Advent Relfection #7 - In My Own Words

Well, I really and truly intended on reflecting all throughout the Advent season using Rolheiser's booklet. Getting sick interrupted that and then when I tried to get back to it I just couldn't find any inspiration in his words.

So I decided to go "off book" as we say in the theatre world and just reflect on the season in my own words.

As we all know Advent is a season of waiting... waiting for Christ's coming into the World to save us from our sin. Unfortunately the waiting ends up more like waiting in line at the store, waiting for the Christmas cookies to come out of the oven, waiting for the gifts we ordered from Amazon to be delivered, waiting for the snowplows to clear the roads so we can head to work...

I suppose if we are truly Christ-centered we can find in those moments of waiting an opportunity to be still and have a conversation with God, but when was the last time any one of us stood in the check-out line in Target and talked -- or better yet, listened -- to God?

Praying is usually reserved for bedtime, or more often sitting in the pew at church on Sunday (if we go at all). The rest of our day is filled with busyness... busyness that may seem vitally important at that time, but in reflecting upon the day all that breathless importance really is mostly just like any other day. Is there not a few minutes in the day to have an intimate moment with God? Perhaps after we have waited in line at Starbucks for that floofy coffee drink we can wait a few more moments and sit down to enjoy it and enjoy a chat with Christ at the same time?

While we are waiting for Christ's coming again on Christmas Day perhaps we can let the World wait from time to time while we reacquaint ourselves with Him and strengthen our relationship with Him...

Advent Reflection #6 - Passion and Purity

In this reflection Rolheiser compares the Church's caution and fearfulness of passion versus the World's disdain of purity. He says:

Purity and passion make sense only when they are linked and take their deeper
meaning from each other.

In my family, that translates to "Everything in moderation." Good words to live by!

What I really found curious, though, is that he makes no mention of Christ's passion. Passion is more than just sexual love or lust. Passion is loving something or someone so deeply that you undergo an ordeal that is physical or emotional. Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to suffer on the cross for us. I think that while we wait for His coming as a small "pure" infant during Advent that we should also keep in mind His "passionate" suffering for us during the Easter mysteries.

Credit: Image of Shades of Love - Cherry by Alfred Gockel

Advent Reflection #5 - The Power of a Candle

Well, since I'm behind a week I had a few different topics from which to choose, but I decided that I connected best with these two reflections.

Rolheiser describes first how "South Africans prior to the abolition of apartheid would light candles and place them in their windows as a sign of hope, a sign that one day this injustice would be overcome." Light and Hope -- or HOPE, as some of us write -- are things I know!

When our group of friends say "I'll light a beacon for you" or ask "Please light a beacon for me," we all understand that this simple light -- whether literal or figurative -- means that we have offered up a prayer, a good thought, a special intention for those in need. If we all lived close enough we would light a signal fire across the miles to send out for aid. This is imagery used by Peter Jackson in the Lord of the Rings films that while illuminating Tolkien's great work, also speaks to the audience of an age-old custom used by allies and vassals. It's imagery we all understand. To continue the theme, Galadriel gives Frodo a phial of light from the star Ëarendil to shine a light in the "dark places of the world."

To those of us who share a Christian belief, Christ is that Light. His coming illuminates those "dark places of the world." In Advent we wait for that light to kindle in the sky, the Star in the East. He comes to our aid.

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Oh my Lord... Nyquil is a scary-effective medicine! It put me so far under last night that I'm still trying to swim through the layers of sleep today... lol!

Anyway, sorry for the brief hiatus. I was felled by some sort of virus that kept me in bed for nearly four whole days. I'm much better now, despite my Nyquil hang-over -- so it's back to blogging!

Advent Reflection #4 - The Algebra of Advent

This particular reading was all over the board for me. First of all, the title... The Algebra of Advent... I was not good at math (I got through okay, I just don't come naturally to it). I liked algebra better than geometry, but honestly I would've rather been sitting under a tree reading Louisa Mae Alcott at that time than figuring out higher math functions! And frankly, after reading this reflection I'm not sure what the title really means for this article. Rolheiser mentions it at the end, but nothing in his musings compared Advent to Algebra as far as I could tell. But then again, I don't remember much of anything on that topic except: x+y=z, or some such nonsense. Perhaps his reasoning is also on that higher math plane that I can't (and don't really want) to follow.

