renovations

Main Entry: ren·o·vate
Pronunciation: 're-n&-"vAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -vat·ed; -vat·ing
Etymology: Latin renovatus, past participle of renovare, from re- + novare to make new, from novus new --
1 : to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding)
2 : to restore to life, vigor, or activity

I am in the midst of renovations - definition #1 according to Webster's - to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding). Somehow that definition doesn't capture the essence of renovations. Before you restore, you have to tear down - pull out - and generally speaking, create chaos.

And oh my goodness.... I am only renovating a very small bathroom yet it has been so disruptive to normal life!!

I have met with plumbers, electricians, contractors, painters (OK, that was my husband but I still had to plan with him :)

So many details! Colour scheme - fixtures - type of tub - vanity - lights - trim - I didn't know there were so many bathroom parts to choose. I can't imagine trying to plan an entire house!

In the last five days I have made five trips to Charlottetown for parts, lights, fixtures, paint, mirror, and then travelled back to return things that didn't suit!!!

But I discovered a couple of treasures on my bathroom hunting expeditions. I couldn't resist this little dish that I found at Winner's. Notice the perwinkle blossom on the side - the colour I chose for the new bathroom.



















And I "happened" to drop in to the library while looking for bathmats and towels...

(*confession* I am a bibliophile - I can't resist going to the library every time I go to town.)

AND they were having a book sale...

I only bought four, which, I think, is very modest. It must have been the bathroom budget that accounted for such admirable constraint.

Reading is my way to learn - my way to relax - my way to restore - but it is impossible to enjoy quiet reading time in the midst of renovations - the house is full of working men, hammers, drills and saws.

But... when the workers are all gone,

I am lighting some candles,

running a hot tub,

turning on the jets,

choosing one of my new books

and I am going to do some personal renovation...

(definition #2 from Webster's)