New Year Project

A year ago, actually a bit more than that, we hired someone to put in a tile floor for us in the family room and on into the adjoining dining area and kitchen. The job also included the master bath. For one reason or another the guy we hired walked off the job. We found out later that he had written a bad check to the tile company 2 days after we had given him more than enough a deposit to cover materials. Being afraid to hire another poerson that would disappoint us Jim decided to finish the job himself. He completed the living room, the fireplace, dining area and kitchen working on it a bit at a time between hip and back troubles.

With all of that finished we decided on one more project with the tile that was left. What you see above are the result of some pleasuranble breaking up of the last tile. Below is Jim at work with those last pieces. I wanted an easy to wipe down top for the silly half wall in the family room. From this spot you can see the fireplace where he did the same mosiac idea so it kind if ties the room together.

My part of the process was the grouting and sealing which I did yesterday. Any left over pieces are gone now and Jim says he will NEVER put another piece of tile anywhere again in his life. Floors are all done. The last project is complete!

Now I can move on to getting my shops running and much more active. In getting ready for that I have made some other changes too. My computer is now out in the oh so rarely used formal dining room close to the coat closet I took over for all my shipping supplies as well as my camera, tripods and mannequin. With the computer out of my craft room I now have space to set up a cutting area, ironing area and sewing tables so I can walk right in and go to work anytime.

Now on to a great year!

More Floor News

This Guido (the disappearing floor guy) is a real ass. Excuse the language but you will understand in a minute.

Through the guy who gave us his name (thanks?) we found out where the tile we have at our house so far was purchased because he picked the stuff for us up in his truck. Jim decided we could finish this job ourselves and I was willing to help him try so off we went on Saturday to the supplier. We had a sample and explained about the abandoned job and how we needed the stuff- tile, thin set and grout - to finish the job because the original tile was purchased there but not enough for completion and we needed a match. They asked who did this to us and right away there was a reaction to the name and it wasn't a good one. It seems that even thought we gave Guido the money to buy everything needed for the job he wrote the tile suppliers a bad check. Now you get the ass part right?

The tile folks were very kind and we got what we needed at the contractors price which I thought was generous. From the customer service there I can recommend Tanner Materials if you are looking for tile or stone for your home. They are on Arizona Avenue in Chandler.

We started on Saturday and worked through last night and made quite a bit of progress for two people learning as we worked. Jim is cutting and laying tile. My job was to get the glue from the kitchen floor that adhered the old sheet vinyl. We were told thin set won't work well on top of that glue and it had to be removed. I also grouted the hallway and a couple of spot left undone in the master bath.

We won't be done by Thanksgiving but we have taken charge of the job, our home and our lives and it feels good, sore muscles, knees and all.

My House

This is my house as of 9 pm last night. Carpeting is gone in the master bath, family room and hallway. The laminate floor in the kitchen and dining area is going too. Replacing it will be a travertine tile floor. I and very excited about this however I may be living this way for as long as 2 weeks depending on how the job goes. The tile work in the bathroom started this morning. A guy named Guido is doing it. He seems to be doing beautiful work and sets each tile in place like a diamond in a ring. That is good for quality but may not be so good for speed. I will keep you informed about progress and my sanity as this goes on to hopefully and happy completion.