tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41474003115514712452024-03-14T01:14:22.767-05:00Bigger, Better, BestCrafting, cooking, knitting and newlywed in Iowa.Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.comBlogger483125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-47554582523635102892013-04-09T18:04:00.000-05:002013-04-09T18:04:00.325-05:00You got beat by a pregnant girlA few weeks ago, I signed me and Hubs up for a 5k. I have been running 3 miles at least twice a week for this whole pregnancy (well, I was running farther and more often before this kid became legit GINORMOUS and decided that I don't really need my full and complete lung function anymore), so it didn't seem like a big deal. I like races, I love love love "free" t-shirts and I was going to miss two races I really loved doing last year (the Drake Half and Dam to Dam), so I decided to treat myself.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Hubs and me, pre-run, complete with giant, swollen preggo face.</i></span></div>
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The course was pretty flat and it was a super amazing sunny, 60 degree day - perfect for getting all kinds of sweaty and not finishing last.<br />
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You see, Hubs and I, we may be just a little competitive. Not with each other, but with all you people. You people with your fancy running shorts and tight abs and normal-sized ankles. And you people who are running with a crazed dog or two cranky toddlers in a stroller. We were not about to let all of you beat us. A few of you, OK. Most of you, yes. But <i>ALL</i> of you? <i>Oh hells to the flippin' no, man.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>This is what 37 minutes of running does to a woman who is 37 weeks with child.</i></span></div>
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I made the mistake of not warming up, so we had to walk the first few minutes. Throngs and throngs of people passed us, because who doesn't start a run by running? Hubs got nervous. I remained confident that we would not literally be the last people to finish.</div>
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<b>My race goals: Don't finish dead last, don't pee my pants. Simple as that.</b></div>
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We started running and didn't stop to walk until about mile 2, when my darling bump got a little fiesty. One block later and we were back to running. We spotted a very nice woman who I had chatted up while in line for the bathroom pre-race. She had been sweet and talked to me about her grandkids. </div>
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I decided she was the person I had to beat.</div>
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Hubs (who literally could have sped-walked and kept pace with my running), was on board with this plan and we kicked it into high gear (you know, for a lady ready to pop). My frenemy wasn't going down without a fight, though, and we passed each other a few times in the final mile before I went all out while she took a walk break. BOOM.</div>
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We beat that lady (and a surprising amount of other people!) by<i> at least</i> two minutes.</div>
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<i>Disclaimer: even if I had finished dead last, I would still be proud as heck that I ran. I know I'm incredibly lucky to have had such a healthy pregnancy so far and to be able to still do what I love. It's a great, great thing and not something I take for granted. I just....am a competitive weirdo.</i></div>
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Not too shabby for a girl who (on numerous occasions in elementary school) would fake asthma attacks to get out of the Mile Run. </div>
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<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-14759284941318468212013-03-22T17:30:00.000-05:002013-03-22T17:30:01.350-05:00Bathroom Bump Up: I Stop Being LazyThanks to the nearly-ready human I've been carting around, I managed to dodge helping redo our bathroom. And I truly, honestly felt horrible about it. DIYing is never <i>actually</i> fun in of itself, it's just fun because it gives me and Hubs and excuse to hang out, make progress and eat basically unlimited Jimmy Johns. As a DIY team of one, Hubs got the short end of the stick, especially because this project has dragged on and on and on.<br />
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So, this week, with dust settled, heavy lifting out of the way and fumes finito, I decided to roll up my sleeves and park my buns in the tub to help install tile. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ez3_OxTFUO6wnWTNx1kZBz-gY0S0Jpc8HP-JMb815X2uSwcZ8ML8qjDLVpOyak85mtNTOv42m-MzgOPvDR17Yui7ub63MuT1WlTJ4d3-JEEay4tlLW7CLnxUva4InIF6Uibg6-W5t6E/s1600/IMG_4149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ez3_OxTFUO6wnWTNx1kZBz-gY0S0Jpc8HP-JMb815X2uSwcZ8ML8qjDLVpOyak85mtNTOv42m-MzgOPvDR17Yui7ub63MuT1WlTJ4d3-JEEay4tlLW7CLnxUva4InIF6Uibg6-W5t6E/s1600/IMG_4149.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><br /><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sausage fingers with caked-in grout to prove I was involved!</span></i><br /></div>
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Obviously, as the more precise one in our pair, Hubs was in charge of cutting tile to size while I grouted and hung sheets of the subway tile.</div>
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After that set for 24 hours, it was grout time!</div>
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Another 24 hours and we again had fixtures.</div>
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Now, we're patching that cracked plaster around the edges of the tile and slapping on some more paint. Then, we can hang the shower curtain and finally bathe in our own home again! Can I get an amen?</div>
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Beyond that, we're just a few decorative touches away from my favorite thing - a good old fashioned Before and After blog post!</div>
Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-25942918295377606282013-03-19T19:51:00.000-05:002013-03-19T19:51:00.178-05:00Bathroom Bump Up: You thought we were done?You may have noticed I've been pretty silent on the subject of our bathroom makeover. We did the floor, the walls, the counter and the toilet - all with joyful hearts and one eye on our wallet and sanity. Ok, maybe "we" is a gross overstatement and "joyful" could be completely off-base, but you know. Hubs. Hubs did shit. And we have a prettier bathroom than we used to. And we spent a little money as possible.<br />
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But, one major eyesore loomed. You see, kindly reader, previous bathroom renovators failed to seal the grout in the shower, resulting in horribly disgusting grout lines that refused to budge no matter what manner of noxious chemicals I poured on them and how much grease my elbows did put forth.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Gag.</i></span></div>
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The original plan was to do a quick and dirty fix - scrape out the old grout and slap on some new, white, sealed grout.<br />
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That plan was all good and well until we realized that gol dangit, we ride by the motto Bigger, Better, Best 'round these parts and no quick and dirty fix would do for us. Especially because scraping all those grout lines promised to be only dirty and not very quick.<br />
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So, we're re-tiling the whole thing. For an extra $170, it seems like a good plan since many of the original tiles were cracked anyway. Plus, that soap holder is NASTY.<br />
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So, last weekend <strike>while I napped</strike>, Hubs demo'd.<br />
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Then, he rebuilt.<br />
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Last night, tiling began, but was short-lived because our tile nippers kept breaking. This is a Very Bad Thing when it's 8:00 on a work night and you're surrounded by wet grout. Luckily, I can get to Home Depot and back in under 30 minutes, so all was not lost.<br />
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T-minus two days until we can again shower here. Until then, it's hobo showers and abnormally frequent trips to the gym for all!Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-26620039856211176052013-03-12T11:12:00.003-05:002013-03-12T11:12:45.644-05:00DishlessLast summer, we took advantage of Direct TV's deal where you can cancel service for up to six months. And we survived the long, dark winter with just Hulu and local stations.<br />
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Well, it took paying just one full bill for us to start tossing around the idea of dropping the dish for real. Forever.<br />
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$100 per month just for me to mindlessly zone out to Snooki and Jwoww once a week and binge on Bar Rescue marathons on Sundays just isn't a good value.<br />
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So, we took the plunge and as of midnight tonight, it's all over.<br />
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Now, we aren't total hippies, I mean, we love brainless entertainment as much as the next dudes. Between a Hulu Plus subscription and the recent discovery of the Amazon Prime app on the Wii, we'll still be able to unwind with some shows, but without feeling like we are paying for 200 channels we never watch.<br />
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Are you already getting your TV this way? Did I just blow your mind or am I like super behind the times? It's hard to tell.Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-82191488581769408922013-03-08T11:34:00.000-06:002013-03-08T11:34:00.058-06:00Quittin' time, bossI've been a 100% work-from-home employee for about a month now. It's been an adjustment, for sure. I love not having a commute and not having to jam my up-40-pounds self into respectable business attire for 8 hours a day, but the lack of face-to-face interaction with real humans is kind of a bummer.<br />
