Bathroom #1 Remodel Started

A LONG time ago...I posted about some remodel projects we were going to do and even posted about what we had already done to bathroom #2. While we have done more to bathroom #2 since I last posted, it's nothing too exciting and I am going to wait to post until we get it a bit more updated! We should get that done this week since we are having a guest this weekend and bathroom #2 is our guest bathroom.

But in the mean time...we are officially started remodeling bathroom #1. Bathroom #1 is also considered the 'master' bathroom. It actually is a walk through bathroom. Enter through hallway, then you can exit into our bedroom...you get the picture :)

Here is bathroom #1 before pictures:

Golden oak vanity, trim and doors...it's never ending in our house

What they call a 'contractors' mirror...it needs to be updated or replaced, it definitely needs something!

That shelf usually has stuff on it...oh...and a golden oak linen closet :)

So this bathroom needs a lot more done then the downstairs bathroom (bathroom #2).

We are planning to:

Stain vanity a dark espresso color

Paint walls (color has yet to be chosen)

New counter tops

White trim

New white 6 panel doors

Updated decor

We had originally planned to more all the bronze hardware and fixtures to the downstairs bathroom, but have since decided to keep it upstairs and buy new bronzed items for downstairs. I wasn't sure how the bronzed would look with the dark espresso cabinets...but after already staining one door, it looks very nice and sophisticated. This will save some money because if we bought everything new for this bathroom...it would have been double lights and double faucets since there is 2 sinks.

I have been staining the doors and drawers this last week (hence the lacking of blog posts) and last night I started the vanity and linen closet. We have also removed the trim.

Here Tate is removing part of the counter. Had to do this so I could stain the whole vanity!

And this is after I removed the trim. I even marked them where they originally went so we could use this trim to measure out the new trim very easily.

Here is the vanity after one coat! It requires 3 or 4 even...I had to use 4 on one of the doors and it looks soooo good, can't wait for it took be finished!

We are in a time crunch to get both bathrooms ready because the counters are set to be installed the week of labor day!

My parents will be stopping by on their way back from 'up north' on labor day...I already have a list of stuff that we need his assistance om. My dad owns his own home building business...so all this remodeling is up his alley and his help is GREATLY appreciated!!

Knowing that both bathrooms will be done in 2 1/2 weeks makes me smile...next up will be the kitchen!! Who says I need to sleep?!?!

Twins WIN!!!

Last night Tate and I went to a Twins game @ Target Field with some friends. This was our first game of this season...and probably our only! Not that we don't LOVE going...but when the extra money you have is going to remodel 2 bathrooms and a kitchen...extra fun stuff is usually put on the back burner!

But last night's game was really fun...and they WON! Always a huge plus. Twins were on a 11 game winning streak...then a 4 game losing streak so I was hoping for a win!

It was perfect weather for the game...couldn't ask for anything better!

Ran into some fellow St. Cloud Alum!

We even saw Dick Tracy on our way to the game...wondering if that was where he was headed :)

Fireworks!!! Yaaa Twins!!!

We saw home runs...stolen bases and the boys stuffed their faces with $1 dogs while the girls ate ice cream :) I had so much fun...but my alarm clock was not my friend the next morning. Got home way past my bed time...oh well though, it was worth it!!!

And if anyone wants to know ANYTHING regarding the Twins...just hit up Carolyn from Life, Love & Puppy Prints, she knows her stuff!

 Thanks again Carolyn!!!

It's a small world...

I found out this weekend...that Syndal from Synfully Delicious and I have the same relatives!

So that makes us related...right?!?! This is soooo crazy!

This is Syndal. A fellow MN Blogger that I met @ the MN Blogger HH in July. I found out then that she was getting married on August 4th and that she was a big DIY bride.

My cousin and myself @ my Great Grandma's 100th birthday party!

My Uncle (who also happens to be my Godfather) and Aunt, Curt & Sharon!

My cousins...Alyssa & Tyler!

They are also Syndal's Aunt, Uncle & cousins! HOW CRAZY??!?!?!

Dancing with my Aunt & Uncle @ my wedding...hahaha!

So yes...we share the same relatives and here is the story on how it was discovered!

Turns out, they were in town for Syndal's wedding the weekend of the 4th. I only knew they were going to be @ my Grandparents in southern MN for my Uncle's class reunion the weekend of the 11th, I didn't know they came a week before for a wedding.

While visiting with them @ my Grandparents, pinterest was brought up. I was telling everyone how I have found sooo many cool Halloween DIY decorations I could do!

My aunt then says, "I think that is what Syndal did for her wedding...she used pinterest a lot." I stopped her right there (because let's me honest...not too many people are named Syndal) and said..."who did she marry?" My aunt says, "Pete." I then said..."were her colors green and purple?" My aunt told me that yes they were and asked how I knew her! I told them all then how we met @ a MN Blogger get together...and of course they thought it was strange, but I didn't care. I couldn't get over the fact that Syndal and I...who we just happened to meet because we were both MN bloggers...have the same relatives!