Then he mentions the book, The Bridges of Madison County (Or rather, the movie adaptation of it). This second reference shut me down further. I apologize to anyone who loves this book, but I couldn't believe this poorly-written, self-imposing book was a best-seller. I understand the appeal of a good romance between two lovers who can not be together -- trust me, ALL too well! I just found this skimpy book trite and an unnecessary waste of an hour of my time (it's a fast read, thank God!). Though I love Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, I did not bother to see the movie. So, I wasn't predisposed to read and ponder too closely.

And then Roheiser talks about sex again and how waiting for it is sublime! I almost physically threw my hands up in the air with exasperation. Ok, Ron, we get it! Waiting is good! Did he write this for teens??

So, I'm not pondering any of those premises. Instead I decided on the one sentence that actually was pertinent to me:

Can anyone paint a masterpiece or compose a great symphony in a couple of hours?

The reason that this hit home for me is I've been pondering a lot recently about my ongoing struggle to get one of my novels published. Although struggle is perhaps too strong a word. I really haven't done much of anything "to pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again" after my first publisher closed its Young Adult (YA) line and then went belly up.

Sure, I scan the publishing sites now and again. I've even pursued self-publishing to a small extent (I emailed asking for more info -- they seem wary to give it until you pony up some cash, methinks). And I HAVE been writing. Not as consistenly as I want or should, but I have more than half-a-dozen imcomplete manuscripts to show for it.

Advent is about waiting, but this is the wrong kind of waiting. Writing is about doing. A publishing contract is not going to plop down in my lap -- though I wouldn't turn it down if it would, Lord! lol! I've discovered that writing is so much more than creating the story and putting it down on paper (or a Word document). Every moment of it once the story is done is about self-promotion. To a "good Catholic girl" who tries to be humble, this is very difficult!

I haven't had the "fire inside" like I've had in the past. I blame it on the cancer -- I've got to blame SOMEthing. But it's really no good. This is a goal that I'm not ready to give up on yet. I need to visualize my novel going to print and its success with the readers -- but MOST importantly I need to spend time on it. I need to go to publshing sites to find out their submission guidelines and start working towards re-submitting this novel!

And yet, that takes time. So it's still a waiting game. But it's not a stagnant one.

Advent Reflection #3 - Loneliness and Longing

This booklet is pushing all my buttons so far. I guess that's what it's supposed to do!

Rolheiser starts with a quote from Toni Morrison's Beloved:

"There is a loneliness that roams. No rocking can hold it down. It is alive, on
its own. A dry and spreading thing that makes the sound of one's own feet going
seem to come from a far-off place."

Like much of Morrison's prose it terrifies me a little -- this loneliness sounds wreckless to me -- soul-less and unthinking . And yet, Rolheiser takes advantage of this loneliness:

"What's to be gleaned from our wandering? Has loneliness a design? Is there
a secret to be learned from our longing?



What we learn is that we are more: more than any moment in our lives, more
than any humiliation, more than any achievement, more than the limits of our
bodies, marriages, and jobs. Longing takes us beyond. It teaches us -- better
yet, it lets us touch through desire -- God's deep design for each of us. In the
end, our longings are about consummation, completeness, harmony, and justice. In
our longing, the mystics tell us, we intuit the Kingdom of God."

But are loneliness and longing the same thing? Yes, there is longing in the loneliness, but what about the other way 'round? Is there always loneliness in the longing? Perhaps. I don't know.

For myself, loneliness is feeling alone in an empty house or worrying about living on my own when my loved ones are gone. Longing is a very different feeling -- longing is the desire for intimacy, whether if it is with another person or with God. Granted one can be in a relationship, longing for a deeper connection with the other person and feel loneliness when that intimacy isn't returned; but can't both parties still have a longing for a deeper intimacy with the each other? Can't we long for that with God? For He longs for one with us. Is He lonely then?

Advent Reflection #2 - Healthy Chastity

Ok, so I can tell now that this booklet is going to take me places that I didn't expect. A reflection on chastity was not a topic that I looked for during Advent, but after reading the short section for Tuesday - The First Week of Advent I can see the connection.

Rolheiser says:

But a healthy chastity is not so much about sex as it is about reverence and
respect. It is not just about what we experience, but also about when we experience it. An experience can be wrong simply because
it is premature. Chastity, in the end, is about waiting, about trying to
carry all things, not just sex, at a more sublime level. To surround
anything with proper reverence is to say that it's important.