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Luckily, I have two feline office mates who are more than willing to get all up in business and make sure my work-life balance stays balanced.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My office manager, Trip</span></i></div>
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They are used to getting dinner right at 5:00 and about 4:30, they start hovering at my desk. Climbing in my lap, face-swiping the monitor - anything to let me know it's almost time to close up shop.<br />
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They are seriously smarter than they look. And super punctual.<br />
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Next week, I'm going to start scheduling at least one day each week where I work outside of the house because if I don't, I'm pretty sure neighbor kids will start horrible rumors about that "hermit cat lady." Which. Is not my preferred reputation.<br />
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Local peeps: Any suggestions for fun spots where a gal can get her WiFi on?Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-56579175300742353452013-03-06T11:08:00.000-06:002013-03-06T11:08:00.466-06:00Oh, hey. We're ready for a newbie.Days are flying by me so fast I can barely even fathom that in 5-9 weeks, I'll be carting around a brand new person - in my arms and not my gut. Luckily, said new person will have the most pimped out room in the house.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4co9kmQFhBBn4Ut7JYN05XDa-WiurUJuxbTUMjgMHCU8AZkK4wwsdQfBo8SML47xAhLsC_MgJ6stkrxpn3UDVnktxeJcJvIzTCb_oWUrPi1YifVtXwPuMcA9KJu-efuHpdpdWznIfpA/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4co9kmQFhBBn4Ut7JYN05XDa-WiurUJuxbTUMjgMHCU8AZkK4wwsdQfBo8SML47xAhLsC_MgJ6stkrxpn3UDVnktxeJcJvIzTCb_oWUrPi1YifVtXwPuMcA9KJu-efuHpdpdWznIfpA/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>The lounging side of the room. We got the glider from Homemakers because big-box baby store gliders are the ugliest things I'd ever seen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Admittedly, the least fun corner of the room. But how much do you love the woodland storage bins? They make my world so happy.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiknyyCt3cv4_XEd9FiWQO2YuZ66uKMhWK0DCu_eYTEmp5URDqkvGZ8PYvsLd4MeKzepRrtH-foxCB2eQM01pRPuzpytBcJvIau4XUAYHURoB4A7JBnNJxlpDlK_xq7ToTjZb01EtYT4o/s1600/IMG_4117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiknyyCt3cv4_XEd9FiWQO2YuZ66uKMhWK0DCu_eYTEmp5URDqkvGZ8PYvsLd4MeKzepRrtH-foxCB2eQM01pRPuzpytBcJvIau4XUAYHURoB4A7JBnNJxlpDlK_xq7ToTjZb01EtYT4o/s1600/IMG_4117.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>My masterpiece. Stenciled from a projected image of our wedding invitations, the tree is going to be reason number one I'll cry when we sell this house.</i></span></div>
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The nursery is about 95% ready for inhabitation. The drawers are piled high with washed cloth diapers and jammies, and the closet is organized and brimming with all kinds of totally weird shit like nipple pads and cabinet locks that will definitely make me feel stupid someday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg7yYMX_sSMDfcGm9PjKRxqIa9LtrVXROgUXNsYsqt1fY9GArsRi0WXycOeF3OXbaes4QquELD9p5JmCFKA36mMFvf8wyYRs0YoViIyLEov3xf5wNZiJycb2Y_4i1t8jLXfUCe-aD65w/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg7yYMX_sSMDfcGm9PjKRxqIa9LtrVXROgUXNsYsqt1fY9GArsRi0WXycOeF3OXbaes4QquELD9p5JmCFKA36mMFvf8wyYRs0YoViIyLEov3xf5wNZiJycb2Y_4i1t8jLXfUCe-aD65w/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Baby BBB is going to have one pampered heinie.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc_SQ3egVMIkIikKXA8-tgpw-8-wimc49JUXH-BUvvsabQwpjvEGOB7bVW_rm-ubUsKReZgOwFAKbpKeshf1wDbq9lDofoKDxls2JSKmFlkZwlOaVdam37_2syT0yy7yzwtlGqI1cdhI/s1600/IMG_4112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc_SQ3egVMIkIikKXA8-tgpw-8-wimc49JUXH-BUvvsabQwpjvEGOB7bVW_rm-ubUsKReZgOwFAKbpKeshf1wDbq9lDofoKDxls2JSKmFlkZwlOaVdam37_2syT0yy7yzwtlGqI1cdhI/s1600/IMG_4112.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>These PJs are so tiny!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uto4FTeS-2oomshiIMrG6scuZ63rNCEKavtvbmxDUQ_7qmmAKsj_7GmmWvEiqkbE9a0lPRraxLrklFmg2lMV2kSlNdoaUKlWPLHg8VGdR6K5tF2_fQ6eBHZjdWNVAzkvmicbxsh17cI/s1600/IMG_4114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uto4FTeS-2oomshiIMrG6scuZ63rNCEKavtvbmxDUQ_7qmmAKsj_7GmmWvEiqkbE9a0lPRraxLrklFmg2lMV2kSlNdoaUKlWPLHg8VGdR6K5tF2_fQ6eBHZjdWNVAzkvmicbxsh17cI/s1600/IMG_4114.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Honestly, I don't really know what to even do with half of this stuff.</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">Toys and blankets. These, I know how to use.</i></div>
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All that is left is some art on the walls, which we'll get to sometime in the next month or so. Until then, focus 'round these parts is on soaking up the beauty of sleeping in late, not feeling guilty about having three types of ice cream in the freezer, and watching Game of Thrones without worrying that we may be traumatizing an impressionable young mind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJup4n90gYg580AB5ROW0s97nlB9-jHdCtkNMYxZem64BKbqhMzdUy9zNz5u0Pgv5tlPMwNP6coupA8vDdCOMpdlZHYQO4MR1No3_qmuguNWogUrU_scDHcLmRJXp_m5tk1mabrxhPaBw/s1600/IMG_4119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJup4n90gYg580AB5ROW0s97nlB9-jHdCtkNMYxZem64BKbqhMzdUy9zNz5u0Pgv5tlPMwNP6coupA8vDdCOMpdlZHYQO4MR1No3_qmuguNWogUrU_scDHcLmRJXp_m5tk1mabrxhPaBw/s1600/IMG_4119.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The view from here.</span></i></div>
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<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-13609822870061662482013-02-12T09:40:00.002-06:002013-02-12T09:40:56.885-06:00Working underground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of the three projects we've been chipping away at lately (bathroom, baby room, home office), I'm so excited to say that one is totally done! The home office is all set up and has already seen some major productivity out of this gal.</div>
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So, I'm the world's worst DIY blogger in that I was sure I had before pictures of this basement corner when it was the fooseball table's home, but I was sorely mistaken. So, you get a screen shot from our basement before and after video:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57Z_XoWJgc4NTHtr935qiH-gAddpuxKw3M3tW5hBkPWbov-kpzKoyahh7PPS4ehKp430KTRcthU_B16RU15fZVKHJGP7pg2K-CLWeN0_w2ZwIRdp4PQasrAF3Iz4my8jYGrY726MMwoY/s1600/foose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57Z_XoWJgc4NTHtr935qiH-gAddpuxKw3M3tW5hBkPWbov-kpzKoyahh7PPS4ehKp430KTRcthU_B16RU15fZVKHJGP7pg2K-CLWeN0_w2ZwIRdp4PQasrAF3Iz4my8jYGrY726MMwoY/s1600/foose.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is the office, all gussied up. I painted a chalkboard wall, got a pretty sweet new desk at Costco, an office chair and (thanks to my amazing co-workers), a Scentsy warmer because this space is still shared with an aquatic turtle and three litterboxes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPAEtcmndBa4o5Yivwm0g05V1Ud23MZK1Nfrqr7tHRujJ7m1a67X7AIMwESc3DemTnr7Qe_-qRYg5y5Ijxiu8Bjq1fx-kCZTkQ8pqb0fhDStMO4WnEvk2hDDm654J2cKkTLIa_ZJblKA/s1600/IMG_4003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPAEtcmndBa4o5Yivwm0g05V1Ud23MZK1Nfrqr7tHRujJ7m1a67X7AIMwESc3DemTnr7Qe_-qRYg5y5Ijxiu8Bjq1fx-kCZTkQ8pqb0fhDStMO4WnEvk2hDDm654J2cKkTLIa_ZJblKA/s1600/IMG_4003.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Work is so much more fun in a pretty space, don't you think?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9X6Er-rE1DLNKJcLE7qDGuBe29O0lDqUKlBlch6fp0EaHhvVlLOMvCnpr1EndIyJyLU5e_nG-amaCX4ElyQk__NlVoIZ3umdJgjRiPZGNEj3VtixXI1rVmIBSS5PQrdHlF1TLzvvqXs/s1600/IMG_4004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9X6Er-rE1DLNKJcLE7qDGuBe29O0lDqUKlBlch6fp0EaHhvVlLOMvCnpr1EndIyJyLU5e_nG-amaCX4ElyQk__NlVoIZ3umdJgjRiPZGNEj3VtixXI1rVmIBSS5PQrdHlF1TLzvvqXs/s1600/IMG_4004.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The only downside to this home office gig is that the fooseball table had to go. There just wasn't room, so it's heading back to St. Louis, where I can visit it and blow people's minds with my fooseball intensity (not skill, just enthusiasm).</div>
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One down, two to go!</div>
Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-39934233230494827912013-01-30T20:05:00.001-06:002013-01-30T20:05:48.000-06:00Baby blizzard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All has been seemingly quiet on the Bigger, Better, Best front for a few weeks. We ditched the never-ending horror that is living among three in-progress re-dos and headed east then south for some baby shower action.</div>
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First up, was a brunch soiree in Chicago. Hubs' mom went all out, decorating each table with a different kids' book, which was adorable.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuy3tw92elTbwvqFWpvX9aMpL3RbE6cVM2wMxJMpDt8tq2I6jySdSmr64d6UdU_mTld8q0EON4SAlVX9WE0moqlue0_wa-CwqysnzrmBY4ZAnfLK3tvmEOQrWJsqJ-enQiN9IwO2AugE/s1600/IMG_3689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuy3tw92elTbwvqFWpvX9aMpL3RbE6cVM2wMxJMpDt8tq2I6jySdSmr64d6UdU_mTld8q0EON4SAlVX9WE0moqlue0_wa-CwqysnzrmBY4ZAnfLK3tvmEOQrWJsqJ-enQiN9IwO2AugE/s320/IMG_3689.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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I parked myself at the Curious George table, mostly because the candy favors there were runts and if there is one thing I love, it's sugar shaped like fruit. Sneaky candy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc9OaYoLzigO2tVUCt2OyiW2PRnsOsg98dFJciMdoeLdZN2jKoO-tFVA_HcqtvWHdAQNsJULDXeRhIoWY7J4mrMaSB-l52Rb0juMsUoLqJjGyWfMOnF5UaPYzUeVX0xfrRGj08vDYKt8/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc9OaYoLzigO2tVUCt2OyiW2PRnsOsg98dFJciMdoeLdZN2jKoO-tFVA_HcqtvWHdAQNsJULDXeRhIoWY7J4mrMaSB-l52Rb0juMsUoLqJjGyWfMOnF5UaPYzUeVX0xfrRGj08vDYKt8/s320/IMG_3693.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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There was also a Pete the Cat table, in homage to our crazy cat person-ness.</div>
