~~ They're leaving the nest, sew it's time for a trip - or two - or three...~~ D~'s bag ~9/22 ~~

[Born 2B a Princess]

I have three sets of dishes -- the ones we use every day, our Christmas dishes, and a set of clear glass dishes I've had forever but we never use. I'm working through the KonMari method and have decided that the clear glass dishes don't spark joy for me -- we absolutely never use them (our every day dishes are nice and I have settings for 12 people)....they're quite heavy and they're taking up valuable cabinet space that I really need in our small kitchen. So I've decided that they will go. I'm having the same problem with storage of travel cups and water bottles...I haven't found a good solution yet. And I desperately need a solution for our Tupperware cabinet -- it's an absolute mess! We also have a junk drawer....it needs lots of attention but I'm just not ready to deal with it yet. LOL

I hope the increase in water pills helps get rid of the fluid your Dad has been gaining....continued prayers.

 

[Pluto0809]

I still have the junk drawer... Please tell me I am not the only person with one of these?

I actually have two in my kitchen. One with your regular junk stuff and a second with all dog junk stuff!

 

[vrajewski10513]

WOW!!!! I have 3 full sets of dinnerware - not including my Grandmother's China! I really need to decide if it's worth the cupboard space to have that many up there... I can honestly say that I've never once used the one set - and it's been up there for, at least, 5 years. The other set used to be our "good" set for holidays - but I have not used it in, for sure, 3 years - seeing as I used Josh's Step-Mother's Mother's China set (did you get that? LOL) before I used my Grandmother's. I am not sure I am ready to get rid of those other sets of dishes yet (maybe pass them on to the girls?) - but I am almost certain that they won't get unpacked.

I would definitely put them away for the girls. I couldn't even tell you how helpful it was to get those hand-me-downs when I moved into my first apartment! I don't think I ever could have afforded to buy all those things new.

And then all of the travel mugs and water bottles... Well - I am trying to come up with a solution for those too... I am thinking maybe I will put them in a bin of some sort - and put them in my cupboard where I store my crock pot & such? How do all of you store yours?

Oh god, I'm in the same predicament with the water bottles and travel mugs. Let us know what you come up with!

Josh is concerned that our dishes will stick to the painted cabinets in the high humidity of the summer - so I will likely have to put place mats or something under those

I have decorative contact paper on the shelves of my cupboards.

managed to get almost everything packed up... I still have the junk drawer... Please tell me I am not the only person with one of these? LOL

One? I have like 4 lol

 

[dalmatian7]

We have a junk drawer also! Mostly pens, note pads, take out menus, and oddball kitchen "tools". I don't have a water bottle problem but we have a sippy cup lid drawer and a sippy cup drawer. My daughter is five but I still have her use a cup with a lid in the living room if she is drinking anything but water because we don't have a coffee table so it is too easy for accidental spills. Our travel coffee mugs are running low at the moment so they are all standing with a lid on. I try to keep my tupperware organized with lids in a large one I don't use often and everything else stacked.

I like your idea for a back ground in the cupboard. If you like the print of the china that you don't use, would it match a room in the house using one plate as a wall decoration or a cup for something? I have a plate hanger in my kitchen that I switch our plates for every season. Most are plastic from Target, but I do have a single piece of china that I found. I also used old green cups to add color to my window sill over winter. Actually, they are some sort of leaded glass so I would be afraid to serve out of them, but they look cool in the sunlight. Plus they remind me of my grandma whose house they came out of.

I love watching your project come together. I am sure you are ready to be done.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I agree with everyone who suggested that you set aside the dishes for the girls. Our kids were able to fill their homes with household goods and furnishings from their two grandmothers who passed away within three months of each other. It was very sad for the kids to have lost their last remaining grandparents but the timing could not have been better with each of them living in their own places by then.

 

[Terkina]

How great that you are done packing everything that was in the cupboards. I guess you just have to wait and see what you will put back into the cupboards when you're done with the kitchen and ready to put things back in place.


