i’m so excited for the big reveal of our bathroom.  you probably remember how it started and then what it looked like after demo and during renovation.  it’s been a month or so since our bath redo was complete.  we’ve really been enjoying the new space.  it’s almost like a new room was added on.  that’s how different it is!

i have to say, our contractor fred wolfe of  fred wolfe renovations was the best. he and his team consisting of greg and buz went OUT of their way to make this the most positive remodel experience.  i’ll be singing their praises forever and can’t wait to tackle another project with them (i hear the outdated kitchen calling!).

so…here is the finished product!  the space is more compartmentalized but feels way bigger yet cozier.  i’ve always wanted my home, especially my bed/bathroom, to feel like a nice hotel.  whenever we go away i enjoy the calming colors and beautiful layouts.  now i’ve got that right in my own house!  we had to go through a lot to get here and i don’t wish a mold problem on anyone but…if it had to happen…at least i got this out of it!  there’s always a silver lining!

counter height cabinets are so much better for me and, of course, my 6 foot 3 inch husband!

the toilet gets its’ own room.

you can’t see but we put in a double head shower.  why not?

so proud of my find…penny tiles for the shower floor and shampoo cut out.

planning to cover the walls with portraits of me and josh. kind of make it “our place”. thought i would start with this one.

the saga continues.  in case you’re not familiar with the situation, you can catch up here.    the amazing mold remediators from icon environmental found that the person who “redid” the bath prior to us moving in did a really sucky job.  they did so many  things wrong that looked fine from the outside but were causing nasty stuff to happen on the inside.  once icon was done ripping out all of the nasty mold (and most of our bathroom with it) it was time to rebuild.  it was like starting from scratch.

we met with fred from fred wolfe renovations, made a plan and hoped for the best.  it’s been a process.  josh and i spent two “date days” shopping for tile, a vanity, countertop, bath fixtures, etc.  needless to say, they weren’t the best or most relaxing “date days” but we got everything done.  whew!  once the decisions were made, fred’s team got to work.  as you’ll see, they pretty much started from scratch and built our new bath from nothing but floor boards and walls.

this used to be our shower.  crazy!

buzz and greg have been amazingly patient and hard working.  i’ve heard horror stories about contractors but i have none to tell.  it’s been a great experience working with them.

next up…the finished job! can’t wait!!!

i made a list of new year’s resolutions.  i am very good at sticking to lists.  my husband calls it something else but i call it being focused and organized!  it’s like i don’t want to let my list down.  so, i wrote down all these resolutions and a few are starting to happen.  one of them was to start yoga.  this really came out of a need.  i really messed up my knee last year doing an work out video at home.  so, after much physical therapy, i was told yoga and low impact activity would be best for me; at least until i healed.  i used to hate my elliptical but, not that we have netflix in the basement, it’s not so bad.  i am starting the series, Parenthood and like it a lot.  (another resolution…take more time to do the things i want to do not just have to do.  Parenthood fits that category!).

i’ve digressed!  onto yoga.  you can read a great deal about yoga here. i tried yoga years ago but didn’t understand the benefits beyond relaxation.  now i do.  it’s a mind/body thing.  it’s so much about getting in touch with myself and pushing myself further.  it’s a class full of people yet it is really only for me.  i’ve put myself out there with yoga and am getting back awareness, focus, flexibility and balance.  my favorite part of yoga is shavasana.  this part of the practice comes at the end and is a time of deep relaxation and rejuvenation.  it’s soooo relaxing.  like a reward for a job well done.

if you’ve ever thought of doing yoga; do it!  you won’t regret it!  yes, some people will be “better” than you.  some people are just “show offs” but it doesn’t matter.  it’s what YOU get out of it.  there are many types of yoga classes.  i’ve been taking ashtunga & yin yoga classes, but there are so many different kinds. if you’re not comfortable or don’t have the time to “hit the gym”, you can make your own yoga studio right in the comfort of your home.  this may help you to relax even more.  there are great yoga videos to follow along with. no matter what method you choose to pracice,  this is a great site to get you started! and for an added bonus, i’ve found this awesome  yoga playlist you can listen to while you work on your downward dog!  kaitlin and i are listening to it while we work.  it’s so soothing!

may you find the balance you need in your life.  namaste.

i was excited to head out to charming charlies on sunday to be a part of the Bling for Bari event at Charming Charlie. it was a fundraiser to raise money for my high school friend bari.  she has been through so much in such a short period of time.  i’ll never forget being in vermont over labor day and getting all of these weird posts about bari on facebook.  i was desperate to find out what had happened.  bari contracted a staph infection which has left her unable to move from the neck down. bari has four small children: twins that are one, a two year-old, and a five year-old. anyone who knows bari is  hoping and praying each day for bari, but know that her journey is far from over.  bari has a night nurse that is critical to her care and comfort. it costs $15/ night for bari to have that personal night nurse. the event raised over $5,000 so bari should be set for a while!

my iphone pic of the donation table with a gorgeous picture of bari pre staph infection.  her smile is contagious.

more than anything, i noticed there were people from all over supporting bari; coming out on their sunday afternoon to give their time and money to help a friend in need.  what an outpouring of love.  i even heard a few people say they didn’t even know bari but came after hearing about her story. while i was so happy to be there to support my friend, i skyped with her and, as i frequently do, realized how fragile life is.  bari is wheelchair bound with a breathing tube.  just like that, she walked herself into the hospital and now faces a life unlike any she could’ve imagined.  she has done so with such grace.  she had a smile plastered on her face the whole time people were skyping with her.

what did we do before skype?  i don’t know which side was more excited us or bari!

i guess situations like this teach me to be more grateful.  when i’m frustrated that i can’t go or do something, i think about bari.  when my house isn’t tidy, i need to step back and look at the big picture.  i and my family have our health.  that’s really all that matters, isn’t it?  and what matters most for bari is that she is making great strides.  she is eating again, talking, having visits from friends and family.  she is a fighter.  bari has overcome obstacles we can’t comprehend.  i am so proud to know her and can’t wait to see how far she can go with her recovery.  i’ll be cheering her on every step of the way and hope you can find it in your heart to do the same.

brrr…it’s finally winter.  i keep complaining because it was so warm for so long!  since i’m back from florida and the cold weather seems like it’s here to stay, i thought i should get into the winter spirit and venture out to do some cold weather activities.  i’m embracing winter now!  lol

we try to make it out to perfect north slopes each year.  josh is a snowbird.  he grew up skiing down the slopes in his homestate of vermont.  all we have to offer him here is perfect north, so it’ll have to do.  we usually go snow tubing at night.  i don’t know why but it just seems like it’s more fun that way.  if you’ve got little ones, or just aren’t interested in all of the work it takes to snowboard or ski, i highly recommend the fun tubing area!

over the weekend my assistant, kaitlin went to perfect north slopes to celebrate her 21st birthday! she wanted to go snowboarding, even though she is a beginner, and brought along a friend to help her learn. she said even though she fell a couple (or a lot) of times, it was still the most fun she’s had in a while! i haven’t been skiing since the one time i tried when i was 14, but listening to her stories about the great time she had makes me want to hit the slopes and give it another try!  she said they have a huge staff of workers there to help you master the hills, as well as equipment to rent if you don’t have your own.  i always have the lodge to sit and read if i just plain suck!

want to see the slopes or look at how much fun people of all ages have at perfect north?  take a look at their photo gallery!

if all of this snow talk is giving you the winter blues, i have some good news.  check out this article regarding deeply discounted tickets to kings island.  i’m gonna’ get me some of those for sure!

i hope you all have a great weekend.