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Can't beat a classic - Goodnight, Moon.</div>
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And Berenstein Bears!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIprsthNalVNZPc7wZTqVJASXkKUNYX-Kpgh_d_pTiw5pN6Lg3PZSQW47sgZ0MZGz8SDW0Q1xn6O6LIitpv1xKi6u_IXPXJiG4Jq1tLAmJd6ru_Df-ezdCoVOXb1IWD-ok3eNClGeTtgM/s1600/IMG_3697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIprsthNalVNZPc7wZTqVJASXkKUNYX-Kpgh_d_pTiw5pN6Lg3PZSQW47sgZ0MZGz8SDW0Q1xn6O6LIitpv1xKi6u_IXPXJiG4Jq1tLAmJd6ru_Df-ezdCoVOXb1IWD-ok3eNClGeTtgM/s320/IMG_3697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My parents came out for the bash, too. I donned the belt to keep up my end of the bargain of being the most pregnant lady at the party.</div>
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We played pinned the pacifier on the baby and each person had to choose a pink or blue blindfold based on what they think baby is going to be. The girl votes edged out, but only by one vote.</div>
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Next up was St Louis, where the greatest appetizer ever:</div>
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A giant soft pretzel heralding the impending arrival of my first-born. Seriously perfect.<br />
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The crowd went wild while we opened presents.</div>
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Can't you just hear us going "Oooooo!" as we opened this card saying a bike trailer was on it's way to our place? Psyched to cart around that little homie!</div>
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And my dad went for the gold and gave Hubs the shirt he wore the day I was born. He even wrote a classic Papa BBB poem to immortalize the moment. Want to make a pregnant lady cry? This is how you do it.</div>
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What dries happy tears better than hot chocolate? I enjoyed the basic version while most other guests spiked theirs with tons of fun add-ins. </div>
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The whole BBB clan. Holla!</div>
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Of course, in addition to hanging out with our nearest and dearest, we accumulated a hell of a lot of baby gear. Now that the room is nearly ready, it's time to organize and decorate. Get excited!</div>
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<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-24551525901835477532013-01-18T10:05:00.000-06:002013-01-18T10:05:00.867-06:00Bathroom Bump-Up: In which we reflect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Originally, we bought a pre-framed mirror at Home Depot for $30 with the intention to hang it in the space between the beadboard trim.Sadly, we failed to account for one measly half inch and the mirror hung so low, it overlapped the tile backsplash.</div>
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So, we set about making our own framed mirror. We got a mirror cut to size at Lowes and then Hubs decided that adding more beadboard would be the easiest way to get the mirror to lay flat against the wall and not sit at an angle as it hung from plaster to beadboard.</div>
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There was much measuring and mathing.</div>
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I'm thankful everyday that this flannel-clad man is my husband, but especially when projects like this require extreme precision.</div>
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I think you can see him thinking in this picture. We secured the beadboard with a bajillion nails.</div>
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Then, it was time to hang the mirror. We busted out the construction adhesive and Hubs got to work making the beadboard a cozy home for the mirror to hang.</div>
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A scientist and an artist, Hubs never ceases to amaze.</div>
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I love when we can hide cats in our DIY projects.</div>
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And then, a moment of sheer terror.<br />
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Construction adhesive sets up pretty quick, but we still had to fight gravity to keep it level while we hung the bottom trim to keep it steady.</div>
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The rest of the trim went up lickety split.<br />
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And I finally can apply my hot rollers in the bathroom and not the dining room.</div>
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It's coming together!</div>
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If our DIY graffiti tag is cats, what's yours?</div>
<br /><br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-63199405093083367272013-01-17T09:41:00.000-06:002013-01-17T09:41:00.080-06:00Life in a house with three projects in process<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ac-wto_Ur6A" width="420"></iframe>
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Fun Fact: Somehow, watching this video is a really distinct childhood memory for me (which is weird because we didn't have cable, so no MTV for me as a 3 year old). I remember being equal parts terrified and fascinated by the puppets.<br />
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Anyway, "Land of Confusion" really sums up how it feels to be three-projects deep (baby room, bathroom and now home office).<br />
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Because we're refinishing the baby's floor, using some yuck-o primers and adhesive, I walk around like this a lot.<br />
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My living room is piled with baby furniture (though the crib is still hidden in the basement).</div>
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The dining room is the staging area for all the tools.<br />
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Notes, reminders and other can't-miss items live on the dining room table.</div>
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Replacement items (towel bar, shelves and a fan for the kiddo's room) hang out next to the toilet brush. In my living room. Gag. Assorted junk is squirreled away under the coffee table.</div>
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Baby shower presents have started to roll in (yay!), but they have no home until the floors are done.</div>
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And finally, the worst part - because we're always sanding or scraping something down (it seems), there is a constant layer of dust on everything that I really see no sense in taking care of until the dust-creating activities are done.</div>
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Oy. </div>
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It's not too bad, but after about three weeks of this, I've got to admit, I feel a little cramped. Hopefully, these nesting instincts I've heard so much about will really inspire me to do a deep clean once the projects are done!</div>
<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-75789780766861761632013-01-16T17:30:00.000-06:002013-01-16T17:30:04.230-06:00A birthday interlude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every year, I try to get crazy in the kitchen for Hubs birthday. You've seen me try my hand at <a href="http://3b7p.blogspot.com/2010/01/rousing-success-on-cinnamon-front.html">cinnamon rolls</a>, <a href="http://3b7p.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-own-throwdown-alton-vs-p-dubs.html">eggs benedict</a> and <a href="http://3b7p.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-bupkis.html">key lime cake</a> with wildly unpredictable rates of success. Nevertheless, on the docket for the mister's 28th was a variation on his favorite dessert - tiramisu in cupcake form!</div>
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<i>(I once tried making Hubs real tiramisu back before I had a kitchen you could fit two people in and it was a horrible, horrible mistake. It tastes like cheap booze layered with unflavored gelatin. And the sweetheart still ate half the dish. Hubs clearly loves tiramisu so much, he can't even hate on sad versions.)</i></div>
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This experiment in cupcakery was really not too bad. I followed the directions (which is typically where I go wrong with these things) and am pleased to report that we enjoyed 18 of these little beauties, which taste just as good as they look! <a href="http://www.yourcupofcake.com/2012/03/tiramisu-cupcakes.html">Seriously, try them for yourself</a>.</div>
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I am now 1-1 in the birthday dessert department. I sense the beginning of a streak here, people.</div>
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Other ways to celebrate your husband's final non-dad birthday:</div>
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Presents, duh. Hubs got a new kitchen faucet and two ridiculously fat beer books.</div>
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Dinner at <a href="http://www.baru66.com/">Baru 66</a> (which, while divine, was lacking a little in the vino department for me thanks to the bambino en borde. Sad times!).</div>
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Beatles Brunch at <a href="http://www.cafediscala.com/blog/">Cafe di Scala</a> (it was our first time hitting up this monthly event and Oh. Holy. Cakes. The chicken and waffles made me want to melt into a puddle right at my seat. So amazing. I also had a virgin bloody mary with the house-made mix, which was fresh and bright).</div>
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Massages at <a href="http://www.evdayspa.com/">East Village Spa</a> (a new birthday tradition! Any excuse to take a little snooze on those fun beds).</div>
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Buy a Super Coat. <i>Someone </i>ruined her husband's winter coat in the wash and so we hit Eddie Bauer where this "little" guy was 60% off. Hubs can now trek comfortably in -40 degree climes and sleep well knowing he paid just $165 for the privilege.</div>
