5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 2

[kikipug]

In other news - DD Kristin won her Zone competition in equestrian. She got a first place - she's on the WVU equestrian team (actually a club) and went to NJ on Fri for the Regionals. She placed 3rd. She was a little disappointed as only the top two advance to Nationals, but she realizes that she's only a sophomore - and has done a great job as it is.......


She's also making her final arrangements for her China trip - she was selected to go on an International Engineering Mission..... I wish I could go....

Lisa did very well. She had the the highest all around score she has had all year, but alas no medals. There were competitors from 7 states and competition was fierce. The girls that did real well tended to compete the skill level of the next level (Level 9) at the Level 8 meet. I can't say much because that is exactly what Lisa hopes to do next year. She will be training with the Level 9 competitors at her gym, but probably competing Level 8 next season. She did very well and we are quite proud of her.

Way to go Kristin & Lisa!!!

Spent all morning at Elizabeth's last competition of the year... US Nationals, right here at home in Daytona; her squad took first in their division, and my MIL (from NH) and my FIL (he lives here) were there to see it. She was so proud of herself.

Now the season is OFFICIALLY over!!!! I have a feeling that August 1 will be here all to quickly though!

 

[Dancind]

I bet that comment would go over well on the main board........

"My kids didn't like DCL and they're smart kids......"

Virgil
TFD

Right you are, Virgil! But I figured it's pretty safe to say that here...

 

[tinksdad]

Kevin, I have a questionf for you that has to do with your profession. Maybe you could help a gal out? The way my house is, my kitchen is in front of my laundry room. So this means that my fridge and my laundry room share a wall corner. Today I noticed in the laundry room corner, some bad sheet rock. Mildewy. I look on the other side of shared wall, and it is there as well. I guess maybe my water line for my fridge is leaking? Who do I call to fix this? and more importantly do you think it is going to be expensive?

Sounds like you have two opportunities for water leaks. One from the refrigerator feed and the other from the washer box and drain.
You will need to isolate the problem, is it a water or a drain problem? Obviously the water would be worse in my opinion since it is pressurized and can leak continuously.

More than likely is in the wall between the two. I would recommend cutting a 12" square hole in the sheetrock behind the washer (easier to get to) and see what is going on. Look for water leaking signs, like corrosion and scale build up on the pipes. Might be a loose joint in on of the supply lines.

As far as costs go: Once you find out what your having problems with, then the appropriate guy can be called. Plumbers are really crappy about drywall patching (I say that in a loving way) and drywall guys don't normally fix plumbing. Maybe a handyman, if you can find a descent one then he could do both jobs.

Actually, either problem isn't too bad! YOU could do it with some coaching.......



(brings back memories of before the 10-day cruise.)

 

[tinksdad]

Way to GO! Kristin, Lisa and Elizabeth!

What a bunch of great kids!

So, does it count that the "parents" like Disney cruises too???

 

[BWVPam]

Got a bit of good news, bad news from the school this week. The official 2005-2006 school calendar came out had has the year ending May 25. That's the good news...The bad news is the tiny fine print that says "schedule subject to change pending legislation" - Our fine lawmakers in Austin have decided to consider a bill that requires school to start after Labor Day beginning 2005-2006. That would push the start date 2 weeks later and then the ending date would also be 2 weeks later...

That sure does not sound good. Maybe that is why I haven't gotten an official copy of the school calendar yet here in El Paso. The school board approved but said they haven't gotten back the official from TEA yet. I personnally don't like the Labor Day idea. But if they were to do it, I think they should give us some advance notice. I guess they don't think people plan their vacations this far in advance. I know a couple of state reps, think I will call them this week and put in my 2 cents worth.

I am already having to pull the kids out of school for 3 days at Christmas because the school board decided not to release until 12/21 and we leave for WDW on 12/17. I know I couldn't pull them out of school again in May for a week. My oldest will be a sophomore in High School and my youngest will be in first year of middle school Plus, we are supposed to be in WDW for a week after the cruise meeting up with our neighbors who are now living in Denton.

