So happy together

Three years, and that couldn't be more true (and I sure hope I'm speaking for both of us)!  :)  It's been a whirlwind three years between job transfers, job losses, fun trips, buying a house, doing all kinds of improvements and renovations on said house, adopting our little lickers, and just living that thing called life.  It hasn't always been easy and there have been a few "hard" times, but I couldn't imagine a better partner to walk through this with than Matt.  He makes me smile and laugh (and sometimes want to punch him in the face); he makes me proud and still makes me weak in the knees; he humbles me when I need it and lifts me up too; he still surprises me and I feel like I'm always learning something new about him.  No matter what else happens, I am so lucky to have a husband like him.

Our modeling shot.  ;)

A little moment... not sure what the smirk was about, but it's pretty typical with us.

Update on the kitchen... or why I've been driven to the bottle.

Renovations are not for the faint of heart, especially when you're renovating the heart of the house.  If we aren't sleeping, all of our time is spent in our living room and kitchen, both of which are currently rendered useless and have been for almost three weeks.  Now, this truly isn't a terrible timeframe considering the kitchen was almost a full gut job (no wall removal, but every other surface was removed or altered in some way).  We're looking at another 10 days before we have countertops and 11 days before we have a fully functioning kitchen (but not fully completed).  First, a list of reasons I've started drinking just about every night we've been in renovation mode. 

• Dust.  Everywhere.  (It has since been mostly cleaned, but the dining room/our kitchen staging area is in major need of a deep cleaning.)
• Spending all of our time at home in our bedroom.  With two golden retrievers who are antsy and confused as to why they are permanently confined to the bedroom or bathroom.
• My kitchen renovation diet.  Let's just say that a major paleo lockdown/detox is needed after a very increased consumption of grains and sugar.  And, it's a total reminder of how addicting sugar is and how amazing you feel when you're free of it.  Sugar = crack.
• Washing dishes in the half-bathroom sink.  The toilet is approximately two feet from said sink.  Sanitary much?
• A very laboring Labor Day weekend.  Seriously, worked in the kitchen almost the entire weekend (we took breaks to attend a Braves game on Friday night and to watch the Gators with some friends on Saturday night).  (I felt very accomplished after getting it all done though.)
• Finding out today that our floors need a third coat of poly, when we thought we'd be able to start moving everything back in this weekend.  Have I mentioned that we are a frat house???  Our couches are on our front porch.  Classy, party of two, your table is ready.  (Thank God for a giant covered front porch... I guess we would have had to get a storage unit or pod if not.)
• The fact that we bumped out the depth of our laundry closet a few inches (and a fair amount of $$$) to accommodate solid bi-fold doors and the depth of our washer and dryer only to find that the solid doors do not open wide enough to be able to open the washer/dryer doors.  We need like another inch, so we're trying to figure out ways to make this happen.  Thankfully, our contractors are awesome and even though this was not anything anyone expected (or necessarily should have), they are working to make it work at no additional cost to us.  I'm confident that we'll figure out something, or at worst, have to stack the units.
• The cabinet installer mis-drilling for the hardware on three drawers.  (No worries, they will be replaced at no cost to us, of course.)

Second, what's still left to do.

• Paint the doors. (us)
• Paint the ceiling. (us)
• Pick out fabric for Roman shades. (me)
• Pick out tile for backsplash. (us)
• Sew Roman shades. (me)
• Another coat of poly on the floors.
• Install dishwasher.  (Matt)
• Pick out different corbels and hang shelves. (us)
• Figure out shelving in laundry closet once configuration is known. (us)
• Make/install said shelving. (us)
• Install countertops.
• Install stove.
• Install faucet and disposal.
• Put in the tile backsplash. (us)

I'm sure I'm missing a few things, but that's the gist of it for posterity's sake.  What's left is mostly finishing items, except the countertops are a pretty big one.  I'm hoping to pick out the fabric and tile this weekend, paint the ceiling, and get the doors painted.  We should be able to handle that after all we did last weekend.  Our biggest project was creating the shelving in the pantry... I hate wire shelving, so I was the brain child behind our nice, solid wood shelves and Matt executed (I painted).  Besides the wire shelves, the pantry previously had yellow baseboards and I'm not sure it had ever been painted.  I don't know what it is with me and closets, but having a nice clean and fresh looking closet makes me so happy (same with walls... I just don't like stuff to look dirty).

She's a beaut.

So, besides the pantry, last weekend we did a ton of cleaning, finished painting (including the interiors of two other closets and trim throughout the kitchen and living room), and Matt put in the under cabinet lighting.  And, that, my friends (including trips to HD and said other activities above) took up our entire long holiday weekend.  I was so thankful for that extra day, because even though we worked our butts off, it felt good to cross those items off the list!