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Hooray for birthdays!</div>
<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-55410852055500535262013-01-11T14:30:00.000-06:002013-01-11T14:32:58.301-06:00New gig, new digs!For the past two and a half years, I've been the Communications Director for the American Heart Association's Iowa operations. It's been awesome. I've gotten to write event scripts, work with local celebrities, steer our messaging and social media presence, stage manage huge fundraisers, and genuinely make a difference in how Iowans see their heart health. It has been a complete blast.<br />
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But, it's time for me to move on to the next project! The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association (because risk factors are so similar and both fall under the cardiovascular disease umbrella) and nationally, the goal is to really put more resources behind the stroke side of things. I'm going to be managing their new social media presence at the American Stroke Association. How awesome is that? (<i>Answer:</i> Very, dude.)<br />
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It's a chance to learn new things, be a specialist in one area of PR (I've been a generalist for my whole career so far, so I'm super psyched at the chance to dig deep into one area) and shape an emerging online presence. Can you say "Holla, balla!"? because, yes, this is going to be superfun.<br />
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The job was technically supposed to be in Dallas, but I just couldn't ditch the possibility of blizzards and so I'll be working from a home office right here in cushy DSM. <i>Which means, I get to design a home office</i>. Which I need to really get started on, as my current home office space (in the <a href="http://3b7p.blogspot.com/2011/04/basement-boogie-before-and-after.html">glorious basement</a>! This is where I silently thank this old house for being leaky a few years ago because I fo' sho' wouldn't have been thrilled to work in the dingy dungeon that was our basement in 2010.) is currently home to a fooseball table and a litter box. Not exactly where I'm going to get my best work done.<br />
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Maybe more like this, but no chandelier because the ceilings are under 7 feet and with a more comfy chair on wheels and definitely no orchid because I kill and maim orchids just by looking at them. (Also, notice the bar is on the side of the desk facing the chair - this desk is styled backwards!) But otherwise, exactly this:<br />
<img alt="pretty purple home office" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/259660734736675422_PP3mNjrD_c.jpg" height="320" width="213" /><br />
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Do you work from home? Any tips for me as I setup the new space?<br />
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PS If you are in Des Moines and PR-minded, we need a new Communications Director STAT (Heart Month is just about two weeks away!). <a href="http://ow.ly/gJKpE">Apply away</a>!<br />
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<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-50353990676687044272013-01-10T17:30:00.000-06:002013-01-10T17:30:02.190-06:00Bathroom Bump-Up: That weird, mostly-done stage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every project hits this point. The big changes are done and all that's left is a bunch of piddly mini-projects that will take more time than you realize but no one will notice. I personally guarantee that no one has ever walked into a freshly renovated bathroom and first admired the grout-sealing job, for example. Unless that person was a grout-sealant salesperson.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zWxZBiE4ZzFZYgn2jWUIHDy74lQX6eINgqAHy69i2pJYzuIU1lbTIgQiA8VCD43FHWrJJCxqOLAD1UE4-plUKyjOL94eaYTJJ48rak5HyskTzJhUz2Cwic58myfZxKw-ur_4GG-6cGw/s1600/IMG_3596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zWxZBiE4ZzFZYgn2jWUIHDy74lQX6eINgqAHy69i2pJYzuIU1lbTIgQiA8VCD43FHWrJJCxqOLAD1UE4-plUKyjOL94eaYTJJ48rak5HyskTzJhUz2Cwic58myfZxKw-ur_4GG-6cGw/s1600/IMG_3596.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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But, it's all the little things you have to do, like seal grout, touch up trim, putty over nail holes and bust out the painter's caulk (which! Fixes everything! Gap in the trim? Ugly plaster to tile seam? Painter's caulk that bizzo!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N9seo077dJzhrqE3Lc-wU9kSXVV-g9YD8I-e9CEwYEsPoTk7VRJ33Krz4r2z5Z1s4yS6C4mKphd5biuvzTOuHeHZljVuqZwOain5G-TRymx7_KokDqImL0oVddVZAtjEgdg_2Pl5ksw/s1600/IMG_3610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N9seo077dJzhrqE3Lc-wU9kSXVV-g9YD8I-e9CEwYEsPoTk7VRJ33Krz4r2z5Z1s4yS6C4mKphd5biuvzTOuHeHZljVuqZwOain5G-TRymx7_KokDqImL0oVddVZAtjEgdg_2Pl5ksw/s1600/IMG_3610.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
We do have three big, fun things left to do:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Hang the mirror (we have to caulk the trim first and we've been hunting down some seriously secure hanging doo-dads for it. It's a 15lb framed mirror and so we want to make sure no little curious hands (or wandering cat butts) can knock it down and require us to spend a perfectly good Saturday in the ER - I'll share how we secure it in case anyone else is looking to do the same).</li>
<li>Scrape and re-grout the shower. We left this until last because, frankly, it's going to suck. There are a lot of grout lines to scrape (previous DIYers failed to seal the grout, so it is NASTY like whoa), but the regrouting shouldn't be horrible.</li>
<li>Shopping! I think I'll do a TJ Maxx shopping spree this weekend for:</li>
<ul>
<li>Window dressing (the glass is frosted, but a valance or roman shade would look nice)</li>
<li>New shower curtain (because what was I thinking with that thing?) </li>
<li>Rug</li>
<li>Soap dispenser</li>
<li>Shelves for above the toilet</li>
<li>Fancy, spa-like knick-knacks for those shelves</li>
<li>Curved shower curtain rod</li>
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What's your least favorite part of the project? This is definitely at the bottom of my list, right before priming but after paying for all this junk.</div>
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Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-83119908792020989682013-01-08T09:51:00.000-06:002013-01-08T09:51:00.057-06:00Bathroom Bumpup: Bright, open spaces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here at the Bigger, Better, Best house, we don't give up easily. When faced like a minor obstacle (like having one very uncooperative toilet), we don't spend much time hyperventilating and throwing ourselves on the couch with deep "Woe is me!" sighs (the time limit on that is ten minutes). Instead, we look around the shambles of our sole bathroom and say, what else can we do?</div>
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So, we painted. From a nice, but dingy green...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzYbYE18-qfArrRnQ5tEZkMwl1U-mixKkvPs7pbOcX3nyxZaiW5L3-UE5ZcZcAHzN6Lc0hEUpyF6E6O8KMU0aAFpXQ8a0icd5nRiK-s8EN92R06E_XdScQpR1PrEObOJSL31Wdok-xSM/s1600/IMG_3575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzYbYE18-qfArrRnQ5tEZkMwl1U-mixKkvPs7pbOcX3nyxZaiW5L3-UE5ZcZcAHzN6Lc0hEUpyF6E6O8KMU0aAFpXQ8a0icd5nRiK-s8EN92R06E_XdScQpR1PrEObOJSL31Wdok-xSM/s1600/IMG_3575.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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And sick, sad pale ceiling...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHlle_sakbY2kHAoHv3eLPN9KSoh5hX2F5cqQ-0QA6ERIR0nCUG8p0PHMFVOTozs0CW59V-i2Y7g_NR1jyJ3yZ_uvKQrVqtzHXRxg1RSnUAwJUtIksFK5Q8Mo_dxb5zWI5N_HA7VtTDQ/s1600/IMG_3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHlle_sakbY2kHAoHv3eLPN9KSoh5hX2F5cqQ-0QA6ERIR0nCUG8p0PHMFVOTozs0CW59V-i2Y7g_NR1jyJ3yZ_uvKQrVqtzHXRxg1RSnUAwJUtIksFK5Q8Mo_dxb5zWI5N_HA7VtTDQ/s1600/IMG_3576.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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To a sharply nautical blue and stark white ceiling!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWihIhKlLjiiuuWcjl0sPJG_sz5dvCkOitqQRvgkQWOPyStYohgWXE1OzRfFG27FNk547eWXgWI36deYAv-L7S7qFmfYikhyphenhyphenb4s-rpWIwbTkLhuz7KZJPMntH9wVxG10U5JKyUZOV02g0/s1600/IMG_3577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWihIhKlLjiiuuWcjl0sPJG_sz5dvCkOitqQRvgkQWOPyStYohgWXE1OzRfFG27FNk547eWXgWI36deYAv-L7S7qFmfYikhyphenhyphenb4s-rpWIwbTkLhuz7KZJPMntH9wVxG10U5JKyUZOV02g0/s1600/IMG_3577.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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The trim is still that greasy off-white, but not for long.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgBw4zKeoLLzq2PvIx9TExeTt1e24uHDTxlLnN6YkrI_KhfBPdGh0tXsP1_GNO6hpcztQnr-cPv2VK9W0tjiUH4859KCXXEqlaltb_Ah3ZbEGky0MUb0Wr0zF89JaiajeWCPi2HSMjMg/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgBw4zKeoLLzq2PvIx9TExeTt1e24uHDTxlLnN6YkrI_KhfBPdGh0tXsP1_GNO6hpcztQnr-cPv2VK9W0tjiUH4859KCXXEqlaltb_Ah3ZbEGky0MUb0Wr0zF89JaiajeWCPi2HSMjMg/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Hubs also installed the new light, which, is almost impossible for a photography newbie like myself to take a decent picture of. It's shiny and bright and lovely, though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZuyboAr2OxyWnlFaVmLCjBk2eUEUD7bN4FnsVdg4mNPM2CLd8IfRFmd7VmxhHPfhC0AJbROBKZA9jlRWMauyLKoD11algr91-RtiYv_bIA9LaL0dNzOlKA1PdlzyWUPbsIQFxZoJ8oE/s1600/IMG_3583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZuyboAr2OxyWnlFaVmLCjBk2eUEUD7bN4FnsVdg4mNPM2CLd8IfRFmd7VmxhHPfhC0AJbROBKZA9jlRWMauyLKoD11algr91-RtiYv_bIA9LaL0dNzOlKA1PdlzyWUPbsIQFxZoJ8oE/s1600/IMG_3583.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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It might not <i>be</i> a functioning bathroom yet, but it is starting to look like one!</div>
