Bathroom COMPLETED!!

The Bathroom Renovation - Project #1

So, when I first moved back to Fayetteville, NC I thought I would renovate all the bathrooms in the house. The bathrooms all have the same octogon pink colored tile, which is horrible looking. The vanities are all 20+ years old. I figured I would start with my bathroom and then move on to the other two. I guessed it would take me 2 weeks to do mine. Was I wrong!!

I started with taking the wallpaper off the walls, which didn't go very well. It ripped the drywall off with the wallpaper, as the contractors who built the house didn't prime the walls before applying the wallpaper. I thought, well, just take down the drywall, it will look better and be easier, WRONG!! Mistake #1

I ripped the floorand vanity out, as this was easy. It only took a sledge hammer and a little sweat. Mom thought the ceiling was going to fall down, as the bathroom is over the kitchen. But it didn't and the floor was gone.

Our friend Greg came and pup the drywall up for me, as it was much harder than I thought. That took about a month to happen, as he would do it when he had time. Once the walls were up, he came and put down the tile. It looks great!

I then went and painted the walls. The first color we chose looked pink, it was supposed to be sand colored. So, back to Lowes I went, and got the current color. It looks great. Then it was time for the vanity. This should have been easy, but it wasn't. The vanity goes right against the dorr, and the door molding is right there. So, I had to get inventive, and put a piece of wood between the wall and vanity to ensure the drawers wouldn't hit the molding when I pulled them out. This took about a month to finally accomplish.

Then the baseboards. Oh, the baseboards!! I have learned I cannot measure!! And I learned that when doing a project, you need to have the proper tools. So, after trying to cut baseboards with an extinct saw (dad's) I went out and bought a 10" compund sliding miter saw!! It ROCKS!! LOVE IT!! The baseboards look great now.

This is a quick summary of the 6, yes 6 month project of renovating the bathroom. It is done now, but I need to paint the trim, do some touch up, and fill in the holes from the nails in the molding. It shouldn't take long, but I need to do it.

Here are some pictures of the finished project.
I will do a better job with writing about the second bathroom I am going to do.

The bathroom was supposed to be a 2 week renovation project. Well, it didn't happen that way. I learned to NEVER take drywall down, that cutting and measuring baseboards are NOT easy, and when you put in a vanity, make sure it's not too close to the door, as it causes issues. I think I did everything wrong the first time on this project, but at least I learned. Plus, I got a really cool 10 inch compound sliding miter saw, yes it ROCKS!!

I thought I would be funny. This one is for you dad!


This is the view from the door. You can get a good look at the tile floor, which looks great, thanks to our friend Greg Brown who did it for us. Also, get a look at the baseboard. Yes, I painted and cut them all. It took forever, and I learned I need to measure more accurately the first time.

This is the new vanity, and you can see the towel rack that Christian put up for me. As you can tell, it was a group project. I had help, thankfully.

I thought I would wave to you all!

Yet another view from the door.

The toilet and the towel rack

A great view of the vanity that was a pain in the butt to install. See how close it is to the door frame, yea, that caused a major problem that I finally figured out, with Christian's help of course

The bathroom was supposed to be a 2 week renovation project. Well, it didn't happen that way. I learned to NEVER take drywall down, that cutting and measuring baseboards are NOT easy, and when you put in a vanity, make sure it's not too close to the door, as it causes issues. I think I did everything wrong the first time on this project, but at least I learned. Plus, I got a really cool 10 inch compound sliding miter saw, yes it ROCKS!!

Love you all

Bri

Life update

I graduate in only 4 days! Unbelievable!! I am so excited. Can't wait to go to Greenville this weekend with Adam to go and party!! Mom is coming down on Saturday to watch me walk and then we are all going out to dinner, with some friends of course. It will be awesome, I can't wait. Adam and I will be there for the entire weekend, and then we will come home on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day with mom.
I am back at work, which is really good for me. I need to get back into a routine. State walked in on Monday, so work has been 12 hour days, but I still love it none the less. The bathroom still isn't finished, but all I need to do is put the countertop on the vanity and nail it to the wall. I just need someone to help me bring the countertop upstairs. Then I will be able to use my shower again, and I am sure mom will be happy. But, the toilet is in, so that is good.
Also, I am going to be an aunt. Andi is pregnant, so the entire family is excited. It will be cool to have a little Nichols/Raponi running around. I probably won't get to see him/her for a while, but its all good, pictures will work for a little while. Congrats Andi and Tim!!!