That's so true, isn't it? We're all about instant gratification. We want it all and we want it now... the coolest car, the biggest house, the trendiest clothes, the 100,00k job out of college... not to mention acting on our most primal urges. There seems not to be anything like courtship now -- sleep with a guy on the first or second date and if he doesn't suit you, or you don't suit him you move on to the next person. Is that intimacy? I don't see how it can be.

There is that old adage that still holds true, I think: "Good things come to those who wait." It's not just the thing that is good, it's the emotion that comes with it... that we've earned it through hard work or patience -- that it wasn't some fluke or stroke of luck. Because we earned it, it is ours!

So how does that translate to Advent? Why is the waiting good for us? We have God's love whether we truly earn it or not. This is His gift to us. Nor have we earned Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. Yet, we have it nevertheless.

Is it the feeling that if we wait and hope -- put in our time, as it were -- we might deserve such goodness?

Advent Reflection #1 - The Fire Inside

I'm actually combining my thoughts from the meditation for the First Sunday of Advent and Monday -- as usual I'm running behind!

It's kind of funny that the image I chose for my introductory blog on these reflections was such a frosty, desolate picture of trees. It's winter and yesterday and today were the first snowy days of the season -- it seemed natural to go with that image. Waiting can be lonely and cold and empty. My toes are cold as I write this...

So I open my booklet and what greets me? Images of fire! In the first meditation a quote begins the reading: "Saint John of the Cross in The Living Flame of Love compares our pre-Advent selves to green logs that have been thrown into a fire, the fire of love." But being young and green it takes awhile before we kindle and are lit into a burning flame of passion, whatever than passion might be.

But it's the second meditation that really spoke to me tonight:

The fire inside us comes from the way God made us, namely, to crave the
infinite and to be dissatisfied with everything else until that love is
consummated. Thus, the fire inside us will never be extinguished simply by
attaining the right partner, the right job, the right set of
friends, or the
right recognition. We will always be on fire.

Wow. How true is that? I don't know that I would have ever described it as being on fire, that waiting for those goals I'm hoping to attain -- perhaps some would? For being a "Scorpio," I'm decidedly unlike what that zodiac sign is supposed to be. That passion is not easily identifiable. I try to be easy-going and affable, considerate and open-minded. I try not to let single-mindedness get the better of me.

And yet... and yet, I understand the waiting for that one thing to make my world fall into place. I feel like I'm marking time, heading in the right direction but not making much progress. Perhaps it's not so much a lack of passion (for I do have many goals), but that I'm still that green log that has been thrown into the fire of love?? And what's even more unsettling... once that passion has been kindled within me, I will always be on fire!

Honestly, that's both frightening and exhilarating at the same time! I wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight with that simmering beneath the surface of my soul?

Advent Thoughts

Well, judging from the date of the last post it's been way too long since I've been here to write. I have been writing -- NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) was last month and any spare time writing went to that endeavor. But that's a whole 'nother blog!

Anyway, I've been wanting to make time for this, and Advent has given me the perfect opportunity to do so. Every liturgical season at our parish, we are provided with small booklets of mediations for the season. Some years I'm better at reading and meditating than others, but this particular year with all the stresses that seem camped out on everyone's door I decided that I wanted to take it slowly towards the holidays. I really love the Advent season, the anticipation of Christmas and Christ's coming once again to us as a small infant. Naturally real life will intrude... bills must be paid, gifts must be purchased, baking must be undertaken, parties must be attended, work must continue... and most of that is supposed to be fun!

So, I'm taking a breath each night. I'm taking a few quiet moments to read my booklet. And if the Spirit moves me, I will try to muse on the theme of the day. Keeping in mind, of course, I am no theologian or even necessarily completely knowledgeable about faith teachings. These are my thoughts, how ever shallow or deep, simple or complex, pure or conflicted... this is my journey of faith, but I do encourage thoughtful comments if there are those out there who feel so moved.

By the way, the booklet I am working from is: Daybreaks - Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas by Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Making Strides

I'm sure everyone is feeling a bit like they can't turn around in the month of October without seeing pink exploding all over everything! But in case you DIDN'T know… October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Normally I just acknowledge it, feel grateful that my employer arranges for the mobile mammography van to stop on campus in April so I can get that done without fuss and feel even more blessed that cancer isn't up there or anywhere else now!

That changed this year. I've already had two friends suffer and ultimately lose their battles against breast cancer. Debbie was my sister's best friend -- as well as a good friend to me -- and was taken from us far too soon. Karen was a relatively new friend, but just as dear. She was a comfort and someone to commiserate with while I was dealing with my own cancer. But now… now… two more friends are struggling against this disease. It needs to stop.

