The Big (Belated) Reveal: Bathroom Made for Me!

The 'Had to Have' Countertop Around Which the Entire Bathroom was Designed

Since April 21st, I've been enjoying my new bathroom tremendously! We could not be happier with how everything came together! Remodeling is never fun and is always exhausting, but this project was absolutely worth every bit of energy and expense.

Here's the link to the 'before' pictures.

Seated Sink Area

Being able to sit down while washing my face, brushing my teeth, doing my hair, putting on make-up, washing my hands, etc. makes a huge difference in my ability to manage symptoms. I can also take my time in putting on a little extra make-up or doing my hair, which feels like a wonderful treat. 

And There's Even a Make-Up Mirror!

Somehow the whole bathroom looks so much bigger than it did before! We can't believe how the room transformed into such a beautiful space.

Pocket Door and Double-Door Storage

We widened the doorway and also put in a pocket door to eliminate our previous problem of doors clanging together. A wider door means wheelchair access if someone would ever need it. The closet is set back with double doors. And voila! No more doors banging against each other!

New Bathtub and Shower!

During the remodeling process, our contractor and foreman asked me what I wanted and how I wanted things every step of the way. Some days I was overwhelmed by having to make yet another decision. We could not have asked for better people to work with--every single person that came in to work on the bathroom showed respect for making the space exactly what we needed and wanted. 

Decorative Tiles

Everything about the new bathtub is wonderful!

While shopping for the tile for the floor and shower area, I saw these decorative tiles made of broken glass and fell in love. We love how they pick up the colors in the counter top to create a cohesive look. One color is like a lovely rain and one is a nice earthy brown.

Fancy Schmancy Tub

Our big splurge was getting this new bathtub that is deeper than the one original to the house and is an air bubbler tub. These are different from jacuzzi or jetted tubs, and work by blowing air through small holes in the sides of the tub. Every evening I sink into the tub, put in Epsom salts, some essential oils, and turn on those bubbles! We did this to help with my pain and achiness. Gershwin and Tovah are fascinated by the bubbles. If the tub wasn't so high, I'm afraid Gershwin would jump right in because he loves water SO much! I often see a set of paws up on the ledge and a face poking past the shower curtain.

I Can Wash My Own Hair Now!

One of the best parts is that I can now wash my own hair. Because it is so difficult for me to lift my arms over my head, I couldn't wash my own hair in the old bathroom. I wasn't able to hold the sprayer and do all of the hair washing. Now, I am able to just sit underneath the sprayer and wash my own hair. I've even positioned the water on/off and temperature dial so that I can adjust it with my feet while soaking in the tub. Thought definitely went into every detail.

It's difficult to describe the freedom that comes from being able to take a bath on my own schedule and without assistance. Mom doesn't have to wait on me and I don't have to stress about working my bath into a certain time schedule and adding to her stress.

Look How The Shower Tiles are Reflected in the Mirror.

I wanted to create a warm, relaxing, beautiful space and I'm thrilled with the final result! I found it so overwhelming to pick out each individual piece for the bathroom having no idea what it would look like when it all came together. To make the space even warmer we have heated tile floors! :) The paint colors are Mystic Heaven (walls) and Gentle Sunbeam (ceiling). Also, since these photos were taken, I have found the perfect artwork for the bathroom, including a photograph brought to me all the way from the Netherlands from my friend Corina. 

Have I  mentioned that I LOVE how this space feels and looks? I definitely got my dream space filled with earth tones, water tones and sunshine. 

Blessings,

Emily

Puppy Creativity

Gershwin's Commentary on Stomach Ailments

While Gershwin and Tovah may be a year old now, they are still puppies in many ways. We've been fortunate to have very little destruction of shoes, socks, woodwork, paper, and other puppy 'favorites' since these two creatures arrived. But, every once and a while, we aren't perfect about picking things up and someone finds a 'treasure'. Both puppies are obsessed with tissues.

Recently, Mom noticed Gershwin was extra quiet. She found him in his red bed, happily creating some toilet paper artwork.

A few days later, I awoke to find the following note, along with art work from Tovah.

Miss Tovah's Own Creativity Expressed

She loves to sneak downstairs and get into trouble! 

What is it about puppies and paper products?

Life has been more hectic and busy with three dogs--two little ones and one geriatric guy--but we laugh more every day than we have in a long time. 

Blessings,

Emily

Happy First Birthday To Our Littlest Guy!

A Birthday Kiss

How did Gershwin get to be ONE already? 

Not So Little Anymore!

We ALL had a fun time celebrating our littlest guy's first birthday. I call Gershwin my 'Oops Baby'--the little one I wasn't even considering adding to the family, but was absolutely meant to be ours. He's the gentlest, kindest, mellowest, sweetest, cuddliest little soul. 

Is There Something for ALL of Us?!

Everyone really wanted a share in the opening of gifts, so I made sure everyone had something to open.

Already a Pro at Opening Presents

Hmmmm....How Do I Open This?

Gershwin is the only one in our pack who hasn't quite gotten the hold of opening presents. Asher was eagerly waiting to help/take over the opening when Gershwin wasn't figuring things out.

Three Noses Waiting for "Cake"

Now, THAT was Fun!

In the evening Gershwin got play in the hose, while Mom tried to water plants. (G kept stealing flowers off of them). He was one happy camper.

All Partied Out

We all snuggled in bed in the evening, only to find out that PBS was airing an old episode of the Lawrence Welk show called The Great Gershwin! I haven't seen that show since I was a little girl, but I couldn't resist listening to some Gershwin tunes in celebration of my little guy. Gershwin fell asleep all snuggled up to his new busy bone. 