GRADUATION... its almost here

Graduation is May 13th. Its amazing how quickly it is approaching. I can't believe that I will finally graduate and have my bachelors. Most people are really happy about this and say it was a long road, blah blah blah. But for me, it was a much harder road. It took me 8 years from high school graduation. I wasn't in school the whole time, as I was deployed twice, but it feels as though I was in school a lot. I never really got that whole "college experience" except for one year, and that was one of the best years of my life. I met some great friends and got to play Rugby. It was awesome. I even drank a little bit, not much but a little. It was fin going to BW3 at 11am with my coach and having drinks at the bar after classes. This is when I found out what I had been missing for so long. Just having good friends makes life so much easier. But after that year I decided that I would move to New Orleans for a boy that I met. Of course the boy only lasted 3 weeks, butI decided to stay anyways. It was probably one of the best things I could have done for myself, because I learned more than I ever thought possible about myself. I went to school full-time online and worked full-time. It was crazy, but I did great that first semester, 4.0GPA. The onlything that suffered was my social life, but I was used to this. Then, in 2008 I decided to go back into the Marines full time. That was good and interesting. I had always wondered what it would be like if I did active duty again, but I realized that it wasn't for me. I got out after 6 months and moved back to NC with mom. That brings me to where I am today. One paper away from graduation, still having to realize that I actually did it. I actually did everything I needed to do to get that piece of paper. And now things are moving right along. I start my internship for AIT next month, and then I will be an administrator. I will have a career, and a good one at that, and one that I know will fit me and my personality perfectly. I think that this is the best job choice I could have chosen. Its weird how things are starting to fall into place. At times it felt as though I would never be at this point, and there are times when I am waiting for someone to shake me and wake me up. It can't be true that life is actually working out, but it is. Life is coming together.
I even got a new car, well its used, but its new to me. I never thought I would ever get one, well at least not in the next few years. Its amazing and I love having something that is dependable and really nice. I mean I can roll the windows down with the push of a button. The lights turn on at night when I am driving. The driver's seat moves with the push of a button. Its just amazing to have something that is nice. My parents have helped me out with the car, but I really want to start working so I can pay them back. I am not used to having to have other people help me out financially. I have been on my own for so long and haven't had to ask anyone for help. But its nice knowing that they are there and willing to help.
Things with Adam are going well also. Again, this is weird for me, since I am not used to having a boyfriend. He's a great guy though and I enjoy his company. Currently he is in the Appalachian mountains hiking for the week. I think that its good that we can both do our separate things and still be happy. I do miss him, but know that I need time to get away and so does he. Its good for both of us. Time will tell with him, as my Mama always says.
So I have learned a lot these last couple of years. Things have been hard and good. Life is never what one may expect, but I am really happy the way things have worked out. I wouldn't have learned so much about myself and life if I didn't choose the road less traveled.... and that has made all the difference.
I will definately post some pics of me receiving my degree.

The Beach

Today is Wednesday and the last day at the beach. I was invited by Jennifer to go to the beach for 3 days 2 nights. She paid for the room and said all you have to do is show up. Its been nice. I figured that I would come and try to learn how to do the vacation thing. Actually relaxing and enjoying being away. Well let me tell you, itsnot as easy as one may think, well not for me anyways. I am trying to learn to be in the now and enjoy everything and not to worry about everything I have to do. Its hard for me. I don't know how people are able to do this for an extended period of time. I always think about what I could be doing at home or what I should be doing. Its hard for me to be out of my little bubble with the little amount of structure I have created for myself back home. I don't know why. I thought I was doing really good and relaxing, but it was pointed out to me last night that I need to loosen up. I am too uptight. The girls said it in a nice way and weren't trying to hurt my feelings. They said that I need to let go and just have fun. Well, I was for me. I wasn't in a bad mood or anything. I am just uptight, but that is ME! That has always been me. I don't think I will ever be described as a laid back person. God just didn't create me like that. But Lord knows I am trying.
I wrote most of my paper yesterday, and that really helped my stress level. I was almost panicking about it. I should have written it a long time ago but never did, and now I just wanted to write it and be done with it. So the girls left me alone for the day and I wrote about 20 pages. It helped that I had written a little while I was in England. Now I only have 5 pages left. Once this paper is finished I just have a few little tests to do and I am done, then I will graduate.

A weekend of babysitting

So, I am at it again, yep you guessed it, BABYSITTING! I hate babysitting. I have been doing this since I was eleven years old. I used to made $2.50 an hour for 2 kids. Ya, it wasn't much, but you won't believe the amount of money that I had saved up from babysitting. Its a pretty prosporus job. The only problem is that you have to work in the prime hours, such as Friday and Saturday nights, and on the weekends. This is when everyone wants to go out on dates. Or you work the holidays like New Years Eve. Babysitters make prime money these days.
I however have had my fair share. I am tired of it. I love the kids, but I don't want to give up my entire weekend anymore to watch someone else's kids. Ya the money is okay, but if you have the money and can't spend it then who cares right? I think that this is my last weekend. There are other things that I want and need to do on the weekends, and laundry is one of them. When you are older there are responsibilities, and I am sure that the kitchen in my mother's house is looking horrible and that I need to be there to clean it. Because I am sure that the dishwasher is full of clean dishes, but there is no way that my mother will empty it. I swear its a game we have, see who empties it first. I always lose. I just get to a point and I can't take it anymore. I can only handle dirty for so long.

Well, say farewell to the babysitting days!! This is my last weekend, unless I get like $750 to do it. Saying farewell to another chapter in my life.