Fortunately, both caught it early. But I can't even begin to describe what an interruption this is in one's life, even when the prognosis is positive. Amy and Tracy are both full-time moms with other full-time responsibilities to go along with that. I have no doubt both will come through it with grace and humor and seemingly with hardly missing a beat. But I know it won't be easy, and I pray for swift healing and most of all energy. Geeze…it takes so much energy!

So why am I telling you all this? You probably know… I've gotten good at sticking my hand out for donations to fight cancer and this time is no different! This will be the second year I am participating in the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event. It's a 5k walk/run on Saturday, October 18th. Last year I walked it on my own without any to-do – I walked it in memory of Debbie and Karen as a sort of private pilgrimage. But this year I'm playing a more active role – again it's reared its ugly head and I don't want it ever to do so again!

So you know what to do… if you want to make a donation, my ACS website is listed below. I know with the economy the way it is right now, that may be difficult or impossible, but every little bit helps. As always,prayers and good thoughts are always welcome…for Amy and Tracy… for the Making Strides event's success… and that the cure for breast cancer will be found soon!
Thanks & love,
Lisa.


You can click on the ACS widget on the left side of this page or Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09GreatLakes?px=2920142&pg=personal&fr_id=11667&s_tafId=194006

Good News about Possible Ovarian Cancer Detection

I saw this article on CNN.com today that made me want to shout for joy! Scientists may have identified a marker for ovarian cancer -- it's not a cure yet, but it's a step in the right direction!

Here's the article -- be sure to read it!

Possible Marker for Ovarian Cancer

And, ladies, make your appointment for your yearly exams today. Ovarian cancer isn't usually detected through a PAP and pelvic exam, but if you know your body you're more likely to know when something isn't right. We all have to be our own advocates when it comes to our health -- don't put it off! :-)

What HGTV Has Wrought!

Well, I had planned on posting about this months ago, but I didn't get started on the project right away...

Here's a small part of my even smaller bathroom before I started my redecorating. (I wish I could say renovating, but after having my new laminate flooring installed upstairs any big changes must wait)

So here it is... er... was... I was going for a calm, seashore feeling, but it didn't work out quite as I'd planned and I never really liked going in there. You might also notice in the picture that I removed the "make-up mirror"-style light fixture that is ubiquitous in all new (cheap) construction. Boy, is that ever a tale! But I'll leave that for another time when I can complain about crappy contractors in full! lol!

So, blue walls... dark lavender shower curtain... sea-green trim (be thankful you can't see it in the photo! Oh, wait... there it is... my condolences! Not one of my finer design moments, I fear! lol!)... oak vanity and lots of clutter! (Clutter is another topic I may have to tackle soon!)

I first found the fabric, which I love, to make a new shower curtain -- a black and white toile -- and everything else took off from there. I didn't want a completely black and white room, so took my time deciding on a good color to play off the pattern. I saw a yellow room in a magazine with the B&W toile and silhouettes as artwork and decided that was the look I wanted, especially since I had found some pretty golden yellow beading that would work well on the curtain.

Now, yellow isn't really one of my favorite colors, but it's such a happy, cheerful look that I couldn't resist trying it in the bathroom as a way to start my day with a perky attitude -- particularly because living in an interior condo unit there is very little natural light, and there's absolutely none in the the bathrooms!

So... then I saw that photo of the bathroom with the tone-on-tone striping (see photo in a previous post) and knew I had to try it! First I went to Lowe's to pick up paint chips to decide on the right color (dutifully paying my $50 cover charge, as friend Murchie calls it!). The tone was going to be important because I had a yellow bedroom as a teen -- banana yellow, as a matter of fact, and grew to dislike it. I had a west-facing bedroom and that dark yellow in the setting sun made it even darker -- I never had the benefit of the rising eastern sun to make it bright. And, of course, as I'm writing this I don't have the paint chip winners with me, so I can't report the color names at the moment... anyway... I went with a pale, almost creamy yellow as a base then striped it with the next shade darker.

Striping, while not difficult, didn't turn out quite as I planned. I'm not really mathematical despite my number-crunching job -- or I guess I should say I'm not geometrical or spatial. I measured out the stripes, believing that I had accounted for the tape. Of course, I didn't account for it properly. However, it just means that the lighter stripe is a different width then the darker one. The difference is not all that great -- and I can live with it! lol! (Subsequently my father gave me a tip that I should start measuring from the middle of the room instead of the edge... I'll remember that next time... if there ever IS a next time! lol!)

