Lessons learned

Well, I think we have learned we need to fire our electrician.  And, apparently electricians are always the ones that do this.

We also learned that if you order straight from the whirlpool VIP program (employee pricing), that.you need to inspect the appliance right away.  We got the fridge but it is still in its packaging, but thanks to Rick and Steve JUST now noticed this huge dent in the front!  Whoops!  Luckily, we are within 30 days and can do a warranty claim, but we are out of their 7 day 'window' for these types of claims...

Also learning that progress is slow.  We are frustrated.  And, these are emotions everyone probably goes through while doing this.

Our original proposed move in date was 9/1, now its going to be 10/1 or later.

Also, learned we can be damn good at playing tetris with kitchen cabinets!  Boo-yah! 

I'm too tired to reach to the ground and get the paper to take a pic of our 1st round of tetris... So,goodnight to all!

Happy brick-tearing-down-tomorrow-thanks-to-our-awesome-neighbor-Rick!

ADVICE needed please

I need your advice, seriously.  

We are contemplating taking all this brick down.  There used to be a false wall/soffit thing on one side of it - and we removed that wall so now there is an empty spot in the brick.  Also, where the bathroom used to be - it covered some problems with the brick (top right corner f the photo below).  So now that it is exposed, we would need hire a masonry expert to help and make it look good.  So, we are contemplating taking the brick down.  There is plaster behind it.  It would also add some more space to the kitchen (it looks so much smaller now with our island in it!)

I dunno what to do!  Tom wants to take it down.  I feel awful taking down beautiful brick someone took the time and effort to put up, but it all makes sense to me... 

Brick wall we are contemplating taking down... we would leave that fire pit open though - with the thought of eventually making it a brick oven pizza spot!! :)

A hard day's work

Its 9:34pm on a Saturday night.  My husband left home this morning at 7:30am to go work on the house.

Wowzers.

I knew we were asking for a lot of work when buying this house - but I didn't know it would be like this!  I am a single mom all over again.  But - that is okay.  Things could always be worse!

I spent my ENTIRE day procuring food for this man that is working so hard.  Seriously, I vacuumed some and did some laundry - but went to 2 grocery stores and spent my afternoon cooking.  If you've ever seen Tom eat, you know how possible this is.

So, honestly, I have personally not been able to spend much time at the house.  Just a few quick peaks because every time I go there I have Mary with me.  

The powder room on the first floor is looking pretty good actually.  Tom has been working hard on it.  He had to get the plumbing in - so that was not easy I'm sure.  Here is somewhat of an original shot (I did not do a good job of taking TONS of photos before we really got started working on this house)

What was originally left of the powder room.  I saved as many blue tile as possible - to use in the 4th floor bathroom (eventually)

Current powder room, enclosed.

Bum shot!  Building the wall on the other side of the powder room.  This used to be a full bathroom - complete with 40" vanity and tub with tile - we made it a 1/2 bath because there are plenty other bathrooms in this house and this was on the first floor with only the kitchen, dining, and living rooms.  PLUS - we added TONS of space to the kitchen.

Temporary kitchen island.  Those are the cabinets we got!  Also, notice the brick by where Tom is.

Its 9:54pm.  Tom is still not home.  

Goodnight too all , and happy remodeling to us!!

Electrical bohemoth

I need to post photos of this electrical beast in the basement...

Anyone in Pittsburgh know a good electrician?  We are struggling to find one...

Lunch time PROGRESS!

Picked up the fridge on my lunch break.  Holy moly its huge!

CABINETS!

Kraft Maid warehouse, Warren, Ohio.

Of course, the ones I thought were perfect, were sold to someone that got in 5 min before us.  It's a lottery system the way you get in, we were fortunate to be in the first group of 150 people that got let in.  And, actually, there was somewhat of a bidding war!  Another couple who was here two weeks ago, offered that lady $1,400 extra to buy that set from them. So, that means that couple there 5 min before us made $1,400! 

But, we found another set!  This one will be enough cabinets for sure.  It is 32 cabinets... And I am contemplating painting them!  I've been wanting white cabinets all along, they are the simple style I'm looking for.

32 cabinets for $6,000    Includes:  self-closing doors and drawers, corner lazy Susan, silverware tray drawers (some that are stacked too), and three half hexagonal cabinets for the island!

Some photos of our morning...

Hello 3am on a Saturday morning!

We are at the Kraft Maid warehouse in Warren, oh - about a 1.5 hr drive.

Got here at 630.  There are already 120 people here!

We already have two quotes for kitchen cabinets, ranging between $12,000 to $18,000.  We are not doing anything fancy, just plain shakers style, etc. 

We are hoping to get away with a while set from here for $4,000!  Lord help us today!