To be continued, but it's coming together nicely.  And, truly, things have gone pretty much according to plan, so I am thankful that the hiccups have been minor (and correctable) in nature... and eased by a nice glass of wine.  :)

Better pictures of the progress...

Demo! Not so fun when there are no sledgehammers.

Our dining room turned kitchen storage/staging area

I'm a lucky lady.  Check out those jorts.

Ruh Roh.  Let's just say we had a little mishap with the plumbing.  Specifically, the hot water.  Good thing we have a sense of humor... and Matt knows where the water shut off valve is for the house.  It was pretty hilarious.

Hardwoods went in (now we can do whatever we want on this wall... built-ins, furniture, whatevs.  Got plans for new built-ins though... ones that fit a modern day TV).

Shot of the old lighting.

Paint (BM Seapearl)



This is a little "drop zone" area - there will be two shelves above this, but I need to find different corbels.  The ones I ordered were way too big.





Not completely finished, but recessed lights!

These pictures are a MUCH better representation of the color of everything.  Hardware is mostly up now (need some longer screws for a few cabinets), and it looks great.  We just did very simple Metrik pulls from Ikea.  The cabinets are a grayish green color, but they really change depending on the light.  I had cabinet buyer's remorse (this is typical for me... buyer's remorse, that is) after purchasing, wondering if the color is really what I wanted, but I love them!  Even with a lot of finishing left to do, the kitchen feels SO different... so much warmer and cozier.  I can't wait to get it done (for more reasons than one... have I mentioned that living in a construction zone kind of sucks?)!

Progress!!!

These are from my phone, but I have not had time to upload the better pics from my camera (maybe tonight?).  We are making progress!!  We started demo two weekends ago and got everything cleared out except the tile floors.  Our contractors came Monday and removed the floors, built out the wall for the laundry closet (our washer and dryer BARELY fit in there, so we pushed the wall out a couple inches so we could fit thicker, heavier doors on there without having to cut part of them out so they would close) and started on some of the electrical and plumbing work.  The flooring guys came in on Thursday and got the floors laid in the kitchen and where the built-ins were, sanded everything (including the living room), and put on the stain and a coat of poly on Friday (final coat of poly will go down once all the construction is done).  I forgot how bad that stuff smells, so a HUGE thank you to our amazing neighbors/friends, the Hargathers, for letting us crash at their place.  Seriously, THANK YOU!

We got some painting done this weekend, so we didn't have to edge around all of the cabinets.  We're not done (as you can see... waiting on drywall work to be completed and still need to paint the closets).  Yesterday, the cabinets went in (finished today with hardware, which I have not yet seen), as did the recessed lights.  Woohoo for real light!!!!  We had two terrible fixtures that cast shadows everywhere and did not provide enough light, so I am super excited for six 6" cans in the ceiling, even though that means we have to paint the entire ceiling.  I PRAY the white ceiling paint we have leftover from the previous homeowner matches when we put it up.  It will not be good if it doesn't since the ceiling is continuous into the LR, DR, entry way, hallways... not good.  The countertop template was done today, so I am anxiously awaiting a call to let us know how long the fabrication will take.  I want to get that installation scheduled!  Our range was supposed to be installed today, but there's been A LOT of back and forth about having it installed before or after the countertops and before or after the floors are finished... so many decisions.

Still to do (for us):
-finish painting (this weekend) and paint ceiling
-order faucet
-pick out fabric for Roman shades
-decide on tile backsplash (white subway in herringbone pattern or pretty irridescent ($$$) subway in traditional layout)
-figure out if I can get Martha Stewart paint in the same color as the cabinets (or have it color matched) for window moldings
-get different corbels for two small shelves going above a little drop zone station we created for mail, purses, keys, etc.
-paint doors before they are installed (we have time on this one because they won't be installed until after the floors are finished)
-install custom shelving in pantry and laundry (hopefully this weekend)
-install backsplash

If things keep moving forward on schedule, I am hoping we can put in the tile backsplash the weekend of 9/17-9/18, and then we should have a finished kitchen!!!  Living in a construction zone is not fun, but that's another post for another day.  Now, to the (crappy) pictures... much better ones to come.

See here for more before pics (way before... before we even moved in).


A little reminder of what it looked like before...

 

built-ins coming out... guess the house was once a lovely shade of sage

 

oh my, that carpet was terrible



almost demolished




bye bye tile!





hello dark walnut hardwoods... you are so pretty/handsome





paint... lots of colors... it makes more sense with the cabinets in...





this is the wall we still need to paint once the dry wall work is ready




cabinets going in!





almost done!!!