 

[WVMD]

(brings back memories of before the 10-day cruise.)

I guess I better start looking for some new books.... Plumbing for Dummies... and Dry Wall Patching for Dummies......

(The rest of the story..... Karen (OhioMinnie) did some bathroom remodeling and asked a "few" questions on the thread for Tinksdad..... I managed to find a small book "Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies" and presented it to her on the cruise......all in good fun of course..... I learned more about spackling than I ever thought I would.....)

Virgil
TFD

 

[WDWLVR]

Great job Kristin, Lisa and Elizabeth! What a talented group of young ladies we have on this cruise!

 

[kikipug]

So, does it count that the "parents" like Disney cruises too???

Remember... we might have been those "smart kids" at one time!!!

My parents took us on our first cruise when I was 7... long before DCL, AND long before kids went on cruises... no clubs, no babysitters, formal every night... and we LOVED IT!!!!

Dad made the mistake the last morning of the cruise at breakfast of saying that if we wanted to go again, WE had to save half the $ ourselves... 2 years later- to the day- we were getting back on that ship again... I managed to earn $300 between the age of 7 and 9... must have had some smarts then!!!

 

[tinksdad]

I guess I better start looking for some new books.... Plumbing for Dummies... and Dry Wall Patching for Dummies......

(The rest of the story..... Karen (OhioMinnie) did some bathroom remodeling and asked a "few" questions on the thread for Tinksdad..... I managed to find a small book "Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies" and presented it to her on the cruise......all in good fun of course..... I learned more about spackling than I ever thought I would.....)

Virgil
TFD

Thanks Virgil, I'm sure that will help some of the folks not on the 10-day. That was Fun? wasn't?? Still get a chuckle out of the memory!

BTW, I never saw the finished project pictures like Karen promised....... Oh, Ohiominnie..........

 

[tinksdad]

Dad made the mistake the last morning of the cruise at breakfast of saying that if we wanted to go again, WE had to save half the $ ourselves... 2 years later- to the day- we were getting back on that ship again... I managed to earn $300 between the age of 7 and 9... must have had some smarts then!!!

IMPRESSIVE!!! You were one "driven" kid!! Still the same I imagine?

Reminder to myself, "never get in kikipug's way, when on a mission"!!

 

[TiggerInNY]

Kevin,

We have your standard side-by-side split level. Kitchen/LR/DR on main floor, 3 BRs and bathroom 2nd floor and family room in basement under bedrooms. We are pushing out the kitchen and DR out the back of the house 22' x 23' W and going up on the DR/LR side with a MBR suite. Yeah, I know, a lot of work. My husband is a Union Plumber and knows a lot of tradesmen. We just broke ground this past Saturday. My kitchen now is very small. But afterwards it will be awesome, double wall oven, 36" cooktop, 3-door refrigerator (with freezer on the bottom) that's for my husband who is 6'2" and can't see what's in the frig in the conventional refrigerator, and a 92" penninsula. Wow, what dinners I can make in there. Now, it's hard for two people to be in my kitchen without hitting butts and I'm a person who likes to cook. I'm debating on the countertop between Silestone or Granite. Kevin, maybe you could shed some light on the situation. I could actually get the Granite for $400 LESS than Silestone. My first pick was Silestone, but I'm kinda on the fence now. Is Silestone more forgiving with dishes, etc? Do things break easier on Granite? I'm also worried about the sealing of the granite. Some people have said it's not a big deal. Sooo confused.

Soooo exciting. My house will soon be turned upside down, but hey, I'm just thinkin that for a while, I won't have much to clean!! A little perk to keep me going. And drinking will help, too. I can post some pictures if you'd like once the project starts to get moving and you could actually see something. Sorry this is so long. Don't get me started, I could go on and on about this. But you asked. Say a little prayer for me and I will hope for the best.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[tinksdad]

<snip> Kevin, maybe you could shed some light on the situation. I could actually get the Granite for $400 LESS than Silestone. My first pick was Silestone, but I'm kinda on the fence now. Is Silestone more forgiving with dishes, etc? Do things break easier on Granite? I'm also worried about the sealing of the granite. Some people have said it's not a big deal. Sooo confused.