Today I've started to prepare for 17th of May (our National Day) since I think there will be so much people in the store on Friday and Saturday because the shops are closed on Monday 16th May because of White Monday and of course they are closed on Tuesday 17th May because we celebrate our National Day. Ulf and I are planning to make home made pizza for dinner and home made ice cream for dessert. Since your only using the egg yolks for the ice cream, we will have a lot of egg whites left. Of the egg whites we are making something I don't have a clue what you call them. So here I have some picture of the thing we are going to make.

The weather forecast isn't good. They say it will rain, be windy and 41ºF. If they are right I won't get up at 6AM to watch the first and best parade of the day because I will freeze to death. I haven't decided yet if I will go to town in the middle of the day or if I just go out for the last parade in the evening.

 

[kbarrett]

Okay I finally got all caught up! You have been so crazy busy! Congrats to V on early admission to art school, how fabulous! Also happy very belated birthday, I would take the gifts she got in a heartbeat, she looked very happy with her haul. Prayers for your dad and for you, it's hard to be strong for loved ones! Your house is looking amazing, you and Josh are really working hard and it shows! It's inspiring me to get motivated to finish all the projects we have hanging around our home (trime, wall patching, painting, etc).

 

[Iamthequeen]

I had 3 sets of china in my China cupboard before I gave one set to my son & dil. One set will go to Shannon and the other set to Andrew. Kate will get my crystal glasses since she already has her grandmother's china. When Charlie and I got married, we combined our kitchen ware and I have about 20 dinner plates - all corning ware.

 

[DisneyTeacher01]

Praying for your dad.

 

[DMGeurts]

I have three sets of dishes -- the ones we use every day, our Christmas dishes, and a set of clear glass dishes I've had forever but we never use. I'm working through the KonMari method and have decided that the clear glass dishes don't spark joy for me -- we absolutely never use them (our every day dishes are nice and I have settings for 12 people)....they're quite heavy and they're taking up valuable cabinet space that I really need in our small kitchen. So I've decided that they will go. I'm having the same problem with storage of travel cups and water bottles...I haven't found a good solution yet. And I desperately need a solution for our Tupperware cabinet -- it's an absolute mess! We also have a junk drawer....it needs lots of attention but I'm just not ready to deal with it yet. LOL

I hope the increase in water pills helps get rid of the fluid your Dad has been gaining....continued prayers.

I've heard of the KonMari method, and I've been using it very loosely lately - I just need to declutter in a bad way... I've also been doing the "if I haven't touched it in 12 months" thing too... Some of the stuff taking up precious cupboard space are items that I haven't touched or used in much longer than that.

I did a search yesterday - and I did find a viable option for us - I realize this won't work for everyone, but it should work pretty well for us - as I can hang them on the back of the basement door. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/ARV9ptOB6tjfCcHnzQmxMirPLQXr6Ahn7Tq-AJ3Qia4hmWSs6Fd7AsM/ I looked at the shoe holders when I was at Target yesterday - but they are about $20 there, and I know I can find them cheaper - I am not looking for anything beautiful really, but I am definitely on the look out for it.

Thank you - I sure hope so... He has 2 very important appointments today, and the nurses promised me that they would call with updates this afternoon. Fingers crossed that it goes well for him.

I actually have two in my kitchen. One with your regular junk stuff and a second with all dog junk stuff!

Ahhhh - good... I feel like all of my drawers were becoming junk drawers there for a while... But this one, I am referring to, is the official junk drawer. LOL Glad I am not alone.

I would definitely put them away for the girls. I couldn't even tell you how helpful it was to get those hand-me-downs when I moved into my first apartment! I don't think I ever could have afforded to buy all those things new.


Oh god, I'm in the same predicament with the water bottles and travel mugs. Let us know what you come up with!


I have decorative contact paper on the shelves of my cupboards.


One? I have like 4 lol

Well - I have one (not complete set) of Corelle dishes for one of the girls, when she moves out - I found them at a garage sale last summer... So, I am sure that I will be able to pass along many items to them when the time comes.