 

A Chance

Dumb and Dumber is one of my all time favorite movies.  I can watch it over and over and pretty much quote any part of it on demand.  This quote is my new mantra though... so, you're telling me there's a chance!  Gotta hold on to hope.  :)


Lloyd: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me... ending up together?

Mary: Well, Lloyd, that's difficult to say. I mean, we don't really...

Lloyd: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?

Mary: Not good.

Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?

Mary: I'd say more like one out of a million.

Lloyd: So you're telling me there's a chance... *YEAH!*

Brain Dump

• Kitchen reno starts Monday.  I guess if you want to get technical, it starts this weekend since we are clearing everything out and removing the appliances, cabinets and countertops.
• My sister is coming in town tomorrow evening.  Welcome to Atlanta, now help me pack up my kitchen!  :)
• I have a lot to do and have been doing a lot since I got home from a quick jaunt to south Florida this weekend.  Literally, non stop.  Well, I did sit down to watch True Blood on Monday night, but other than that, I've been going going going.  (Side note: that was the weirdest True Blood yet.  So silly.)
• I built the bed from my last post by myself.  I'm the bomb, and yes, I gave myself a pat on the back.  ;)
• I am going to somehow make time to have fun with my sister while she is here.  I'm not sure how, but it will happen.  The timing of her visit isn't great, but since she's in school and we're always up to something too, it was really the only weekend that worked.  Plus, it's the first time she's been to Atlanta since she's been of drinking age, so a trip out for some cocktails is a must.
• Not really much else to report.  Life has been busy and is about to be busier!!  We have hired out most of the work in the kitchen, but are still doing a good bit ourselves - demo (except tile floors), painting (walls, trim, doors), installing new shelving in the pantry and laundry closet, tile backsplash, and I will be sewing Roman shades for the windows.  I will certainly be documenting the process and will share the ups, downs and pictures for posterity's sake.

Spending that money, honey.

Phew, things are expensive.  And, apparently, money does not grow on trees.  I've been trying to win the lottery, but no luck.  How hard can it really be to successfully pick five numbers plus a power/mega ball?  Ponder that for a moment.

Unlike the United States government, Matt and I are {pretty much} fiscally responsible adults who have saved for everything we're now spending (plus more, of course), but it still hurts.  Our credit card bill is growing faster than the US debt to GDP ratio and our savings is shrinking like investor confidence!  {Perhaps I've been watching too much CNBC and Bloomberg.}  I like to think that we are trying to stimulate the economy to prevent another recession.  Everyone has to do their part.  We are sure doing ours.  Here's a little glimpse at some of our stimulus bill.


cabinets and countertops (different but similar countertops than pictured)

 

Virginia Bed - Ballard Designs (guest bedroom)



Weber gas grill - Matt's b-day present/our cooking apparatus while the kitchen is not functioning

 

Jenn-Air 30" downdraft gas range - I can't wait until I'm cooking with gas!



Whirlpool dishwasher (we're replacing a perfectly good Whirlpool that we really like, but it's white, so might as well make everything match when we're already spending this much... hoping to donate the old one to Habitat)



Vacation home in St. George Island - nicer than our house, one block to beach, private pool, dogs welcome.  Cannot wait.

 Anyone else out there, besides Jenn, also stimulating the economy by way of some home renovation, decorating or something else?  Do your part, people... do your part.

P.S.  I heard Timothy Geithner say that S&P's downgrade of the US bond rating was "irresponsible."  I laughed.  An evil, p-o'd laugh.  Really?  Because, what I find is irresponsible is the fact that we're in this mess in the first place.  I'm so over politicians... all of them.  Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green, Independent, whatever.  I want to know who, if anyone, is actually trying to put the American people before their own interests????  End of rant.  Thank you for reading.

17 years

It's almost like he was never here.  But, he was.  And, I have many a fond memory of our time together.  But not enough, not nearly enough, and they are fading.  His life was cut way too short, and in a way, so was part of mine.  So many things that he's missed out on, and as a result, I've missed out on.  He doesn't know that after that first, fairly miserable year for me in Jacksonville (sixth grade), I went on to make a lot of friends, make the varsity cheerleading squad, have my heart broken, break some hearts, win my high school pageant, continue to be at the top of my class, win a team national championship in dance, go to the University of Florida, join a sorority, have the time of my life, meet the love of my life, get married, buy a house, and on and on... Or maybe he does.  Maybe he's not the one that's missed out.  He's with me everywhere I go.  I know it's better Up There.  Maybe it's just us left here that miss out, until we meet again.

November 10, 1951 - August 4, 1994