For the past four years, this has been my refrain as my aging muscles adjust to being used in new and necessary ways. The cabin had space for a very small shower and not much else, so I had to go on journeys and hope that the hotel had a bath. Soon, I will be able to draw a tub whenever I want!!

Michael put the feet on the tub we bought last summer. Yes, we were overly optimistic on timing.

The tub will go under the window. The sink in front of the area that has no wallboard on the wall. The toilet faces the window and will be backed by the far side of the shower wall.

I have been working on getting the taping done, and have begun the dreaded sanding portion of that job. I still have a stubborn seam on on part of the ceiling to finish, but I am getting closer to the painting stage.

Michael installed the cement board for the shower. We have ordered shower walls to install over the cement board. Note the cut out portion of the shower wall: it will allow a larger ceiling fan to go where the light bulb is now.

This is a large bathroom partly due to its location between Irene’s new space and the stairwell going into the basement. The current stairwell has insufficient headroom and also steals valuable room in an already too-small space in the room that will eventually become our bedroom. Our bedroom will become the kitchen. The kitchen will become a dining area (which it is now, but only fits 3 comfortably-I want to be able to feed 12 with elbow room!).

It is also purposefully large to allow a walker or wheelchair to fit everywhere. We hope Irene will not need the extra space for years to come...and us neither. But one should be prepared! Especially since we now have the space to be prepared in...

The remodel portion of this project may take years to come to fruition, which is okay. Getting Irene into her new space is a priority and is taking us YEARS! We are also learning new skills along the way, which keeps life interesting. But I will really love being able to take a bath and being able to give the grand girl a bath too!

She’ll need them more often now that she is mobile!