I believe I now live in California. You know, the Golden State, Land of Sun and Surf... So why have I had a fire going not stop in the fireplace for four days? Each morning I stir the coals, add a few sticks, and try desparately to get some heat in the house. The fireplace isn't the best in the west, and coupled with bad windows in the living room, I can barely get the room warm, let alone the rest of the house. The furnace kicks on all the time, and it sounds like a cash register. I dread my next propane bill. I haven't been this cold for this long since I left Missouri.

It is not uncommon in the winter to see frozen puddles in the valley, but we haven't had it get that cold at our house since we moved here. Yesterday morning, Tolkien's water bucket was frozen over. Not just a little bit, it was pretty thick. I don't think the chunks of ice every completely melted during the day. It's been gorgeous outside, though. Sun and blue skies, it's just been freakin' cold.

Meanwhile, the room continues. I had stretched muscles that had long been dormant last weekend when I put the backerboard down. Unfortunately, I did some more reading on the backerboard (beauty and curse of the internet), and discovered some steps that I didn't take. My first thought, was tough, it will work. As the week wore on, I decided I would not be happy if I didn't fix it, so Friday night and yesterday I took it all back out, and started putting it in right. My muscles are really not feeling like forgiving me.

I did get a little ticked last night. You may have heard me cursing from wherever you are. I was taking a break, and admiring the walls when I noticed a stress fracture in the drywall around the bathroom door. I guess my plastering days aren't over after all. It will have to wait, though.

One step forward, two steps back, and then trip and fall backwards...