dog in jail

a few weeks ago we had ian and seth sutton from sutton landscape come and finish fencing off our backyard. lately josie's taken to wandering off when she's back there. we're good about keeping our eyes on her, but when gardening it would be easy for her to slip off to the front. not wanting her to get hurt chasing a neighbor cat (nor would i want jasper or butch to get hurt) we opted to finish off the fence behind the garage and put a large gate by the trellis. 

we didn't want a solid wood fence, as the backyard needs all the light it can get to make our garden grow. it turned out really fabulous. i couldn't be happier. 

josie can see out and lost of light can shine through. the artichoke is right there and how the sun hits it, a full wooden gate would have killed it. 

i love that josie can't wander off. also, both parts of the gate will open, the one that tends to be stationary can also lift off the hinges. the gate swings freely and easily. we didn't use self closing hinges and i'm 100% okay with that. sure, we have to remember to close the gate behind us, but i think we can do that.

the one where i reign victorious

i had sent a message to a friend yesterday about the damn dishwasher and the wiring and the errors of my ways. she called saying, "i am pretty sure we can fix that." and we were off to the races. she was ready to come over on new years day, but sadly the home depot was closed and we had to get wire.

so we settled for yesterday. she picked up a few supplies on her way over and we met at the house. it took us just around two hours, including a trip to the deep hole to get a hose extension. it seems that where the water goes into the dishwasher is in a different location than our former one making the 72" hose (which is the longest dishwasher hose they make, i've searched) too short. nothing a trip to the deep hole couldn't fix.

came home, she climbed under the sink and bam, we were in business. shoved the machine under the counter (okay, nudged it under making sure it was level and not kinking any wires or hoses), flipped the breaker back on (saying a little prayer) and we had lights!!

we filled it before we went to dinner. tanya had to get home, but we'll do dinner sometime soon (with her husband even!). when we arrived home we put the soap in and ran it. we purposely did not clean the dishes before putting them in (you know the wash before you wash). we had some tomato cream sauce that had baked into the pan a bit...gone. every last bit of it! and we didn't even use the pre-treat option!!!

it feels good to have it done.

it'd be done by now

i must admit that i am disappointed that i can not install the dishwasher myself. i am waving my white flag and kicking my own ass because i didn't shell out the money to have it professionally done. kev said it right this morning as i was admonishing myself to him, we make a good team. this was one of those shopping trips it would have been a good idea to have the whole team there, but because i had my parents in and we were wanting to do things...i am disappointed in my half of the team. she should have waited for her rational half to be able to go to the deep hole.

i feel like i was duped, in a way. just the way jim said it wasn't a difficult thing to do, playing to the ego of my home improvement self. surely it will cost us more now to set up an installation...and there will be rewiring needing to happen (don't ask, please).

i will be calling in the morning and discussing the fact that i need someone to take care of it for me, someone who knows what they are doing. and i will tell jim that in the future he should suggest people really do pay the extra $100...of course i have to wonder if he gets some kind of kick back if people have to arrange after delivery installation. i am sure it will cost more than the original $99.99 if you had it installed upon delivery. disappointing because he seemed like a likable kind of guy.

so i am on dish duty until it gets taken care of. my penance, if you will.

a friend asked

i hadn't realized i never shared the beautiful kitchen table with you all until monika asked to see it fully. oops!

so, here we go...

the table with the flying piggie chandelier. i am so in love with our table it is not even funny.

we've had several dinners with friends around it. played mahjong with the neighbor who made it and his partner. sat and played on the computer...it just is a joy to get to see every single day!

as for the piggies, i was searching online for a silly chandelier for our hall when i found them. i knew they were far too big for hall, but we were in need for a new light fixture for over the table and it just seemed like the no brainer. i love the piggies! the light they emit is just a warm glow and their whimsy is the perfect way to keep the kitchen lively and fun.

the downstairs bathroom is the next major reno i have in mind, but that won't be for a little while. until then i'm searching for deals on tile, vessel sinks, old tables/dressers...

so there you go, monika, our kitchen table in all its glory!!

what being stuck inside for days on end will make you do...

Go here.

