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Wednesday ~ April 1st
My cat, Nu
I seem to show a lot of pictures of my other cat, Maggie here. Mainly because I can take a hundred photos of her without her even noticing. Nu, on the other hand, tends to run towards me the second I grab my camera & point it at her. I think she assumes that the camera is an extension of my hand & petting will ensue? However, this particular day the papers below her must have been just the right thickness, while the sun must have been hitting her at just the right angle because she didn't budge a bit (although you can see in her face that she's really hoping I'll scratch behind her ear with my lens). Personally, I just love her little paw pad (right corner), it's so cute.
April Fool's Day, eh? Well don't worry, I won't pull any tricks here today, I promise. Instead, I'm prepping for a private jewelry party we're having tonight. I've got to get my propane tank filled & head over to mom's to set up my lampworking station. Then we'll set out all the jewelry & make refreshments for our guests. Should be a busy day...
But in the spirit of April Fool's Day, these guys have a prank war going on & this particular prank is pretty good, however, you have to wonder why they haven't figured each other out by now?
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Monday ~ April 6th
Cherry Blossoms ~ photo courtesy of National geographic
I'm off to look at more bathroom fixtures & tiles today. We've got a guy coming in this Wednesday to start the demolition in our bathroom so I've got to get everything sorted out a.s.a.p. I'll be sure to show before & after photos as things progress. But for now, enjoy this beautiful photo of cherry blossoms. Spring has finally arrived here in Edmonton, today it will be +10 C (50 F)! And, I heard that the robins are back & I think I might have actually heard one singing last night but I still have spotted any - I'm hoping today is the lucky day. |
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Wednesday ~ April 8th
The bathroom is being demolished today, hooray, hooray! The bathroom is being demolished today, hooray, hooray! |
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Thursday ~ April 9th
Our bathroom is now completely gutted & it already looks better, which is saying something, isn't it? I was out finding a toilet & shower system yesterday while Darryl, our contractor, worked. How he got a bathtub out of the house by himself, without a single scrape to the walls, is beyond me? When I asked, he just replied, "it wasn't much fun".
Today, I'm off to pick up the tile that arrived here from Vancouver & I'm going to try to find a mirror & some lighting. Meanwhile, Darryl will be framing the shower. Chris & I opted for just a walk-in shower instead of a tub & shower combo. That might sound a little nuts, but neither of us have taken a single bath in the 5 years that we've lived here & with the addition of the hot tub, we know we never will. Obviously, there's the "resale" value to consider, but in the end you can't build everything on that standard alone, you have to do what works for you too.
There's sure a lot to think about when you're planning a bathroom & of course it's like a giant treasure hunt to find fixtures that work for you. Without a doubt, that has been the biggest challenge. I knew what I wanted, but finding it was hard & more often than not, I just had to compromise for the sake of my sanity & time. For instance, I never did find the perfect Chinese chest for the vanity, but I did find this beautiful cabinet below that will work just as well (thanks for all the suggestions by the way):
It was made in Indonesia out of plantation teak & the doors are glass & slide (in this photo one of the doors is open). I imagine the doors will provide extra protection from moisture which is great, however, we will still have to waterproof the teak first & cut a couple of holes into the top for the sink & faucet. And the sink, which was the inspiration for it all:
Isn't it *purdy*. I hope it all works together ~ fingers crossed.
So needless to say, I haven't strung the beads for the sale yet. In fact, I need about two more good torch sessions to complete the bead sets & until I get all this bathroom business out of the way, it will have to wait. Sorry about that, it wasn't my intention to tell you I had new beads & then hold out on you. I really do have beads, believe me... they're coming, I promise... hopefully sooner than later. |
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Monday ~ April 13th
Scenes from Easter...
The Easter Bunny came again. I found all this loot throughout the house. Bags of candy, beer, garden gear, a big roasting pan & some baseball gloves.
Shortly after, I spotted the Easter Bunny outside hiding behind the shrubs. He's so sneaky!
When he saw that I saw him, he took off down the road. I ran after him yelling, "thank you Easter Bunny, thank you!", but he just kept going. That's o.k., we didn't have time for a visit because we had to get ready for Easter brunch. We had 20 people over (that's a lot of sausage & eggs).
Oh & ham too... My brother Bruce offered to carve it, while Chris inspected it for it's deliciousness factor. Men always seem to hover around the meat, it must be a primal thing.
The line for brunch went on & on.
Sweet nephew & nieces...
Jeffy, Sunshine (disguised as pink bunny) & Grandma Mable...
Donna the Giggler...
My nieces, Chels & Alex...
Pam posing with the Paska bread she made for us all!
After Brunch we went out to enjoy the sunshine. Then the best thing ever happened! We heard the music from an ice cream truck, so of course we waved him over.
Here's Jamie looking pretty stoked with his popsicle.
And Jonny eating his Pokeman ice cream while eyeballing Ruby's popsicle.
And Jeffy just getting into his ice cream, how exciting!
Chris & the ice cream truck driver joking around.
The gang hanging out on the deck.
Wes flying a kite.
We had a really nice day. We eventually went into the backyard & played guitars, sang & snacked on the Easter Paska. It was a beautiful time.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend too. |
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Wednesday ~ April 15th
We've started some pumpkins inside, but there are way too many so we might engage in a little guerrilla gardening around the neighborhood. If you're curious about guerrilla gardening, here's a link with more information.
And another cool Guerrilla act, this dance party in Japan. Anyone interested in forming a Guerrilla dance group in Edmonton? We could whip out some moves downtown at lunchtime... anyone? |
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Friday ~ April 17th
I've got beads, baby! Please read below before shopping:
There are 11 bead sets available. First to ask ~ receives. I will try to update the site with sold signs beside the bead set titles as soon as possible.
