Sunday, July 27, 2008

Bathroom Update

Well, Bitty pretty much hit the nail on the head. She took a look at our "bathroom" (the term is loosely applied) and said to Troy, "You're a good Tearer-Aparter!" Boy, Howdy. And thanks go also to Jim Schnepel and Steve Burnett, because they're pretty good Tearer-Aparters too. Now they can try their hands at being "Putter-Togetherers."

So, I find myself back at home, despite the lack of a toilet. I had planned on just completely moving out for at least a week, but it turns out that that can get tricky. Yesterday's adventures, though largely pleasurable, also included such antics as my cell phone leaping out of my pocket and straight into my sister's toilet, (how's that for terrible timing?) and a rather nasty injury for Stomper. On top of his flare-up of cat allergies, he was playing around last night (past everyone's bedtime, of course) and he jumped from the floor onto a bed, and as far as I can tell from his description, he pretty much landed on the top of his head. It was pretty freaky, but at this point we're pretty sure it's just a muscle injury. The poor kid was in so much pain, crying out just from moving his head. We decided to sleep at home last night so that we could be near Troy and Stomper could be in his own bed. He didn't sleep well, but after a call to the Doc this morning and some extra ibuprophen, followed by a two-hour nap, he's doing a lot better. He's still pretty stiff, but is recovering. Yikes.

You know, all this mess and trouble is pretty much totally overwhelming, but this morning as Troy and I were doing some dishes together, peeking in at our darling sleeping boy, and Bitty was happily playing and really being so sweet and charming, we had a moment of just meeting each others' eyes. I said, "THEY are why we're doing the bathroom." And then we both had to cry a little because we love our kids so much, and each other.

So, for today, Troy is working around us a little, and we're appreciating the use of Troy's parent's camping potty, now located in our garage, a.k.a. the outhouse. Aren't you loving all these details? Okay, here are some pix. A little 'before' bathroom, with a pre-injured Stomper doing some of the heavy duty work, followed by the aftermath of three men armed with pickaxes and sledgehammers. You may notice how there is a lack of foundation under the walls. Poor Troy. This dumb house...we love it, we hate it.



Goodbye, you ugly disgusting bathroom!






Well, wish us luck. We need it.

13 comments:

Misty said...

Wow! Quite the adventure ... but I can picture the amazing bathroom it will become. If I had any talent in that area whatsoever, I'd come help you. But trust me, you definitely want me to stay away. :)

Carrie said...

Rachel, you guys crack me up. you're such a trooper. The camping potty is hysterical especially because your garage isn't hooked to your house so it really is like an outhouse.

seeing the lathe and plaster and dirt pictures brought back way to many memories of our house downtown, I feel for ya-good luck you two! :)

napalmbrain said...

Um, we still want you to come visit in California. We have a very nice bathroom...promise! :)

Love you
Sheri, Pete and Siena

Kathleen said...

No foundation? What the???? You ARE a trooper and I'll send Sam over if he is home tomorrow! BTW,if you need a place to hang out, come on over!

Gina said...

Oh, it will be so worth it! I feel for you in the meantime though. We at least had an upstairs bathroom to do business in while we remodled, and ours wasn't nearly this major! Good Luck to you guys, and I hope that Stomper gets feeling better soon.

Michelle said...

We have a love/hate relationship with our house too. And you know, foundations are overrated and expensive to fix as we've recently discovered. But, as much as I hate to clean them, I'm feeling pretty good about having more than one bathroom right now. We'd love to have you guys come over and hang out—we have a lot of dinosaurs and dress ups.

Melissa said...

All I can say is you have far, far more patience and tolerance than I do. (Of course, we've both known that all along.) Good luck with the remodeling.

luann said...

Good luck with the bathroom! We finally finished our bathroom remodel... after 10 months. Which is 2 months after we moved out and we only got it done so we could rent the house. Sad, I know. My hubby has a lot of experience helping others do bathrooms, which is why our's took so long. He told everyone he was redoing his bathroom, and suddenly he is over helping a friend finish their's. Who knows when our new kitchen will be finished! Good Luck! Come play if you are up near Farmington!

stephgardner said...

Yes I echo your brother - I think now would be a great time to come to CA!

Windybrook Spinner said...

I'm so sorry for the mess, but glad you will eventually have a nice new bathroom. Good luck!

Desiree said...

I just read your last 3 blogs and am not sure what to write any more. I would come help if I was in UT, that is if Troy would let me. I offered roofing help a couple of times and he turned me down... As far as life happening too fast to record it... I know what you mean, and I don't even have kids to add to the excitement. You are amazing to have the courage to do what it takes to make your wonderful old house work for you. In a way I am a little jealous. I am looking forward to having a place that is 'ours' again in a couple of weeks.

ghd3 said...

man -- good luck! I love the port-a-potty in the garage! If you need to come up to Seattle to crash with us, say the word....

Nicole said...

All I can say is Good luck and I am sure it will be awesome when it's all done. I'd love to see some pics of the final job.
ditto