Moving...slowly

Our tile guy got called away today to help with another project. He did get started though!! No, we aren't painting things red...that is the sealant that goes on top of the cement board. I did choose fairly large subway tiles to lessen the amount of grout. They also made a special frame for the window so that it will be completely water tight. What can't be seen is that they also replaced the toilet elbow...so once the floor tile is laid, the toilet will be able to be used again. Hooray...the basement bathroom is pretty cold in the winter 😰

More Progress!

The crew was here again today. They finished the drywall and cement board. They also began taping and mudding. Tomorrow the tile guy will begin working on the shower! I'm very excited to see my subway tiles going up!

Ranger is checking out the work too! This picture shows how big he is!!

The Modern Educator

I love this quote! So often we as teachers want to "fix" our students by hacking away day after day. What we really need to be doing is watering like crazy. 

Let's go help our students grow!!

Bible Quizzing

Today was our first quiz meet of the new year. Our team placed third. Ana and Ming Hong had two perfect rounds!! Both the Littles did really well too. Way to go Shepherd Quiz team!

Bathoom Renovation Has Begun

About two days ago our contractor contacted us. He let us know that they only had outside jobs currently. As it has been as low as -25, they were unable to work and wanted to move up our bathroom. We hashed out an agreement and they showed up the next morning. We quickly worked to take everything out and get ready.

As you can see it hadn't been updated for about 40-45 years! It was due for a makeover, but the real reason we were doing it is that the hundred year old pipes are giving out. As our bathroom is on the second floor...this poses a serious problem!

I got a call/text during the day. Unfortunately the sink pipe was so corroded that when they touched it, it fell apart. Even though the water was off, there was still water in the pipe which ran down the floor into the light fixture in the ceiling of the kitchen. Yikes!! 

Here's what I saw when I got home...lots of progress! They let me know that it needed insulated. So, since we had some insulation, I decided to do it myself.

Ranger kept me company while I worked. (He's becoming my shadow.)

 

Hooray insulation...which will hopefully lead to a much warmer bathroom.

New To Us!

In early December our first german shepherd died rather suddenly. Her large intestine just stopped working. She was a great dog, obedient, loyal, a great running partner, calm...

We fostered another german shepherd who was much smaller, but it bit Matt and hated our basset hound. So, she had to go back. That rescue also didn't have any other dogs that were compatible with other pets.

When I was looking online I spotted a german shepherd south of us in Franklin and applied. I was told that we were second in line, and that the other family looked promising. So, I didn't give it much thought. Then, on Christmas Eve we were told that the other family fell through and we went to meet him.

After our visit, we decided to give it a try. He gets along with our other dog fairly well. (except he likes to wake her up--to play--which annoys her greatly!!) He's definitely much more active and likes to be around people more. He also doesn't like cats. (Our neighbor feeds over 30!!) He has some funny quirks like he crosses his legs when he lays down and likes to kick around a soccer ball. 

I'm working on good leash walking right now and he's learning very quickly. With that all said, hopefully he'll stick around for a while!

A Great Way To Start The Year!

Today we got to celebrate my grandma's 91st birthday! When she was born the doctor looked up and wasn't sure if she was born on Dec. 31st or Jan. 1st. He made her a New Year's Baby.

My grandma taught me a lot of crafty things and wrote me weekly while I lived in Singapore! I've never heard her say anything unkind. Happy Birthday to the best grandma!