Life's Lesson Learned

It all started with a simple statement from Mrs. von Frinkenhagen: "I just don't understand why they put carpet in the bathroom." Of course I had to chime in (without thinking about the consequences) with the supportive "I agree. It's like wiping before you poop: it just don't make sense."

And with that one concurrence, I opened the Pandora's Box that is home improvement. The idea was simple. We'd pull up the carpet and lay tile. Afterall, it really didn't make sense to have carpet in the bathroom. The carpet only serves to act as a sponge when it gets wet.

And since we were going to be replacing the floor tile, it only made sense to replace the wall tile. Afterall, we didn't want mismatching tiles.

At this point, I'm a little nervous. But no biggie, right? It's just laying tile.

Well, since we were going to be pulling up carpet and laying tile, perhaps we should look into a new vanity countertop that would better match the tile. Afterall, we want things to match.

And since we were going to be looking at new vanity countertops, perhaps we should just look for a new vanity. Afterall, there are some really nice vanities out there that come with sinks and a matching countertop.

And since we were going to be getting a new vanity, we should certainly look for new faucets. Afterall, what good is a new vanity without new hardware.

Ok, getting a little overwhelmed here. It started with tiling and now involves installing a vanity. But I think I'm up to the task. I'm thinking I'll survive.

Well, what is one of things you have to do to put down tile? Remove the toilet of course. And since we are going to be removing the toilet to lay tile, perhaps we should look for a brand new toilet. Afterall, word on the street at McC is that there are some fantastic, comfortable, low-flow toilets at Home Depot.

Ok, I'm now officially in the plumbing and tiling business. I'm not sure my tax accounting skills have prepared me for this...

Well, while we are tearing out the toilet, perhaps we should tear out the shower basin. What would we replace it with? We'd build a shower basin ourselves and tile it, of course!

Seriously? Build a frickin' shower basin? I'm suddenly feeling that something very bad is about to happen...

Well, since the shower basin is going to be right next to the bath tub, perhaps we should take the front cover off the bath tub, build a frame, and tile the front of the bath tub.

Oh sure. As long as I'm building a shower basin, why not build (and tile) the front of a bath tub. Piece of cake!

I think the straw that broke the camel's back came when we started talking about which wall tile to get. It all started with a simple comment from Grandpap von Frinkenhagen...

"You know, it might not be a bad idea to tear down the dry wall. That way, you can just attach the backerboard to the studs."

Of course this simple statement was made in the presence of one Mrs. von Frinkenhagen. Guess what the reaction was?

Half of our bathroom no longer has drywall.

So let's recap. There's no carpet, no vanity, no toilet, no shower, no front tub cover, and no drywall. And somehow, much like Humpty Dumpty, I'm going to (help) put the bathroom back together again. I'm officially calling all the king's horses and all the king's men to try to put this accountant's bathroom back together again.

It all started with a simple statement. I'm just not smart enough to keep my mouth shut. And Mrs. von Frinkenhagen knows this. I got tricked...again.