Feel free to register so you can rate it. ;)

the perfect day

I woke without an alarm. Kevin had gotten up and fed the animals, which allowed me to have a bit of a lie in. It was wonderful to get up at 8:00. I had a single slice of toast with one cup of coffee shortly after getting up. Josie by my side. I pulled on my yoga wear and headed to to pick up Jill.

I got to see the beautiful curtains she made for us, giddy with the anticipation of hanging them after class. Practice was exactly what we needed, calm and relaxing leaving us to feel as though we were floating on air. Diana (our teacher) proclaimed she was going to have lunch with us. Jill and I were honored. I had an amazing meal with two fantastic women. Meanwhile, I got a text message from our furniture building neighbor that said "table is ready and why haven't we picked it up yet?!" Brett (neighbor) is a smart ass. I tell him we'll be home to get it shortly. He responds that he's not there, but will be in an hour.

So we installed the curtains in the bedroom and kitchen while waiting. The maple of our headboard against the copper faux silk is beautiful. And the sage color of the kitchen curtains is almost an exact match to the Kauai accent wall while the butter yellow of those same curtains pulls out the yellow in the tiles. Jill is amazing. I will share the photos after the family have gotten their first look at them in person. I love surprises. :) Well, I love surprising people.

Finally we headed to Brett's to pick up the table and Chickie. We are all three blown away. I was blown away, it felt like Kev and Jill were as well. Stunning was the first word that came to my lips. Then I just pet it. I am going to share a little peak of it. I just can't stop myself.

Can't wait to see the whole thing, can you?

change

I needed a bit more change in my life and opted to rearrange my closet, which led to the master bedroom being changed around, which meant the living room had to have some changes, too.

Change change change.

It seems that working on one room at a time really pans out for me. Although as soon as the end is near, I start dreaming of the next space to update and change. From the kitchen reno, I've moved onto our bedroom. I will get photos up, but probably after the family has come through in a few weeks. I don't want to spoil the surprise for them. :)

I've not done anything drastic in the master, just moved out some furniture, got a full length mirror and some curtains. Just enough to make it feel a little more done. All that I feel is left in there is finding some artwork for the walls (perhaps I will make something?), the curtains to be hemmed and hung, and finding the aforementioned light fixture. We will either go with a ceiling fan (which when the summer is here in a room where currently one window opens it would be nice) or a chandelier of some sort. Visually I know a really cool chandelier would be better, but again, when there is no air moving...although we will eventually be replacing all the windows in the house and we will be making sure that all in the bedroom open, so perhaps a great chandelier isn't out of the question.

Kev just goes along with my ideas, interjecting if he feels strongly about something. So far, we've done well working together. It's kind of nice to collaborate with him.

Okay, must be off to work. Walking to work in between the bouts of rain. Of course, I'll probably get caught in some since it takes me about 25 minutes to get to work from here. Ah well, it is fall in Oregon.

and we have ice

So our friends Jenn and Dugan were over the other evening for dinner (it was after the marathon grape jelly making...after the Oregon Flock and Fiber Fest). Jenn and I had spoken about the possibility of Dugan hooking up our fridge's ice maker at one point. So that night, he took a look. We already had a valve tapping into one of the lines. We even had a hole that'd been plugged up by the previous owners of the house. All we really had to do (in theory) is by the tube and the fittings to hook it up.

This morning Dugan came over and he and Kevin got everything taken care of. We now have ice. Real, made in our house, ice. No more buying ice. Sigh...

It's funny how ten years ago, an ice maker would not have made me smile. Meh, it was just ice. We could buy ice. But now, now it's a beautiful thing. Of course it's ready right in time for the fall like weather we've been getting (although yesterday and today have been gorgeous).

Huh, ice.

cuz i like lists

1. Pick a paint color and paint
2. Cut trim, stain and install
3. Attach door and drawer pulls to cabinetry
4. Find dresser to use as a microwave stand
5. Have table and bench made
6. Hang vessels in some artistic way (these really cool orb things from Ikea)
7. Remove shelves to left of cabinets over stove to make space for cookbooks (best idea ever, Jill!)
8. Get new dishes (donate old)
9. Get new flatware (donate old)

Enjoy the hell out of the kitchen

Perhaps not in that exact order

no title needed

poppy

The plumber was here and has gone (which is good since he was here yesterday). Ken was great and so was his apprentice. They were reasonably priced, too! Happy surprise, indeed. However, even though we have running water and a disposal that works, the dishwasher is not running now. I opened the water valve that runs to it, nothing. So today Kev will call Ken and have him back out to fix it.

