As of Tuesday, all of my cabinetry is in, now I just need to wait for the sink. Unfortunately, I can't install them until the sink/counter arrives. So even though I have 95% of what I need, I am still in hurry up and wait mode.
Plus, the cabinet that goes above the toilet is a lot deeper than I was expecting. The old one was only 4 inches deep. This one is 7 inches, and with the door it's almost 9 inches. I know that it's normal, but just holding it up to the wall, it looks really large, especially for that small room.
I am contemplating cutting a hole in the wall and recessing it. The only problem with that idea is there is no molding/lip around the cabinet to hide the edge. I just don't know how to handle this right now, so I suppose it is good that I have to wait for the sink. It gives me time to figure out what to do.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Artist Showcase
Last weekend we got a letter in the mail from Waukesha County. Kris opened it and was surprised when she found it not to be a normal newsletter or some sort of campaign literature. Instead it was a letter from the Country Executive congratulating Alison for having her self-portrait displayed at the courthouse in the annual artist's showcase. When Kris asked her about it, Alison said, "Oh yeah, I forgot. I was going to tell you that mt self-portrait is being displayed in the courthouse" like it was no big deal. Mind you, this is the girl who has always shied away from art because she wasn't any good at it, so I think to have her work displayed at the courthouse is a pretty big deal.
The letter invited us to come view it and if we did to stop by the County Executive's office so he could meet her. Since Wednesday is an early release day anyway, we decided that as soon as Ali got home we would drive out to see it and see if the County Executive was in.
Once we got there and found the right entrance, we went through the metal detector. Then we followed the directions downstairs to the area where all the artwork was displayed. There was a lot of art from other kids at Ali's school, but we found Ali's picture pretty quickly.
She has actually come a pretty long way in about the last three years. In third grade she absolutely hated art class because she thought her work was so bad. Now she is having her work displayed in the county courthouse.
After looking at her picture and the work from the other kids we decided that as long as we were there, we'd go up and see the County Executive. Alison was afraid to actually meet him, but I told her that was actually part of his job, to meet the people of the county. Unfortunately, when we got up to his office, he wasn't there. Apparently he has been having some health issues and was getting treatment. But his secretary was very nice and talked to us, and to Alison and she thanked her for her wonderful artwork.
Maybe next time if she gets any more work displayed, we can actually meet him.
The letter invited us to come view it and if we did to stop by the County Executive's office so he could meet her. Since Wednesday is an early release day anyway, we decided that as soon as Ali got home we would drive out to see it and see if the County Executive was in.
Once we got there and found the right entrance, we went through the metal detector. Then we followed the directions downstairs to the area where all the artwork was displayed. There was a lot of art from other kids at Ali's school, but we found Ali's picture pretty quickly.
She has actually come a pretty long way in about the last three years. In third grade she absolutely hated art class because she thought her work was so bad. Now she is having her work displayed in the county courthouse.
After looking at her picture and the work from the other kids we decided that as long as we were there, we'd go up and see the County Executive. Alison was afraid to actually meet him, but I told her that was actually part of his job, to meet the people of the county. Unfortunately, when we got up to his office, he wasn't there. Apparently he has been having some health issues and was getting treatment. But his secretary was very nice and talked to us, and to Alison and she thanked her for her wonderful artwork.
Maybe next time if she gets any more work displayed, we can actually meet him.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Bird Nest
This spring we got an extra treat, a bird's nest on the garage. About a week ago when we got home from checking on Kris's dad, the girls pointed out there was a bird's nest up in the crook between the garage light, the downspout, and the outer wall of the front of the garage.
Last year, one tried building a nest on the mailbox in the front of the house, which just wasn't going to work so I knocked it down before it was finished. So I knocked this one down too, because I didn't want to have to deal with a bird every time we opened the garage door. But the next day as Ali was getting ready for school she noticed a robin flying back into the spot where the nest was rebuilding the nest. After thinking about it, I thought that the bird wasn't actually hurting anything, it was just looking for a place to live so I picked up the nest I had knocked down, and put it back where it was.
Over the next few days, I wasn't sure if the robin was going to come back and actually live in it. I never saw any birds flying around it, and I thought that maybe it had figured another bird had built a nest there and it had moved to someplace else. So after a week or so, I went back to look at it. There was definitely a bird building on it, because the nest was about twice as deep as it was when I had knocked it down. The next day, Alison told me she saw a robin fly from the neighbor's roof to the next with some long pieces if grass in its beak. So I guess we are going to have a bird living here this spring. Hopefully there will bird news to report soon.
Last year, one tried building a nest on the mailbox in the front of the house, which just wasn't going to work so I knocked it down before it was finished. So I knocked this one down too, because I didn't want to have to deal with a bird every time we opened the garage door. But the next day as Ali was getting ready for school she noticed a robin flying back into the spot where the nest was rebuilding the nest. After thinking about it, I thought that the bird wasn't actually hurting anything, it was just looking for a place to live so I picked up the nest I had knocked down, and put it back where it was.
Over the next few days, I wasn't sure if the robin was going to come back and actually live in it. I never saw any birds flying around it, and I thought that maybe it had figured another bird had built a nest there and it had moved to someplace else. So after a week or so, I went back to look at it. There was definitely a bird building on it, because the nest was about twice as deep as it was when I had knocked it down. The next day, Alison told me she saw a robin fly from the neighbor's roof to the next with some long pieces if grass in its beak. So I guess we are going to have a bird living here this spring. Hopefully there will bird news to report soon.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Done For Now
The downstairs bathroom is done for now. I can't get any further because the cabinets and sink have not come in yet. I did, however, get the floor in and the toilet. It would have been a lot faster if I wouldn't have had to wait 24 hours between setting the tiles and grouting the joints. And then another 24 hours after grouting the tiles before installing/putting the toilet in.
