It is so cold here. Sometimes you forget just how cold it can get. Yesterday it was –3 when we got up. Today was –7. It’s supposed to be a low of –13 tonight. I find it hard to do anything other than be under a fleece blanket. I don’t even want to exercise, which is funny because that warms you up. Maybe it is instinct just to burrow. That’s what Pixie does.
Stuck to me like glue. I had to move her after this picture as it was quite impossible to work. She is also a walking static machine and I keep zapping her nose. Poor girl. Our house is so dry from the heat being on all the time. I resorted to putting a wet towel over the heating vent to try to get some moisture in the air.
I had a wonderful warm breakfast today. I made up some oat bran add added some liquid egg whites, then topped with a banana sauteed with some cinnamon and a bit of cooking spray. You must use a nonstick pan for doing that, trust me.
Normally I mash the banana up and add it to the cooking water and this was a nice change.
I had an update on Billy. His new name is Merlin. He was adopted along with another young cat and they are getting along famously! They sleep and play with each other and seem very happy. Here was part of the note sent to me by his new person:
As I type this he is sound asleep at the bottom of my feet, I am so happy to have him; it was definitely meant to be!!
I will admit that I cried when I read the update. Both because I am really, really happy that he has such a good home and also because I miss him. Poor John felt so bad, and I tried to explain that it was more happy than not. I know you ladies will understand what I mean.
John had made up some bourbon chicken last night for dinner, so that is what I had tonight. Only I sauteed some broccoli and added the chicken and some red pepper flakes to it.
Note that space on the plate was supposed to be for my clementines, but there was a good amount of chicken so there wasn’t a lot of room – and the fruit must not touch the entree!
Bathroom progress is slow. I am looking forward to the weekend when I can just get in there and really rip it down instead in dribs and drabs after work. I need to turn the power off and obviously can’t do that until I can work in there during the daytime 
Looking good, right? 
The tile pretty much fell off the counter tops. Good think we didn’t decide to have them refinished because they were adhered so poorly I didn’t even need to use a hammer – I got one loose and the rest just pushed off. Quality work, I tell you. At least the stupid toothbrush holder is gone! And I can’t wait for a new vanity.
I am thinking that I might do something different on the walls and paint some vertical stripes on the wall up to the chair rail alternating burgundy and cream. We found a shower curtain we both liked and might go with that color scheme. Once we get the floor up and can really survey what needs to be done, then we will decide on the flooring. I am hoping for tile, but it may not happen because there are uneven spots where the tile is currently cracked and you can’t lay tile without an even floor. So, need to see what is going on underneath there. I will know a lot more after this weekend.
Now to get back under the heated fleece!
I don’t think I can even imagine how cold that feels. I’ve never been anywhere that cold.
Such sweet news about Billy. I get it.
LOL about ‘the fruit must not touch the entree.’
Brrrrrr that is some cold weather. I remember when we lived in the Midwest I would wear so many layers of clothes trying to keep warm. I hate being cold. When it gets down in the 30’s over night here I have to dig out my electric blanket to keep warm while watching tv!
You have done a lot already with the bathroom! I can’t wait to see how much you get done over the weekend. It’s a project for this time of year. 🙂
How wonderful that Billy aka Merlin has such a happy new home.
I’m so happy to hear that Billy/Merlin is doing well and even has a playmate…his life has had a complete turnaround, all thanks to you. And I totally understand the tears.
Burgandy (we call it maroon out here in Aggieland) and cream sounds really pretty. Show us the shower curtain!
Stay bundled up – I don’t think I’d get out of bed, even in a heated house, if I knew the temps were THAT cold!!!
I need to get some picture ideas put together. I can’t wait for no work this weekend 😀
It is hard to not be completely bundled up 24/7 in this weather.
I can’t even imagine how cold that must feel! Being from SE Texas, where we rarely get to freezing, well, for more than a few hours once in a blue moon, haha! Anyway, I’d be under the blankets, too!
The bathroom redo sounds exciting! I love a good DIY. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out.
Ugh I hate the static.. and the dry throat and noses.. and pretty much everything that comes with winter! Have you tried an electric humidifier. They do wonders!
I’m so happy to hear the Merly (Billy + Merlin = Merly? Or Billin? I like that since he was always Billy to you) is doing well with his new family. It’s great that he has someone to keep him company too. And someone to snuggle with!
Our last humidifer broke and we haven’t replaced it yet, although we keep saying we should. May this weekend!
