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Randy: Committed to Iowa bike ride once more…

Randy — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:25:27 +0000

I had coffee on Saturday morning with Morty. I haven’t seen him much in the last 18 months and not at all since early fall last year… It was great to see him and we instantly fell back into our old jovial “poking fun” manner. In a moment of prodding I challenged him about the bike ride across Iowa that he skipped out on last year and said I would do it again only if he committed to it and actually went this year! We weren’t sure if the bus had filled up yet but I received an email from Morty this afternoon telling me that it’s too late to back out and we are confirmed for the trip!

In true Morty fashion, the smack talk has already begun! He quickly emailed the “Reedster” and said that we were in and that he would have an opportunity to take my Downhill Speed Record (DHSR)…. ( I hit 48 mph last year as I pulled around Reedster to take the title!)….

Morty to Reedster
“Randy is going to give you a second chance at the down hill speed record.”

Reedster to Morty
“Now that I know Randy’s sand bagging tricks I will be prepared to wrestle the DHSR from his cheating hands!”

Me back to the both of them…
“Sand bagging? It was total tactical mastery at its finest. I need to finally hit that elusive 50 mark this year!”

So as they say… oh its on! I think I found that little motivation I needed to get serious about health… and wellness… and most importantly my fitness again.

RAGBRAI 2010 here we come!

MS Windows be gone… at least at home!

Randy — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:30:22 +0000

We took our Federal Tax return and purchased a new Family Computer. A 21.5″ (16×9) iMac and a wireless Canon printer. This really cleaned up our small built-in desk located between our Kitchen and Dining room. Literally 2 power cords for the entire setup. The computer is a work of beauty… I love the fit and finish of Apple products and the best part is that it replaced the last computer dedicated to running Microsoft Windows.

The kids have really enjoyed the integrated webcam and the computer is seeing a lot more facetime than the Dell it replaced…

Kuite Family iMac

Kids: 2009 Christmas Programs

Randy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:26:46 +0000

We attended the kids school Christmas programs over the last two weeks. Hannah’s was last week Tuesday and Noah’s was this past Monday. Hannah even had a solo this year! Both kids performed wonderfully!

On a personal note, maybe its the lack of substantial snowfall so far this year, but that Holiday spirit has yet to arrive. :(

Basement Recap: Bathroom

Randy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:41:13 +0000

Part 3: The Basement Bathroom.

The area of the basement where the bathroom would go was already determined because the sewer drain plumbing and venting were out in when the house was built. This meant that the placement of the tub, toilet and general area of the vanity was pretty well fixed. Given that I decided to keep the bathroom modest in size and save the extra square footage for the rest of the basement.

I really had hoped to get a one piece tub and shower enclosure into the basement but with the stairwell already finished it wouldn’t have fit down the steps… instead I chose a 2 piece unit. A tub and a single piece surround.

Continue on for the 25 images that shows the progress of the bathroom…

Cardboard shows drain plumbing locations / PVC is the vent stack / Tub will go between the windows.

Framing of the back of the Tub / Tub set into framed room / Bath Fan installed

Heat duct into bathroom / Plumbing and clean-out access / Moisture resistant drywall

Electrical wiring in place / patching of drywall

Bath fan opening / mudding of drywall complete / bath accessories

The painting of the room begins!

Tile backer down / Loose fitting the tile / Tile down but not grouted

Tile finished / Toilet in and vanity going in / Vanity in

The bathroom complete!

Livingroom: Miami Vice no more…

Randy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:59:48 +0000

I recently swapped out the oil painting in the living room for a collection of three framed photo’s. The old oil painted was often referred to as looking like it was stright out of Miami Vice…. for the pastel colors that seemd to be remeniscent of the colors they wore in Miami Vice… the white and the pink especially.

Before and After…

The past (or some of it) returns…

Randy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:59:44 +0000

This morning I imported all 730+ posts from the past back into the site. I spent a bit of time removing obvious posts that are no longer applicable. I still have a bunch of clean up to do, so please pardon the dust while I work to remove irrelevant posts from the site over the next couple of weeks.

Thank you for your understanding!
-R

Basement Project: Family room is 98% complete

Randy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:25:34 +0000

After nearly 7 years the basement project is drawing to a close! The family room space is now inhabitable! The kids had a good time settling into the space last night when they returned home. We now just have some final decoration items to finish and a shelf here and there, but otherwise the room is complete!

Basement Project: Family Room Carpet is in!

Randy — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:01:13 +0000

Its hard to believe that the basement project is about to draw to a close. The carpet was installed today. The shade is lighter than what I had originally planned but the walls are already pretty dark and the carpet was very affordable

Check out the images below…

Basement Project: Family Room Update

Randy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:05:28 +0000

I went carpet shopping yesterday. I ended up getting a bit lighter of a carper than I originally planned to, but it was the same quality carpet I put into the basement office and t was in stock and affordable. The best part is that they will verify my measurements this morning and install the carpet tomorrow afternoon.

I am having another coat of paint put onto one wall today. The wall has gotten pretty scuffed up in the final construction phases and with the kids playing down there.

Friday will be a trip to Ikea in Canton. I’m putting a list together of the basics but here is a sample of what I am looking at…

The white desk is for the north wall. The bookcase (3) and cd tower (2) will line the wall on other side of the staircase going upstairs with the lamp on top of the bookcase. The TV stand will going in the square section of the Family room. In addition to the above I’m looking for some basic shelves and frames along with some coasters.

Saturday will likely be post Ikea assembly day!

Basement Project: Drop ceiling in Family Room complete!

Randy — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:55:13 +0000

Monday was spent banging out the ceiling in the Family Room. It actually came together quicker than I thought it would. I also got the tools put away, clutter picked up, vacuumed, and wiped down the walls with the good ole’ swiffer.

This morning I will get accurate measurements for carpet and begin the shopping fun for carpet. I’ve also got a trip to Ikea planned for Friday for some bookcase and desk shopping.

As always… the complete Basement Project gallery of images has been updated. It can be viewed here. 469 images in total… wow!