Not much going on, but I feel compelled to post something, so here it is. My legs still feel like someone has beaten me with reeds, after crouching for 12 hours straight while doing the tile in the bathroom and mudroom. Hopefully, that will soon go away. Until then, I would like to post some “lessons learned” from bathroom remodeling, to share with any and all that think that they should take on a project like this, as we have done.
Lessons Learned from Bathroom Remodeling:
1) Take the amount of time that you think that it will take to do any part of your project, and triple that. It will take at least 3 times as long as you are thinking. This is not up for negotiation.
2) Don’t watch those DIY shows, they make everything look really easy, when it can actually be painful; both physically, and emotionally.
3) You will fight with your partner (if you are doing the project with them) at least once. Expect it, but do not deny that it will happen. And you will get over it.
4) Tiles do not generally come up the way they went down (i.e., in one piece). Thousands of tiny shards of tile will need to be meticulously picked up, and will also add lots of time to your project.
5) Scraping old mortar off of the floor causes a fine mist of powder to explode into the air. Everything in your house will be completely covered by it, and no matter how many dusk masks you wear, you will inhale most of it.
6) Don’t leave a bag of unmixed mortar on the deck; it will definitely rain while you are inside.
7) Measuring tiles is not as easy as it looks. In many cases, you can measure a tile 3 or even 4 times, and still get a tile that is not the correct size. 
Self leveling solution is the messiest material to work with. It can also cause fights. I will definitely add one day to your project, and may not even level your floor.
9) Applying mortar is very messy. It has a really disgusting consistency, and will only fall off the trowel onto your arm, toes, hands, or other tiles.
10) Don’t believe what those tile instruction books tell you, they lie.
Other than that… enjoy your project!! Seriously, if it weren’t for the bragging rights, I would definitely recommend hiring someone if you can afford to. Here are a few pictures:
Girl, that shit looks good!!! You and your boy are so domesticated!!! Plus, why haven’t you called me back!!
Well said and well laid!! Congratulations — the tiles look great!
Duane! That’s my bathroom! You changed my Bathroom without asking!
Are you a zombie?
Laura, everyone knows that zombies cannot tile properly, all of the tiles have drool and blood on them, and they break more than they lay.
And, just so you know… the tiles look awesome, much better than before!!!
But I liked the zombie tiles! Oh well, as long as you made the bathroom look better.
Man, you and James have done a great job!! Peggy and I took up the tile counter tops in the kitchen - took 2 weeks - and put in solid surface tops. Tile NEVER comes up in one piece. Now you should be able to put down any type of flooring. So what’s next??
Thanks Wendy!!! It seems like home improvement takes forever, no matter what the task. To finish this “little” project, we are grouting and sealing the tile, we are painting each room (the bathroom is a pumpkin custard, and the laundry room is a seashore blue, gorgeous!), and putting in a new sink and lighting fixture in the bathroom. Here we come IKEA! I cannot wait till the whole thing is done. It has really been a lot of work, but I am serious when I say that seeing that tile every morning is the reward. It looks wonderful. And I cannot wait to get my sink in! I will put up pictures of the process when this is all over!!
WOW, ya’ll are doing a lot of nice things to the house. I can’t wait to come see it when you finish. So, will you and James come to my house and put in some hardwood floors for us?? That is our next project. What type of sink do you have? Is it an old fashion pedestal or one of the newer kinds?? I want to take out the shower and put in a nice tub ( I would love the copper one I saw in a movie) we have an old clawfoot that is really big and in great condition ( we are using as a beer tub )or a nice new one with jets. I can’t wait to see your pictures.
Duane- now that you are done maybe you can do a little Trading Spaces and get here to Iraq and fix up my little ole trailer room. It should be easy to fix up a 10X10 room. Not sure how you’d look in DCUs, chunky boots and body armor!? I sent you a letter back and thanks for the care package.