The Best Way to Pack

Tony and I got back to northern Michigan yesterday evening after a week in southern Ohio visiting friends and family. At one point, when a friend asked Tony if we could stay for a while, Tony joked that “No, we have to be doing something different every fifteen minutes.” It was that kind of trip, which is to say the best kind…and also the worst kind. It was the kind absolutely packed with people. I’d fill you in on the details, but I don’t want to wear you out, too

Approaching a New Bathroom

I think last time I left you we had installed the concrete backer board on our walls and floor. The next step was to apply a waterproof membrane. Directions on the back of the product indicated that it could be troweled on or applied with a roller. We opted for the trowel. I’m sure we had a good reason, but when we opened the bucket-o-membrane at home, that reason was no longer obvious.

Bathroom Renovation

Except for our upstairs bathroom, our house had pretty much been fully renovated when we bought it in 2010. We’ve done quite a bit of cosmetic work, including installing trim, painting and changing out light fixtures. And, of course, there was the patio.

Backyard Renovation

It started a week ago. Last Wednesday, after work, Tony took a sledgehammer to our ~40 year old deck, tearing most of the structure apart. The next day we ripped apart the remaining timbers, leaving only the 4×4 support posts, buried in concrete. We took Friday off, and then things got serious on Saturday.