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Monthly Archives: November 2020

Bathroom Remodel, Part 1

We’ve been working on our upstairs bathroom. It’s been partially out of service (the toilet) since early March when we had a smallish fire in the bathroom trash. Thank goodness for keeping fire extinguishers in our home! And for being home due to covid-19 shutdown!

Trashcan fire damage.

We had some drywall repair to do and let’s face it, neither one of us likes to do drywall. So it has been waiting on us to finish it. And finally we’re back to it. I’m tired of only one toilet in the house with 6 people!!

The meantime I’ve been sourcing materials as they go on sale or clearance. So when we were ready we could do the reno for less $$.

Beginning the drywall repairs.

Dean started sanding & applying more mud while I started to strip down the map decoupaged vanity top. I scored the surface and used some fabric softener mixed with water to loosen the paper. Most of it scraped right off after soaking for a while. The rest got a light sanding and then I wiped down the surface with a damp rag.

Next was fitting the tile to the vanity top. I rough cut the tile to fit, now I need to trim the edge pieces to fit the tile into place. I had intended to use penny tile, since it would be easy to fit and no cutting needed. The colors Home Depot had just weren’t right though, and this hex tile was perfect. Plus it was on clearance so I got a bargain deal on all the tile for about $13. Now I’ll be learning a new skill, cutting tile! Yippee!??!?

Rough fit tile.

Dean never has been fond of the dark taupe colored walls so we opted for a sage green color. With accents of beige tile, sable grout (bought on clearance for 10¢ a box!!) and one wood accent wall we hope to add interest to this unusually long, narrow, odd shaped bathroom.

#renonation

#updatedbathroom

#diyAK49

She Snores

Tired doggo.

Last night she went to Jake’s to visit her brother Hank, mother Sara and father Kevin. They played so hard and rough that she slept all night and still needs a serious nap today!

Studly

Spent some time this morning studding my tires. *See previous post*

I bought these studs a couple of years ago and just finally got the nerve up to install them. I was a little freaked out about ruining my tires.

These things cost about $1 each and require a special install tool. Their are many sizes to chose from, I picked these since my tires have thick tread.

It may not look like it but I wiped the tire off to remove gravel and sand on each place I drove a stud. Carefully and slowly, I drove them in just until the driver tips we’re just pushing into the tire.

My Makita, the best lil drill ever, with the install tool and a bag o’studs.

I’ve got the two front tires finished and will tackle the rear tires next.

Let’s hope this makes traveling this winter safer and easier.

Oh, a bonus is that they also work great in your snow boots! Give them a try.

I put 6 studs in each sole of my Baffins that I work in. Don’t wear them inside!

#aklife

#icyroads

#screwit

#thesebootsweremadeforwalkingonice

Winter is Here

Snow + warmer temps + rain = ice

#slowdown

#driveaccordingtoroadconditions

#alaskalife

Did you?

I did.

#election2020

#vote

#quietrevolution

Once in a Blue Moon

Spent the weekend at the cabin. Went out with the idea of working on the deck posts but the frozen timbers were adverse to the idea. So we puttered around doing other things and relaxed a bit.

Dean pulled the leaning support post out from under the sun room and put in a temporary post until next spring. The old log post Dad installed had just rotted off and was skidding off its base.

The moon was so bright Friday night the kids thought it was full! Didn’t need a flashlight to go to the outhouse at night.

Saturday night’s full moon did not disappoint. We sat around the fire and watched the moon rise through the spruce trees.

The kids we’re catching up on LHotP episodes inside while Dean and I enjoyed the fire.

We had a wind advisory for Sunday and it started blowing early. Little Mister got a fright with a tree top breaking off and falling on the neighboring lot.

On our drive out there was a tree down across the road. So we made quick use of the chainsaw and cleared the road.

#thatsthewaywedoithere

#graycliffs

#alaskalife