Garage bathroom report: Pretty much finished!

Except for some minor items that don't interfere with the use of the bathroom, it is done!

In this photo, you can see most everything that is new in the room. We're leaving the floor alone for now; we'll use rugs till we figure out how the floor acts with the bathroom in use.  There will be a grab bar next to the toilet.

We're pretty excited, and can't wait till Grandpa comes up to give it the seal of approval. He's reserved naming rights - we'll have to see about a sign.

Good shot of the "kitchen" sink

Fuzzy, but what can you expect from a timer shot?

The Garage Bathroom: A Report

Grandpa and me in the roughed-out space for the shower.

A couple years ago, Grandpa told us he'd like to "pop" for a bathroom in the garage, so he can see us enjoying our inheritance. The PPP stage (putzing, planning, procrastinating) took a couple years, but in the picture above, you can see the process was well under way for Pa's May 2012 visit.

We are keeping the existing windows, paneling, and ceiling, which are in fine shape, and adding a toilet, sink, and shower. For now, we'll keep the floor simple concrete; after a shake down cruise for the room we might decide to stain, paint, or otherwise cover it.

Shower surround, installed.

In this photo, you see the nice shower surround we chose, outfitted with all the grab bars a 90-year-old would ever need to take a nice shower at the cottage. 

The sink cabinet and top, before the sink was installed.

Another view of the room with sink cabinet and top, before the sink was installed. We decided on a kitchen sink--rather than a dainty bathroom vanity or a full-on utility sink--as the most useful for washing hair, soaking wet bathing suits, or bathing babies and toddlers.

Tongue & groove over the shower.

Further progress was made when the carpenter installed the pine tongue and groove 1x6s around the shower. Ken picked up the lumber at Ellenberger Lumber, the "Do-it" center in Onaway. We chose a cherry-colored Minwax stain, which Ken applied by hand with an old t-shirt.

Kenny carefully and expertly wiping on the stain.

Note the ceiling vent and sink.

So, we are getting there. Our construction guy will be coming in next week to install the glass shower doors, and caulk the shower area. Ken will apply urethane sealer to the wood as soon as the humidity will allow (it's kind of high today).

My little "as seen on TV" magnetic screen door.

The cheesy "magnetic screen door" I got from the "As Seen on TV" section of the Walgreen's in Cheboygan works pretty well for keeping out big stupid bugs. Small smart bugs won't find it much of an impediment, but it keeps big buzzy flies at bay.

Benjamin Michael Balcom, the apple of our eyes

One little thing I need to mention. Between the time I stopped posting here and today, WE HAD A GRANDSON!!!! Of course, everyone reading this blog already knows that, and may even know that Ben has his very own section on our Flickr page, but how can this blog pretend to be a record of family happiness without mentioning BEN????

Life (and Facebook) Intervened

It appears that this blog fell into disuse during the rest of 2010, 2011, and much of 2012. Just after this last post, Grandpa took ill for a bit, and I got out of the habit of posting. Also think this occurred in part because Facebook replaced this blog as a means to keep us all connected.

Grandpa is back in fine form, and has been for some time. If you're reading this you are no doubt also reading his posts on Facebook, and perhaps his blog, too, so there's no need to repeat those updates here. And since Facebook isn't going anywhere soon, I'll just use this blog as a place to post and share multiple photos or musings on a given subject, for family and close friends, rather than as an ongoing connectivity tool.

Kind of silly, my even writing this continuity piece. It's the same impulse that makes me leave pages between writings in the cottage book, to be filled in "later." Later often never comes, but at least the blank pages signify that something important happened between writings.