I remember now you mentioning this project before. NOW, it just starting!! Congrats, sounds VERY exciting.

Silestone and Granite are very similar. Hardness is basically the same, type of finish and edges, plus the up keep are pretty much the same. Silestone is a man made product made with quartz and is harder than some granites. It is also non porous. Come in many different colors and aggregates.

Granite is "natural" milled stone and comes with some natural flaws, like cracks, fissures and unevenness in coloring. That said, I still like granite better since it has more "movement" than Silestone, Cambria or the other man made products. It just seems more real to me.

However neither one is a bad choice, just a personal one! You will get many years of use out of either, just don't drop mother good china on the counter.......
I personally recommend that folks use the stone on the counters and do something else on the backspash. Some of the tiles you can get these days are just spectacular and with some inset dots of color, picked up from the counters will make a very attractive kitchen. Mixing textures and finishes are very "in". Like mixing the smooth glassy finish of the top with a natural stone look of slate or tumbled marble for the backsplash.


And yes, PLEASE do post pictures for us busy-bodies. Don't forget to take plenty of before and after shots for you too!

 

[justmestace]

Hi I'm baaaack!!

Several years ago, when we remodeled, we used "Granitech" in the kitchen. I love it!
Kevin's right, it does have a different look to it than the real granite, but we've had nothing but compliments. Ours has a "rosy" tone to it, and for the backsplash and surround we used copper tiles. It gives the kitchen a really warm feel.
I have no idea what conversation I just stepped into....but thought I'd add to it!!

We had a very nice, relaxing weekend. Positively perfect.
Saw David Copperfield for the first time. He is really good! I wish I could figure out how he does the things he does!!

Heading for bed.....Las Vegas is not exactly the place to go to get a lot of sleep!

 

[justmestace]

Way to GO! Kristin, Lisa and Elizabeth!

What a bunch of great kids!

So, does it count that the "parents" like Disney cruises too???

IMHO......Smart PARENTS like Disney cruises, too!!!

 

[justmestace]

Life is too short, and none of us know whether we will be here tomorrow, so we must make the most of the time given us.
Virgil
TFD

My sentiments exactly......VERY well said!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning cruisers!


Happy Monday!




Another week starting! Why are the weekends so short? Well a quick look at the boards and then off to work I go!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[kikipug]

You were one "driven" kid!! Still the same I imagine?

Reminder to myself, "never get in kikipug's way, when on a mission"!!

oooohhhh... you have NO IDEA!!! (But my bark is worse than my bite...) I'm so glad that they finally fixed the 'custom avatar' option... now mine fits me perfectly!!)

 

[WDWLVR]

oooohhhh... you have NO IDEA!!! (But my bark is worse than my bite...) I'm so glad that they finally fixed the 'custom avatar' option... now mine fits me perfectly!!)

Karen - now you need to fix your countdown timer - it shows us already cruising

 

[kikipug]

Karen - now you need to fix your countdown timer - it shows us already cruising

I WISH!!!!! Hmm... wonder what happened to it- I didn't touch it! Maybe it's like "Field of Dreams"... "If you build it, they will come"... "If your countdown clock says zero, it's time to go." ... if I show up at the port now, do you think they'll let me on? My clock says so!!!???!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

I WISH!!!!! Hmm... wonder what happened to it- I didn't touch it! Maybe it's like "Field of Dreams"... "If you build it, they will come"... "If your countdown clock says zero, it's time to go." ... if I show up at the port now, do you think they'll let me on? My clock says so!!!???!!!

Simple answer is no because the ship isn't in port today. Try again - it must just have been a cut and paste error.