I found this yesterday on Pinterest... I think it will work really well for us - as we have a basement door in our dining area, and it swings open all the way - so this wouldn't be in our way ever. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/ARV9ptOB6tjfCcHnzQmxMirPLQXr6Ahn7Tq-AJ3Qia4hmWSs6Fd7AsM/ I am now officially on the hunt for a cheaper one - no need to be pretty or anything.

We had this "foam stuff" - it was cupboard shelf liner, but it was black foam beads, sort of... It's hard to describe. I hated it though - from day one, but I've never bothered to replace it - as almost all of the time, the beads would "stick" to the rims & bottoms of the dishes, so you'd pull them out of the cupboard and they looked like mouse droppings. Drove me crazy! I was never so happy to rip the stuff out, as I was last night. I am not sure what I am going to use now - but it won't be that. I've seen it at Target before, and it's pretty expensive stuff - so I am kind of surprised that I dislike it so much - but I do. LOL I was thinking that it might be cute to use actual fabric or place mats? Especially in that cupboard, since I am not planning to put the doors back on it.

Hahaha... Good - I am glad I am not alone. LOL

We have a junk drawer also! Mostly pens, note pads, take out menus, and oddball kitchen "tools". I don't have a water bottle problem but we have a sippy cup lid drawer and a sippy cup drawer. My daughter is five but I still have her use a cup with a lid in the living room if she is drinking anything but water because we don't have a coffee table so it is too easy for accidental spills. Our travel coffee mugs are running low at the moment so they are all standing with a lid on. I try to keep my tupperware organized with lids in a large one I don't use often and everything else stacked.

I like your idea for a back ground in the cupboard. If you like the print of the china that you don't use, would it match a room in the house using one plate as a wall decoration or a cup for something? I have a plate hanger in my kitchen that I switch our plates for every season. Most are plastic from Target, but I do have a single piece of china that I found. I also used old green cups to add color to my window sill over winter. Actually, they are some sort of leaded glass so I would be afraid to serve out of them, but they look cool in the sunlight. Plus they remind me of my grandma whose house they came out of.

I love watching your project come together. I am sure you are ready to be done.

Awesome! That sounds like our junk drawer. I totally understand about the sippy cups - it look me a LONG time to get rid of those, they just worked so well!

That is the next cabinet to get organized - when I put all of this back together... My Tupperware cabinet... It's terrible. That is one cabinet I sit on the floor and organize on a regular basis, just because it's always out of hand... But I really need to find a good solution... I've seen some Pins, where people put all of the lids into a bigger bin - I am thinking about doing that... I sort-of do it now, just put them in a bigger container, but it's not working so well. I do wish I had a bigger cabinet for this one.

I do like the print - but sadly, none of it matches... Hmmm... Actually - the vintage set from the lake might? I'll have to go back down and dig it out when it's time to put everything back together. Although - I just love my Corelle dishes (even though I do need to purchase an updated pattern) - there are so many memories attached to them - it will be hard to retire them when the time comes. And it's likely coming soon.

I like how you switch out your plate for the seasons - that's a fun idea!

I am glad you are enjoying it - yes I am ready to have it over with, but to be honest - it hasn't quite been that bad yet. Once we get the counter tops ripped out - then it will get bad and I"ll be DONE. LOL So, we are hoping to have that part done quickly.

I agree with everyone who suggested that you set aside the dishes for the girls. Our kids were able to fill their homes with household goods and furnishings from their two grandmothers who passed away within three months of each other. It was very sad for the kids to have lost their last remaining grandparents but the timing could not have been better with each of them living in their own places by then.

I agree- that is sad, but at least the timing was at a time to help them out.

How great that you are done packing everything that was in the cupboards. I guess you just have to wait and see what you will put back into the cupboards when you're done with the kitchen and ready to put things back in place.


