Don't get your panties all in a bunch

Today we started remodeling one of our bathrooms. My parents gave us a little money for Christmas, so we are able to do it.

I kind of have mixed feelings about it. I loved the colors in the bathroom (or lack thereof.) It was black and white. The tub walls were tiled in white with a black border, and the countertop was tiled as well. The black tiles had a beautiful iridescent patina on them, since they were about 60 years old. So they will be missed. What won't be missed is the tub. It was old, refinished cast iron. The tub itself was great. It was a nice size, and deep. The problem was that it was peeling. Whoever refinished it didn't do it right, so the paint didn't stick. So I feel bad about getting rid of an otherwise nice tub. But since I couldn't really use it unless I wanted peely tub paint poking my bum, it had to go.

And go it did...

Our handyman friend is doing the really hard stuff for us. He and his friend came this morning to start the demolition. After chiseling the tile from the walls, they started in on the tub. With a sledgehammer. Being cast iron, the tub couldn't just be carried out of the house. So they had to break it into several more manageable pieces. After quite a beating, the poor tub finally gave in and broke in two. Then they broke those pieces in two.

After the remains of the tub were taken out and the mess cleaned up, some discoveries were made. But first, a little back story. Our house was built in the 1950's. The people we bought it from "fixed it up" because it had been trashed by renters that had lived in it previously. "Fixed up" was really just a nice way of saying patching things together so they will last just long enough for the house to pass inspection and us to move in before starting to fall apart. We have noticed so many shortcuts that were taken, and so many odd things that I am no longer surprised when things go wrong. We've also found a lot of strange things...like beer cans in the walls, an air mattress in the attic, probably at least a dollar in pennies in the back yard. I'm not kidding. We joke about how there's probably a car buried in the back yard. Or a body. I honestly wouldn't be surprised. I actually found a car key in the yard...

Which brings me to today's discoveries. In the wall behind the tub. Yes. In the wall behind the tub. First, a toy turtle. Then two combs and a measuring spoon. And then...


Wait for it...


Panties. Yes, you read that right. Panties. Pink lacy panties in the wall behind the tub. Was I surprised? No, not at all. Just one more weird thing we found in our house. How they got there, we'll never know. We probably don't want to know. Maybe they belong to the body that's buried in the back yard. :)

Don't you love how the rays of sunlight frame this glorious find?

New year, new bathroom

Happy New Year everyone. I know it's two weeks late, but I am still suffering from a horrible case of writers block.

The year started out quite eventful. Instead of our usual spending New Years Eve at home watching the ball drop, we chaperoned a teenage dance party. Our church youth group had a NYE party/dance for hundreds of teens with potentially raging hormones. Our job was to keep them from running amok. It was actually quite fun. Husband and I went to events like these when we were growing up, and later in college, and we always had a great time. Mostly I just like to dance and hear great music!

In other news, my parents have given us some money to help us remodel one of our two bathrooms! Yay! We need a new tub like you wouldn't believe! The previous owners had the old cast iron tub refinished. Basically this is painting the tub to hide whatever crap may be underneath. About three baths after we moved in, the tub started peeling! The paint is peeling off. In huge chunks. It's like it wasn't actually even attached to the surface of the tub. Ugh! So we are getting a new tub, new plumbing fixtures, new surround tile, new sink and vanity, and new floor tile. Pretty much gutting everything except the toilet. I am excited beyond words! Our friend/handyman will be doing the work, and he always does a great job. He's pretty much the only person I would trust to do it right. I'll try to post pictures of the progress. He might start as soon as next week!

I've also been feeling super crafty lately. I just haven't had time to justify indulging in my crafty urges. Until today. Well, I made time. I just recently discovered Mod Podge. Apparently it's been around for, like forever. I Mod Podged some scrapbook paper to the light switch cover in the bathroom that will soon be remodeled. Hey, I can't do the big things like replace the tub, but I can make cute little decorative enhancements. It was so fun and super easy to do, and it looks super cute! I'm actually happy!