Weekend's over and my bathroom...

"There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them."
 -Silvia Plath

So, the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend is just about over, and back to work tomorrow.  Being pretty broke right now, we mostly stayed in and watched TV, sat by the fire and did chores around the house and yard.  I was determined to get a few things done while I was off.  I managed to get the inside of my truck cleaned, mowed the lawn, did some trimming, put away the few Fall decorations I had out and today I'll start pulling out the Christmas boxes.  I also got a little online shopping done for my girls.  I save all year so that I will have a little money for my Christmas shopping, this is the only way I'd be able to manage it.

My plan of attack this year is to decorate gradually, so I am not overwhelmed with it all.  We have some family commitments the next couple weekends, so I'll have to manage my time well.  I usually don't accomplish much in the evenings during the week by the time I get home from work and fix dinner. I want to have the tree up and ready for when my daughter comes home so we can decorate it together. 

There's been so much drama this year, I am just trying to enjoy the holidays, I mean after all, the problems will still be here waiting in January, right?!?

I love looking at pictures of other people's houses, so today since I have no new photos to share, I thought I'd share pictures of one of my favorite rooms in my house, the bathroom. 

I saved a lot of money by shopping around for all
the fixtures and plumbing supplies myself.

I found a guy in a another state who re-mirrored old mirrors, so I was able to keep the original details of beveling and etching on the old medicine cabinets.  I mailed him the mirrors and it was still cheaper than replacing the mirrors w/ plain mirrored glass.



This is the original cabinet, I just removed the doors and had the top tiled.




 I purchased the old claw-foot tub right after we bought the house, but it sat in my garage for 9 years before it actually made it to the bathroom(I may have talked about this before, so I apologize if you've heard this already!)  These pictures are not new, but nothing has changed, I'm pretty content with it just as it is.  Eventually I'll have to replace the shower curtain, but otherwise I like the white w/ just a touch of green. 

The bathroom was an unusable mess when we bought the house.  The toilet was actually wall mounted!  Eww, like in a public restroom.  When we started pulling up the old tile floor (redone in the 60's, so very ugly) there was a hole in the floor from where the original toilet had been.  The door to this bathroom stayed closed for 9 years, really, I mean it, it was really gross!

I had a friend who did tile work and he kind of became my "general contractor".  He found me different guys to do the work that needed to be done, such as electrical, plumbling, drywall, wood work, etc.  He did the tile work and some of the shower rebuilding, it was all rotted out from water leakage.  He was amazing and I saved a lot of money with his help. 

I know the photos are lousy, but I didn't feel like retaking them, and my camera is so old, I don't know how much better I can get them.  You get the idea though.

When it was finally time to put the tub in, I breathed a sigh of relief that my measuring had been correct and it was really going to fit!

There is nothing like a good soak in a hot bath with a good book for a little R & R.  For now though, it's time to haul up those Christmas decorations, the bath will have to wait for later...

Happy Decorating and Happy Thoughts,

Lisa

Changing Traditions

“If we fill our hours with regrets over the failures of yesterday, and with worries over the problems of tomorrow, we have no today in which to be thankful”

-unknown

This year, Thanksgiving will be a little different than it has been for our family in the past.   My father has to work on Thanksgiving, and my grandparents on  his side who usually have Thanksgiving with us, are getting older and it has become increasingly difficult for them to travel.   So, as it turns out, it is going to be just me, my mom and youngest daughter on Thanksgiving day. 

My oldest daughter is away at college and I wasn't able to fly her home this year for Thanksgiving.  She will be home soon for her Winter Break, so we decided to postpone Thanksgiving until then.  My mother is an amazing cook, and her Thanksgiving dinner is anticipated for weeks ahead.  Changing a long standing tradition this year has been a little depressing.  Not having our little family together on this special day is not something we would have ever chosen.  My youngest daughter is having a hard time with the idea.  I've explained that we must be positive and it won't always be like this.  Some years are just harder than others. 

My mom is going to treat us to see Harry Potter on Thanksgiving, so the three of us will spend the day seeing a movie together.  The night before Thanksgiving, we will have a nice family dinner together with my parents, but the traditional Thanksgiving menu will be saved for when my oldest can be home to share it with us.  She will be with my sister and her girls on Thanksgiving day, so even though we won't all be together, we will all have family to share the day with.

I received a package in the mail yesterday that put it all in perspective.  A friend I have "met" on flickr and through the blogging world sent me a beautiful little sign.  I have a  love of words, and these reminded me to always focus on the positive-

She wrote in a card to me that when she saw this, it reminded her of me, because I always try to be positive.  Her words alone meant so much to me, and her gift was so very kind.  Thank you so much Val!  Someday maybe we will actually get to meet in person.  Val is getting married next year, so please join me in wishing her and her future husband a lifetime together filled with love and happiness.



Wishing you a very Happy and "Thankful" Thanksgiving and Happy Thoughts,

Lisa

Give Thanks  is hung in our kitchen to remind us to always be thankful.

It's the little things in life...

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

More and more I stop and cherish the little things in life, the day to day treasures, whether they be kind words or simple pleasures.

A phone call from a friend you haven't seen in a while, a compliment when you need it most, a card in the mail, hearing your favorite song on the radio at just the right time, or just a few hours of quiet alone time with a cup of coffee and a good book or your favorite magazine.  These small, but important moments in our lives, are the ones that help us stay sane, in a world that sometimes feels like it's falling apart.



Homemade cookies are a little thing that can put a smile on anyone's face.



Watch the news on any given day, and you will undoubtably be depressed after hearing about the all the turmoil and violence going on in our world.  As much as I want to stay connected to what's going on around me, sometimes I want to hide from it.  There is so much hardship and pain, it really makes me stop and think, are my problems that important?  Well, of course we all have our own personal struggles,  but looking at the big picture, our problems can seem so small in comparison to what some people face in their lives on any give day. 

It's the little things that keep us from sinking into a perpetual state of despair when it seems like we have no control over what's happening to us.  Sometimes, it's just as simple as taking the time to stop and look at the beauty and nature that is around us.  In our busy lives, it's easy to forget how beautiful this world we live in really can be.  For as much as there is pain and heartache, there is beauty and kindness.  Whether it's a the magical beauty of a full moon, the wonder of a rainbow, spending time with your children, whatever is beautiful to YOU, it's really a personal thing. 

Time spent with our friends and family, in our very busy lives, is one of the most important of the little things in our lives.  The little moments, the day to day acts of kindness, these are so important, and must not be forgotten. 


Keeping a picture of your loved ones at your desk at work, making your family's favorite dinner, baking a cake or treat for someone's birthday, taking the time to stop and talk to someone when you are rushing through your day,  or sitting by a cozy fire with your family on a cold night, these are the little things that help us and those we love and care about get through the day, yet they are really the  important things that keep us all connected.


My wish for you is that you treasure all the little things in life and that you remember one small act of kindness can mean the world to someones else.


Happy Thoughts,
Lisa