<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-33286421692414667892013-01-07T14:30:00.000-06:002013-01-07T14:30:00.916-06:00Branding the baby's room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The mural! Based on the tree I used as the grounding graphic force for our wedding, I created a super adorable baby room mural. I mean, I spent $75 for a very talented gal on Etsy to develop my wedding invites and this tree and really, I'm just trying to get the most bang for my buck by making this tree our family logo. (Our family also has a few favorite fonts that fit our "brand," too in case you were wondering. I'm clearly that bizarre.)</div>
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I mentioned before that painting this wasn't too bad, even for an art dunce like myself. A nice projector, a sharp pencil and a steady hand is all it took to create:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO9SAFgdxjkQmc9qaHgmOmNhzQl-Ago6jTSN3Nv1Y2Pw2UlAnkYZe2dvowHF5pz_pQujw1T5OYWw9xrWKa2Bg8VKNJtLrzXnKhMtIdrvLE4WhRM4fyK51ZB-OEewie7ImjehAbjhoeKY/s1600/IMG_3524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO9SAFgdxjkQmc9qaHgmOmNhzQl-Ago6jTSN3Nv1Y2Pw2UlAnkYZe2dvowHF5pz_pQujw1T5OYWw9xrWKa2Bg8VKNJtLrzXnKhMtIdrvLE4WhRM4fyK51ZB-OEewie7ImjehAbjhoeKY/s1600/IMG_3524.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Ooooooo!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH_6DDnQUIJmXL8DY5Gz4gGA4kk8ZVVXJF0YD94R7K8j6Xp8IpZJPsfShFBWGDwK5mwOqEYlD-UDutgzfNIJ6sc2UDxsPdClb9nMQCMoiggaqe47stdpz1KEt7WnyiXkWmNZCMy6U2fo/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH_6DDnQUIJmXL8DY5Gz4gGA4kk8ZVVXJF0YD94R7K8j6Xp8IpZJPsfShFBWGDwK5mwOqEYlD-UDutgzfNIJ6sc2UDxsPdClb9nMQCMoiggaqe47stdpz1KEt7WnyiXkWmNZCMy6U2fo/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ahhhhhh!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2XZdnynTmOd_Iy3tx2N2di0LRVtxfHCL_yq7OdTeBmbkJZLkj7rIm0NbACanPhzirGNLqUYLuakcGGRfqmX5LMe_XwoLZzyTGcSlbrbtwy8958vDBI30b16fR5HMA8ptoBC_w_JUCHI/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2XZdnynTmOd_Iy3tx2N2di0LRVtxfHCL_yq7OdTeBmbkJZLkj7rIm0NbACanPhzirGNLqUYLuakcGGRfqmX5LMe_XwoLZzyTGcSlbrbtwy8958vDBI30b16fR5HMA8ptoBC_w_JUCHI/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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For those of you curious, Hubs is the green bird, I'm the yellow bird and Baby BBB is the teal bird. Hubs (bless his heart!) originally asked to be painted with the markings of a sun conure. After perusing the paint selections, though, he realized he didn't want to upstage the kiddo's bird and also, he did not want his wife/artiste to have a conniption fit trying to replicate nature's beautiful bounty. Hubs is a wise, wise man.</div>
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<img src="http://www.parrots.org/images/parrotgallery/SunConure/wpt1177_medium.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLEp_YXwbCbxhOObnMjzR51YrmTwdUH-nrZIcyIE44T22KQKXW7yHIzH4-WP95wCTEVjxe4vASTi32bDRyIDZxMYGdC9pwI7-G9RFjP5FaPdfhDpa_fVs_LI_VNlFs_sm_olQEC7Xtcw/s1600/IMG_3528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLEp_YXwbCbxhOObnMjzR51YrmTwdUH-nrZIcyIE44T22KQKXW7yHIzH4-WP95wCTEVjxe4vASTi32bDRyIDZxMYGdC9pwI7-G9RFjP5FaPdfhDpa_fVs_LI_VNlFs_sm_olQEC7Xtcw/s1600/IMG_3528.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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I did two coats, but there are still lots of great brush strokes, which only add to the tree-ness of it all. I can't wait to camp out in here every night and stare at this sucker while I'm in a sleep deprived zombie state.</div>
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Now that this is done, the baby's room work is on hold for a few days while we finish the bathroom. Then, the floors need to get refinished (barf). That's on the calendar for next weekend. I can only imagine how excited you all are to read about the whole sand, buff, seal thang. I'll make it fun, I promise.</div>
<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-32751096348030412452013-01-05T13:00:00.000-06:002013-01-05T13:00:03.345-06:00Bathroom Bumpup: Toilet ToilsOnce the bathroom floor was all set, we were in a frenzied rush to install the new toilet that resulted in a potentially ripped and corroded pipe behind the wall, requiring not one, but two "Holy shit, what time does Home Depot close on New Year's Eve?" (answer: 5:00 p.m.) and "CRAP! What about Menard's?" (8:00 p.m., bless their discount-hardware-sellin' hearts) moments. Sadly, at 9:00 (after all hardware stores closed to ring in the new year), we realized we were one pipe short of a working toilet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSurbUcymxO4SkGQWZL4coQslBt1C2nXjkcMOyijlwiuUb8FYh2hLuk4D1fznwJXVtj2Iwz_gmjDa_KMF4NzT_ftwFN9F1jw4swPSHSpfD63C1Qzrh9R9lUeUW3gjAKrLnqDVpkDqMJI/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSurbUcymxO4SkGQWZL4coQslBt1C2nXjkcMOyijlwiuUb8FYh2hLuk4D1fznwJXVtj2Iwz_gmjDa_KMF4NzT_ftwFN9F1jw4swPSHSpfD63C1Qzrh9R9lUeUW3gjAKrLnqDVpkDqMJI/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The horror.</span></i></div>
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And so, we set about living toilet-less for a third night, confident that our troubles would be gone by 9:00 the next morning when Home Depot reopened.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOseH9BcpiTvC-JJRl9uQVeVZzT1YraeEz5SJK8KkbofNsP4ecw3igga-OVntyUbbcJZ3hL5N3WwSI_VicpiBE3u_p0BIh1fwChvgjXPFeRaUUqBBRC0GG2KSl4wghsLrB9PHY6uvUb4/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOseH9BcpiTvC-JJRl9uQVeVZzT1YraeEz5SJK8KkbofNsP4ecw3igga-OVntyUbbcJZ3hL5N3WwSI_VicpiBE3u_p0BIh1fwChvgjXPFeRaUUqBBRC0GG2KSl4wghsLrB9PHY6uvUb4/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The short-lived (foreshadowing!) joy. </span></i></div>
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I woke up on New Year's Day to the most glorious sound known to DIYers of a one bathroom home: the sound of a toilet flushing, because Hubs got up early and exchanged the short pipe for a full-length one, thus ending my reign as Queen of the Throne-less.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YN__GlAGSpzDDSvWDUCPZakiXVP3Y0FIXHg9o-vCcPPYYYMPXS1VSifk9p186d-Mi0OfShZNra3MHyXp7tlV26V43kh07EFVpc86Dg5eOeiDRvp6FQaUCh2EaW008jcplnMZj-KHYiY/s1600/IMG_3543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YN__GlAGSpzDDSvWDUCPZakiXVP3Y0FIXHg9o-vCcPPYYYMPXS1VSifk9p186d-Mi0OfShZNra3MHyXp7tlV26V43kh07EFVpc86Dg5eOeiDRvp6FQaUCh2EaW008jcplnMZj-KHYiY/s1600/IMG_3543.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>A cat in a fresh-out-of-the-box toilet.</i></span></div>
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Sadly, this joy was only temporary. After two days of bliss, we noticed a small leak. Upon trying to fix the leak, we realized how horrendously old and nasty the phlange (the piece that connects floor to toilet) was. A quick call to our back-up emergency plumber revealed that because the pipe was original to the house, it might not be fixable without (brace yourself) going at it through our basement ceiling. You know the one - it's <a href="http://3b7p.blogspot.com/2011/01/basement-boogie-dusty-trail.html">the ceiling</a> we spent hours crippling ourselves over as we rebuilt it just two years ago.</div>
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Now, we were potty-less for a fourth night. We laughed, we cried, we binged on Jimmy John's.</div>
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Ken, our plumber, came to inspect the toilet yesterday. Lo and behold, his original diagnosis was worst-case scenario and it's actually a really easy fix. Stranger things have happened, right? This old heap of bricks sometimes magically cures itself.</div>
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AND SO.</div>
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We have a functioning toilet again. I hope my dainty and ladylike musings on this subject haven't turned you off my blog forever. I just felt compelled to share the trials and truths of this harrowing tale with you all. And really, what you don't know about those four dark nights is saving my dignity.</div>
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After all, a true lady doesn't <strike>k</strike>piss and tell.</div>
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Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-56605588846344427532013-01-04T13:00:00.001-06:002013-01-04T15:20:23.146-06:00Bathroom Bumpup: Ain't No Grout About It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once the floor tiles in the bathroom were set, it was time to grout so that we could install the new toilet and end the madness and generally unladylike atmosphere that not having a toilet in your own home brings. Luckily, grouting is really, really, brain-meltingly easy. </div>
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Swipe some grout over the tiles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4atjVNQ0cF9K9uSRf0Gz3LbNW1RAnYeAQt36I2nhv1r39Rjq5JouMT7ybTxVX7Ege1q1O0ZZVbmQQNBZ2zxv86cbOwiLZk532Rb5DO9TPUUGsvLkyFZBOuww3GaFkYIjnXeluF0p87JA/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4atjVNQ0cF9K9uSRf0Gz3LbNW1RAnYeAQt36I2nhv1r39Rjq5JouMT7ybTxVX7Ege1q1O0ZZVbmQQNBZ2zxv86cbOwiLZk532Rb5DO9TPUUGsvLkyFZBOuww3GaFkYIjnXeluF0p87JA/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Let it sit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJvWdT8qNEElh9yPkZwv5kpGNLAcx1WjedjTO1tGiiDDg_UZHpQuw6nJJ8srx-0gksPi_Y8-8j1mcLMWUMwfujRiURfZgfCK3Zi0MrpuEGM7liF2ueqRVp65OXV4_mVJylC3eKCsWiTo/s1600/IMG_3512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJvWdT8qNEElh9yPkZwv5kpGNLAcx1WjedjTO1tGiiDDg_UZHpQuw6nJJ8srx-0gksPi_Y8-8j1mcLMWUMwfujRiURfZgfCK3Zi0MrpuEGM7liF2ueqRVp65OXV4_mVJylC3eKCsWiTo/s1600/IMG_3512.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Sponge off the haze twice.<br />
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Ba da bing, ba da boom. You got a new floor.<br />
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<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-48819885139170445952013-01-03T14:00:00.000-06:002013-01-03T14:00:04.436-06:00In which I resolveI'm not big on New Year's resolutions. It just seems kind of arbitrary, so I usually prefer to make goals and deadlines based on how my year roles, not the calendar.<br />
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Maybe it's the fact that 2013 is going to be so obviously loaded with change and goodness that has me a little more resolved. Maybe I'm old and weak and more susceptible to media hype. I can't really tell, but here are my resolutions for 2013:<br />