I'm still not quite finished with the project. The stripes look like they're floating with nothing to hold them in place, so chair rail must be installed. It also fits the look of the style I'm going for anyway. I've purchased the chair rail and have painted it with the Du Jour white as the rest of the trim (thank goodness the green is gone, gone, gone!). I just need to wait for someone with a miter box, hand-saw and nail-gun to be available to put it up!

In the meantime, I'm tackling painting the vanity. The standard oak cabinetry is just too casual for my tastes, which tend toward classic and European, not contemporary and country. I primed it with Kilz (which smells nasty, btw!) and have now two coats of the Du Jour white on it -- and it still needs at least another coat! I should've put another coat of primer on it before putting the good stuff on -- I'll know better next time (look out kitchen cabinets!). I need to get that done tonight or tomorrow because I want to put up all the paint paraphenalia before the housekeepers come on Saturday.

I've also started to put in a few of the accessories (which I'm endeavoring to keep at the bare minumum!). The toile vase, I found months ago and I've put in some leftover yellow flowers I had around. I'm not completely satisfied with the arrangement, but it'll do for now. I also have a little soap in a box that is a fleur de lis (my favorite!) and the little toile-ish dress-form that holds jewelry came from friend Sofia (thanks!). I'm going to create silhouettes of my nieces and nephews and am about ready to start that project when I get a couple more pix, but I think it will be fun and easy. I looked up instructions on the web and found some ideas how to make them still have that 18th-19th century look, but still be hip and modern, so I'm eager to get started on that! I also bought the yellow bath mats some time ago...

The floor... I'm in denial about the floor...

That's where it stands for now. I'll update more when I've got a few more things done!

The "Look" - Part Deux

So... the story...
It's not really a long tale. In fact, for most it may not be all that big of a deal. But for about half an hour this past weekend I felt the full brunt of a gentleman's scrutiny that I had not felt in quite some time.

My self-esteem has never been what you might call "healthy." I grew up shy and have never thought that many men gave me a second glance. My delicate ego took a further hit after losing my hair to chemo and gaining back all the weight I'd lost then. These past four years I've pretty much felt like my feminity was invisible. I know it is there, and my personality itself is no longer the wallflower it once was. However, if my sensuality was tentative before, it seems to have been utterly obliterated.

Of course, the majority of this comes from my own doing. I stopped caring about making an effort to a large extent. I am comfortable with myself on the inside, why should the outside matter, right?

But it does matter. It matters a great deal... to me anyway. And I found out how much it mattered when someone who has always made me feel beautiful reminded me of that with one hard stare. I haven't seen him in several years -- since before the cancer even. This is a guy who just being across the room from him makes me feel tingly. And the weird thing is... he and I have never been (and never will be to my girlish regret) in an intimate relationship other than mere friendship. He's just someone who resonates with me on a physical level that I've rarely felt with anyone else. Too bad, eh? lol!

So, anyway, Saturday night when I hadn't seen him in over five years we meet up quite unexpectedly and in that moment he looks at me... I don't mean that kind of look that you give someone when you meet after some time -- giving her the once-over and taking in her hair, her weight, her clothes, her age... He just LOOKS at me for a long minute. I don't know what he was looking for, but he wasn't judging me -- he was just taking me in, like a long drink of water.

It's a heady feeling, let me tell you! And an ego boost that I needed desperately. I sure HOPE it's not another five or six years until I see him again!

When was the last time you got the "look?"

The "Look"

The image conjured from the phrase the "Look" is most often that of a stern teacher when you're goofing off in the back of class -- or worse, of an annoyed parent when you're bickering with your sister in the back of the car on a long trip.

If you are au courant on fashion, the phrase "The Look" (actually the New Look) describes designer Christian Dior's debut collect in the Spring of 1947, which featured a below-mid-calf length, full-skirt, large bust, and small waist. Or if you have "the look," you are stylish and wearing the "latest" fashion.

But I'm not talking about any of those things. I'm talking about the glance you get from an admirer, one that curls your toes and makes you feel both desirable and the only woman in the universe -- that's the "look" I mean.

When was the last time you got that penetrating look from someone? Last night at dinner? This morning as you lay in bed together? A month ago on "date night?" A year ago on your last anniversary? Your wedding day? Can't come up with one?