Today I've started to prepare for 17th of May (our National Day) since I think there will be so much people in the store on Friday and Saturday because the shops are closed on Monday 16th May because of White Monday and of course they are closed on Tuesday 17th May because we celebrate our National Day. Ulf and I are planning to make home made pizza for dinner and home made ice cream for dessert. Since your only using the egg yolks for the ice cream, we will have a lot of egg whites left. Of the egg whites we are making something I don't have a clue what you call them. So here I have some picture of the thing we are going to make.

The weather forecast isn't good. They say it will rain, be windy and 41ºF. If they are right I won't get up at 6AM to watch the first and best parade of the day because I will freeze to death. I haven't decided yet if I will go to town in the middle of the day or if I just go out for the last parade in the evening.

Oooh - that is going to be fun - and delicious! I always enjoy hearing about this time of year from you - it's always so exciting! I hope you enjoy all of the celebrations! Hopefully the weather won't be as bad as they are predicting.

Okay I finally got all caught up! You have been so crazy busy! Congrats to V on early admission to art school, how fabulous! Also happy very belated birthday, I would take the gifts she got in a heartbeat, she looked very happy with her haul. Prayers for your dad and for you, it's hard to be strong for loved ones! Your house is looking amazing, you and Josh are really working hard and it shows! It's inspiring me to get motivated to finish all the projects we have hanging around our home (trime, wall patching, painting, etc).

Thank you! For all that you mentioned.

That was me... We had SO MANY unfinished projects... There's a saying - something like this - "you never get more done around your house than the year your oldest child graduates..." LOL - There is so much truth in that. Good luck finishing your projects - they sound a lot like ours. Just beware - it's much more time consuming that I had thought it would be... And words of the wise - stay off of Pinterest during that time... LOL It's bad.

I had 3 sets of china in my China cupboard before I gave one set to my son & dil. One set will go to Shannon and the other set to Andrew. Kate will get my crystal glasses since she already has her grandmother's china. When Charlie and I got married, we combined our kitchen ware and I have about 20 dinner plates - all corning ware.

Yes- I remember you telling me about this last winter... It's so nice that you have it all planned out. I only have 2 sets of actual China, so eventually - each of the girls will get a set... Meanwhile - I can stock them up easily on other dishes. LOL

I love my Corning Ware/Corelle dishes - those are our every day ones... I have a HUGE set - which I purchased LONG before I ever met Josh, and we've been using it all of our married life - so lots of memories attached to my set. Now, if only I could find replacements of my silverware... I go on Ebay every once in a while and search for it... I know, if I were to go to our old house - I would find the majority of the missing pieces in the yard there - the girls would always use them as "shovels" when they were little.

Praying for your dad.

Thank you so much Jennifer... He has 2 big check-ups/appointments today, so I am anxiously awaiting news on these sometime this afternoon/evening. Hopefully the water pills are helping him again - otherwise, I am not sure what we are going to do?

********************************************************************************************************

So, update on Dad... I can't remember if I updated yesterday or not? I talked, at length, with one of the nurses on Wednesday evening... They've been watching my dad's weight very closely - as any gain larger than 3 lbs is supposed to be followed with an increase of his water pills - since that means that he is retaining fluid again. Sadly, since his intake to the nursing home last Friday - he has gained 13 lbs... So, they called his Dr. for an increase to his water pills... Otherwise - he is working hard and very much ready to go home. I am sure hoping they can get this water retention under control soon - as I am afraid it could deter him from going home any time soon. Otherwise his wound on his leg is healing and doing better - which is a good sign. He has a big appointment/check-up with the wound care nurse today - and hopefully she will agree. He continues to use his oxygen, and I can even tell when I am talking to him on the phone - he is so much more alert and much happier. Even though he doesn't go in for his sleep study test until the beginning of June - the oxygen he is wearing all of the time does seem to be helping him sleep. So, some good news, some not so great news... but hopefully they can get him moving in the right direction again.

*****************************************************************************************************

Yesterday was a heavy lifting day for me - it feels good to be back at it again. Sadly - I woke this morning a bit sore... So, at least I know it's working. LOL

Then I was in my sewing room all day - it was a great day and I was able to get a lot accomplished.

