Paint, Cabinets, Flooring, Hardware

As I write this post, drywall work is being finished upstairs. After they sand on Saturday, Chris will paint the kitchen our chosen color of...um...we haven't selected paint yet. Yikes! We're looking for a pale blue-gray but haven't found the right one yet. There's my task for the afternoon!

Choose paint and go to IKEA to order the cabinets. Yes! Finally! After obsessing about the kitchen layout for, what, eight or nine months, I'm hesitant to place the order. What if I come up with another clever idea? I just tweaked the layout again this week. Kitchen commitment is hard!

Speaking of commitment, we've made one to cabinet hardware. I'm too ashamed to admit (or even to tally) the number of hours I've spent searching for the right hardware. One of the joys/curses of being unemployed and semi-obsessive.

We've selected matte black pulls for the drawers


and basic knobs for the cabinets (they will also be matte black but the image wasn't available on the website)


The knobs on the new doors we're installing throughout the house will have knobs similar to above. Our hardware selection will get us closer to the look in our inspiration kitchens.

Also on the way to completion is the extension of the hardwood floors into the kitchen. The photo below shows only a few rows installed on the left side, but the installation is now complete. They will return tomorrow to sand and then come back after the cabinets are in to stain the floors.

They did a nice job of integrating the old and new flooring. Once the dark stain is applied I think they will blend almost invisibly. One thing we will probably notice is how quiet the new floor is compared to the squeaky 50 year old floor!

Here's a reminder of how the kitchen looked from the same angle as above before we started this project. Watch for these cabinets to make a reappearance in Marilyn's lake cabin!

We're looking forward to Jon and Amber's return visit next week to (hopefully) complete the project. It's so nice to have Jon here to do the work, although it is almost all work and very little fun for him while he's here. Once the project is complete we will look forward to having visitors who can relax and enjoy themselves.

Jon & Amber's Visit (Part Three)

It has been almost a week since Jon, Amber, Trevor, and Carter left after an action-packed eight day visit. Here are a few more photos...

Trevor controlling a crane at the Children's Museum.

This may have been obvious to some, but I have learned an important lesson: don't go to the museum on free day. Your sanity is worth the $9 entry fee.

Trevor on another "adventure in the forest."

Trevor quickly bonded with Melissa and posed nicely as she took photos.

We made a quick visit to the Mall of America, where Trevor went on many rides including the bumper cars.

On Tuesday evening, Jon, Amber, Chris and I went out for dinner. Amber tried sushi for the first time. It was a shrimp tempura roll, so no raw fish, but she liked it so maybe she'll attempt something riskier next time!

What were Carter and Trevor doing while their parents enjoyed some adult time? Entertaining Melissa and Steve, who were kind enough to babysit!

Melissa relaxed with Carter most of the time...

...while Steve swam with Trevor. For three hours. What a guy! Trevor didn't want to pose for a photo with his new friends, but was so happy to have someone swim with him for such a long time!

With all the photos of and stories about Trevor swimming, you may be wondering if he convinced his mom to get in the pool with him.

Yes he did!

Amber makes a great ski boat!

With all of this fun, it is easy to forget why our guests were there in the first place! Construction went well (although it was mostly destruction) and we are living without a kitchen for a few days, hoping that won't turn into weeks.

Remodeling photos will be posted separately, but I couldn't resist posting this one of Chris peeking down from the attic.

Trevor sporting a "headlight."

With Jon for a dad, is anyone surprised that Trevor loves tools? He really took to the measuring tape and measured everything he could find!

Amber asked me not to post this, but I just had to show how they were loaded up like a bunch of cabbage pickers (as my mom would say).


You can't really tell from the photo, but the back end is packed to the gills. Carter is waving from inside the pickup. :)

We hope the Healys will be back to finish up the project (we need a kitchen!) within a week or so. Stay tuned for more!

Jon & Amber's Visit (Part Two)

After my classy driveway birthday party wrapped up, Jon and Amber spent Thursday night at our house and then transferred to a hotel for the remainder of their visit.

Construction began bright and early on Friday morning. The wall you see was already gone when they got there. No dust was flying while Carter was there!


After we got Amber and the kids checked into the hotel, it was time to hit the pool.

We went back to the house a couple of times each day to bring the guys lunch and then usually at the end of the day. On Saturday, Trevor and I went for a walk along the creek and "in the forest" across from our house. Trevor said we had "a good adventure."




Also on Saturday afternoon, we dropped Trevor off with Jack. They went to the Como Zoo while the rest of us went to the Twins game.

Carter did so well at the game! He slept most of the time and there were really no loud outbursts from the crowd since the Twins got their butts kicked!


Jack and Trevor recovering after their day at the zoo.

Trevor has logged so many hours in the hotel pool, but he never seems to tire of it! He has had swimming companions as often as he could convince us to join him. He's so adorable that it's impossible to say no!

Carter hanging out in the basement of my house.

Jack and Carter. Cute!

Jon & Amber's Visit (Part One)

Jon and Amber have been here since Thursday. We're having a great time! Jon and Chris are working hard on the house while Amber and I entertain Trevor and Carter. I definitely have the best role in this arrangement!

Here are a few photos from their visit. More coming soon and at flickr.

Our guests arrived on my birthday and Melissa and Steve joined us for a dinner of ribs, grilled corn on the cob, tomato and mozarella salad, and birthday cake.

With the house filled with dust and nowhere to sit, I was determined to eat outside. We don't have much usable outdoor space (maybe we'll tackle that next year), so we sat in the driveway. Note the construction debris and dumpster in the background. No one can say I don't throw a classy party!

Polish Days

Here are a few fun highlights from Polish Days last weekend. Friday and Saturday were gloomy, but the sun finally made an appearance on Sunday.

Trevor participated in the kids' tractor pull. I think he wanted to keep riding!

They brought back the water fights! Two teams of firefighters point their hoses at a hanging bucket and try to move it to the other side. I loved the water fights as a kid and am happy they are back after 20+ years.

Trevor has become very (too!) brave on the swings.

Hands-free!

Trevor liked this car that was on display.

Although he didn't find any coins in the sand pile, Trevor had fun digging!

Jon loves to make funny poses for the camera!

Amber seemed to enjoy having a beer (or several) after 10+ months without!

Trevor and Jack goofing around.

Carter's first Polish Days!

Trevor punching it up in the bouncy.

Dad's hat came in handy as a tip holder!

If you want to know what Jack looks like after too much Polish Days and very little sleep, here he is. Mom looks impressed!

Trevor and Jon. Cute!

Trevor was upset that one of Jack's friends had "his" helmet. He went over there and politely asked for it back! We were all impressed by his maturity.

The helmet (actually some old thing of Jack's) in its rightful place.

Mom with Ron Sheik

Kelli Sheik, me, Dad

The Healys at the end of Polish Days. The ideal shot for this year's holiday card?

Great time had by all! Next year, Polish Days will start on my birthday...Friday, the 13th. Ooooh! We hope Chris will join us for the festivities.