Neither can I... but I came close the other night.

I'll let you ponder that. Then I'll be back later to talk about my experience...

Another Year Cancer-Free!

Hard for me to imagine, but it's four years ago this month that I was diagnosed with Stage I-Ovarian Cancer. It was such a roller-coaster that summer that the news hardly had time to register before I was on to the next step.

The good news... great news, actually... is that I'm still cancer-free -- and I plan on staying that way! :-)

Next week also marks my fourth year in participating in the ACS's Relay For Life. This year I'm also on the committee, which has posed some challenges as I was planning Moot V and trying to fit in Relay stuff as well. That's my fault, of course, for agreeing to do it, but I also think other people's idea of my committment to the Relay was a great deal more than I stressed I could handle. Oh well, c'est la vie! I'll know better next time to tell them, "no means no" and not be coerced into volunteering for more than I mean to!!

That said, I still have duties as Peregrine's Posse's team captain -- especially doing my share of the fund raising. Below is the email that I sent out to most of my email list or posted at various sites:


My local Relay For Life is next week already! It seemed like months away and suddenly it is here already...And you know what else has gone by fast? It's been 4 years already since I was diagnosed with Stage I Ovarian Cancer. In a way it seems like another lifetime ago, but it's also still very much with me every day -- especially all the support and prayers and good wishes I received from all my family and friends!

As I mentioned above, the Relay is a week from this Saturday (May 17th), and with all I've had going on this Spring I'm a little behind on my fund-raising efforts! Eep!

So you know what comes next... I'd love not to have to bug everyone I know to donate each year, but the reality is that cancer is always with us... always waiting to invade another person's system and take hold.

Doctors and researchers have made great strides in cancer treatment, but we still don't have a cure. Our best defense is taking care of our health through a good diet and consistent exercise -- but when that fails, early detection is what has been proven to be key to the recovery rate.

Getting the word out... finding a cure... helping cancer patients who need resources... these all take money. In our cash-strapped communities it's difficult to find the extra money for donations, but honestly it doesn't have to be much -- it adds up quickly!

$10 buys a luminary to honor a friend or family member who has dealt with or is dealing with cancer.

The Relay itself will have treats and souvenirs and other ways to collect donations that are affordable and fun ways to contribute -- if you're in town, please stop by our tent!

As always good thoughts and prayers for a successful Relay are much appreciated. Hope to see you there!

Thank you again for your love & support...
Much love to all,
lisa.

PS: The link to my Relay homepage is below -- you can donate online from there!
PPS: Please feel free to forward this on to anyone you believe would be interested -- thank you!!

Click here to visit my personal page.If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeGreatLakesDivision?px=2920142&pg=personal&fr_id=8150&et=CqX_Ji3vrG9IveNz6I5Yvw..&s_tafId=117796

Click here to view the team page for Peregrine's PosseIf the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeGreatLakesDivision?team_id=186879&pg=team&fr_id=8150&et=SjtgFecSyznZ3ZZr4Ej0dw..&s_tafId=117796

Gosh, I can't believe it's been since November that I've been here. Life has certainly kept me busy - and the next few months are going to keep me going at an even faster pace!

But no excuses...

Today is the beginning of the Great Bathroom Renovation Project! Now I've redone the upstairs bathroom three times already, but I've been at The Garret long enough now that I can no longer slap a new color of paint on the walls and buy a new shower curtain and call it a day.

The seal under the toilet has deteriorated and now mildew is marching its way through the vinyl flooring from the bottom up! A nasty greyish white film is encroaching from the base of the toilet outwards. No matter how I scrub I can't do anything about it as it has evilly seeped to the surface and is now resident within the flooring itself. The only way to get rid of the mildew is to get rid of the flooring!!

Fortunately, the bathroom is small. I'm off to Lowe's this weekend to price bathroom tile - I'd like something other than vinyl. However, whatever is most beautiful and practical at the best affordable price is going to win out.

Dad has the new seal for the toilet, which must be dealt with before the tiling, as I believe it may be affecting the actual plumbing. There is a some-time leak that goes down into the utility closet below that must also be investigated.

The fun part of course, is getting to decorate after all that is done. I've chosen a lemon yellow & toile theme this time. The picture here on the blog is the style I'm going for the look of it.

Before paint though... is priming. The whole bathroom is getting a coat of white primer - including the vanity. The country oak is finally going bye-bye!

My plans are to post my progress here as I go along. Wish me luck!