The Great Bathroom RENO #6

Ready...set...wainscoting!


All throughout our renovation, we have planned to put up bead board about 4 ft up on the walls and paint it white...aka wainscoting. This is the reason we have not been too careful with the lower half of the walls. Smoothing, covering holes, and even painting have been far too much work for a spot that was soon to be covered up, so we have definitely neglected the lower half of the room. I think it is pretty self-explanatory, so I won't go into too much detail, but I will post up some pictures so you can view the progress. I think it looks really great, and I can't wait to get it all caulked and get the final coat of paint on it!


Of course, our creativity just HAD to come in to play, because nothing could just be easy, right? Some expert measuring work and a clever light-switch frame make this wainscoting truly one-of-a-kind! We also installed the top and base-board trim...that is when it REALLY started to look good!

I Know What I Did This Summer...

So I haven’t updated since May, but after reading this post in its entirety (if you so choose!), I think you will understand why. We have had quite a busy summer! We have not touched the bathroom since May, except for one day we were home and sealed grout. In fact, this is the first day since May that I haven’t felt like I was rushing around trying to get something done, something ready, something packed, etc. So here’s a rundown:

On May 20, my younger brother, Seth, came to stay with us. He was looking around for a job, and trying to figure out what he wanted to do. We planned on him staying throughout the summer, but he ended up getting a job back in TX and so he only stayed for 3 weeks. Those weeks were power packed with job hunting with him, preparation for our trip to LA, and of course lots of fun!

The weekend after he got here, Jonathan’s mom and one of his brother’s families came to stay with us for Memorial Day. Of course, we had a blast bike riding(boys), shopping(girls), and being entertained by our 2 year old niece, Avi.

Jon-Jon reading a story

The next weekend, we went up to our friend’s lake house, aka doggy paradise.

Everyone jump!

And then we were off! LA bound with about 120 High School Choir Students and leaders. Jonathan was responsible for taking photos, making the video, and keeping up with the trip blog. I was in charge of planning/coordinating all of the missions activities, which included daily VBS for 400+ kids/families, and a huge block party at the end of the week with over 750 in attendance…whew!

The Choir in front of JFBC before their homecoming concert

We got back on June 19 and hit the ground running to get ready for our next mission trip: ROME! Again, I was in charge of not only the missions activities, but the logistics for the team as well. It was so amazing to be back working with our friends from the year before. We left just 4 short days after returning from LA, but did we sleep a wink on the plane??? Of course not!!! There were movies!!!

Sightseeing the day we got there...we were good for
nothing else, just trying to stay awake!

After returning from Rome,  I spent the next week and a half preparing for MUSIC CAMP!  Over 400 children ages 3 months-6 years old were about to have some crazy fun at our Rockin’ Rhythm Rodeo…yee-ha!  During this time, and for the next week or so, Jonathan would basically be spending EVERY WAKING HOUR moving sound/lighting/video equipment all over the church to prepare for the renovations and temporary re-location of the contemporary worship service.

The day after music camp ended, I worked furiously to tie up any loose ends and get ready for my vacation! I headed out to TX on a standby ticket, and got kicked off 2 planes before I made it to San Antonio by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin.  My bro Seth picked me up and hauled me to North Austin, where my friend Sarah picked me up! We spent the entire weekend Gilmore-Girling, getting sunburned, bead shopping, and EATING! What a blast. 

Me and Sarah at Sonic

Sarah passed me off to mom in Salado, and I spent the next few days hanging out in Seguin! I got to meet a couple of new cute little babies thanks to my visits with Jenna (Ashlyn) and Amanda (Ben), and of course my mom’s new puppy, Sophie. I got passed off once again to my Aunts and cousin and spent my remaining days out at the San Marcos river for a family reunion with my Dad’s family…gotta love the matching shirts!

