Tools and materials for a small project

I was going to take a picture of them all together, but I don't think they would all fit in the bathroom... My apologies to any tools or materials omitted herein.

Tools

scraper/putty knife (three sizes)
sponge
bowl
wrench
Xacto knife
stud finder
Multi-tool (cutting sheetrock)
Skil saw
extension cord
saw horse
chisel
hole saw
push broom (sweep up the sawdust in the garage)
dust pan
level
measuring tapes (three, really?)
pencil
caliper
drill (had to get a couple of those out too)
drill battery charger
hammer
ear protection
eye protection
drill bits
paint can opener
stir stick
paint pan
paint roller
roller brush
paint brush
edge painter
allen wrench
angle screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
glue/grout gun
squeegee
vacuum (oh, yeah, had to use two different ones!)
"Dap" cap (silicone edger)

Materials

fabric softener
plastic
2x4
Sheetrock
joint tape
joint compound
sanding
spray texture
Mom's old Miller Paint color fan-stack
paint
silicone
blue tape
wood screws (just needed two; got seven - long story)
wall anchors
wall paper paste
tweezers (two splinters)
one bandage

Gas for car: multiple trips (three to Ace Hardware, two to Home Depot, one to Lowe's, two to D&L Glass, one to Vancouver Mall Sears, one to Lloyd Center Sears, one to Miller Paint, one to Salem - got a free piece of Sheetrock!)

Project: done

Okay, I'm done with the half bath.

And I'm toying with posting a list of all the tools and materials I had to use for this silly little thing.

But first, I realize I didn't have a good "before" picture, especially so you could see what the lower wall paper used to look like. It was a busy pattern for a small room and (no tears from me) had to come off since I was cutting a section of sheetrock 24" x 6", and drilling 1-1/4" holes for the new grab bar. So here you go:

How about I leave you with a happy thought for a change (look close for the message):

Projects

Baby steps forward today on the half-bath project. Left here around 10:30 to make a local trip for supplies. Got back about 1:30 after including a trip to Lloyd Center. Charged up the new multi-tool, made lunch, marked where the sheet rock needed to be cut out, marked where the grab bar will go. Cut out the sheet rock.

Tomorrow I'll cut the 2x4 to lengths for the bracing between studs (new backer for the sink to screw into). One of the lengths I have to notch for the vent pipe - bleh. We don't have the attachment (mandril) for the hole cutter to go on the drill. If one of our neighbors doesn't have one, maybe I can just run to Ace. Otherwise a little longer trip to Home Depot or Lowes or Sears. Then I can get the secure mount set up for the grab bars. Maybe cut the replacement sheet rock, screw it in, tape, and get an initial slab of compound on it.

That would be a lot of good progress. Also have to work in breakfast, lunch, dinner, help Mike with his exercises, run to the grocery store.

I'm really good at taking things apart. Now we'll see if I can get it put back together again.

Traveling -- or not

People have different definitions of traveling. Some people travel out of town for a day to visit friends. Others might say that's not really traveling, and "real" traveling must involve an airplane, or a boat, or at least an overnight away, or a passport, or a different time zone.

Whatever you call it, I would rather be getting ready for our annual "travel." We were scheduled to leave next week and be gone 5+ weeks. But we aren't mobile enough right now.

But I am taking off a week from work (week of MLK holiday). Mike will have a couple of P.T. appointments, and I have a list of things I need to get done in the trailer and around the house.

Trailer: take the bi-fold shower door out, so we can just use a shower curtain. Maybe wash it (the trailer that is, not the shower door), if we get a half-dry day (oh yeah, I live to climb on top of the fifth wheel!). See if we (I) can secure the new flat screen TV differently/better. Get one of the tail lights working. Make the bed. Put the new license tabs on the plate. maybe even put the cover on the whole thing (we've only had it two years and never used it).

In the house: like usual, general cleaning. Remove and resilicone the master shower edges. Re-grout some of the glass block wall. Oh yes, how could I forget the guest half-bath: M pulled the pedestal sink out of the wall. So I need to take it completely out of the room so I can: remove the lower-half wallpaper (it has separate top and bottom patterns with a border strip in the middle), cut out a section of sheetrock, install a nailer board behind where the pedestal sink will re-attach, re-sheet/mud/texture, while I'm at it install a grab bar in front of the toilet, paint the lower half of the walls, reinstall the sink.

In many ways, that's more of a vacation to me than driving 300 miles a day for 4 days so I can lull around for a few weeks. But I will miss the sun, and our friends, and a chance to ride my bike everyday : (

Gotta go. One of the light bulbs over me needs to be replaced, which reminds me that one of the outside garage lights went out yesterday too!

I'm so glad I'm mobile, even if I'm not on the road.

Gardening

Gardening in winter? Sure. On New Year's Day, I went out and cleaned up garden areas: pulled dead geraniums, fuscias, and cleaned up the raised bed vegetable garden boxes. And since we won't be gone for our 5-6 week trip south, I'm looking at what I should start from seeds indoors. Germination time, how fast they grow, aiming for April 1 outdoors planting for some cool-weather tolerant plants, like peas. "C" discovered last year that she doesn't hate peas after all, just the cooked-to-death ones which are way different from fresh off the vine, crisp, sweet peas.

Also have to keep the neighbor cats out of the boxes, if you know what I mean. So I need to get back the big roll of weed barrier I loaned to a friend. Or have him cut off three 4'x8' pieces.

Need to plant some pansies in the empty pots for a little winter color.

Not gardening related, but could turn into it: I need to call the concrete guy who did lots of work for us before. Can we modify our entry from three sets of two steps into a continuous slope from driveway to front door? Well, sure it can be done. The real question: how much will it cost? And how fast can it be done? Because as soon as he finishes, Mike will probably be completely mobile and not need the change.

And, bringing the blog back to gardening, then Mike can get back to helping with yard work!