Before picking up the girls - I went to the home improvement store to purchase *almost* the last bit of paint for the kitchen area... I still can't decide on an accent wall color. I ordered the fabric on the left to do the kitchen - and it arrived yesterday. I was a little disappointed to see that the "redish" color is actually a coral/melon type color... I was hoping it would be a little more red. Oh well... So, now I am debating if I should invest in the teal colorway of this fabric? Or if I could keep what I have (fabric is VERY expensive) and paint my accent wall a kind of "spice" color... I'd love opinions on this - as my kitchen and living room are connected and you can see one from the other... However, it's not an "open" floor plan - so they aren't one big room. Also - these are NOT my photos and this is NOT my kitchen shown - just examples.

But I did get the hardware for the little cabinet - so that thing is DONE! Overall, I am happy with it. I kind of wish I had painted it a different color... but for now - it will be OK.

We were all home for dinner last night - so that was nice.

After dinner, I worked on testing stain samples... It took me all night long, but I think I found the color I am looking for? It's sort of hard to see, as I took the photo in the dark last night... I may add just a tiny bit more red to it though? I haven't decided yet... The color I am going for is at the top - it's after leaving the same stain on for 50 minutes - as you go down the board, the stain was on for less time.

While I was doing that - Josh was working on the Jeep... He discovered, as he was walking out of work last night, that one of the metal straps, holding his gas tank on, broke... So he drove it very carefully home and fixed it last night. I am glad he didn't call and tell me before he left - because I would have totally freaked out and made him call a tow truck (which he should have done anyways) - but I am not going there. Just relieved that he was able to get home safely.

TGIF!!!! I am hoping for a HUGELY progress filled weekend! I am seriously hoping that we can get the cabinets primed and painted, the counter top/dishwasher/sink out and all of the new in... We will see?

Today - I am deviating from my normal routine... I am taking the girls to school right away this morning, and then I am headed to Target to get more boxes, so I can finish packing up the kitchen this afternoon. Since they do the truck on Fridays - there should be ample boxes for me to choose from.

Then I will come home and go for a walk - if it's nice (I honestly have not even looked out side yet)... Or I will work out in the office.

Then I will work upstairs until this afternoon when I begin packing again.

It should be a full - but backwards day for me.

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend! Prayers and pixie dust to all!

D~

 

[DreamingofCastles]

Been following along with your trip planning, your dad's situation, and your house renovations! No dull days around your house! Chiming in on your paint choice....I LOVE the "spice" color! We used a similar color in our bathroom the last time we painted and it is gorgeous. Don't your floral curtains in the living room have a little of that color? I also have a suggestion for lining your shelves. Use wallpaper (preferably un-pasted if you can get it!) A lot of time stores that carry wallpaper have rolls on deep sale that they are trying to get rid of! It's a nice weight and easy to handle.

 

[missjackiemcg]

I really love either color that you are thinking for the kitchen. The one on the left might be better if you can see that accent wall from the living room, but I think either one would really work since you have such a rich family of colors represented on your living room curtains.

I think cabinets without the doors on them look so awesome....my cabinets are FAR too cluttered to reveal the horror behind the doors, so we'll just have to live with ours on forever!! I like your idea of putting up some fabric behind to make them more interesting though--that will look great, I'm sure!!

Of course we still have a junk drawer--in fact, I've got two! We recently cleaned out our water bottle/travel mug cabinet--I was able to part ways with a lot of them (recycle bin!) but I just couldn't get rid of any of the Disney refillable mugs....and we'll get more in December...I'll just keep smooshing them in!

 

[Sweetly]

Sending thoughts and prayers for your dad. Yes, I have a junk drawer in the kitchen. Since we remodeled the kitchen a few years ago, religiously it gets cleaned out to keep it from becoming a bottomless pit of stuff. Not always an easy thing, but it helps. As for the water bottles/travel mugs, the new rule is a one for everyone in the cabinet and no more. Tupperware, is a nightmare. During the remodeling that was one cabinet where extra money was spent on the shelving that would slide out. It makes it so much easier to organize the Tupperware.

