The "Time for a Redo" Story

It was an ordinary day. I am half finished. Two weeks ago I started remodeling the second floor bathroom which is shared by two of the bedrooms in our house. When we have guests and family visit with us overnight, they use this bathroom. It had linoleum on the floor that was coming up at the edges and 6" tiles around the tub that were cracking and discoloring. We decided that it was time to update this bathroom. A few years ago we did our master bathroom over. We had bought 2 sinks on a cruise to the Western Caribbean and used them in the bathroom. We went to a home builder's show and found a person to do the bathroom. Magdi K. was the designer of the bathroom. It turned out great, but was costly, so I decided I was going to be the "designer" of this bathroom. In early January Carol and I picked out tile for the floor and shower at Lowe's. Also got the backer board for the floor as well as new fixtures for the sink and shower. We had a coupon for $50 off as well as double air miles from Capital One and we waited, naturally, until the last day it was valid. A few days later I informed Carol that I was demolishing the bathroom the next day. We both remembered what it was like with other demo jobs in the house. Dusty, really dusty!! Started by using my skil saw and cutting through the linoleum and backer wood. Really dusty! After removing the floor I started on the tiles. Was hoping that I could just remove the tiles and salvage the dry wall behind them. No such luck. Everything came down. Really dusty! I had the door of the bathroom closed and the exhaust fan on, but you still get dust throughout the house. Then I started with the backer board on the floor and the walls. Never did this before, but it went smooth. Cut all the backer board in the driveway to eliminate the dust in the house. Then ...... I started getting pain in my back. Oops! At that point I decided to have someone come and lay the tile on the floor and shower. Picked Fred Q. who did our kitchen, bathroom and hall on the first floor as well as our master bathroom. He did a great job at a fantastic price and was finished in a day and a half. Looked great! Next, we visited Natural Stoneworks on Ice Ave. in Lancaster. I called and they said if I picked out a remnant piece of granite I could have it at a bargain price. Carol and I braved the cold weather and snow and picked out a neat piece for the vanity top. And .... that is where my story will end for now. Expecting the top in a few days and then the plumber is headed our way. Will let you know how it turned out soon. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs from the top are: original bathroom with linoleum and old tiles, bathroom after I had the floor and tiles as well as the dry wall removed, Fred finishing the tile work around the tub, and the slab of granite we chose for our vanity top.