So not only do we have blogging and DIY in common...but we share family! I still am awe of this...it really is a small world. The person next to you could be your cousin's cousin :)

I was always a person that didn't like to meet new people...not because I thought I was too cool or didn't need to meet any more people, but because I was shy and afraid! Lately I have been branching out and joining networking groups and attending happy hours with strangers that I never thought in a million years I would do. I am so glad I am and I have meet some really great people. One question I always ask when I meet someone new is where they are from...because you just never know who may know mutually with them! This world is a lot of 'who you know'...and knowing more people is not a bad thing!

Syndal, glad to know you come from a great family! I still can't belive my aunt is your mom's sister! I look forward to chatting with you @ the next HH!!!

If you really knew me...

I've seen this on a few blogs and I really want to join in on the fun!

If you really knew me...

...you'd know that I really love to eat! Even though I am a picky eater...the food I do love needs to be around me so I can eat every couple hours! Have to keep the metabolism up :)

...you'd know that I know more about football than the average girl! I love love love the sport so much. Wanted to play my whole life...and I still would love too!

...you'd know that my bestie is pregnant with TWINS...can't wait to meet them!

...you'd know that I am a super anxious person and am always excited about something!

...you'd know that I grew up in a town of less than 2,000 people with no stoplight...but has a few bars :)

...you'd know that crazy, weird, loud and different are words that my family and friends use to describe me...which I am totally OK with!

...you'd know that I have a slight obsession with saving money. I am big in to coupons (only for things that I need) and always go out of my way to find a deal! My family even comes to me to help them with big purchases and how they can save money on it!

...you'd know that I grew up wanting to be a marine biologist, but am not very good at science. Took one accounting class in high school and I have been hooked ever since!

Play along...what would I know if I knew you!!!



A little exterior face lift

We got a little work done on the exterior of our home! Our home had 'fallen apart' a bit during the winter months because of a little driveway shifting...so we took a little over year on deciding what to do,changing our mind and then FINALLY doing something!

What started it all! I came home from work one day and this is what I find in the driveway! I was like...GREAT, another thing to 'fix'. You can see to the right what it looked like before!

We decided to go the 'frugile' route and find stone that was similar and have a friend put it up.

What it looked like after our friend did it. Not a horrible job, but the top stone wouldn't go one because there wasn't enough room. I also didn't like how the stone we found didn't match the others perfect. I am super anal and it would have bothered me. Besides, it cracked during the winter and was bound to fall again at some point.

All brick before!

So on to plan B..replace all the brick with new stone! Didn't want to go this route because that involved digging in the pocket book...but I am glad we did! We hired Divine Stoneworks to do the work for us!

(I was not given any incentive or discount if I posted them on my blog...we used them at our own will and they did a great job and I would recommend their work to anyone)

What we call an...upgrade :)

The old spot where the brick originally had fallen.

We love it and are very happy with our decision to replace all of it. If we would have kept the brick, we would probably be putting it back up every year since our driveway shifts.

We have plans to paint the front door a color to match the brick. We are also thinking that in the next couple years we would like to replace our driveway so it won't be shifting every winter.

B&B Wedding

This weekend Tate and I got to celebrate another wedding!

Brittney and Brady got married...8-4-12

The handsome groom and his beautiful bride

St. Cloud State friends!



My super hot date!

Beautiful dress, beautiful hair...beautiful bride :)

Congrats to Brittney & Brady!

Your day was beautiful and loads of fun!

So happy you for you two...welcome to the married club :)

 

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

Last year, I blogged about my experience with being diagnosed with Melanoma. Since that post, I have learned so much information and I always feel like I need to share and inform people of this valuable information. This information is available for anybody on websites and handouts from your doctor. I'm reminded almost everyday of what to do to prevent or look for signs of Melanoma by emails, brochures and the scare on my back!

Today I thought I would share:

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin. Ask someone for help when checking your skin, specially in hard to see places. If you notice a mole different from others, or that changes, enlarges, itches, or bleeds (even if it is small), you should see a dermatologist.

Source

How to check for spots:

Checking your skin means taking not of all the spots on your body, from moles to freckles to age spots. Remember, some moles are black, red, or even blue. If you see any kind of change on one of your spots, you should have a dermatologist check it out.

1. Examine body front and back in mirror, then right and left sides, arm raised.

2. Bend elbows, look carefully at forearms, back of upper arms, and palms.

3. Look at backs of legs and feet, spaces between toes, and soles.

4. Examine back of neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair and lift.

5. Finally, check back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

All information is from the American Academy of Dermatology