As for the colors for the kitchen. I love them both, but I can see why you are disappointed with the fabric. The blue has more pop in the fabric, where the coral is subdued. (Does that make sense?) Also, I love the top of the cabinet you stained. It seems to have a cinnamon tint to it. (which is similar to the color in my kitchen). Not matter what way you go, it will look fabulous.

Have a wonderful weekend and I hope you get some things on your to-do list completed!

 

[Terkina]

It sounds like your dad is doing better even if you didn't get all good news from him.

Sorry I don't have any advice on what you should do with the color on your kitchen.

I'm glad to hear Josh could fix the gas tank to his Jeep.

Crossing my fingers that you will get a lot done with the kitchen this weekend.

 

[ljcrochet]

Hope your dad is okay, you they can figure out why he gained so much fluid

 

[DMGeurts]

Been following along with your trip planning, your dad's situation, and your house renovations! No dull days around your house! Chiming in on your paint choice....I LOVE the "spice" color! We used a similar color in our bathroom the last time we painted and it is gorgeous. Don't your floral curtains in the living room have a little of that color? I also have a suggestion for lining your shelves. Use wallpaper (preferably un-pasted if you can get it!) A lot of time stores that carry wallpaper have rolls on deep sale that they are trying to get rid of! It's a nice weight and easy to handle.

For sure - I feel like dull days don't exist in my life right now. I am hoping - by July - I can log in here and say... "Ho-hum... I did nothing but nap" - Hehehehe. That will never happen, but a girl can dream, right? LOL

The floral curtains have a bit of a melon color in them - but it's more subdued than the bright melon of this fabric... I guess that's where I am kind of stuck? The colors in my living room are so rich and heavy - and I really want my kitchen to be light and airy, they really don't flow together. I am sure that I will come up with something, but even the spice color doesn't really go with the fabrics I chose. But darn it - I want to use those fabrics in the worst way. LOL

I have heard of using wall paper... I'll have to look around to see if I can find any that I like... I was thinking more along the lines of laying fabric down fabric... So, painting - then making a custom runner of sorts just to lay on top of the painted shelves - that way it's removable if I ever decide to redecorate? But then again - that is a lot of fabric in my cupboard... Sigh - this isn't easy. LOL

I really love either color that you are thinking for the kitchen. The one on the left might be better if you can see that accent wall from the living room, but I think either one would really work since you have such a rich family of colors represented on your living room curtains.

I think cabinets without the doors on them look so awesome....my cabinets are FAR too cluttered to reveal the horror behind the doors, so we'll just have to live with ours on forever!! I like your idea of putting up some fabric behind to make them more interesting though--that will look great, I'm sure!!

Of course we still have a junk drawer--in fact, I've got two! We recently cleaned out our water bottle/travel mug cabinet--I was able to part ways with a lot of them (recycle bin!) but I just couldn't get rid of any of the Disney refillable mugs....and we'll get more in December...I'll just keep smooshing them in!

Thanks - yes, the accent wall is in direct line of sight from the living room - so I feel like there should be some sort of cohesion there. I love the spice color - and I am hoping I can make it work. Right now that wall is red, so I feel like it will be so similar, that it won't feel like I've done much to change it? I just don't know yet... Technically - that can be the very last thing we do - so I have time to decide...

Oh trust me... Josh is kicking and screaming about me taking the doors off of these two cupboards - as ours are much the same way. But in all reality - like I said the other day - I really don't *need* 3 full sets of dishes in there... So - it's time to clean out anyways. And besides - I am only taking the doors off of 2 cupboards - that way the rest of them can be as cluttered and messy as we want them to be. I hope my fabric idea works... I have big dreams sometimes, and they don't always work out the way I invision...

I totally understand... These mugs and water bottles are totally out of hand at our house... I did buy a shoe rack thingy to hang over our basement door - so hopefully this idea reigns them in a little bit? After all - I now only have room for 24, LOL.