The price of the bead sets include shipping. Please let me know in your email how you would like to pay. Paypal is the easiest option, you can just type, "I'll pay via paypal" & I will send you an invoice. If you would like to pay by credit card or check, let me know so we can sort that out. Please also mention if you live in the States, Canada or elsewhere (Canadians have that pesky g.s.t. that I have to add on).
O.k. now that that's all done, click on the picture above to see the beads & happy shopping! |
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Sunday ~ April 19th
Kitty Flapper ~ photo courtesy of Daisy the Curly Cat
I had my first of three tap dancing recitals on Saturday along with the other 11 ladies & 1 guy (Jim) in my class. We dressed as flappers with the tasseled dresses, bob cut wigs & strings of pearls. Even Jim was in a dress & wrapped around him was a feather boa, a frightful yet funny sight. We danced to the song "Big Mama" from the musical Chicago; Jim being Big Mama of course & the rest of us, I guess his jezebels, but really, it was Jim that received all the cat calls. It was all rather silly, sort of like this photo above. You have to wonder what would possess grown women & a man to get up in front of room full of people in costumes to tap their hearts out, but hey, sometimes you find yourself in the middle of absurdity & you just have to just go with the flow.
It's been extremely chaotic around here as of late. You should see my house ~ the aftershock of 2 weeks of construction, not a single room is unmarred. In fact, right now I'm surrounded by so many cardboard boxes that need to be cut down & recycled, that I barely got through to the computer. Tomorrow I will be getting out the old elbow grease & whipping this place back into shape. The good news to all this mess, the bathroom is done ~ well... almost. The contractor is coming Tuesday night to put up a backsplash & I have to get some art on the walls & buy some towels to match the colors in the room, but it's done & functional & more beautiful than I had hoped, which is a huge relief let me tell you. I will show pictures after Darryl finishes for good.
The kitties have been hiding downstairs since all of the commotion began & tonight, now that the contractor is gone, they have made their way upstairs & are running around, getting into mischief & keeping Chris awake. I can't blame them though, I would be a little stir crazy too if I was confined to a small area for that long. At this moment, I can barely keep my eyes open & yet they keep looking at me like I should be playing along with them.
On the bead front, there was a bit of confusion regarding the bead sets 1 through 7. I must apologize for that. I really should have taken individual photos of each of the bead sets. If I get a chance tomorrow, I will take photos of whatever is left so that you know exactly what you're purchasing.
Well, that's about it for now ~ a good night's sleep is in order, be back soon. |
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Monday ~ April 20th
As promised, below are the individual pictures of the bead sets still available:
Piccadilly Circus 1 ~ $98 each, includes shipping! Strand includes 8 handmade glass beads with silver spacers, it stretches 8 inches & the beads are approximately 18mm x 11 mm.
Piccadilly Circus 2 ~ $98 each, includes shipping! Strand includes 8 handmade glass beads with silver spacers, it stretches 8 inches & the beads are approximately 18mm x 11 mm.
Piccadilly Circus 3 ~ $98 each, includes shipping! Strand includes 8 handmade glass beads with silver spacers, it stretches 8 inches & the beads are approximately 18mm x 11 mm. |
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Tuesday ~ April 21st
Why these people have a Slow Loris for a pet is beyond me, but this is really cute. |
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Earth Day ~ April 22nd
Olympic National Park ~ photo courtesy of National Geographic
Happy Earth Day! Here's some cool links to check out:
What's so special about the Earth?
7 wonders of the natural world
10 most amazing things the sky can do
Pygmy reptile & rare orchid found in Lost Forest (how cool!)
For my Canadian friends: Live the Good Life
By the way, have you been watching the Eagle Cam? |
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Sunday ~ April 26th
This coming Tuesday night (April 28th) we are having a jewelry party in Edmonton for a group of ladies, but we decided to open it up if you're interested in coming by because Mother's Day is just around the corner & we won't have another chance to do so before then. We will have wine & snacks & lots of jewelry & I will be doing glass bead demonstrations so if you & yours want to come by, just let me know at carrie@beadtree.net & I'll give you the details. |
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Monday ~ April 27th
Grandpa at his 95th birthday last year
96, amazing & an inspiration to us all ~ Happy Birthday Grandpa! |
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Tuesday ~ April 28th
Warbler on a cherry branch ~ photo courtesy of National Geographic
A most excellent Warbler photo.
It's been *cold* here this April so I have to rely on photos of blossoms to remind me that Spring is really here. Last night we had another frost & the grass outside is white, but things are starting to pop up in the yard - the tips of tulips, some daylilies, a giant onion and then there's the mystery greenery that can't quite be identified yet. Makes for a nice surprise when they do show themselves completely. I have many "oh yeah, now I remember planting these ______ here" moments. Do you?
Tonight's the jewelry party so if you're thinking about coming & need some information, I'll be checking emails later this afternoon when I'm back from setting up (carrie@beadtree.net).
I will also try to post some jewelry for sale here later this week & pictures of our bathroom renovation for those of you following. |
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Wednesday ~ April 29th
The OLD bathroom:
And the NEW one:
And some side by side before & after shots:
Vanity Before Vanity After
Sink before Sink after
Shower before Shower after
Door & electrical before Door & electrical after
And just for good measure, another shot of my new cabinet
All in all, we're pretty happy with the outcome. Definitely don't miss the old bathroom & apart from picking up a couple things (hook for a towel by the sink, some artwork for the walls & a bath matt for the floor), the bathroom is done! |