I know how you feel. Finland is a land of burrowers in winter! Though it’s now mild 17 degrees here. No wonder you can’t unglue Pixie from you. 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that Billy has a good home and friends too. I wonder if they named Billy Merlin because of the series?
I’m eager to find out how the bathroom turns out.
She actually said Merlin comes from the old Disney movie the Sword and the Sorcerer. She always thought it would be cool to name a pet Merlin. She asked Billy if he liked and and he meowed, so there you go 😀
Ice storm at home this morning. City pretty much shut down which is a GOOD thing. Thankfully, it started early so things closed before they ever got started. Too bad Bill has a nice holiday and we are 636 miles apart!! LOL!
The oat bran with sauteed bananas look fabulous.
((I SHALL NEVER WHINE ABOUT NO CAL COLD AGAIN))
I don’t think there are very many men who are good at handling a woman’s tears, even if they are happy ones. The note from Billy’s new owner actually made me smile. You did a good job with him.
I actually feel stunned by this cold. Like it has me frozen in place. I’ve had the worst time even feeling like exercising – to the point where Mr. Helen finally told me to take the week off and think of it as a rest week lol! I don’t know how you’re managing since you work at home. I don’t believe I would even get out of bed if I didn’t have to leave the house!
I think feeling stunned is a good way to say it. It’s like I think about doing things, but then just can’t make myself do them. I actually don’t have a problem getting out of bed. I have never been one to loll around in bed – I always pop right up. Not sure why that is. Of course, I don’t wake up to an alarm, so that helps.
I’m so glad Billy went to a good home. The fact that the person gives you an update tells you it’s a caring home for him.
Love the way you did the bananas. They look good topping the hot cereal.
That’s super news about Billy…errr Merlin. Good for him and his new family and kudos again to you for making it happen!
I love your bathroom ideas – I know the end result will be amazing!
Yep, I totally get that you are happy and sad about Billy at the same time – glad you got the update and know that he’s loved!
We went thru a total bathroom makeover in our old house – have you thought about bead board/wainscoting? It’s relatively inexpensive, comes pre-primed, and makes the walls look really nice… You could also add a wider trim across the top and have a ledge to put things on… 🙂
Yes, beadboard is in the differential. The only issue is that standard beadboard is not quite tall enough. Our room where the ceiling slopes is about 4 feet from the floor. We would either have to buy really long sheets of beadboard and cut them to size, which is a waste) or get beadboard wallpaper (a possibility) or another wall treatment. I have to see how the condition of the wall ends up after ripping out the tile. We do need new drywall on one side as I had to take tile out to the studs because the wallboard broke down.
Aww. I so understand the tears for Billy/Merlin!! I love that you were sent an update and hats off to you for getting him the life he deserves!!
I feel your pain re: the cold. Hang in there, we’re almost through January – spring is right around the corner. (we hope!)
It’s very cold here in MN, as well. I know what you’re saying…I just want to keep warm, and I find myself not wanting to go out of the house any more than I have to. I always feel better once Feb. arrives, because I know we will have more sunshine (happening already) and the temps will moderate. I was so happy to hear the wonderful news about Billy. Bless you and your husband for taking care of him when he needed someone. It’s truly a happy ending.
I understand the Billy thing. I got misty today thinking about Sally, the Golden Doodle I pet-sit sometimes. I miss her.
For your bathroom floor…today our local paper had an article about the new “luxury vinyl” floors that come in tiles, planks, etc. Apparently they are great for potentially wet areas AND they’re forgiving of uneven floors. Armstrong and Mohawk both carry selections, plus, I’m sure there are many others. Or you could use some of that self-leveling stuff. 🙂
So sorry so late!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could subscribe to your blog so it comes to my email. Fridays always mess me up when I am not up early doing this! 🙂
Pixie love of course!!!!
SO SO SO happy about Billie/Merlin & that he has a playmate too! I understand your tears but so great that he adjusted so well. You obviously made him feel comfortable with people again so you are amazing!
HUGS!
i’M so happy to hear Billy found a great house and I totally understand your tears.
We just had 14 days of (for our country) extreme cold weather and although not as cold as you are experiencing I totally understand your feelings. I have been sick all week and the cold didn’t help. So glad it’s getting warmer tomorrow.
I have to admit, I teared up a little bit hearing that “Merlin” is happily adjusted to his new home! But I might be overly emotional today because I volunteered at the local cat shelter today. I wanted to save them all!
That is so cold!!! I would be in a snuggie all day!