Sending thoughts and prayers for your dad. Yes, I have a junk drawer in the kitchen. Since we remodeled the kitchen a few years ago, religiously it gets cleaned out to keep it from becoming a bottomless pit of stuff. Not always an easy thing, but it helps. As for the water bottles/travel mugs, the new rule is a one for everyone in the cabinet and no more. Tupperware, is a nightmare. During the remodeling that was one cabinet where extra money was spent on the shelving that would slide out. It makes it so much easier to organize the Tupperware.

As for the colors for the kitchen. I love them both, but I can see why you are disappointed with the fabric. The blue has more pop in the fabric, where the coral is subdued. (Does that make sense?) Also, I love the top of the cabinet you stained. It seems to have a cinnamon tint to it. (which is similar to the color in my kitchen). Not matter what way you go, it will look fabulous.

Have a wonderful weekend and I hope you get some things on your to-do list completed!

Thanks so much... I did not get my update from his appointments yesterday - I almost didn't expect to though, because they were late in the day. I may have to wait until Monday to get results, as I am not sure that the weekend nurses will get the message to update me, and if they have the info that I need? I'll try to call up there this afternoon.

Hahaha - Josh just emptied out our junk drawer a few months ago - so it's pretty manageable right now, and not very full at all... For a while there - we could barely close it. LOL

I think part of my issue with the Tupperware is that the cabinet I have it stored in is just too small. Sadly - I really don't have anywhere else I can put it, where it would make sense. Believe me, I have to sit on my floor, at least once a week, and reorganize it. Part of the issue, is when the girls are putting away clean dishes, most of the time they just throw everything in there - rather than stack it the way I have it organized. When I was cleaning it out to pack it yesterday, I did get rid of several things, so I should be able to organize it better when we move back in - I hope.

You are right - the counter top does have a bit of a cinnamon color to it. I mixed in a bit more red yesterday and I did another test - I really love the color now, and I am certain I have what I want there. I am sure I will figure something out, I am really leaning towards a spice color, if I can figure one out... However - I also have that aqua fabric in my cart, and I am tempted to pull the trigger on that one. Right now - my biggest priority is getting my kitchen put back together... Just wait until you see the pictures posted below... my life is chaos right now.

Thanks - yes we are definitely working on it... Yikes...

I hope you have a great weekend too!

It sounds like your dad is doing better even if you didn't get all good news from him.

Sorry I don't have any advice on what you should do with the color on your kitchen.

I'm glad to hear Josh could fix the gas tank to his Jeep.

Crossing my fingers that you will get a lot done with the kitchen this weekend.

He is doing better, mostly... I just hope we can get this swelling to go down again.

No worries... I hope that once we get everything in and painted, that I will be able to better visualize it.

Yes - that was a relief, we are so lucky that it didn't turn out badly.

Thanks - me too. I hope you have a nice weekend as well.

Hope your dad is okay, you they can figure out why he gained so much fluid

Thank you - Sadly this fluid retention is a chronic thing, and it's something he will always have due to poor circulation. It's a matter of managing it, which is proving to be the difficult part. Even elevating his legs doesn't seem to be helping - and he's stubborn to boot, so... I just hope they can get it to go down to his previous weight.

I hope you have a nice weekend.

*************************************************************************************************

Argh... So, yesterday...

Well - I didn't work out... I wanted to go for a walk, but by the time I was back from town (to get boxes) - it was pouring rain. I decided that I will get lots of "working out" this weekend.

So I went to work upstairs. I was able to get a lot done up there - which was nice.

After lunch - I started working on kitchen stuff again. I was able to get the remainder of the kitchen packed up - except for the last 2 top and bottom cupboards, we are doing these counter tops in "stages" - so we can still have part of our kitchen semi-functioning. So, my 4 foot counter top at the end is stuffed full with a small set of clean dishes to use temporarily.

Once everything was packed - I started sanding the cabinet shells, and prepping them for paint.

My kitchen went from this...

To this...

To this...

In a matter of an hour - roughly.