Golfing with Poppy... My memories of those days

So my sister decided to write a post about golfing with Poppy on the weekends when we were kids. I thought I would write my memories about those times. Its amazing how two people can go and do the same thing but have different memories and recollections of those times. Its pretty cool and makes me miss those days as a child.
Mom was usually working on the weekends, so Dad was left taking care of Andi and me. It seemed like we went golfing almost every weekend when we lived on Ft Bragg. As my sister said we would always get there early, usually Pope or Striker. I liked Striker better myself, but Andi liked Pope better. Anyways, when we first got there Andi and I would ask Poppy to get a cart. We loved driving the cart, but I don't remember ever getting one. He would always say, "we can either get a cart or go to Burger King afterwards." Well, my sister and I loved food and still do, so we would always say Burger King. However, I never remember dad taking us afterwards, lol. We Would get a snack before we started though. We'd eat whatever unhealthy thing dad got us at the first hole. Then it was time to walk, and walk we did. We ALWAYS did 18 holes. I always loved the 8th hole, because dad would give us money to get food at the snack bar, and by the time we got our food we would meet him at the back 9 holes. I remember pulling dad's clubs, but that only lasted a hole or so before I gave them back. He would always laugh because we could never last that long. Andi and I would get bored, so we would play with the golfball retriever. I forgot about that until she mentioned it, but it was true. We would try to retrieve forgotten golf balls from the lakes. It was crazy, but we usually only got grass and crap. But, it gave us something to do. I remember that I used to love to clean the golf balls. They always have a little cleaner at every hole to wash the ball, and for some reason I really enjoyed this.
Andi mentioned some rules that dad taught us for golfing:
Be quiet
Don't laugh when people go into the woods or water (they got mad)
If there is a coin on the green, don't pick it up, its to mark the ball (note, dad and his friends thought it was hysterical when I thought I found a nickel on the green. They had to explain that it was there to mark the ball.)
Hold the flag still
Don't walk between the ball and the hole on the green, it will affect the next shot
Always bring a jacket


There is one memory that I am really fond of. This was when Andi was older, so she didn't go anymore. It was a REALLY COLD day. We drove about an hour to this really great golf course. I just thought it was a long drive. The weather wasn't the greatest, it was misting outside. I had brought plenty of clothes, but it was cold. I was miserable the entire time. It was so cold outside that we were the only idiots playing. Everyone else was inside the clubhouse. AND, the was ice forming on the golf clubs when it misted! It was horrible!! I was so miserable, I swore I would never again go with weather like that. Dad played terrible, it was really cold and so did his friend Mike. I don't think I will ever forget that day.

I had such a great childhood with so many wonderful memories. Its weird how soemthing will make you think of a time in your childhood that was forgotten, but now you remember it like it just happened.
I can't wait to have my own kids one day (no time soon many years away), so I can create these awesome memories with them.
Thanks mom and dad for giving me and Andi a great childhood. Thanks Andi for being there for me to kick my ass all the time and to allow me to make your life a living hell when I was a kid. It was fun. Remember me kicking your bedroom door all the time? I think of that and laugh now, lol

Catching Up. Life is GREAT!!!

Its been a while since I have posted anything. Life has been really crazy. Things are really good right now. Its almost surreal, because everything is going so well. I finally finished my internship for college and my last class is done! The only thing I have left to do is to write my 25 page paper and take a test and then I am done with school!! I have been working as an Admissions Coordinator where I did my internship. Its okay, not my favorite job, but its a job none the less. I will start my AIT internship there in about 2 months, and that will go for 5 months. Then I will be a licensed nursing home administrator. I can't wait to finish and get my own facility. I will finally be starting my career and making a decent living! Its all coming together. I am also dating a really great guy, Adam. Adam is a 3rd grade teacher here in Fayetteville. He's awesome. We;ve been dating for about a month now, and he is unlike any other guy I have dated. Uusually I say, "oh this guy is great, BUT" Well, there is no but with Adam. He has never been married, engaged, and doesn't have any kids! He has a good career he enjoys and seems to be really good at. He owns his own home and even has a car! This guy sounds too good to be true! He likes to go hiking and we will be doing this sometime soon. Wants to go to the vineyard also, which I think is great. My sister asked me if he wants to do things I like, and amazingly I said yes, cause he does. He actually asks my opinion on things and doesn't like it when I tell him to decide. He actually wants my opinion and cares if I am having a good time. Adam likes to golf, and even wants me to go with him. This reminds me of the times when I went golfing with my dad as a child. He used to take my sister and me with him almost every weekend to the golf course. I have fond memories of golfing with dad. Andi and I would raise hell on the golf course. Good times. So I am really excited about going golfing with him. I am really excited about this whole thing. My sister was teasing me and giving me a hard time about Adam. It was finny. This is the first guy that she hasn't said "what are you thinking you idiot" Well, my sister was right. Finding someone who really cares about you is worth it. You shouldn't settle. This is so different from the last 3 relationships that I had. I am just really excited to see what the future will bring. We are going to see Hoobastank tomorrow night. They are an awesome band. I can't wait.
Life is GOOD!! And I will be going to England to see my sister, brother-in-law, and my dad. Its gonna be great. Can't wait.
One more thing. We finally have LIGHTS in the bathrooms!! No more dark showers!
AWESOME!