Kristie, Queen of the Tile

Kristie Queen of the Tile
& her sidekick, Murphy

Hallway Tile

Hallway Detail

Front Room

Well, finally, I am finished with the tile. My one week job ended up taking 3. But I think I am learning that home improvement jobs usually take 3 times longer than you expect, so I guess I am right on target.

I am still weak and weary from the whole project and my hands may never fully recover. I know that I will be having bilateral knee scopes this summer, so I am pretty sure that they will be okay.

Today is our 17th Anniversary and this is Scott's present. Happy Anniversary!

My Funny Leila

My puppy Leila has the cutest personality. I caught her tonight playing in the sprinkler system. I really do give her water to drink...just wanted to clarify!

My First 4.0

So, I can hardly believe it. It took me until I was nearly 40 years old. But I guess at least it did happen before I was 40 years old.

I got a 4.0 in my first semester back in Nursing school.

I have always been a mediocre student. My philosophy in school was "Why worry about it? A 'B' is good enough." So, the fact that I really wanted to do well and understand concepts was a little refreshing to me.

Oh, if only I could help my kids to see the wisdom.....I guess maybe that will take until they are 40, too.

My little runners

Before the race

During the race

After the race.

Meg and Abby ran today. They did a 5K in the pouring rain through N.O. I am so proud of them! There were a few tears after it was done, but they were well deserved. I am tired just thinking about it!

Blisters on blisters

Meg and Nell in the front room.

Here are some little details between the kitchen and the front room.

Here is the view to the front door. I really thought I would finish this last night, but I just couldn't do anymore.

Well, I have so much more respect for my husband today.
We have a little duplex that we rent out about 2 miles away from where we live. About a month ago, one of our renters moved out. She was not a clean person, and she had 2 teenage sons who were not clean, either. She also had a cat that did not adhere to the convention that cats use a litter box. So, as you can imagine, the place was filthy when she moved out. Well, I must admit that the place was not in the best condition before she moved in, so I don't think we can be too upset with her.
Well, Scott has been working so hard, fixing this place up. He put in new cabinets, sink, fixed multiple holes in the walls, ripped out carpet, fixed plumbing issues, painted, put in new doors, and countless other things! I have helped a little mostly with cleaning, but not too much with the hard labor stuff.
Well, Scott is at Ft. Sill right now for Guard Artillery School. I told him that while he was gone, I would install tile in the front room and hallway. I also painted the front room. Well, for the last 2 days, I have been on my hands and knees playing with thinset and laying tile. (This is the basement apartment-about 15 stairs down.)
Okay, so the point of this story is "OUCH!" Oh, I hurt! My hands are so sore! I have 2 blisters on my right hand and several red sore spots. My right index fingernail got thinset stuck underneath it and my fingertip is so swollen 'cause I can't get it out. Every muscle from my quads to my sternocleidomastoids is crying out for a deep massage, and my skin is so dry from the thinset sucking the moisture out of it. My knees are pretty sore, I think the red spots are permanent.
I think I have about 2 more days of this. One to finish laying the tile and another to put the grout in. I am not sure if I can make it. I will be so greatful when I am done. At least we will never have to pull out carpet from the front room/ hallway because of cat pee issues. Tile is so worth it in the end.
If I survive.....