The brown monster in the upstairs bathroom!

As you know I’ve been spending a lot of time lately sprucing up the ole’ homestead.  My upstairs bathroom desperately needed to be redone and when I posted the photographs of a seemingly finished bathroom on April 22nd I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t provide full disclosure.

You see just to the right outside of the viewfinder there was this… thing… this unsightly dark-brown toilet with a white toilet seat.  Ugh… There you have it!  I feel better now.  I hate keeping secrets.

I knew, of course, that the brown monster would be replaced in short order so last Friday night I stopped at a nearby Home Depot to pick up a brand-spankin new toilet, white, of course!  I’d done my due diligence investigating online what kinds of toilets were available and read with interest toilet reviews written by previous purchasers of said toilets.  I settled on a Kohler model promising great flushing capability and water conservation properties.  My car was loaded with help from one of Home Depot’s sales associates and then I headed for home with toilet in car!

The plan was set.  We’d replace my old, brown toilet with the new Kohler on Sunday.  Pa (my father) and Conrad (my brother-in-law) consented to bring their expertise to the project.  Determined to be an integral part of the TR process – Toilet Replacement, that is -  I hauled out my Home Repair & Improvement volume the night before.  Flipping to the “Installing a New Toilet” section I read with great interest about gpf (gallons per flush), gravity flow, wax gaskets and adjustable wrenches.  I was more than ready and with two seasoned experts on hand… well what could go wrong!?

Early Sunday morning I grabbed a bucket, some rags, my tool bag, rubber gloves and headed upstairs.  Emptying the water was easily accomplished and so was making several trips bringing my new Kohler upstairs.  By then Ma and Pa had arrived and Pa took over disassembly as I observed.  A short time later Bet and Conrad also arrived and with the full commode brigade on hand replacement commenced.

Everything was going smoothly.  I’d taken my putty knife and removed the old wax gasket.  Then Conrad installed the new wax gasket and new toilet, Pa then attached the tank, Conrad attached the flexible hose and then it was time to turn the water back on, fill the tank and perform a flush test.  With the exception of a minor leak and an adjust to correct the leak all had gone pretty well.  That is until we discovered a crack on the top and inside rim of my brand-spankin new white Kohler!

My heart sank and returning a toilet once it has been installed is not allowed I would find out on Monday.  “Haz-Mat” I was told by the customer service representative at Home Depot… “No returns for Haz-Mat!”

I decided right then that my only recourse would be to contact Kohler hoping they would back their product and conveniently online there is an easy way to contact them and express concerns.  Promptly, I composed a letter stating my status, the status of my toilet and how I’d recruited my 80-year old father (had to do it – maybe sympathy would help the cause) and brother-in-law to help with installation.  I hoped to sound pitiful and stuck, which I was.  Further, I’d hoped that Kohler would make good somehow and today I received an email stating they will replace my toilet at no charge expressing their apology for any inconvenience.

Truthfully, I’m delighted and a little surprised.  I’m delighted that going forward there will only be one crack in my upstairs toilet and surprised that someone does stand behind their product, no butts about it!

My brand spankin' new Kohler!

My work bench on its way to being customized!

Today wasn’t a painting day but I wanted to give you a glimpse at the beginning of my work bench area in the garage. I’ve been having great fun painting stripes, flowers and rag rolling with whatever color paint I have on hand.

It’s amazing what pairings go nicely together. Colors that when used inside were harsh and offensive here seem to sing. Laaaa! What’s more since putting any color on the wall is an improvement I’m free to experiment.

Flowers, dots and irregular rag rolled designs are just the beginning. I’ll keep you posted on the progress as it unfolds. I’ve already got a couple of ideas and I’ll give you a little hint for one idea… plaid! Sounds so cool and though I’m not sure if it can be done I’m sure going to give it a go. The worst that can happen is I’ll just paint over it and start again. What fun I’m having! It should be illegal!

Here's my workbench in the garage. Check out the windowsill... I had lots of fun painting those stripes.

I’ve been doing a lot of painting lately. Ever since I realized that God was calling me to stay put and not move from here (at least for now) I’ve had a paint brush or roller in hand. Not every waking moment but a goodly share of each weekend lately.

Like any home that gets lived in from time-to-time the place could use a good coat of paint to spruce things up. My house is no different and since I’m on a strict budget I thought I’d start by using up supplies I already have on hand.

In my basement there’s no less than twenty half or full gallons of paint in various colors and with that stockpile giving me a good start I grabbed a paint brush. The upstairs bathroom was just the start and now that it is nearly complete I’m motivated and have become a painting fool.

As I paint I’m always thinking about how to put some kind of creative spin on every project. I find it makes things interesting and is a great way to put my original mark on this home. One idea feeds the next and now instead of facing this huge project with dread I’m excited to see what kind of creative technique can be used next.

One ongoing painting project is in my garage where there’s a work bench that is used for potting plants, designing stepping stones and just noodling around. I’m excited to be using up much of the old paint out there. Taking a dingy, dirty space and cleaning it up with a scrub and a coat of paint is a great way to transform an area making it inviting and charming. The cool thing is that two things are getting accomplished. I’m getting rid of junk (as in old paint) and my work area is getting a much needed face lift.

I used to think that if I wasn’t painting (that is with watercolor or oils) or drawing that I couldn’t be truly happy but I have discovered lately that being happy comes when I’m productive and active. I’m still surprised to find that it doesn’t seem to matter what activity is being undertaken so long as I’m accomplishing something. This revelation is freeing me to do many different things without guilt, stress or pressure that I should be doing something else.

As I sit here tonight I feel satisfied with a day well-spent. I also just realize that my body isn’t as sore as it was last weekend and that is a good sign. It’s a sign of muscles getting accustomed to being used. This whole painting thing seems to be good for the mind, body and spirit. What a surprise! Who knew?