I could take a picture of water shooting out of the faucet, but didn't want to bore you all. Instead I took a photo of my friend poppy. She's a vibrant red head and is truly beautiful. What? I've never mentioned her before? Well, she's a springtime friend I didn't know I had until this year.

I love me some poppies! Especially the orange ones! The color is so vibrant and alive. We've only got the one poppy plant, but I am thinking I need more next year! Or course I know the saying of variety being the spice and all that, but sometimes you are allowed to over indulge in something so lovely, aren't you?!

Speaking of that...I'm going to go look at my kitchen again. If you don't see me for a while, just imagine me standing in front of the sink petting the counters and playing in the water.

and we have counters

They are in! They are stunning! They are...

Now we await the plumber tomorrow and arrival of our tile for the backsplash and we will officially be done with the first major project in this house. I'm smitten...

pitter patter (not that kind)

I'm sitting downstairs, watching television, relaxing. I have a round orange cat sitting on me. The dog is upstairs. All of a sudden I hear something upstairs. I go up to investigate. Josie is playing with Ms. Mousie. All by herself.

That dog makes me smile. Each and every day.

Thanks for the words of encouragement and excitement. I will post pictures tomorrow after the counter and sink are installed. The woman from Precision Countertops called to confirm our install tomorrow and I mentioned that I had the plumber coming shortly after they left and she told me that I had to wait 24 hours for the sink to become completely adhered before we put in the disposal and faucet. I'm glad I said something. I called Ken The Plumber of KTP Plumbing and postponed the work until Wednesday. I'm still really excited. :)

I bet you couldn't guess that though, huh?

ordered

This is our tile. We ordered it today. It should be here in about a week. I am really excited. The color of the Silestone is in the gold family, the sink is white, the faucet it a brushed nickel. The cabinets are a golden/orange knotty pine. My kitchen is going to be beautiful. I can hardly wait.

We're getting ready to head over to the last meal at a friends house (well, for the two of us). Tomorrow I will go to Mahjong Monday at Jenn and Dugan's where there is normally food. Kevin will be working.

Only two more nights without a kitchen left.

I am serious about making chicken caesar salads. I suppose this means I need to get some dressing and a few other things to put in the salad, but that can happen tomorrow. Oh tomorrow, a real! live! grocery shopping trip!

I can hardly believe that it's been since the 16th that I've had a functioning kitchen. It really has flown by quite quickly. It's amazing when you have friends asking about dinner plans for almost every night. Believe me, I know that I am truly blessed with an amazing group of friends.

We both are.

and we have a template

The template makers just took off about 15 minutes ago. There were no issues that came up, no problems. This makes my heart SOAR! I am so thrilled that it is all really coming together and happening as lovely as it is.

I asked the guys if I could take a photo of the template before they removed it to take it back to the shop. You know, because of all my blog readers demanding photos.

So here it is, our template:

The green dot you see on the counter, next to the sink hole, will be where the faucet is installed. The guys looked at me like I was nuts, but I showed them the other two options and informed them since Kev and I always reached with our left hands to turn on the water, to the left of the sink actually makes the most sense for us. This way, I can also set a pot on the counter and fill it without getting the bottom all wet from sitting down in the sink...the really deep sink.

I had hoped to do a long slit cut to the left of the stove, along the wall, for my knives, but one of the guys said that he was nervous it wouldn't be a straight cut because they have to do it here on site, free handing it. So, we are going to play that one by ear and decide on the install day how lucky we are feeling. :) I'm hopeful, but not counting on it.

So with this last step done before installation of the counters done, I am feeling content and happy with everything. Life is good. Simple as that.

just call me dusty

Man, the thin dust that covers everything when you work with drywall is unlike any dust I've met before. It coats everything it touches in a fine film that is gritty, but almost invisible to the eye.

I've cleaned the cabinets and dusted our pots and pans (will really clean them when I have a working sink and dishwasher prior to using them, of course). I have washed the floors. I still have to clean my desk in the front room (trust me, we have a curtain over the door and everything). I also must pick up the lounge as since I'm hosting knit night tomorrow night...I need a dust free environment.

