I can be sure that the end is in sight. Soon I’ll only have the aesthetic painting to worry about. I think of how fortunate I am to own my home. I don’t have to ask a landlord for any changes or updates. I don’t share my bathroom with 6 other people. I don’t live in a shelter where using the bathroom is a public event. I am a very blessed person.

Not so Dirty Anymore!

The remodeling project is still moving along. The drywall is up. The shower surround is in. The horrendous smell of the epoxy threw me back to a memory from my childhood. Back when I was probably 8 or 9, My dad had constructed a large wall of book shelving in our living room. The base of the shelving consisted of cupboards with a formica-like top surface. The epoxy he used made me so ill, I'll always remember it. Well, it all came back to me this weekend with the installation of the shower surround marble. I just hope the smell has not done any damage to me or the dogs. This may sound stupid, but I was even afraid to run my gas oven with all the fumes in the house. It hasn't been warm enough to open the windows this weekend, but perhaps a few warm days next week will allow me to air it all out. The plumber is coming back on Monday to finish the shower fixtures and re-install my shower head. I can't wait to have a shower again!!! I've been able to take a bath every day, but there is something to be said for a hot, hot, shower.

Here are a few more pictures of the progress. Almost done!

Shellie says there is NO WAY she's going into that mess.

Pre-Surround Drywall



The shims are helping the epoxy set and the tub surround marble cure in its place.



The shims are off. Now just waiting for the last fixtures.

Great Broccoli Casserole Recipe

Are you tired of the traditional green bean salad or the california blend veggies at holiday dinners? Try this recipe next time.

Yummy Broccoli Casserole
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (don't dilute)
1 med. onion, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/2 cup real mayonnaise
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 16oz. pkg. broccoli florets, thawed
1 10 oz. pkg. chopped broccoli, thawed
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1-2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

In a large bowl, mix eggs, soup, onion, cheese, mayo, and butter. Fold in broccoli. Spoon into a greased casserole dish. Mix parmesan cheese with bread crumbs. Sprinkle on top. Cover and bake at 400 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. Be sure casserole is heated all the way through.

Makes about 8 servings.

I'm Just Going to Stay Dirty

Yikes!!

Here are more pictures of the remodeling work. Today is bathroom tearout day. The damage behind the paneling wasn't as bad as anticipated. It looks like it will all still be done in a week. I can still use the tub (once the pile of junk is out of it). Good thing I have wonderful neighbors who will let me use their shower if I can't stand myself. I can always use the locker room at school, too.

This is the "before" picture in the shower/tub.
The dark parts are gross spots of peeling surround that I've been living with for years.

I KNEW there was a window behind that wall!
(It was well-insulated and covered in the previous owner's remodeling work.)




Maybe I will just stay dirty.

By the way, the girls have been sleeping through all the banging and mess -- like it's an average activity. I think I'm just going to leave the house for the rest of the day.

Read a Poem Today and Every Day

April is National Poetry Month!

Sad that we need to designate a "month" to appreciate the beauty of poetic language. But, so it is. Keep a poem in your pocket. Find an anthology to enjoy. My favorites are The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry and Poetry for the Earth. Write your own haiku or free verse. Try an Elizabethan sonnet if you are up for the challenge. Go to a poetry reading if there is such a thing in your area. Stand outside on the sidewalk or in the middle of the woods and read angry poems aloud. Consider each and every moment of your day solid fodder for poetic writing. Just enjoy it!

Also, check out the Poetry 180 program from the Library of Congress (and remember that next week is National Library Week).

Spring?

What happened to spring? Mother Nature certainly has a bad sense of humor these days. It has been unseasonably, and unreasonably, cold here in the Midwest. No snow in my area, but lots of wind and bitter temps. We had a warm spell for about 4 days a few weeks ago that made my classroom (and students) unbearable. Now that it is spring break time, the temps have dipped below freezing. I hope that the plants peeking out will be hardy enough this year to withstand the cold snap. We could all use splashes of color and happiness in our yards rather than piles of dead leaves, salt deposits, and garbage that the squirrels stole away throughout the winter. On a brighter note, the cardinals are back in strong song.

Remodeling Update

Here's the latest picture of the remodel progress. I chose to accent the color of the shelving wall with a sagey green color called "quaking aspen." Bricks and board shelves will be the same color to blend into the wall. I haven't gotten to that painting yet. The suspended ceiling and track lighting is done, though you can't see it that well in this picture. I hope to have the shelving in the closets done today, so I can get re-organized this weekend. I only have a few more days until I'm back in school. It's a good thing my curriculum is well planned out for the remaining academic quarter. All I really need to do is revise, reread, and implement. This new office space will certainly help.

That Lovely Four-Letter Word

I just watched the recent documentary by Steve Anderson on the modern cultural history of the word "fuck." Touted by NYTimes critic A.O.Scott as a "rowdy and contentious" exploration of a linguistic icon (what else can one call such a powerful swear word?) , the film both informs and entertains. I'd love to use parts of this one in the high school classroom to allow students to better understand how their overuse of the term (and all its wonderful forms) has weakened its rhetorical power. However, I strongly hesitate to use any material that so obviously needs a permission slip and also presents such a heavy-handed political bias. Warning: effective editing skews the narrative and key footage of our most powerful leaders using the term may push the film over the left edge. (That in itself might be classroom-worthy to teach persuasion and rhetorical style.) There is also a bit of gratuitous sexual footage from an environmental rally that I would NEVER show in the classroom. Short clips from the historical exploration parts would be useful though. I bet I would have to document the exact sections I was planning to use, even with that permission slip. BTW, the NYTimes wouldn't even print an "edited" form of the movie title, choosing instead to use four stars to represent the film.

If you are interested in the history of the term or in free expression issues, check this film out . Doubtful that standard video stores or your public library will carry this indy pic. Go Netflix!

Construction Update

The remodeling work is progressing nicely. Here are a few pictures to illustrate.

Did you know that drywall comes in mint-green? Not the best color for a basement room. It has been really cool watching the process of this remodeling work. Details are incredibly important. One also needs to be able to do solid math calculations. Ahhhh, another way to encourage my students to enroll in more math classes.

This picture is post-taping, post-priming, and post-closet construction.

Boxing off the "uglies."
It doesn't look like a basement anymore. :)

Yesterday, my guys painted the room "muslin" color -- think creamy butter. But, not yellow; I hate yellow. I think today's agenda holds work on the suspended ceiling and baseboards. Electricians are coming back on Friday to put in the heating units and a few other electric issues throughout my house. It will be sooooo nice to have heat in my basement. Perhaps I can work in my office without mittens this spring. I'll also have electric on my porch -- my favorite space in the entire house. No more extension cords running through windows.

That's all for now....off to vote!