Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 -- Mattie died 819 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2005. I will never forget this photo! We took Mattie to the National Geographic Museum in the city. It was the first visit for all us to this museum. Outside the front entrance are these wonderful bronze sculptures of primates. Mattie decided to pose with this ape. This photo captures such a beautiful, innocent, and unforgettable memory. A memory of the three us.... a happy family. 

Quote of the day: All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king. ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

The contractors arrived at 8am today. Despite a week of renovation, I would have to say I picked the right contractor to work with, as he was respectful of what I am balancing, concerned about my parent's throughout the process, and did an outstanding job cleaning up after himself daily. As of tonight, the bathroom renovation is complete. So all the damage from the August flood has been resolved in one week's time. 

To put this transformation into context, I think it helps to see what this bathroom looked like when we moved into the house in 2021. It was a bathroom that never was renovated and had purely builder grade materials. 

This is what the bathroom looks like now! Alfredo is coming back next week to install the light fixture. The one I purchased was too big for the space. So I ordered another one today and it will fit the space better. 

I basically designed the baseboard in the bathroom. There are many options one can use today for a baseboard, everything from wood, PVC, and tile. I was told that a plain white subway tile is typically chosen by people. NOPE! My eye did not see that. Instead, I found a tile that looked like marble, which I thought would complement the hexagon tiles. These marble looking tiles were thicker, so I had the contractor cut them in half to form the baseboard. But any cut tile, is missing a finished end. So I had to decide what to do with that exposed tile edge, and again was presented with a silver colored strip that would cap or line the top of the baseboard tile. Again, I said, NO. I chose a white finish, because to me seeing a silver border around the baseboard would have taken away from the natural beauty of the tile.

The contractor said I have a flair for design. Maybe. I love creating things and seeing the process unfold, and as he could see I know what I like and am not wishy washy about my preferences, which I suppose makes the process go more smoothly. 

While the contractor was here today, I took on phone calls, flushing the sump pump (which I have to do every three months), reprogrammed a timer for our outdoor lights (thank goodness for YouTube videos that illustrated how to reprogram a Intermatic Timer), and fixed a light that was flooded from rain. In between those tasks, I worked with my mom's physical therapist who came over to evaluate her progress, and then managed the visiting nurse who is helping me manage my dad's wound care. I can't make up this kind of day, in which I jump from one task or crisis to another. All I can say is I am grateful construction is over! I am thankful the weather has been cooperative, and I could have the windows open to manage fumes. But most importantly, I am thrilled to have my space back and do not have to get up at 6am to juggle the renovation.