rollerblader

Just a silly little doodle today.  I was trying to get the real awkward pose of a beginning skater, but didn't really achieve what I was after...oh well. 

Obamacare...

New year...and new health care costs.  At my workplace, they told us that their agent warned them of health care cost increases as much as 40%.  Thankfully it wasn't quite that bad, but our policy got worse and the costs still went up, and I did notice today that my take home total was less.  Tax increases combined with increased cost of health insurance.  I guess this is the "changes" that the majority wanted.

Here is my take on the new world of Obama Care.  "Good luck," the doctor says as he shows you to the entrance of the maze that has become our health care.

Where has Lael been lately?...and why no posts?

I have mentioned before on my blog some of my projects at my little rental house.  I have a basement apt that I've had rented for 8 years straight (same tenants).  Well, when the renters moved, I found out that they stopped caring about or cleaning my place years ago.  It was awful.  It required a lot of work to get it back to a presentable state.  I wish I had taken some before pictures so everyone could appreciate the transformation...but I forgot.  Maybe that's a good thing, because they surely would have grossed some of you out quite a bit.  Anyway, I know it's not art, but I'm quite proud of my efforts just the same, and I thought I'd share.

 this is the new look kitchen...simple but clean again.  I cleaned A LOT, and added a tile floor, new counter top and used range/stove and of course a fresh coat of paint.

 Here is the other side of the kitchen...I still have to put the new counter top on the sink side...but I ran out of time.  The new renters are in.

 Here is a picture looking past the pantry into the kitchen...I like how the tile edge looks with the new carpet.

 This is the stairs coming down into the apt from the side of the house. Clean, clean, clean.

 This is the new look bathroom. Here I had to fix some really bad drywall (that the previous renter installed...yikes) and then I put in a tile floor and new vanity and marble counter top...and of course paint.

 Here is a shot of one of the bedrooms...not too special, but they sure look better cleaned up.

 I added some tile in the back entry area...that'll help the carpet stay a little cleaner here.

Here is the only picture I have of the main family room...I wasn't smart enough to take it before the new renters started moving all their "stuff" in...

So there ya go...my budget remodel.  I say budget because I did it all myself...I know it's not too fancy, but it's clean, smells good and it is a "rental" so I didn't want to go too overboard.