The New Floor

There it is! We didn't have enough of the lighter tiles to cover the entire floor, so we had to get something to go with it and this was the best we could do. The tiles are the same height and length but not width and color....so we have stripes! The flash from the camera made it appear much more obvious that it does in real life. Today, Luke finished the trim so it is ALL DONE!

Kitchen Floor Remodeling - Pt. 1

Our end of summer project was to re-do our kitchen floor. Char's ma had bought up a bunch of vinyl tiles that mimicked wood flooring so we already had a good amount of supplies, we just needed to get to work on the labor part of it all. ..

Here you can see 3 layers of flooring that was down. The top part in the back of the pic is what we've lived with while here (and it's probably been here for 50 years...), then there's the white/rosey probably aspestos tile, then the tar it was stuck on with, then the top layer of the sub floor which was painted before it was covered in tile. It smelt great!

This part of the floor had some water damage that had caused the wood to expand so whenever we stepped there we felt like we were sinking into the floor... Apparently this is the spot where my grandma used to wash clothes every week. So over the years, water snuck down little by little and created this strange problem.

Here's the floor after we layed 1/8" plywood down on top of the sub floor since it was too much work to blow torch off the tar....plus that could have burned the house down.

Check back soon for pics of the finished floor!

The Future of Teaching

Just thought I should inform the blog side of the world that I (Charlene) have a long term subbing position lined up from Oct 1st until Thanksgiving break (maternity leave) teaching Chemistry! It's within the same department I did my student teaching with so I already know the teacher and other department members. I also will know a good chunk of the students from the Biology classes I student taught and have substituted in. I'm subbing a half day this coming Monday for this teacher while she goes to a doctor's appointment. I don't get benefits during this term and I won't get a pay bump until the 21st day of working. If something happens and it goes until 60 days then I'll get benefits! Tricky stuff. I'll be happy to have a consistent daily schedule!

3 YEARS STRONG

Yesterday Charlene and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary!!! (yes, three exclamations for three years.) We celebrated by tango dancing - Argentinian style.

Let me say, the past three years have been the best three years of my life. Living with the most beautiful, smart, adventurous, and dangerous woman I can think of has been worth every second - every smile, every kiss, every touch, as well as every cross-armed glare, every fight, and every burnt dinner.

I love you Charlene!

ALSO, Ben came and spent the week with us in Fargo. It's been a ton of fun, and we've packed it full of productivity, people, and food (our three favorite things.) Ben and I have been working on a "Adirondack Settee" which is basically a wider version of the original Adirondack chair. Ben and I have made it our project for while we're here - because it feels weird to spend too much time having fun when you don't do some work - so, we've mixed the two together.

Yes, Ben operates power tools. (ladies, take note)

Char'$ Million $ Idea

Chemistry Crayons! So that when little one's (or anyone) plays with crayons they are also learning the colors that various chemicals make/are in various states! These crayons are the culmination of my nerdiness and craftiness and I LOVE THEM! So even if I don't make millions....I appreciate my time and energy!

Here's my Etsy listing for them: http://www.etsy.com/listing/53073009/educational-chemistry-crayons-complete

Edible Arrangements

For the past two months, Charlene has been helping a student pass her online college chemistry course. It was technically a pre-pre-chem class that was only supposed to eat up 15 hours of time a week, but the instructor was ridiculous and the student usually spend at least 20 hours a week at Sylvan and then several more hours at home doing work or collecting supplies for labs. Plus what was asked of the students was much more intense and in depth than necessary for this level of chemistry. In the end, the student passed with at least a "B" and Charlene filled out a scathing course review. To show her gratitude, the student bought her an "Edible Arrangement". Not a flower arrangement....but a fruit/chocolate one! DELICIOUS!!!

Thank you Andrés Iniesta

Charlene is still very happy that Spain won. She could just watch that match over and over.... well played on both sides (minus the record number of flags)... the only thing that could have made it better is if David Villa had scored and then won the Golden Boot award! But I'll survive this way too!