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<li><b>Grow, birth and love a healthy, happy baby.</b> Obviously. Is it too much to ask that I have fun while doing these things? I like to think not: Party on, Sober-30th-Birthday! Rock out, Active Labor! Whooooooo hooo, Fourth Trimester!</li>
<li><b>Participate in the Des Moines Half Marathon</b> (which should be about six months post-baby). I don't need to run the whole thing and if I finish totally dead stinkin' last (Less-Than-Fun-Fact: I was the second to last woman in my age group to finish the Drake Relays Half last spring. What I'm saying is: I know the bitter taste of almost-losing.), I won't even care. I just want to try. I miss running my guts out every Saturday morning and working toward a big goal. Also, I miss thighs that aren't a fire hazard in corduroys. </li>
<li><b>Knit before it gets too hot</b>. I have to finish remaking Hubs' Christmas stocking, make the newbie one and finally make Hubs a scarf that I promised him way back when he first gifted me with the knitting class that got all this started (cough, cough two years ago).</li>
<li><b>Slow down.</b> Things are about to get real up in here and I'd like to take more time to stop, look around and be all "Holy crap, how did I get so damn lucky?" every now and again. Not really measurable, but these are New Year's Resolutions, not a marketing plan.</li>
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What about you guys? Link to your "goal posts" in the comments! (Like how I got all sporty right at the end, there?)</div>
Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-65418220516786240032013-01-02T19:00:00.000-06:002013-01-02T19:00:02.717-06:00Pregnant in Paint Clothes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">While Hubs was dutifully demo-ing and rebuilding the bathroom, I was in the next room over, getting the baby room all ready for some artistry. I wore my respirator and cracked the windows (despite seriously freezing temps), plus took breaks after each wall to keep baby seven kinds of safe. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlPV0UvmeNgUzkUTpyuSjJEVdK68U2RJoZ1xV2eGxcPM5hdXjDDIViRIZTlu1p_BIBzxq2BS3jtNdc50Lj11acwxSHd8fHOUksMGyPOdvDwW-f4iYMB7_LqSXbBFmO46vXu6bea7X9aU/s1600/IMG_3466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlPV0UvmeNgUzkUTpyuSjJEVdK68U2RJoZ1xV2eGxcPM5hdXjDDIViRIZTlu1p_BIBzxq2BS3jtNdc50Lj11acwxSHd8fHOUksMGyPOdvDwW-f4iYMB7_LqSXbBFmO46vXu6bea7X9aU/s1600/IMG_3466.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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This second picture shows the true color much better than the first. It's Behr's Natural Gray. In dimmer lights, it seems a little purple-y, but once we get some art on the walls and furniture in, it should be less noticeable. But, if we're being honest here, I love the purpleness and don't think it will be much of a problem because I'm pretty sure real man-babies lives in sorta purple rooms.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6alohccjYEhIIqDL4N_j6QfIpNlRzxwQfkNu9aoaD7hwPgGh2C33_zskpO0Fo59MD8tRESiWtRVOubbk18CN7pPPzonqnV3ri06pdN6Q7P2zpmiUyzXRFMRj4EUZnp1V4baT42u29g5o/s1600/IMG_3467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6alohccjYEhIIqDL4N_j6QfIpNlRzxwQfkNu9aoaD7hwPgGh2C33_zskpO0Fo59MD8tRESiWtRVOubbk18CN7pPPzonqnV3ri06pdN6Q7P2zpmiUyzXRFMRj4EUZnp1V4baT42u29g5o/s1600/IMG_3467.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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With the walls gray and the trim nice and white, it was time for me to tap into my inner artiste. Long-time readers may remember our wedding logo, which I <a href="http://3b7p.blogspot.com/2010/11/paper-boy.html">plastered</a> <a href="http://3b7p.blogspot.com/2010/11/lets-try-this-again.html">on</a> <a href="http://3b7p.blogspot.com/2010/11/wedding-brand.html">everything</a> like the good little branding nerd that I am. That same logo is being revived in mural form for the kiddo's room. The one change? Obviously, we're adding a third bird to the mix, which means homeslice is about to freestyle and leave the safe confines of tracing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89NUWZD_HfkcFfIR1XLxG5qwkMXU7j3wRuwTpHnlITumO4WHfxI8RAbrtjliRmonI5HvxughyHR-MJcAK7CZTkRbjqLgblxQ4VIbeam4OmmVTjriXXtIc0fQmUmokZPnR9TtGLm4fa3Y/s1600/IMG_3498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89NUWZD_HfkcFfIR1XLxG5qwkMXU7j3wRuwTpHnlITumO4WHfxI8RAbrtjliRmonI5HvxughyHR-MJcAK7CZTkRbjqLgblxQ4VIbeam4OmmVTjriXXtIc0fQmUmokZPnR9TtGLm4fa3Y/s1600/IMG_3498.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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I borrowed a projector, traced out the swirly swoops of the tree branches, moved and resized the birds and then, took a big deep breath and got to painting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsFdlQeq60IVOp5RAKTdEQ8m1ZeUQ1pITIQV0RHd-_olGX-RgBPOhPwcJ2jvVdXREAhYhCTA65Ot3REW2-loQk3xlUqknDVBM-9r1W9RSm69sf-y4m0Nu4yREMNMI6qsQCYqXmtG1DU4/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsFdlQeq60IVOp5RAKTdEQ8m1ZeUQ1pITIQV0RHd-_olGX-RgBPOhPwcJ2jvVdXREAhYhCTA65Ot3REW2-loQk3xlUqknDVBM-9r1W9RSm69sf-y4m0Nu4yREMNMI6qsQCYqXmtG1DU4/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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The first few swipes were terrifying. I'm not a gal known for my artistic prowess, but here I was, doing my best to not eff up my first-born's room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpOC7x_zbB9oWcALhx7b1lBNK_MVsDCodlNg3BCRvDD3ozVXHiJZ5EyabgMUbuKx9yzhg3QmZWuv2UaVzD7Ii8EeEdFsSWnrr7zhguCtbPDGGa5zKyAMOspSPV4Di3HJb_I2BTssOC-4/s1600/IMG_3503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpOC7x_zbB9oWcALhx7b1lBNK_MVsDCodlNg3BCRvDD3ozVXHiJZ5EyabgMUbuKx9yzhg3QmZWuv2UaVzD7Ii8EeEdFsSWnrr7zhguCtbPDGGa5zKyAMOspSPV4Di3HJb_I2BTssOC-4/s1600/IMG_3503.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Side note: Isn't the best part of Christmas break NEVER wearing real pants? I went jeans-free for nine full days, minus a short break to meet <a href="http://www.ourpovertywithaview.com/">Brittney</a> and her dudes for brunch.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1j1iKyqVUhyphenhyphenyerD2UyQ4hOc0DT74lq3zttvY71ncYxV_QtQWjhXTL5uFs1Ekk7gkiVoFiUlT3kb0604SsCaX0s077TZU5LEh0Hxr7lcOZjG3O-87aOjf3EVpc576lb-RMR3f2u18qZo/s1600/IMG_3506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1j1iKyqVUhyphenhyphenyerD2UyQ4hOc0DT74lq3zttvY71ncYxV_QtQWjhXTL5uFs1Ekk7gkiVoFiUlT3kb0604SsCaX0s077TZU5LEh0Hxr7lcOZjG3O-87aOjf3EVpc576lb-RMR3f2u18qZo/s1600/IMG_3506.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The whole tracing and first coat took me just about two-hours and was fueled by one decaf frappucino and the Nappy Roots station on Pandora. Stay tuned for the reveal of the full tree in all her majestic glory. This single act of semi-art is also sure to leave me in a puddle of tears when the time comes to sell this little spit of land, though I think if I can get enough traction on <a href="http://pinterest.com/alexson/">Pinterest</a>, it may add value. Right? That's a valid sales strategy, isn't it?</div>
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Spoiler alert: I amazed myself and this mural is the bomb dot com, y'all. Once the baby sees this, he's going to expect a much higher level of craft-i-tude than I normally posses.</div>
<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-45083986839340148382012-12-31T13:27:00.003-06:002012-12-31T13:47:25.310-06:00Bathroom Bump Up: One frap, two fraps, three faps FLOOR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Almost-New Year! Hope your holidays have been super fun. I spent the first part of the week down south, celebrating with these good looking jammie models:</div>
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Once we returned to the north on Thursday, it was all business. The bathroom got its day in the sun, literally. Here is Hubs hauling our 60-year old toilet to the curb. I'm pretty sure angels sang as we put it out of its misery.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwA_JqfWuEAWCsXCcqaeBpgnDiw1Up6i0YrrkpATxMRSbctJn-D8tkWqitREODRU4eQqfwk8ELioROaS2feL9oWjEEcHr12AcXuY_6dru9Di1u8v3OKoP_j9fgI0V_8v2v8d2AKWEhCI/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwA_JqfWuEAWCsXCcqaeBpgnDiw1Up6i0YrrkpATxMRSbctJn-D8tkWqitREODRU4eQqfwk8ELioROaS2feL9oWjEEcHr12AcXuY_6dru9Di1u8v3OKoP_j9fgI0V_8v2v8d2AKWEhCI/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then, it was time to pull up the linoleum (which is harder than we thought, but luckily, our bathroom is small so there wasn't too much swearing going on) and lay fresh backerboard to support the new tiles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCemrJHimKPHseACc9J-q4-rrdnhGuo09Rc8ZMLDi4Q11iikdRpzzdyD5vooSSvbK5elrtPQD1qcYdQVa_BX4zzsFoo7W9MSAK-mhtgsoNL2CuVXeB_AniU0qJEso1bdDJWR3Ugg-BeM/s1600/IMG_3462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCemrJHimKPHseACc9J-q4-rrdnhGuo09Rc8ZMLDi4Q11iikdRpzzdyD5vooSSvbK5elrtPQD1qcYdQVa_BX4zzsFoo7W9MSAK-mhtgsoNL2CuVXeB_AniU0qJEso1bdDJWR3Ugg-BeM/s320/IMG_3462.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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With the backerboard down, Hubs was able to start laying and cutting tile. We were lucky enough to borrow a wet tile saw from a friend, so we saved the rental fee. All we needed to do was buy a nice new blade so our porcelain floor tiles and marble countertop would have good cuts.</div>