That room didn't get dusted by the drywall, so it will be the room for the get together. Not as conducive to chatting since the giant tv is in there, but it will work just fine. I'm looking forward to it, even.

Okay, must go shower and deep condition my hair before the template makers get here!!!

Dusty, out.

progress

roosters, RIP

Well, phase one of the deconstruction has come and gone. I am now clean and tired.

Jill came over as planned, at 9:00. We got straight to work since I'd prepared the area last night. She is an amazing friend. It was not as easy as we'd hoped, but it wasn't too hard. We do have a couple of rather major/minor patch jobs to have done before Tuesday, when the template makers are coming. I am amazed by what is going on in my kitchen right now.

We had a slight mis-judgment on the sink and I had to take it back for it's little brother. I'm a little sad, but the lines are the same, just smaller. And they didn't have the same color so we ended up having to go with white. It was not my first choice, but desperate times. And honestly, against the Beige Olimpo Silestone counters...and with the back splash tile...It will be beautiful. (I was trying to link to the tiles for you all, but it's being dumb and their site is really annoying to navigate)

Is it Tuesday the 3rd of June yet?

We could save some of the hand painted vegetable tiles, but sadly the roosters did not make it. Jill felt terribly and she tried her best. Those ladies used industrial strength adhesive or something. I also did save some of the counter top tiles. I got enough to do some cool table for outside or something. That makes me happier than I thought.

Okay, must retire to the basement until it's time to go to our friends for a cookout. Friends are amazing. When they become like family, it's even better.

what lies ahead?

Tomorrow morning after my dear Kevin goes to work, my friend Jill will arrive to help me remove the kitchen counters. I just can no longer deal with grout. We've had tile counters in the past and I've never been a fan. I do love the color, however. We found a great Silestone that is very similar. But we'll talk about that later.



You can't see it in the first picture, but there are two tiles that I am hoping Jill and I can salvage.

They are from the city where one of the women who used to live here grew up in Italy.

I will hopefully get some shots throughout the process (or at least after our hard day of work tomorrow). Speaking of that work, I should get to bed. Must get some good rest before the excitement begins.

Wish us luck.

waiting for my card in the mail

It's official. I am an adult. I don't know when it happened, but the signs are all there.

1. I have started to enjoy gardening. It calms me and makes me smile.
2. The idea of chips and dip for dinner (or popcorn) no longer make sense to me.
3. I will have the occasional after dinner cup of coffee when out (decaf of course) to dinner.
4. An evening of sitting and knitting is the perfect evening in my opinion.

and the final, omg(!), moment:

5. We went to the Home Depot and order counters...I was excited.


So, story about counters and ordering them (it's a good one).

On Monday I got a call from Todd, the guy who works at Precision Counters who'd come out and measured for us. He said that the Deep Hole was having a 10% sale and if our color was part of the group that was an additional 10% we would save 20%!!! So I did what any sane woman does, I text messaged my husband (or did I call him). I then called the Deep Hole to find out the details but the woman on the other end said that they only had a free sink deal going on. We decided to go check out the sinks (cuz those things are expensive) and went on Tuesday night (cuz the sale ended on Wednesday). Well, sinks, not big enough...but we decided to go ahead and open a Home Deep Hole credit card (not to worry parents, it's already paid off) and get their 10% or up to $200 off deal. Super! That's like getting the other sale, that wasn't running. So now we've ordered our counters and have to start seriously thinking about how and when we are going to demo the current counters and backsplash. I'm thinking next weekend baby!! Of course it depends on when they want to set up coming out to make the template. Anyway (breathe) I was running around with my friend yesterday (who's getting married tonight) and I got a call while looking for some inexpensive yarn at JoAnn's to make a bigger version of my knit bag for Chloe (another story for another time). Kim from the Deep Hole saying she'd had egg on her face and yes there was indeed a 10% sale on Silestone (she'd been off when the promo went into affect so didn't know about it and it did end Wednesday as Todd said). She had already taken care of getting our credit to our new Deep Hole account and we didn't need to do anything except save another $200+! The real beauty, are you ready for it?!?! Kevin called with his quarterly bonus...a smidge more than what the counters ended up costing us (with all the discounts).

So yeah, I'm just waiting for the card that says I'm an official adult in the mail.