Michigan cactus

Many do not know that cactus will grow and BLOOM in Michigan. It only takes a few years and they grow rapidly. I got one from a local plant exchange only 3 years ago...one single little piece. To propagate you only need to tear off one "palm/leaf" and throw it on the ground. Easy huh?

I have what I think are the only two varieties.

One has all yellow flowers and the other has yellow flowers with red interior.

I do not take them in in the winter and do nothing to them to winter over.

The square pot was one into which I threw a broken off leaf in an old pot and it rooted. The pot in the back right is another with a leaf that fell out of the pot and on the ground and I transplanted a few weeks ago and it surprised me with a bloom already. I am making this area my cactus garden and in a few years hopefully it will be covered.

A baking mood

I was in the mood to bake this morning. Gluten free of course. But still yummy.
 The first was baked oatmeal. Lasts in fridge for a week or more and great for breakfast. Then some nice cinnamon scones. Freezes well too. And lastly some Rugelach. Basically pie crust cinnamon pinwheels but with cream cheese in the dough, and I put in some chocolate chips.

Bathroom reborn

Finally, the bathroom is finished. Well...except for the drawer which needs adjusting...a minor thing. Gary took these final pics. The new towels were not hung but well..this is a bathroom in everyday use and not just to look pretty. I actually have a neighbor that said I had to buy a new shower cap and bath puffy to match. And get shampoo bottles to match too. HAHAHAHA...and Yes..she does. I am not going that far to co-ordinate things. I did find a tissue box that  works but that was an accident. We needed them and I had a choice.

Bathroom rug found

Ah ha...found a nice rug. Another  bathroom piece in place. They will be out to fix that vanity drawer next week. The knobs were put on this afternoon but before pics.

Bathroom sorta finished

Finally, the bathroom is done. Well...The shower doors will not be installed for two weeks. They custom fit them cuz of the coating on the glass. The coating makes them easier to not build up scum so we went for it. I still have not found a rug or new towels yet. Since the bathroom is primarily Gary's, I dont have girlie stuff in it. The toilet is a top two button flush. A full flush and a smaller one and you can guess which is for which...hehehe. But that means a full size box of tissues wont fit and that is where Gary usually puts one. So for now I gave him my small bedroom one until he figures self system or something. Knobs have been ordered cuz the ones with the cabinet dont match the rest of the chrome fixtures so they will be put on in a day or two. Bathrooms are hard to photograph but you get an idea of how it is.

 Changing the light bulbs made a big difference. The ones we had at first were too big and too yellowish. Gary switched out to some round vanity bulbs and now I like it.  Now walls don't seem so yellow.

Next post will be side by side before and after pics.

Bathroom sink

The plumber was here all day putting in the toilet, sink, vanity, recycle pump and shower stuff. The recycle pump took longest. It is a gadget Gary wanted that will reticulated the water in the line until it is at a preset temp. Since we have hot water on demand and no water heater(tank) it takes a bit to get hot water. So he had this pump installed. There also was a toilet leak and he had to reset toilet after redoing a valve. No tile work done as the other guys could not work in there at same time so they painted the door and molding and will be back tomorrow along with the electrician.
The walls are still yellower than I wanted but for now...it will do. The lighting will change it again I think. At least all is pretty neutral.
and yes...
  we will take the sticker off the toilet. It is a dual flush BTW. A short flush or longer for those longer bathroom times..LOL.

Bathroom progress

They guy didnt get done as much as they had wished but they worked all day until 6 pm. The shower is tiled but over the sink is not...yet. They also still have floor edging to do. But the shower floor and rest of the floor is grouted...not the walls though. They will final wash it tomorrow but I took pics anyway. I thought you might like seeing progress steps even if it is not pretty.

Geezz...the walls are appearing more yellow. I do hope that changes. But they can always be repainted. I tried to find towels and rug today but the ones I waned were not on sale. I am not paying $30 each for a towel. Sales will come eventually. I could not find the size rug I wanted either. But I have not run out of stores..lol.

Bathroom painted

Painting all done. The painter got both the primer and finished coats of paint on. The color is a cream but sometimes the pics show it as yellow or gold. Just the camera and light..it is really creamy.
The next step is to finish tiling the shower and over the vanity and grouting. Floor is laid and waiting for grout. But they also need to tile the shower ledge.

Bathroom is a small standard one..5 x 8. It should feel bigger with no tub and walk in shower. The shower doors will be measured for today. It will take a couple weeks before they come and are installed. In the meantime we will use a spring tension rod and shower curtain.

Bathroom continues

No tile work today and don't know why. The guys were gonna but I guess the painter needed more mudding time. He did get sanding done and another coat of mud. He will be back on Sunday to get it final sanded and primer on. It didn't dry enough for him to do more today. No pics today cuz they wont show much.

Bathroom tiling continues

There is only the lower part of the shower to tile. They did get the floor done and the upper part of the walls.

They also lowerd the shower threshold by a couple inches. Making a smaller step-over to get into the shower. The floor shower system was default 5" and i was fitted out to be 3" including tile.

I was a bit wrong on when they would tile above the sink. They hope to do it tomorrow before the vanity and sink is installed. They better have good measurements..LOL.

Bathroom tile progressing

 The drywall is now taped and sanding will be tomorrow, The shower niche is drying and back shower wall partly done They wanted to have had more done but the niche too too long. Today the plan is most of the tiling done. Tiling above the sink will have to wait till the cabinet and the sink is installed. though.

Bathroom tile started

The shower floor pans are in and floor tiling started. The door marble sill set too. tomorrow grouting, sealing of drywall, special sealing in the shower. 3 workman at once so I am told. Not gonna be much room.

Bathroom drywall

Drywall is nearly up an the guys are preparing for tile. Sealing all cracks and seams and joints. Pictures of that when they are done for the day with that step.

Bathroom plumbing

All shiny and new copper.

Plumber said that all is well now and we should have no trouble for years and years.

Naked studs

WOW...and so it begins. Here are the first pics of the bathroom. . Looks so small to me without things in it. It took two men to get the pieces of tub out too. It is cast iron and very heavy. I was surprised it could be broken though and with such noise.It is now gutted and the electrician comes tomorrow.

Life sometimes just smacks you

Sometimes life just smacks you  in the face when you are not looking. You can try to get along with everyone and be agreeable and then...life hits you. So unfair at times but it happens. I hate being an innocent bystander. A lesson here?

Naw...I just found this funny.