Family minus Tim and Danielle plus Kristen's twin

I got back just in time for my birthday, which brought me THE AMAZING RACE: Birthday Edition that Jonathan had contrived! It was AWESOME, and of course I won (note: there was no competition…Jonathan thought it would put a damper on things if I didn’t win my own birthday race so he didn’t ask anyone to join us-haha)! Here is a picture of a (tired) me with my spoils!

receipts, chinese take-out menus, deposit slips, and watermelons...you know... the usual

I had nothing of the sort planned for Jonathan, but we did have a great(eventful) birthday weekend for him too. We went to MS to meet our new nice, Sally Sharp, and visit Grandmother in the hospital. We also got to spend a lot of time with our niece and nephew Avi and Walt.

In this picture, Jonathan is trying to explain to Walt that he should
not eat the rolly-polly that is in the cup...Avi thinks this is quite funny.

Did I mention that in-between our birthday weekends that we started Wednesday Night Activities at church, which meant me registering almost 500 children for choir and putting them all in classes? Nope, didn’t think so…

So if you’ve made it this far…stick a fork in me because I AM DONE! Hope you had a happy summer too J

The Great Bathroom RENO #5

Ok you know you are a slacker-blogger when you actually have to go back and read your last blog to see where you have left off! To look at the pictures I posted last time makes me feel awesome because we have really come a LONG way since then.
So the first thing we had to do after we got the shower base in was to prepare for the walls. We had had a lot of trouble trying to get the ancient shower knobs off, so we kept putting it off. Well, here it was...we HAD to get them off to install the new walls, no way around it! It was quite a process, Jonathan tried as hard as he could to get it off with no avail. I suggested we take a break and just come back to it. At this point it was sort of a pickle-jar situation. You know, you try and try to get the lid off and it won't budge, then someone else picks it up and it appears to be the easiest thing ever? Well, that happened but it was still him trying. It was like he barely touched the knob with the wrench and it basically flew off. Whew...glad that worked :)

So generally, you are supposed to install the back wall first, but we couldn't because we were not interested in re-working the entire piping line for the shower, and with the curve of the walls we chose there was just no other option but to install the side wall first. This called for hours upon hours a bit of time measuring and cutting the holes for the fixtures. Perfect fit!

So then it was time to attach the walls. We pre-drilled holes for the nails, and got the caulk gun ready with the Liquid nails. About half-way through the application of liquid nails, I came to the realization we were absolutely NOT going to have enough. I wiped down the spots I had already covered and announced we would need to return to HD for more. * lesson learned: always get way more than you think you need or than the directions say...you can always return it if you don't use it, but most likely you will have gotten the perfect amount anyway!
So once we got back and I applied the adhesive, there was no time for thinking, we just had to stick those walls right up and then nail them in! It was all over pretty fast. We pressed them in firmly haha, and then rigged a couple of shower curtain rods between them to hold them in place while the adhesive set overnight...the directions suggested constructing a brace of 2x4's. Crazy direction-writers.

Alrighty...shower, check! Now its time to move on to the floor. First, we needed to install the cement board as a backing to the tile. We chose hardie backer board. After some strategic measurements, we figured out how to use only 3 pieces (meaning only 2 seams!) to cover the floor. Cutting the pieces of board was pretty tough, it is cement after all. Apparently the dust that cutting the board makes is toxic silica dust. If we keel over dead any time soon, rest assured that it was due to the inhalation of that stuff! Notice "smoke" in 1st picture, amazing cut in 2nd picture, and final product in 3rd

So the boards are cut, now its time to mix up the mortar...eek. *lesson learned: this is one beater you DO NOT want to lick afterwards-ha. It was tricky to figure out how to spread it evenly, but  guess it was good practice for the tile. You'll see a picture of our "trial palette" using leftovers we found in the crawl space from some tile project long ago, and you'll also see our disposal method :) we weren't familiar enough with the consistency we were looking for so we decided to mix up the entire bag according to the directions and see what we got. I'll mention here that once the stuff was mixed, I could barely pick it up, much less haul it upstairs...go Jonathan!

