Christmas vacation - Day 7

Other than the occasional bathroom visit, I slept all through the night until 6:00 AM. I got some coffee and then posted the rather lengthy Blog (it was a rather lengthy day).

I checked the weather and got my first shock! Freezing rain! I got to get to Home Depot and two other stores this morning! So, I hurriedly took my shower and got dressed. Jake messaged me that it had started just as he left for work and it was pretty bad. But, I got stuff to do today and need supplies as well as a new house for Newt.

It was truly awful out there. There was solid ice on all the roads and no salt trucks, etc. I left at 9:00 AM and got back home just after 11:00 AM. I only went to the bank, Meijer's and Home Depot. The majority of the time was spent driving at 10 miles per hour and praying the ABS brakes would really stop me (they did, thank God!)

Back home, I unpacked and started washing the new gravel for Newt's new tank. I was a little upset about that tank, BTW. At Meijer's, they had five-gallon plain ones for $11.00. Naturally they didn't have any plain 10-gallon ones, so I had to buy a "complete aquarium set up" with the filter, etc. This ticked me off, because I just replaced his filter last month and this setup cost me $32.00! I was even more upset when Jake reminded me there is a pet store in that same shopping complex!

However, by 12:30 PM, Newt had a new, nice home and I was tired and hungry. So, I watched the news, eating slices of roast beef and some olives for my breakfast and lunch. I froze the big hunk of roast beef for French dip sandwiches at some other time.

I decided to try and take a nap at this point, having a TON of things to do today. So, after I washed all the stuff I'd dirtied to get Newt set up, I lay down with my book, set the alarm for 1:30 PM and waited to fall asleep.

When the alarm went off, I got up and changed into my tile clothes. I started the long process of applying the grout to the west and final wall. I mixed the grout with water for five minutes; let it rest for ten minutes and the re-mixed it. Then I started applying it with the rubber float. By 5:30 PM, the wall was grouted and the timer set for 20 minutes.

When the timer went off, I got the little bucket and the tile sponge and started to wash down the tiles, row by row and bucket of clean water by bucket. If you are doing this, BTW, do NOT use too much water! You only want a damp sponge! And, change the water OFTEN!

By 6:30 PM, I had all the tiles wiped. So, the only thing I need now is time. Anytime after two hours, I still need to wipe off the "haze" with some cheesecloth. Then, after three days (sometime Monday), I can caulk the corners, then seal the grout and tile. The sealer takes 2-3 hours to dry. Then I have to re-install the plumbing, turn on the water, test for leaks, attach the access door, and then replace the kitty litter tub to its original position. So, I should have my personal Christmas present on Tuesday morning!

I sat on the couch for a bit to rest my back, legs and knees. Then I started to deep clean the kitchen, by which I mean just clean EVERYTHING (as opposed to my weekly "sweep, mop, wash the counter top and stove top" kind of cleaning).

I worked until 8:45 PM when I had to quit (I was about half way done). Rather than the nice meal I'd planned (I'm too tired now), I just used the last chicken breast to make two more chicken sandwiches.

Nothing looks very interesting on TV, so I just went to bed after "dinner."