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We went with over-sized subway tiles in a dark gray for the floor. While Hubs did the hard work, I photographed and did frap runs. I learned that Starbucks DOES make decaf frappucinos, which has probably revolutionized the rest of this pregnancy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzoB4y4lKCH8bqvqcgrw-a29Qor7sUOiKVmms_HP8Tqb2dEMMZOetXpQ4bY6EV3aeZ4L2zEYrFvt8onLaAmN1zlEJDU8jOglaiFu2DG_ouXoHy-YLSpHcIQf7ixzFdNExt9G5ABIyEAg/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzoB4y4lKCH8bqvqcgrw-a29Qor7sUOiKVmms_HP8Tqb2dEMMZOetXpQ4bY6EV3aeZ4L2zEYrFvt8onLaAmN1zlEJDU8jOglaiFu2DG_ouXoHy-YLSpHcIQf7ixzFdNExt9G5ABIyEAg/s320/IMG_3483.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Obviously, with no toilet and freshly-laid tiles, the bathroom (again, our one and only) was out of commission. Since I wasn't helping, I thought running to the gym for a shower would be a great idea. After a particularly sweaty treadmill session, the joke was on me because the showers were all closed for a weekly deep clean. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDhMjPv3yfej5-Lc08-eoIkUzixy5dRivHVZnOmU8bonkCMEVHJqJBu9pVKZnK8endhRLuY6QBEI5slbqjIERzrnACTDhZcg6jUfD8RyJmJJldHF_pqkC0CxCmSl5TDMCXqZC7wYQpiQ/s1600/IMG_3485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDhMjPv3yfej5-Lc08-eoIkUzixy5dRivHVZnOmU8bonkCMEVHJqJBu9pVKZnK8endhRLuY6QBEI5slbqjIERzrnACTDhZcg6jUfD8RyJmJJldHF_pqkC0CxCmSl5TDMCXqZC7wYQpiQ/s320/IMG_3485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This, combined with my super fun respirator made for one heckuva Saturday night.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb3GhL0gpCpHBcMIpc0HpnZADTUi3C8bXUMz9h2REdHmywDEfP5W6GH2RRzHfFiHaNB_bAGlUt79cnhdCPN1EIaCyMy6p9u5l0VVCJk_ZU5X3rxY83823Fs2OmxKC31fDbJO1wUJF6Uk/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb3GhL0gpCpHBcMIpc0HpnZADTUi3C8bXUMz9h2REdHmywDEfP5W6GH2RRzHfFiHaNB_bAGlUt79cnhdCPN1EIaCyMy6p9u5l0VVCJk_ZU5X3rxY83823Fs2OmxKC31fDbJO1wUJF6Uk/s320/IMG_3486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It took just about three hours for Hubs to cut and lay all these glorious floor tiles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFSbQ9PgPCUkG_FcvwsTbqhZyYWKeSDAElTXQGabFnPO6YWKJ8-OY6StNxroqZTORhoZ_rloxoYreehIan7pImPUoKJdisCQUgPZEDWbeXYL0aYOc3MXSdZ9zMghetXpTJv-abDwpUM4/s1600/IMG_3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFSbQ9PgPCUkG_FcvwsTbqhZyYWKeSDAElTXQGabFnPO6YWKJ8-OY6StNxroqZTORhoZ_rloxoYreehIan7pImPUoKJdisCQUgPZEDWbeXYL0aYOc3MXSdZ9zMghetXpTJv-abDwpUM4/s320/IMG_3491.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The thinset needs to dry for 24 hours and then it's grout time! Then, obviously, it is shower time. Thank goodness for face wipes and dry shampoo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa2IkLpak14CJe5Mxq83Y0zuCldc9iH4B0_wJ6VA2GXza9MYn1cUGzYpUkcJ2UPW-PMt4eVtN1NfNkq0Q7Kspn8ZcseaTz3ui4b2pFIpYxtAFvcxcFE-yECBDzEDoFQDCCubLZ4Hr_ps/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa2IkLpak14CJe5Mxq83Y0zuCldc9iH4B0_wJ6VA2GXza9MYn1cUGzYpUkcJ2UPW-PMt4eVtN1NfNkq0Q7Kspn8ZcseaTz3ui4b2pFIpYxtAFvcxcFE-yECBDzEDoFQDCCubLZ4Hr_ps/s320/IMG_3492.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-81004000566955489682012-12-21T10:23:00.000-06:002012-12-21T10:23:10.779-06:00This is normal, right?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday, we got hit with a blizzard. Fourteen inches of heavy, wet snow (that poor Hubs shoveled solo - and was bad ass enough to refuse the help of kindly strangers who offered to let him borrow their snow blower. Hubs is an ox.) fell overnight and it made for one curious kitten.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUfG71W-UkIo3kKJ5PiI6mIuUoTtDwyNMudTRoz-skFwzx8t5lf8tMKrncOwYmrExmXuEJX9qsRimyCfPPHzOCKupr7EKDxgV5_vyPBYoeIxON8yoKG5V-YdQn7eJOekbgOFScvGjn4Q/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUfG71W-UkIo3kKJ5PiI6mIuUoTtDwyNMudTRoz-skFwzx8t5lf8tMKrncOwYmrExmXuEJX9qsRimyCfPPHzOCKupr7EKDxgV5_vyPBYoeIxON8yoKG5V-YdQn7eJOekbgOFScvGjn4Q/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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You may remember Niles, our adorable trash-eating rescue cat. He has a thirst for adventure that knows no bounds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2XBudoj_z3k8D2WUmDG_a6vb4jBkGrMl6kcMvKWVSf6aU7SgkF2OJqQUakhrk-1D1vqQ9hD4z60F3umzMmrksZLEGYiOGs-GkTRTK5Tbiz1qsxiLLA9gTdDFfrKqWuT_Jy2ujugIxBI/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2XBudoj_z3k8D2WUmDG_a6vb4jBkGrMl6kcMvKWVSf6aU7SgkF2OJqQUakhrk-1D1vqQ9hD4z60F3umzMmrksZLEGYiOGs-GkTRTK5Tbiz1qsxiLLA9gTdDFfrKqWuT_Jy2ujugIxBI/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, when we caught him staring wistfully out the sliding doors at all that snow, we knew what he wanted. That little weirdo wanted to get out and play in it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZNdpmCHSjdvB1KH0yKSJuWxeW-FVV1L8KP9wbYwjZcbO-ZOFBAl2blpVdapzujXMQDhE6j3g-RV_qZWvifjGJiGQ5Rd9SntRKBoiwhfA4rAruYwMZJJyUwq-S5WnxQhyphenhypheneDWDresp3Xg/s1600/IMG_3443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZNdpmCHSjdvB1KH0yKSJuWxeW-FVV1L8KP9wbYwjZcbO-ZOFBAl2blpVdapzujXMQDhE6j3g-RV_qZWvifjGJiGQ5Rd9SntRKBoiwhfA4rAruYwMZJJyUwq-S5WnxQhyphenhypheneDWDresp3Xg/s1600/IMG_3443.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's normal, right? Most cats really want to get sopping wet and cold, frolicking in the snow, yeah?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkc510pEoabhFVhlu6URN2Fmx4lBccHM2MXorpO_eUIMAol-KDm8L4EggBRutavy4aGFYROAgkuBMuGaHQ6dLWWgcIttffVdO1BGjWhjaWSG82LOOD2ae10o5JDDhZAOYxa9faJ3Lu9Q/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkc510pEoabhFVhlu6URN2Fmx4lBccHM2MXorpO_eUIMAol-KDm8L4EggBRutavy4aGFYROAgkuBMuGaHQ6dLWWgcIttffVdO1BGjWhjaWSG82LOOD2ae10o5JDDhZAOYxa9faJ3Lu9Q/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Did you get blizzard-ed? How'd you entertain yourself?<br />
<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-14604566621723278022012-12-18T18:00:00.000-06:002012-12-18T18:00:06.399-06:00Baby steps!Last Saturday, we made some small, but significant progress. It was a decent 50-degree day, so I cracked open the windows and painted the ceiling in the nursery-to-be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-N0QNdib5iNuIkvtSxFr0VpXNthnXiWmhnkfiAWOsyD4oR33c9FcfJUlXxRL0JbQSJvtxCR6aeiqkym5Koc4au0aTJwbSipKMZ3QDtgOBzyFvkazaXs2eplCkSC6twkRLLi0rEJYydQ/s1600/IMG_3399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-N0QNdib5iNuIkvtSxFr0VpXNthnXiWmhnkfiAWOsyD4oR33c9FcfJUlXxRL0JbQSJvtxCR6aeiqkym5Koc4au0aTJwbSipKMZ3QDtgOBzyFvkazaXs2eplCkSC6twkRLLi0rEJYydQ/s1600/IMG_3399.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here it is before my handy work. Dingy and sad!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7MNGD9Taf5Ed8X3_Wu_UEqlWlOwuX7KoVd96U3jEv3zC9e6UpJYsIrsUeMrWgC6TJ11ZkcvjFZE-tJrPNKXbeNUOPUtdjS_AxnwFiWOTspX8bg2QCk3maVIkTcDefSIyfJeKsmdZqYM/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7MNGD9Taf5Ed8X3_Wu_UEqlWlOwuX7KoVd96U3jEv3zC9e6UpJYsIrsUeMrWgC6TJ11ZkcvjFZE-tJrPNKXbeNUOPUtdjS_AxnwFiWOTspX8bg2QCk3maVIkTcDefSIyfJeKsmdZqYM/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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And after. Excuse the bad lighting, but trust that it is crisp and white.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI_KK0MIkavMteva5Y1YM99CVHOz92Fwq4LGakcRUYGauwiax3LIzaJaThDrM_T2mzK67JDp6MPjQCWgkckGK0y6gVlkLlD8QV6eTATAvRa4bzy85B6-v0doDkeEL9X6gN5WG8SNr2A4/s1600/IMG_3416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI_KK0MIkavMteva5Y1YM99CVHOz92Fwq4LGakcRUYGauwiax3LIzaJaThDrM_T2mzK67JDp6MPjQCWgkckGK0y6gVlkLlD8QV6eTATAvRa4bzy85B6-v0doDkeEL9X6gN5WG8SNr2A4/s1600/IMG_3416.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The best part of painting a room top to bottom is not having to stay in the lines. Since I was just slapping paint around the edges, I was able to finish up pretty quick. Then, I finally moved everything out of the closets in this room and found new homes for all our crap (note: if you want any old polos, office supplies or bike gear, head to the Goodwill in Urbandale stat! About 80% of our stuff found its way there.).</div>
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Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, Hubs was wreaking havoc on the tile walls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp49MaQmLvYePYFnY84YYLg2GRqgBcn08TESbq_pfHw4rjuYaI7p1nWJP2WRqjaVHNbj8jnB0ct1KmmbvlxFvD-Nl966azQ-J4d1Aa-DcteY0YgyCrqrTtBNkCHgOQxGcxGkulojpLXQ/s1600/IMG_3401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp49MaQmLvYePYFnY84YYLg2GRqgBcn08TESbq_pfHw4rjuYaI7p1nWJP2WRqjaVHNbj8jnB0ct1KmmbvlxFvD-Nl966azQ-J4d1Aa-DcteY0YgyCrqrTtBNkCHgOQxGcxGkulojpLXQ/s1600/IMG_3401.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
He ripped down the tile and will soon skimcoat the plaster to even it out so the wainscoating will sit nice and even.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHV4qnSpEZlxF6q85n_5rYq-qAvSTcO80dOlZ-_eu89PhmZEgmFeVESuC9rtgSOP8X-ul9mO8eSOjeoBvWen5NhDZoHYBu_6dCcaRy-S1V0DlXS_ymRZjdzbkyrSmLCBcZEbobRNOyJBY/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHV4qnSpEZlxF6q85n_5rYq-qAvSTcO80dOlZ-_eu89PhmZEgmFeVESuC9rtgSOP8X-ul9mO8eSOjeoBvWen5NhDZoHYBu_6dCcaRy-S1V0DlXS_ymRZjdzbkyrSmLCBcZEbobRNOyJBY/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Feeling inspired, he didn't stop there. He also removed the countertop overhang - the part that inexplicably went over the toilet - and cut a backerboard to size for the new countertop.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnHRbdsy2B-0Spf8PIEwBvDQQ_NH2CJTvrARyr3SesYc4yeVfi3smY-OuMZ6VNkPvz3vxzfEcERnvPbMw-zdqf8e0uIS3PcDnZ7rSucJol0-bAS6FDogEVYWeeIIB0Lw856L7k6YgN6s/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnHRbdsy2B-0Spf8PIEwBvDQQ_NH2CJTvrARyr3SesYc4yeVfi3smY-OuMZ6VNkPvz3vxzfEcERnvPbMw-zdqf8e0uIS3PcDnZ7rSucJol0-bAS6FDogEVYWeeIIB0Lw856L7k6YgN6s/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our potty looks pretty squat and pathetic without its counter overlord.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKYs4Rtt5vl4Gq7wamEcak_zXkBDdmnZxRKpzeOMoNH8mQctOniQ7onyiow0xIAISqetMQu0u6Xv3rtLFQwVVtux8X2OVyH5PhpJKba50qWuKgT7Qs-_O029mlRHubsBe5XrsDlruqIM/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKYs4Rtt5vl4Gq7wamEcak_zXkBDdmnZxRKpzeOMoNH8mQctOniQ7onyiow0xIAISqetMQu0u6Xv3rtLFQwVVtux8X2OVyH5PhpJKba50qWuKgT7Qs-_O029mlRHubsBe5XrsDlruqIM/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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And for fun: a bump picture! Here I am in the midst of work:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLq-RsxIfDYmQVSa9ps95dGLWmGYGHZF6QpEiVcSbPJClZn6hNUhFlfJVHDwsbOgg2yeFlHmt5eBY-l34UkQzGowR6Lojy3wEa8f8zrYCdrRFeelfNQogxuHLoTDLmZhaShwKLWHdSp8/s1600/IMG_3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLq-RsxIfDYmQVSa9ps95dGLWmGYGHZF6QpEiVcSbPJClZn6hNUhFlfJVHDwsbOgg2yeFlHmt5eBY-l34UkQzGowR6Lojy3wEa8f8zrYCdrRFeelfNQogxuHLoTDLmZhaShwKLWHdSp8/s1600/IMG_3408.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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And all cleaned up with my favorite inflatable penguin:</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4XqxQWp_HvgLCUN11CMZyL4tZhd-tWuTskUTV4qfmMke47ZefSF0JsFBB-72QKa4iwWdLvcsPUfbB5i28vXw3D281FROw7iO_RfG9yJurVRz5Ol7m_prtz5gcAzIsvzL51M_q49PTQM/s1600/IMG_3428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4XqxQWp_HvgLCUN11CMZyL4tZhd-tWuTskUTV4qfmMke47ZefSF0JsFBB-72QKa4iwWdLvcsPUfbB5i28vXw3D281FROw7iO_RfG9yJurVRz5Ol7m_prtz5gcAzIsvzL51M_q49PTQM/s1600/IMG_3428.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Just about ready to hit 22 weeks: still lifting regularly, running about 7-9 (<i>turtleslow</i>) miles each week, taking Bradley Method classes and now a serious sock bun devotee.</div>
