"It's Getting There"

We're so close... ...we can almost...

...taste it.

We still need light fixtures installed.

Some electrical work. Then I think we'll be ready to move back in.

Just in the nick of time.

We always host Easter brunch and a big Easter egg hunt.

Plus my baking itch has been acting up somethin' awful lately and I'm a needin' to scratch it somethin' fierce.

"Kitchen Update: Where's the Chaos?"

A general lack of chaos and some darned interesting characters.

That's how I'd describe our kitchen remodel so far.

I just haven't felt the stress everyone predicted. So that's good, right?

And to the credit of the company running the show Partners 4, Design.

Here's how it's looking so far.

Actually this...

...isn't the kitchen. It's the family room next to the kitchen. Part of the project was to make a few changes here while we were at it. It was the darkest room in the house. New hardwood floors and new lighting will brighten it up a lot.

In the kitchen, the lower cabinets have been installed. Can you find the refrigerator? I know. Camouflaged, right? But where will we put all our magnets now?

The tile...

...behind our old stove is in now.

It reminds me of the old mosaics I saw in Italy or Israel.

I love it.


The new microwave and ....

...a second full sized oven are in. I used to have a small second oven. The massive amounts of baking I do just got easier.

I mentioned to my daughter that the project the project was going more smoothly--I hope I didn't just jinx it--is going awfully smoothly.

That's because all the guys are so professional, my daughter said.

She has a point.

But just because they're professional doesn't mean that they're not colorful.

Just wait until you meet some of them.

I'll introduce you to them soon.

Including...

Santa, who worked on our fireplace.

And I'm not even kidding.

"Progress in the Kitchen"

"Ahhh!

The fresh aroma of...

...paint.



How did I know when I told the painters they could start at 6 in the morning earlier this week that I would awaken that day with a migraine?



You know the kind that makes you sensitive to smells?


But, the headache didn't last long. Thanks to the migraine man I told you about not long ago.

Then I was right down in with the paint and the painters...fumes and all...

...documenting the steady progress crews are making in our kitchen.

Our previously dark, rough wood ceiling is now a bright...

...almost sparkly white. I love things that sparkle. Roger says that will keep the ceiling looking clean and bright. And what Roger says,

goes around here.

We kept the beams dark, though for contrast. I wasn't sure how that would look. But I'm lovin' it.



I am not lovin' the look...

...of this. The painters discovered fresh water damage on the wall in the kitchen.

And...

...water dripping from the ceiling.

Not a lot. But a steady parade of...

...drops.

Which they collected in...

...what else? A paint can.

Seems we've accumulated a bit too much snow and ice on the roof.

For those of who who have never seen one, this...

...is what we in Minnesota affectionately call an ice damn.

With the emphasis on DAMN.

Makes you want to think twice before walking underneath these daggers.

Fortunately, Dan...

...the cabinet installer, doubles as a problem solver. He got right on the phone. Called the carpenter. Who called a roofer. Who got someone over to shovel a bunch of snow off the roof. No more leak. At least for now.

We'll see what the rest of the season holds.

By mid week...

Dan was well on his way...

...getting the cabinets in.

We went with a Minnesota company to save on shipping time, cost and fuel resources.

The cabinets are white. It will be a big change from our old dark wood cabinets.

The other big development: appliances arrived.

A refrigerator. Sub-zero. Like the weather.

Don't drop it guys.

Not to worry.

They're pros.

We kept our main range. But had to replace our combination microwave second oven because of a huge crack in the microwave. Here's the new one.


I ask them...

...if I can take pictures of them while...


...they maneuver the appliances around...

...the many corners between the front door and the kitchen.

"Sure," they say.

"Not a problem."

"How did we look?"

That's what they ask when I thank them for letting me take pictures of them working.

"You looked great. Really strong."

"Muscly. You can even tell through your jackets."

"Demolition Derby"

"Hi, how was school?"

"Good." My boy's standard answer.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing." Also his standard answer.

"How's the kitchen?"

"There is no kitchen."
He was right.

The demolition team had gotten a lot done that day.

Kind of amazing.

Because when I left that morning...

...they were just starting...

...to take things apart...

...and haul them out.

Yuk! Look what they found under a couch in the family room. We're replacing carpet with hardwood while we're at it.

Super embarrassing. Wonder how long it's been there?

Isn't there something just so hot about a tool belt?

I supposed we'll have them around for the next couple of months.

Don't forget...just one more day before our "Countdown to Construction Giveaway" closes!

It's an awesome prize! Scroll down for details.