Lost Amid the Remodel

Somewhere around 4 weeks before Christmas, we(Wayne and I) decided it would be genius if we ripped apart our downstairs bathroom and began the remodeling process.  We almost did this over the Summer but  went to Key West instead.  And now being 6 weeks into the project I can easily say that Key West was far more fun;)

The thing about remodeling for me, is that I know going into it that it will be a painful process.  I agonize and dither about the smallest things to a point that is exhausting.  Having done a few rooms now, I have faith that in the end, the room will look great, it will look like us and we will be so glad we did it.  But before all that satisfaction comes the hemming and hawing inevitable with me.  So that is where I've been lost.  In the cyber-world that includes image searches of small bathrooms, faucets, faucets that light up(per Willa's request), shower heads, shower systems, tiles, medicine cabinets, vanities and one unfortunate day filled with only variations on robe hooks.

Anyhow, here are the before pictures, including the crooked window shade, the too many bottles of shampoos, conditioners and the like, and a plant that without reason, refuses to die.

 
 At Christmas we let our family sign the insides of the walls:)

Did I mention Wayne is doing all the work himself?  Luckily over Christmas break we got almost all the demo done.  But now that he's back to working 55 hours a week at work, progress is somewhat slow.  Good thing patience is a strong character trait for me(insert eye roll).  Plus, there is the rest of 'life' that keeps on insisting it should be paid attention to as well.  Happily, I am 99% sure everything has been decided, though it is clear that I may have underestimated how much certain items would cost, I am glad to have all the decision making behind me.  Now all we need is time, and Lord knows, we have an abundance of that(insert another eye roll, bigger this time).

Happy Holidays!

Here's hoping the New Year brings more time and energy for this space.  In the mean time, we're wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year:)

More from Kurt and Tia's Wedding

 We stopped at a close by mall and hijacked their carousel for a few minutes.  The girls LOVED this part:)

It was actually close to 40 degrees out while we were taking these pics so we had a person close by taking the coats from everyone at the last moment and Tia has mentioned the possibility of being frozen to the bench by the time this last one was shot:)

And then they were off!  The newlyweds were thrown for a loop when Tia received an email enroute to the ceremony that said their flights to Australia and Fiji were cancelled due to labor strikes.  Not being able to deal with it till Sunday put them behind everyone else who had rebooked flights and although the labor strike lasted less than 48 hours, the airline was unable to get them to Sydney within a reasonable amount of time and could not get them to Fiji at all!   I was so sad for them.  But they had trip insurance and were able to spend a few days in New Orleans and then a week on a cruise to Cozumel.  January will be finding them in Australia and hopefully the 1 yr. anniversary will find them in Fiji.  They return tomorrow, back to the real world, hopefully rested and ready to tackle the Holiday Season as the new Mr& Mrs. Spindler.  Or Mr. & Mrs. Spindler-Schmidt.  Or Mr.& Mrs. Schmidt-Spindler.  Or they could create a whole new last name with the letters of their respective last names; DeMinssprichdt, or Shindlermiscpdt, or....

Oh My, Where to Start??

 Rest assured life has been happening at an alarming rate around here.  Though not so much blog action, to be sure.  I think we will have to work backwards from last night.  Yesterday, I got to remove the 'Almost' from my Almost-Sister-In-Law's title.  Finally, finally my brother, Kurt, and his dearest Christina, got married.


We were lucky enough to be part of the festivities.  All of us.  1 Groomsman, 1 Bridesmaid, and 3 adorable little flower girls.  Since we were part of the wedding party I do not have pics of everything but when I do, I will be sure to post.

It's funny how a wedding day is planned to be 'perfect' and yet the imperfections are the things that make it so memorable.   For example...Turns out that getting an entire family with 3 small kids wedding ceremony ready requires more than 3 hours to not feel crazy.  Note to self for next time:)  And that 2 stylists at a salon is not enough to get a Bridal Party ready even if you plan 3 hours for them.  So when the salon is an hour behind, that means the limo is also late getting the guys and they will have to, at the last minute, drive themselves from point A to point B, arriving at the church when the wedding is supposed to be starting.  Which means the bulletins will be handed out by some of the bridesmaids instead of the ushers.  And that an hour before the ceremony, Christina found out that the airline that was to take them on their honeymoon the following day to Australia and Fiji, has cancelled ALL flights due to labor strikes.  And during the ceremony, the 2 yr. old flower girl takes a facial on the stairs(while wandering about the front of the church), not too bad though and she managed to hold back the tears which was most impressive.


Now to the things that did go perfect.  The ceremony was lovely.  Two 'I Do's were said at the correct moment.  Petals were thrown by flower girls with gusto.  A cool sand ceremony with my brother and his kids,Tia, my Mom and Tia's Mom all alternately pouring sand into a glass jar went smoothly.  Pictures were taken with everyone smiling.   Bubbles were blown.  A bridal party ride on the Mall Carousel happened without incident and with 3 VERY happy flower girls.  Outdoor pics were taken while hudled around the outdoor heater and throwing coats and shawls to a 'coat holder' at the last minute.  Golf carts were driven without accident.

Kid-favors placed at tables led to many happy, silly moments.(seriously, they really went out of their way to make sure everyone, the big and the small, had a great time).

Dinner was absolutely delicious(I mean so far above standard wedding fare I can't even begin).  A power nap was taken at dinner by a certain 2yr old.

 The most fantastic 1st dance was followed by the best family dance with the Bride and Groom and the 4 kids to a collage of very cool songs that I'm hoping to post via youtube once I can find someone who was smart enough to video it.

Cake was cut and not smooshed.  Cupcakes and chocolates were a plenty.

 And there was dancing, dancing and more dancing!

 Including Adalyn's own unique moves.

 Adalyn was too busy dancing to pose for a family shot.

 All in all, it went by wayy too fast.  Not enough pictures by half!

But so happy for my brother and his Beloved.  Wishing them a lifetime of happiness, health, and love.

1st Day of School

 Today, this one went off to her first day of 3rd grade.

And this one went off to her first day of 1st grade.

 And we all happily marched down to the bus stop with our "pack-packs" on.

 Isn't the first day of school grande?

 And then they were off in a blur.

 And one little 2yr. old realized the bus was not taking her to school.

Dearest Adalyn, you will grow up soon enough.  Stay small for me for just a little while longer.