Now its time to cut the tile! We decided to measure, cut, and lay out all the tile so we made sure to get it all right before setting it in the mortar. This ended up taking an entire day. We borrowed a wet saw, and made a HUGE MESS of our garage after all was said and done. Props to Jonathan for his stellar cutting, and me for my stellar measurements. We only messed up one piece, but were still able to use it so no one will ever know...wait...until now.

And then came the true test...the moment we've all been dreading...the laying of the tile. After 3 days of after-work prep, we had everything labeled, organized, and ready to go. Last night we got started about 6:15 with the first batch of mortar and the first row of tile. I'm not going to lie, that was probably the worst thing we've done so far...we are talking way worse than joint compound, people. We persevered, and within no time we had a real system going. Jonathan mixed up the cement downstairs and brought it to me. I would spread it for the next row, then Jonathan would lay the tile, add the spacers and press it in place. Then, I would clean out the spaces, even everything up, and re-position the spacers while Jonathan mixed the next batch. And so it worked for all 6 rows! We finished up at 9:15 after spending a while scrubbing cement off of the surrounding floor and ourselves...not bad for our first try! I will say that the tile looks much better in person. I don't know what it is, but it really does not photograph well so you will just have to come over to see it when it's done!

One more thing. The FUNNIEST thing ever happened when we realized that we had not shut the window of the bathroom. As I'm sure you know, after you install tile, you are not supposed to walk on it for 24 hours, but it was supposed to rain today so we could not leave it open.  The dilemma. So Jonathan uses his Stretch-Armstrong abilities (I'm not sure either of us knew he possessed these) to step from the doorway and into the shower with only a small boost from me underneath his foot( note: I desperately wanted to get a picture of this occurring but that would have been cruel). He successfully closed the window but then realized it was going to be infinitely harder to get back to the room. I can't even explain what happened next... there are no words. I swear I think he somehow flew back into the room. It was hilarious, no doubt.
The End (for now)

The Great Bathroom RENO #4

I have some real updates to make on this post. As I mentioned before, Jonathan and I both took a couple of vacation days during "Spring Break" to work on the bathroom. It was so awesome to not have to work!!! Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but it was great to catch up and get some progress on the bathroom. Now, I have a ton to talk about so I'll stop my rambling and get started.
 To start off, it was time to tackle the crown molding. After one piece of scrap completely sawed into pieces on Tuesday night, we decided it was time for a new approach. After a little more googling/youtube research under our belts, we figured it out on the FIRST TRY on Wednesday..go team Rhoades :)

 If you have never done crown molding, then you don't realize what an accomplishment this is...if you have, then thanks for the applause you are no doubt giving us right now!
 I'm just going to point out that Wednesday was not only the day we successfully conquered the molding, but it was also our 3 year anniversary! Below is our 3rd year picture.

 So we haven't opened the window since we painted the 7 million coats of kilz/paint on it, but it was getting stuffy in there so while Jonathan was fighting with the shower subfloor, I was working on the window. Ta-da! Both complete below.

 I have to say the crown molding looks pretty spectacular, too. I am not trying to sound arrogant at all...I was genuinely suprised/impressed by our hard work. It took us most of a day to finish the measuring/cutting/nailing/spackling/caulking/painting...but I think it paid off!

 Whew! After we finished that, we came to a point of no return in our project. Well, you might say we've already come to that point long ago, but to us the installation of the shower has been sort of hanging for some time. We wanted to get everything above the shower completed first to limit the abuse to the shower base for the rest of the remodel. At this point there was no way to stall any further (get it...stall??? haha I crack myself up). We made our largest purchase so far in the project. In fact, I added up all we had spent so far and shower was literally half the total cost of the porject up till now! Here is how we got it home :)

 It is a base/walls set...I can't remember right now what it is made of...something plastic I guess!
 Basically what we did after this was quite a process. We had to take more sheetrock out (oh, boy!) and then have the greatest plumbing adventure ever. I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of that process. Right now, we have the plumbing re-figured and the base and showerhead installed. Next come the walls, and I'm not sure when we will have time to get to those!

