Tuesday, December 2, 2014

HD Bathroom Reno

Way back in August, I renovated the bathroom in my Tuscaloosa rental condo.  It was extremely stressful because I did not know what horrible condition the bathroom was in until my previous tenant moved out at the end of July.  And, my new tenant, who also signed on at the last minute was moving in mid-August.  So, I scrambled, hired a man I met once and whose work I had never seen previously, drove back and forth from Tuscaloosa almost daily for about 14 days, designed and bought all my materials within a few days, and thankfully, got it done just in the nick of time.  I never want to do a renovation like that under so much pressure again. Whew.

Here are some before and after pics to show the dramatic transformation!  Thankfully, Jeff Barksdale of Barksdale Tile and Services did an excellent job!  I was very happy with his work, his price, his ability to communicate with me, and that he completed the work so quickly like I needed.

The floors were individual stick on tiles that were chipped and coming lose and so dirty.  The tub surround was one plastic / vinyl something piece that was so gross and dirty.  The caulk was in terrible shape and moldy.  The walls were horrible.  The vanity was old and deteriorating.   The mirror was chipped and dirty.  There was no place to store anything. A window had been covered by the tub surround which eliminated all natural light.  And, from the outside the window looked horrible - chipping paint, haze, dirt, etc.  The light fixture was dated and dingy.  The popcorn ceiling was covered in mold and there was no vent to control the moisture problem.  All in all a lovely place.  


Here you can see the handsome window revealed and all the light that it let in!  I put white subway tile on all the sides of the tub all the way to the ceiling.  It looked so clean and bright and in style!  The tub remained but the new, clean caulk looked so much better!  On the floor, I used a simple black and white pattern ceramic tile layed on the diagonal for more interest.  I loved how it turned out!  I replaced the valve and trim kit in the shower!  I put in a new vanity and light fixture.  I added a new vent that will help control the moisture.  Also, the popcorn ceiling was scraped smooth and the mold was completely cleaned and treated.  The walls were painted the same color as the rest of the condo - Sherwin Williams Horizon.  I added a new toilet paper roll and towel bar.  And, I replaced the old chipped mirror with a medicine cabinet / mirror that adds storage too!   I really love it and am so happy that this project is done and that it turned out so well!!


















A Ballerina / Cinderella Halloween

We had a fun Halloween season again this year!  
Since Annie loves to dress up almost every single day, she was definitely into Halloween this year!  She declared early that she wanted to be a ballerina and I was thankful for an easy costume!  But, one week before Halloween, she changed her mind and decided she wanted to be Cinderella instead.  I was surprised that she chose Cinderella.  She likes the movie but its not nearly as into it as she is other movies / characters.  

Brad, Annie, and I went to Boo at the Zoo for this first time this year!  Annie went as a Ballerina and I let her wear make-up since she is always asking to put make-up on like me!  She looked beautiful but truly looks better without any make-up!


The Zoo was decked out in lights, characters, activities, and decorations!  It was so much fun!  We started at the Monster Mash ball.  Annie was unsure of what was going on since there was no one else in there - just the disco lights.


Next, she tried her hand at bowling and did well and earned a sucker!



Next up was the carousel - Annie's favorite!  




The carousel played spooky Halloween music and went backwards!  She loved it!


Family Pic!  Even thought it was late October, it was hot hence the sleeveless vest!


Our beautiful ballerina!  She is very graceful and has really picked up on the form, movement, and a few positions from watching ballet performances on YouTube!  She is also enjoying her dance class but it is just "Movement to Music" and does not teach any technical ballet.  


The Zoo had amazing wood characters and scenes all over.  Annie wanted to pose here with Pocahontas even though she doesn't really know who that is!


We all posed together at the Cinderella scene!


Lights and decor everywhere!  Even though you can't tell here, it was very crowded!


Annie loves choo-choo trains and the railroad tracks.  She asked me to take this picture of her doing ballet on the tracks!  Check out the mega spider behind her!


We trick-or-treated too!  
One of the UAB women's teams was set up in front of these houses handing out candy!



And finally, Annie and Brad played a little spooky putt-putt golf!   
It was a fun night and a great way to enjoy the season!


On the night before Halloween, we carved a pumpkin with Annie!  We have never done this with her before but I think she did it at school for her first time ever the day before.  She was sort of interested in the process but more interested in playing while I carved.  We agreed to make our pumpkin face have round eyes, a triangle nose, a big mouth with teeth, and eyelashes!  She liked the final result with the candle!


She loves to take pictures with my camera and captured this one of me!


On Halloween, Annie was decided that she wanted to be Cinderella!  Thankfully, our dress-up dress still fit!  She wanted to wear make-up again so we did a little bit again as a special part of her costume!  She looked beautiful!!


She also wore some of my "diamond" earrings in her ears.  Look closely and you will see them!


Once Annie was dressed, she asked Brad to dress up as her "Prince!"  
What a lucky Daddy to have her as his little princess and to be chosen as her prince!





I think this one is my favorite of Cinderella and her Prince!  


For dinner, we joined some of our neighbors on their porch with a few other families!  
It was fun but became very cold and very windy!  I love seeing all the different costumes and cute kiddos!


Cinderella and Elsa!


We should have started sooner before it got so dark and before the big kids and main crowd of trick-or-treaters started, but we had to wait out a brief but heavy rain storm before we set out!


Our house looking festive with our decor and the dark clouds in the background!


Two excited but cold little trick-or-treaters!


Brad and Annie with Richard and Charlotte!


It was so windy and continued to get colder and colder as the night went on!  By the end of the night, this was Annie's preferred way of trick-or-treating as shown below!  I can't blame her :)


A family pic to prove that I was there too! :)


Annie wanted to trick-or-treat at our house and I happily played along!


My beautiful, cold punkin!


And finally, we enjoyed answering the door for a few more trick-or-treaters as the night went on!  


It was a good Halloween but I hope for better weather next year and maybe even a Halloween party of our own to celebrate!