I would say he had a good first birthday. 

Blessings,

Emily

15 Years

Before my haircut.

June 18th is my 'anniversary of getting sick'.  This year marked 15 years, which turned out to be much more emotional than I expected. It left me crashed out in bed the next day.

I spent the day trying CELEBRATE my life, what I can do, and what I love. 

After my haircut. Wearing a Strawberry Blonde original. :)

I scheduled a haircut, which is something that is often difficult for me to get out to do and is always a big treat. 

I wore a new dress generously gifted to me by my friend Susannah. (You can check out her designs at http://www.shop.strawberryblondeclothing.com.) Embracing our femininity and beauty while sick can be a big challenge.

Me and my princess. 

I cuddled with my pups.

I went to the farmer's market and purchased a bouquet of flowers.

I crawled into bed with Mom and the puppies (Asher stays next to us on the floor, but he was right there, of course!) and watched TV.

I took photos of flowers in the yard.

I received snail mail (one of my favorite things) from Ellen marking my anniversary. She bought anniversary cards, crossed out anniversary and wrote 'shitiversary'. Laughter and snail mail all in one.

I reached out to friends. They reached back.

I lit a candle.

My furbabies. (Asher won't hold still for a posed photo!)

I am to the point now where I have been sick for so long that I no longer remember the feeling of being healthy or alive in my body. This loss of my ability to summon an image of myself dancing or running or reading or easily engaging in an activity is a strange feeling. It's a large part of what has lead me to a journey of embracing my life as is, living my life with joy as is, accepting my life as it is now, and carving out a life filled with the things I can still enjoy--no matter how simple those joys are.

15 different flower stems from the 'make your own bouquet' set up at one of the stands.

Anniversaries are hard. I try to live my life as one of celebration and gratitude, not one of loss and grief. But some days, like on this anniversary, grief wins out, even given my best efforts to gently encourage it to stay in the background. I CELEBRATED the life I have now on June 18. Every thing I chose to be or do was something that I enjoy or makes me happy or helps me to cope with my illness. 

Thank you to all of you who helped me get through the day. And who help me get through every day.

Blessings,

Emily

Eleven Months Already?

Let Me In!

I'm sad that our littlest family member is already eleven months old today. Puppyhood goes by too fast. We love how Gershwin 'asks' to come in, batting his paws against the door, jumping on his pogo-stick legs, but not making a peep. 

He weighed 15.6 pounds at the vet today. 

Blessings,

Emily

Eight Lights: Birthday with Stan and Sandie

Sandie, Stan, Mom

My birthday present last year was a visit from Uncle Crazy and Sandie. 

Stan, Me Tovah, Mom

Since I just posted about the 80th birthday party, I thought I'd get back to my Eight Lights of 2012 and post these pics. 

Sandie, Me, Tovah, Mom

Uncle Crazy had last been here five years ago. Right after that visit he met Sandie and, well, the rest is history. Mom had already met Sandie, but I had not. I ADORE her and absolutely enjoyed spending so much time with Uncle and Sandie.

Sandie, Me, Tovah, Stan

Of course I made everyone go outside and take photos, and I love the memories we captured of that visit.

Brother and Sister!

I think Mom and Uncle look a lot alike, but Mom looks more like my grandmother and Uncle more like my grandfather.

Mom and Me

The Technology Wiz

Uncle is very hip with his technology. Here he's teaching me all about his Kindle.                                  ,

Extra Hugs, Please.

I made sure to stock up on hugs and kisses.

Chocolate Torte

We spent the afternoon of my birthday together celebrating. I asked Mom to try to be lower stress about cooking so much. So we ordered this divine flourless chocolate torte from one of our favorite farms at the market. Uncle goes crazy for chocolate.

Birthday Lunch

We love seeing Uncle so happy again, after going through the loss of his wife. 

Making a Wish

I had decided not to plan anything for my birthday last year, and just keep it low key. It ended up being an incredibly love-filled week--a lesson in sometimes just letting things unfold on their own. I couldn't have asked for a better gift--having Uncle and Sandie here on my birthday, feeling well enough to enjoy it, seeing Dayle, Mark and Ruffy the same week, and as always receiving the love of friends and family. And, we made the decision to get Gershwin! So it was a pretty special 37th birthday!

Sandie and hew New BFF

Sandie fell in love with Tovah--and Tovah spent most of the visit on Sandie's lap. (Asher was at Dad and Abbie's house and Tovah was despondent over this, so she took great comfort in Sandie.)

Serious Chef

The next day, Uncle Crazy introduced me to his famous omelets. 

Passing the Cubs Loyalty to the Next Generation

A lifelong Cubs fan, just like my grandmother, Uncle gave me some Cubs gear for my birthday that I now wear all of the time!

Thank you Stan and Sandie for making the trip to visit. You made my birthday WONDERFUL.

Blessings,

Emily

Our Construction Worker is 8 Months Old!

Look What I Did Right After Going to the Groomer!

Our little guy is 8 months old today. I am a little wistful about how fast puppyhood is passing for Tovah and Gershwin.

A Sign of Hard Work

Gershwin LOVES to dig (even more than Tovah). We do hope he'll outgrow this puppy phase, but for now he has earned the title of Head Construction Worker.

Tired After a Day of Construction

Our little foreman does great work in the yard. Rather than construction, his work might be better called Destruction. 

Growing So Big

Either way, we love this guy so much. He's especially cute after being groomed yesterday.

How Can You NOT Love Me?

Blessings,

Emily