Is it over yet?

Nope.  Still not done.  It's really only tiny bits of things that need to be finished.  All of the cabinet doors were installed in the laundry area as well as the few that were missing in the kitchen.  I got kitchen stools for the island and the desk and we bought a sofa for the family room.  I'm waiting on a new window that I realized was broken when I went to wash it.  Also the cabinet pulls need to be installed on the new doors.  I need a mirror for over the powder room sink and a chair and some rugs.  We have lots of art work to hang too but I have to wait for the painter to come to do touch ups first.  I figure all in good time but I would really like to not wonder who will be coming into my house every day.  And maybe the dog could stay home for once.

It's been a very long haul but I would do it again in a heart beat.  A nice kitchen makes spending time in it a real pleasure.  There are very few things I would change if I had the opportunity.  I'll have to get things together and post some updated photos when everything is done.  Today is kid #1's 14th birthday and the other one is with the entire 6th grade at camp until Friday.  I hope he has fun.  Kid 1 already is.  He's getting exactly what he wants for dinner (finally) and he already got his big gift this morning.

4 solid months...

We're pretty much done.  It's officially 16 weeks gone tomorrow but I think by the end of the week, it'll be finished.  Maybe a tiny touch up here or there but besides that, all done.  I finally moved everything back into the kitchen this weekend.  I spent the whole weekend washing things and trying to figure out where to put everything.  I can really fill things up quickly.  I still have a little open space and I'm sure I'll rearrange things as I go along.  I'm still missing a few cabinet doors but they are coming on Thursday.  Here's what it looks like now:

The backsplash was installed on Friday and grouted today.  It looks great.  I'm really happy with it.

The electrician must have been here too and all of my dimmer switches were installed and everything looks done.

It's been a really long 4 months but I couldn't be happier with the results.  It's such a pleasure to cook in a kitchen that has space.  I love it so far.

We still have a lot to do.  We haven't put the kitchen table back together and I have to decide whether to repair one chair or paint 4 chairs black.  I'm also waiting on the counter stools which are supposed to be here this week.  We need some rugs and some family room furniture but I need to be conscious of budget constraints.  It'll all come together someday soon.

Week 15 - What's happening now

Things are really winding down at this point.  There are only a few details left to deal with.  The really BIG problem I'm having is getting my cabinets done.  There are things that are just left hanging and the cabinet guy isn't really moving very fast.  He was supposed to come yesterday but didn't.  I'm getting a little tired of excuses at this point.  I just want it done.  He's promising Thursday.

We do have all of the plumbing up and running.  The sink has the faucet, an instant hot water dispenser, an air button for the garbage disposal and a soap dispenser.  I don't understand these soap dispensers.  They come with this really tiny bottle.  You'd have to fill it up all the time.  I bought this thing:   http://custominserts-store.stores.yahoo.net/nevsoapandlo.html

It's pretty great so far and it was only $10. 

The backsplash tile will be here today so hopefully that will get put up this week.  My contractor is really great with scheduling things quickly.  I was home yesterday and saw one of the foreman and told him of a couple of problems with the electric and the phones and within a couple of hours, the electricians were there and fixed everything really quickly.  It's great.  I have electricity in the island and I put the microwave in yesterday.  It fits perfectly and I don't think I'll mind having it down there.

Most of the handles have been put on the cabinets too.  The only one that doesn't have one is where the trash/recycling is which could possibly be the one cabinet you would really like to have one.  Murphy's law in action.  There are a couple of pieces of baseboard that need to be put on and the painter will be back to touch up here and there. Besides that, it looks great and little by little I have been moving things back upstairs.  It makes the basement even more horrible now that I'm used to a little light.

What's happening

Not much.  I was expecting plumbing to be done today but it wasn't.  Here's some pics of what's going on.  We've gotten a lot of cabinet doors and pull outs and stuff but there is a lot more to do.  It probably doesn't take all that long but I'm getting a tiny bit impatient.  I really wanted to move some stuff back in place this weekend but it may have to wait.

I should also mention that I survived my 10 mile race on Sunday.  Quite a bit slower than I would have liked but for a first time I'm relatively happy.  I got lots of blisters though.  I think I'm going shoe shopping on Friday.

The end of week 14

We are at the tail end of week 14.  We got counter tops on Friday and the refrigerator was delivered. As soon as they put the counter top on the island I noticed that it's off by just a smidge.  I think they can fix it fairly easily although now it will be heavier.  You should see these guys putting in the granite.  That stuff weighs a ton and it's really nerve wracking to watch, hoping they don't mess up everything else.  Plus I can't imagine how they actually manage to pick it up.

 The radiant heat in the floor was worked on but they have to come back to finish.  The rest of the painting was done this weekend as well.  I'm really hoping that the rest of the cabinets will be taken care of this week.  If not I'm afraid I may go into a homicidal rage.  Could be dangerous.  At least for the cabinet maker.  Besides that, we need the plumber and the electrician again.  The floor needs another coat of polyurethane and I'm sure there are other details that need to be addressed.  I actually just typed a list of for the contractor.  It's nothing major, just little things.

Who knows what will happen in week 15.  I really need to be done because there's a good chance we will have to host mother's day this coming sunday for my mom and the inlaws.  Could be messy.

Pantry - No handles yet but pretty

It's getting there.

Midway through week 14

So week 14 officially started Tuesday.  By the end of Friday I should have counter tops and a refrigerator.  Today I came home to find that the lighting had been installed.  At first I was really surprised that they figured out where they all went but then I found that they saw my notes on the coffee table in the living room.  I guess I'm happy about that but they could have called or texted and I would have told them where they were.  All in all, it doesn't matter because it's up and it's fabulous.

I also got the ovens installed and the washer and dryer.  The washer may or may not have a dent in the front.  I'm not sure if it's supposed to be like that or not.  I'll find out tomorrow.

I can't wait to be done.  Have I said that before?  Lately?  I bet I have.