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Up next, I'll be working on taking the blonde trim to a shiny white and Hubs will be removing the mirror and skimcoating before we hop on the rebuilding train! This week, work is moving slow as I still need to get Christmas cards out, bake cookies, nap, etc. Napping is key.</div>
<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-20824355075969347372012-12-14T12:19:00.002-06:002012-12-14T12:19:47.179-06:00A Weekend of DoingOf course, right after I clicked "publish" on that last blog, my phone rings. Who could it be but Kevin at Home Depot telling me my back-ordered tiles miraculously arrived ahead of schedule. Oh, happy day!<br />
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So, now with tiles at the ready and a guest room nearly cleared of all non-baby junk, we are ready for a weekend of getting shit done.<br />
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Tonight, we'll bust out some errands and then tomorrow, Hubs and I will go our separate ways - he will demo the bathroom while I paint the baby's room. Trim will be a crisp white (finally! to match the rest of the house) and walls will be Behr's Natural Gray (or a color-matched version of a low/no-VOC paint).<br />
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<img src="http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/ed/ed44304e-21b3-4bf5-bcda-662244926002_300.jpg" /><br />
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Hubs is hoping to rip the tile off the bathroom walls and put up beadboard in its place. Who knows what other magic might happen during our flurry of anticipated productivity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1tvuijjPep7w8KNSVlA_-U4NaBQmgoELFK3he6Ee62ra4Q8X3kxU_AX71CKyLvFSZBgwgTFGngBUVBOu22CABEQVKagb3s1llecjXWK65U1LQpOJqImpHRIYXveGNK99Qt7dWoN_aos/s1600/IMG_3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1tvuijjPep7w8KNSVlA_-U4NaBQmgoELFK3he6Ee62ra4Q8X3kxU_AX71CKyLvFSZBgwgTFGngBUVBOu22CABEQVKagb3s1llecjXWK65U1LQpOJqImpHRIYXveGNK99Qt7dWoN_aos/s1600/IMG_3361.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Please, sweet readers, tell me your weekend is looking more exciting than mine. If it doesn't, I will probably cry once for you, once for me, then drown my sorrows in sugar cookies.Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-57277917209134241552012-12-11T18:30:00.000-06:002012-12-11T18:30:00.592-06:00Switching gearsLast week, we found out our bathroom tiles are on back-order and instead of arriving tomorrow, the 12th, the granite for the counter top and porcelain for the floor won't be in our grubby little hands until after Christmas. This throws a huge wrench in our works because the work really can't move too far past demo without the main re-building materials, you know? Sucks how that works.<br />
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So, rather than carry on with demo and live with a ripped up bathroom for three weeks, we are turning our sights toward a project we hadn't planned on doing until late January: the baby's room!<br />
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Crazy, right?<br />
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So, here is our second bedroom. Part office, part guest room, part catch-all - this poor space needs some serious love.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tO42LuUtO1VcNMDLhcETZbI7jlKQ4h7NBoMBtLxaGUYStIDO-MkDFFHJ0kC5p2uM909cYh6zU6qwnAcFaBQekVWypCArXITxuwUsLppQGNBtihid2W3pHL1dV-ohoMd1QEQDKPTx-nM/s1600/204449_606036411351_5711309_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tO42LuUtO1VcNMDLhcETZbI7jlKQ4h7NBoMBtLxaGUYStIDO-MkDFFHJ0kC5p2uM909cYh6zU6qwnAcFaBQekVWypCArXITxuwUsLppQGNBtihid2W3pHL1dV-ohoMd1QEQDKPTx-nM/s1600/204449_606036411351_5711309_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
It's the last room in the house with the original blonde wood trim, the walls are a sad yellow, the ceiling bears the marks of multiple other wall colors, the light fixture is pathetic and the floor is beat to hell.<br />
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Poor Baby deserves a little better. We aren't going to find out if the little dude is in fact a dude or a little lady, so all the decorations will be neutral.<br />
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So, the plan for this room is:<br />
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<li>Moving out all the adult furniture and bringing in the baby gear: crib, dresser, glider, yada yada yada</li>
<li>Paint the ceiling a nice, fresh, uniform white</li>
<li>Pull out the light fixture and replace it with a ceiling fan</li>
<li>Paint the walls a pale gray</li>
<li>Paint a fancy-pancy mural of a tree on one wall</li>
<li>Paint the trim white</li>
<li>Refinish the floors</li>
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Nothing major, so the plan is to knock this out while we wait for the bathroom tile. I have Christmas week off work, so with my trusty mask and a few cracked windows, I should be able to get the painting pretty much set. </div>
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What's your Christmas project?</div>
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Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147400311551471245.post-10942160869774965082012-12-07T16:30:00.000-06:002012-12-07T16:30:01.132-06:00Bathroom Bump-Up: 7 years of bad luck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The bathroom is officially in a state of demolition. We took our first crack (<i>ba dum ching!</i>) at removing the mirror. Below, an "artist's" rendering of the proposed space. (When I saw "artist," I mean "scientist husband," of course).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXV9iOZE-XU1BU4FVYrLzg66u-2ai1DyArVefH-0QrGKwHmuE8Zb5AhjrwbO85MNzpJ_9KUn2STnVvLhj9N_TqFi34fuz537f96P1mHjS5tvxJrvMqBMl10enzhsEMoDTlBRbOGQwnQc/s1600/IMG_3386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXV9iOZE-XU1BU4FVYrLzg66u-2ai1DyArVefH-0QrGKwHmuE8Zb5AhjrwbO85MNzpJ_9KUn2STnVvLhj9N_TqFi34fuz537f96P1mHjS5tvxJrvMqBMl10enzhsEMoDTlBRbOGQwnQc/s1600/IMG_3386.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The plan was to use our new Dremmel to cut the mirror down so it would reach just over the counter (also something we plan to resize). Then, we'd use some cheap trim to frame it out and all would be right with the world. Easy, peasy, nearly free-sy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEasPbR-omSyvRVTSlQkgVhXFGXAbbmFafL86MS0LQ_l5rgNmwmywXA7xL0NZlGoE3lFYAorZkD13uFcjolM9t_CRvIZ7ZsNGQkTkrrwlJCooJx8HH0oy5mJ0Tx6tHq7dixSTzOnDduI/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEasPbR-omSyvRVTSlQkgVhXFGXAbbmFafL86MS0LQ_l5rgNmwmywXA7xL0NZlGoE3lFYAorZkD13uFcjolM9t_CRvIZ7ZsNGQkTkrrwlJCooJx8HH0oy5mJ0Tx6tHq7dixSTzOnDduI/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Hubs prepped the area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRP663z6ZIIH6qYtZ4P8DydhYdBphSdLYQSefCTu64NoJ8nWXvjqnWFTl52Li-Qwj81Cohi24_KT7bMzpxCLJEJSDsG85ThQlgooGJH_mqCIinFFQGMD9dA5ZSDeDDURsI4oYOawsCRE4/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRP663z6ZIIH6qYtZ4P8DydhYdBphSdLYQSefCTu64NoJ8nWXvjqnWFTl52Li-Qwj81Cohi24_KT7bMzpxCLJEJSDsG85ThQlgooGJH_mqCIinFFQGMD9dA5ZSDeDDURsI4oYOawsCRE4/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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He ran over our cut-line with the Dremmel, then scored it, then Dremmeled again. I photographed, as the bathroom is luckily too small for two workers in most cases. (Also, I forgot to tell you guys last time one plot twist that makes this whole gut-your-bathroom-and-be-toiletless-for-several-hours/days even more horrifying - your blogging host is five months pregnant. This is exciting for many reasons, not the least of which is that I can officially take a backseat on these DIY projects due to my <i>delicate</i> condition. Nevermind that I'm still running 3 miles a week and lifting weights to keep my mama-body seven kinds of buff, helping DIY a new bathroom is simply too much for lil ole me.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwGz5KiNSb81hSaiDibDUFaHAifthaOk0prpqdeLnZiOsFZMF0Qi7PAAr5_QZwDPA9TznWUVsfKpbd_wrfNe6JXQJGZMQAwPjT3Hol4xrFgIIE1q21VaTt1ah_HWdjE-m60Oov95ZrpE/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwGz5KiNSb81hSaiDibDUFaHAifthaOk0prpqdeLnZiOsFZMF0Qi7PAAr5_QZwDPA9TznWUVsfKpbd_wrfNe6JXQJGZMQAwPjT3Hol4xrFgIIE1q21VaTt1ah_HWdjE-m60Oov95ZrpE/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is our thwarting in progress. The to-be salvaged side of the mirror cracked. Like in a major way. Cue the cussing from Hubs and daily Craigslist hunts for large mirrors from yours truly. Also, <i>this </i>is when we Googled how to remove a mirror. What effing amateurs, you know?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pP69NqC254p0oFiPpfUUoaY2nxnN8l30kvFt-dUDHgrveCdfKCz1xqbspJN7jtmj0EfJsGsRpmfRi_JpsF4nOzc32IjmACHyH5RSmUbcJMWhGxAfEesuwOcbUDNtfRfrXweEiRjlb1E/s1600/IMG_3393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pP69NqC254p0oFiPpfUUoaY2nxnN8l30kvFt-dUDHgrveCdfKCz1xqbspJN7jtmj0EfJsGsRpmfRi_JpsF4nOzc32IjmACHyH5RSmUbcJMWhGxAfEesuwOcbUDNtfRfrXweEiRjlb1E/s1600/IMG_3393.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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And here is the mirror in all of it's half-demo'd glory. The other half will come down this weekend, between cookie-baking and other winter frolicking. Oh, how I missed weekends full of DIY!</div>
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Big weekend plans for you, chief?</div>
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Also, quick poll: sneakiest pregnancy announcement ever? </div>
<br />Alexsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992936167176055067noreply@blogger.com0