.JPG)
I'm not talking about the inlays or paint colors or the fact that most of the beautiful chandeliers you see hanging over gorgeous tubs in glossy magazines wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in you know where of passing code in my county. If you live in my county, it's possible you know this since I got the same spiel from two different electrical inspectors.
No, I'm talking about the lessons you learn in the process of trying desperately to concentrate on other things. For example, I've always thought our dog Mary Grace is a good judge of character. I know it's true now. I'm pleased to report that the gentleman who did the majority of work on our bath passed the MG test with flying colors and I think she even misses Jeff now.
Honestly the second lesson was remedial because I always knew my husband was a patient man. But man is my husband patient! God love him and his tolerance for looking at fifty shades of gray, over and over again...I'm talking paint here, people.
Not to mention the tap on the shoulder from me at two in the morning followed by, "I'm worried about the placement of the inlay tile. I'm just not feeling it in the middle of the floor." And him whispering, "I have every confidence you'll make it right"...instead of "you know it's two in the morning, right?"
But the biggest lesson came in the end when I was placing on the shelf the childhood picture of my sister and me enjoying our night time bath. I framed this picture when my mother gave it to me a short time after our house fire.You can get normal prints, or custom framed prints on Shutterfly.
Pictures are the equivalent to gold bars to me since the fire. It sat beside our surround tub before the remodel, but the day I placed it back in our new bath I took a closer look.
Then the statement I made about the claw foot tub over and over again to everyone from the project designer to friends rang in may ears. "Oh it's just really for looks. I'm a shower person.
"Can't remember the last time I took a bath instead of a shower."
Maybe I took a soak in the tub when I hurt my back. When was that? I don't think I even filled the tub up then!
You know, showers are so time efficient. They just make sense in busy lives.
Another look at the picture and I could hear my mother calling, "Girls, it's time to dry off."
"But Mom the water isn't even cold yet! Five more minutes, okay?"
Where are you bath girl? Why can't I find you?
And then I remembered the article my friend sent me with a quote about the importance of someone leaving your home feeling at peace, because that's the atmosphere your home, or bath in this case, exudes. This hit home with me because it was exactly what I wanted to achieve with this remodel. And I think I did. So if I did, what's the point if I don't take full advantage of every bit of peace it offers, right? Right!
Bath girl, I think I found you!
What happened to that girl who didn't give a fig newton about the efficiency of time management? What happened to the little girl who would sit in the tub and form her sister's hair into the style of every Who in Whoville?
Think twice before you throw something away — it could be made into something even cooler. There are plenty of ways you can upcycle something old into something useful and entirely unrecognizable. Here are some of the best new uses for old things.