It also would have gone faster if I wouldn't have had to take a day off to drive the girls up to Appleton for their flight to Florida, and another day off to go pick them up. There was also a day in there (Tuesday) where nothing got done because I was sick and in bed. I feel good though that I was able to get it (the bathroom) all set to go before school starts, because two teenage girls and us getting ready for work and only having one working bathroom just would not have been a good situation.
So now we wait for the cabinets to get here and try to plan out how to get everything in place once they arrive. Hopefully that will all go smoothly, because this is taking a whole lot longer than I had anticipated, and I just want it done. I can't stand working around this mess. I do like the floor though.
It also would have gone faster if I wouldn't have had to take a day off to drive the girls up to Appleton for their flight to Florida, and another day off to go pick them up. There was also a day in there (Tuesday) where nothing got done because I was sick and in bed. I feel good though that I was able to get it (the bathroom) all set to go before school starts, because two teenage girls and us getting ready for work and only having one working bathroom just would not have been a good situation.
So now we wait for the cabinets to get here and try to plan out how to get everything in place once they arrive. Hopefully that will all go smoothly, because this is taking a whole lot longer than I had anticipated, and I just want it done. I can't stand working around this mess. I do like the floor though.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Brewers Pirates Game
We decided to get Brewers tickets for today's game when the season started because it's five county deal days. Because we are funding the stadium, we get half price tickets for a week once a year, and since we're sort of snobby when it comes to our seats, it's a good time to go. We ended up right behind the plate, about 20 rows up. In fact when we got there, the seats looked a lot like where we sat the last time we went to a game (though I don't remember exactly when that was).
We got lucky because Kyle Lohse was pitching, and also the Brewers were playing the Pirates, which recently has been a pretty good proposition that they would win. It was actually a pretty close game. The Brewers weren't putting up much offense and then they ended up getting a couple of extra runs when Scooter Gennett struck out and got to third because the catcher dropped the ball and launched the ball into right field when trying to secure the strikeout at first base. I told the girls to remember that play because I am willing to bet it will be a long time before they see someone get to third base on a strike out. It was one of the most bizarre plays they will ever see (and one of the most bizarre I have ever seen too).
And since it was Sunday, it was Sausage Relay Day. The Polish got off to a huge lead and then tagged off the "Little Polish". Unfortunately for him, the Little Hot Dog made up serious ground when he got tagged off, resulting in a Hot Dog win. So Hot Dog has 3 wins so far this year (I think) taking a serious lead for the season.
Milwaukee ended up winning, 4-1 and have the best record in the majors. Let's hope this lasts and we can actually get someplace in the playoffs this year.
We got lucky because Kyle Lohse was pitching, and also the Brewers were playing the Pirates, which recently has been a pretty good proposition that they would win. It was actually a pretty close game. The Brewers weren't putting up much offense and then they ended up getting a couple of extra runs when Scooter Gennett struck out and got to third because the catcher dropped the ball and launched the ball into right field when trying to secure the strikeout at first base. I told the girls to remember that play because I am willing to bet it will be a long time before they see someone get to third base on a strike out. It was one of the most bizarre plays they will ever see (and one of the most bizarre I have ever seen too).
And since it was Sunday, it was Sausage Relay Day. The Polish got off to a huge lead and then tagged off the "Little Polish". Unfortunately for him, the Little Hot Dog made up serious ground when he got tagged off, resulting in a Hot Dog win. So Hot Dog has 3 wins so far this year (I think) taking a serious lead for the season.
Milwaukee ended up winning, 4-1 and have the best record in the majors. Let's hope this lasts and we can actually get someplace in the playoffs this year.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Job Offer
Well tonight Sarah got a call from Steins and they offered her a position as a seasonal cashier. I know it is just a cashier position, but Kris and I are still very proud that she got offered the job. They wanted her to come in next week to do all of her orientation stuff, but she'll be spending her spring break in Florida with my folks, so they said she could do it the next week.
So soon she is going to realize what is means to be a tax paying citizen and how the government keeps its hand in your pocket. She can also then watch the news at night and try to figure out why she has to pay for lowlife's healthcare.
So soon she is going to realize what is means to be a tax paying citizen and how the government keeps its hand in your pocket. She can also then watch the news at night and try to figure out why she has to pay for lowlife's healthcare.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Start of the Demo
As stated, we are planning on remodeling the downstairs, small bathroom. I was hoping that I could get everything replaced while the girls are gone on their spring break to Florida. Unfortunately after running some numbers, and doing some figuring, there is no way I will have everything done in the time they are gone. With the time I figure it will take to rip everything out and then replace the floor and toilet, I am going to need to start tearing things out before they leave.
That means starting tonight I am going to need to start the demo. So the plan will be to get the baseboards ripped out and then the laminate floor in addition to the sink and the toilet. That way on Monday when the girls are gone, I can start replacing the floor. So here we go. Let the demolition begin.
That means starting tonight I am going to need to start the demo. So the plan will be to get the baseboards ripped out and then the laminate floor in addition to the sink and the toilet. That way on Monday when the girls are gone, I can start replacing the floor. So here we go. Let the demolition begin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)