Paint Color and Another Realization

So here it is...the moment you have been waiting for!

As I mentioned in the previous post, this is Spring Break, and it is really quiet around the office. I am taking off early tomorrow and completely on Thurs/Fri so hopefully we will make some great progress on the Bathroom!

So for my next realization...my blog is a mess! Every time I post it looks different, and I just can't get the layout right. I have seen other blogs I like, but I don't know how to get mine to look good. I am pretty savvy with computer stuff, but I feel like a dummy at this! I know about the free template sites, but I haven't found anything I like yet...and I am really looking for more than a template, I think...suggestions?

A Realization

I had a realization this morning in the shower. This may seem odd, but it is a regular occurance for me. The shower is the place I come up with the best ideas and usually where I remember something that I was probably about to forget. Anyway...I digress. My realization was that although my push to start this blog was to keep interested folks updated on our renovation, I could in fact write about whatever I want rather than just waiting and waiting until I have something to report on the bathroom (also, as Jonathan cleverly pointed out...we will eventually finish the project and I may want to keep writing then, too!). BUT...I don't need the blog to be another reminder of something that I am late doing or something hanging over my head still needing to be done. If there is no progress on the RENO, I need not feel pressured to make something apply to it. I can just be random, after all...that is one of my gifts :)

I love the Spring in Atlanta. Since I grew up in South/Central Texas, I was really never used to experiencing "Seasons," there was mostly just hot and cold. Here, there are distinct Seasons, and they just appear without much notice. For instance, there are a number of flowering trees here that definitely mark the Springtime arrival - just beautiful! Cherry Blossoms are my favorite, but I also love the Dogwoods.

Speaking of Spring...next week is "Spring Break," which really means nothing to me except that plenty of people are out of school and going on vacations, so there will be less traffic for me getting to work (see...I'm so positive, always looking for the good, right?). Jonathan is taking the week off since there really arent any church events going on (except for actual "church" on Sunday of course), and it is a good time to take his earned comp time. I decided to take 2 days of vacation and just hang out at home, so at that time we may get some more progress on the bathroom (of course, I'll try to keep the blog updated, but no pressure, remember? *see paragraph 1 if you don't remember).

Just some ramblings and excuses...

I'm sorry I have left you hanging for a couple of weeks on the renovation process, but there honestly hasn't been that much progress... 

Two weekends ago, I went with a small group from my church to help facilitate a family conference for an Army Battalion at a hotel in Myrtle Beach, SC.  I was in charge of infant-5yr old childcare, but luckily we got someone at the last minute to do the baby nursery, so I only had 2 - 5yr olds (I say "only" like it was easy or something...yeah right!). We really had a great time. It was challenging for sure, but it was neat to see how God worked. Since I was the only adult in the room with 25+ preschoolers, I didn't have much time to take pictures! While I was gone, Jonathan finished priming and painting the walls in the bathroom... they look so good!

Last weekend, I was honestly still recovering from my sleep depravity from the weekend before, but we were also expecting company, so we were busy making preparations for that. Although our company didn't end up coming (my poor niece got sick!), we did get another unexpected treat. Our brother/sister in law came in for the day to do some shopping at some of the great Atlanta offerings...namely IKEA. Jonathan and I went to have lunch and then spent the afternoon shopping with them! They left with a suburban load of cool stuff from IKEA and West Elm... I love when I get the fun of shopping without having to be the one making decisions or spending money!

Anyway,  its also been very busy at work. With Easter coming up, we have been busy making preparations for all kinds of things including special services, concerts, and so forth. Are you ready for me to stop giving excuses? Me too! We are still excited to work on that bathroom, and hopefully after Easter things will slow down a bit and we can get some stuff done! 


I'll leave you with one picture of the color we chose. Keep in mind that there will be wainscoting on the bottom half so that is why we didn't spend too much time keeping that part tidy. ---oops I just realized I don't have the painted picture with me! I'm sorry you will just have to wait until I can post it...maybe tonight!