“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” ~ Tolstoy
I’m feeling warrior-like today. I have endured. I have had unending amounts of patience. I think I should “have what I will” now. You see, I’ve been accused of too often following my whims … of getting something in my head and then rushing headlong into it without first figuring out the logistics.
Not this time.
The Back Story: in September 2008 — while FarmGuy was away on business — there was a leak in the upstairs bathroom. (It’s actually the kids’ bathroom, but it contains the only tub in this old farmhouse). Water dripped through the dining room ceiling and the seam along the drywall fell to the floor.
FarmGuy informed us the tub was the culprit; therefore, we stopped using the tub — 14 months ago! Though a shower in our bathroom is satisfactory for daily use, women — and little kids — need bathtubs. We do! It’s in our genetic makeup. And mostly, I just want the bathroom fully functional again.
So I’ve waited … tried not to nag … offered suggestions. And here we are, 23 days before Christmas 2009. Ready to meet Old Man Winter head-on. And I cannot face another winter without a tub for soaking away the chills, dangit!
Man’s excuse list:
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It’s going to be a huge mess
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It will take days
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The fixtures will have to be removed
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We’ll have to pull the carpet and tack strips
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All that cracked floor tile has to come up
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Who knows what we’ll find
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It’s not a quick-fix, easy project
- I don’t even know if I know how to fix it
Well darling, honeypie, sugarlips, babycakes …
The mess wasn’t really that big. In three hours I managed to take out the toilet, vanity and sink. I made a phone call and with a little help from my mother, got all fixtures carried to the bed of your pickup so you don’t have to strain your back. It’s cuz I love you so much.
I also removed the baseboards, carpet and those nasty tack strips. Then I popped up all of that crumbly old tile around the toilet.
Have I mentioned how I hate wax rings? ICK!
Just so you know, dear, the plywood floor under the toilet is so soft I can stick a screwdriver through it. I’m thinking maybe it wasn’t the bathtub after all …
Can we please fix this now?
I’ve done all the hard work for you and cleaned up the big mess. All I really want for Christmas is a working bathroom for the kids. And a working tub for the mommy would be nice.
I promise — if you get this old tub working again, I’ll even install a new wax ring for the toilet.
Oh, by the way. We need a new toilet.
I set it down a little too hard.
Porcelain isn’t as tough as you’d think!
P.S. I love you!
Are those G’s I see in the floor caulk? Gordy!!??? You are just to much! But, Hey- If something’s going to get done we have to do it right?! Good Luck it looks great so far!
Now you have gone and done it. The men folk now know we are very capable of doing all the hard work when it needs done. I mean, removing a sink and the fixtures, taking out the toilet, and removing the tack strips!!! I think you must be feeling way to much of the holiday spirit to take on a job like this. Take my advice, just go ahead and finish the job yourself. If your husband is anything like mine, he won’t even notice a new bathroom. So pick out all new stuff , install it, have your mom and friends over to admire it , then enjoy all your hard work in a nice warm tub!! It does feel good at the end of the day to know you can do what you set your mind to. Just think how wonderful the new bath will look when it is done. Oh gosh, just don’t let on that you know how to change the motor in the old farm tractor!!!!!!
You make me want to start a renovation project.
I love reading all of your comments! And it’s nice to receive so much support from womenfolk. I did not get much support from the menfolk, if you know what I mean. I have a crow bar. I’m popping up the floorboards next. Hopefully I’ll be able to spot a leaky pipe and can figure out what the heck to do about it. And then I’m buying a new toilet!
Merry Christmas and happy renovating!
I love it! LOL Maybe this is exactly what I need to do! We have a bathroom in our downstairs that has not been functional for 2 months. The hubby and his dad supposedly fixed it and then it leaked all over and sprays water everywhere every time it’s flushed. The only thing is, if I took it all apart, he wouldn’t know how to fix it either. I guess I’m going to have to call a handy man, or woman, so when are you available?
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