A small chain of events forced us to get ahead of ourselves, and ditch the initial plan. As Josh was unhooking the sink - he had the water shut off at the sink - but one of the hoses he had to cut (for our filtered water faucet) was ahead of the shut off valve... Which of course, gave our kitchen a bath... But then we had to shut off the water to the entire house for the remainder of the night - while Josh reworked all of our kitchen plumbing. We were finally able to turn the water back on at midnight. Phew.

So, in my head - I am trying to piece this together to figure out how we are going to manage everything this weekend. I am thinking - I will work on staining the counter top today... I am pretty sure I can get it stained and sealed, so possibly we can install it tomorrow?

While I am doing that - Josh can work on installing the dishwasher and priming/painting the cabinet shells... As, obviously - I want those done before we install the counter top.

Then, hopefully he can figure out how to install the sink tomorrow?

The difficult part is all of the drying times and making sure everything cures properly. We were not planning on having this much down time with the sink/dishwasher, and I am a lot nervous about getting all of this done before he goes back to work on Monday. I feel a little bad that him going back to work, at the moment, is a vacation for him.

Anyways... If anyone wants to come help stain, or paint, or hold a fan so it all dries quicker - just let me know. LOL I am sure I can find a job for you.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Prayers and Pixie Dust to all!

D~

 

[gopherdame]

You only have 1 junk drawer, lol? I have 6 drawers in my kitchen and 3 of them are kind of junk drawers. One has an assortment of utensils I rarely use, one has coupons and recipes, and one is totally junk. Not sure about leaving the cupboard doors off and will be waiting to see what it looks like. I'm guessing you will keep the doors and that way you can always put them back if you or Josh end up not liking it. I would vote for teal mainly as you've had the red and it would be a totally new look. Good luck on getting a lot done this weekend.

I'm doing something a lot more fun today. I'm going clothes shopping with my grandkids. The girls are 12 and almost 14 and always need/want new clothes. Plus the oldest has grown so much this year she has very little summer clothes. Although I'm not sure when she will need them this summer. I covered my plants yesterday so they wouldn't freeze.

 

[Terkina]

Crossing my fingers that Josh gets the sink and the dishwasher installed so you don't have to live with out water for too long.

 

[LittleFlounder]

When I was doing my kitchen renos a few years back, I too painted my cupboards. I used melamine paint, which is oil based... I'm not sure if you buy that kind of paint anymore in the U.S, but you can't in Canada where I am. Though I left all the doors on, I still had to paint the insides. I painted the shelves of the cupboards and didn't put anything on them...my dishes never stick to the shelves, even when it's humid. I'd just make sure the paint has cured very well before putting anything in the shelves. I can totally sympathize with you about the cost of hardware for the cupboards...I have a tiny kitchen and bought cheap hardware, but it still cost $150 for all the hinges, knobs and handles!

 

[DMGeurts]

You only have 1 junk drawer, lol? I have 6 drawers in my kitchen and 3 of them are kind of junk drawers. One has an assortment of utensils I rarely use, one has coupons and recipes, and one is totally junk. Not sure about leaving the cupboard doors off and will be waiting to see what it looks like. I'm guessing you will keep the doors and that way you can always put them back if you or Josh end up not liking it. I would vote for teal mainly as you've had the red and it would be a totally new look. Good luck on getting a lot done this weekend.

I'm doing something a lot more fun today. I'm going clothes shopping with my grandkids. The girls are 12 and almost 14 and always need/want new clothes. Plus the oldest has grown so much this year she has very little summer clothes. Although I'm not sure when she will need them this summer. I covered my plants yesterday so they wouldn't freeze.

Well - I try to only have one junk drawer. LOL My utensil drawer is always a mess - but it's at least all the same thing, sort of. I keep my recipes & books in a cupboard, but that will change once we finish up here - they will actually go on a newly made shelf/cupboard above the new microwave - I purchased 2 bins for them to go in, so hopefully they look good. My cook books and recipes are quite the mess and something I should take time to organize one day - but for now, hopefully the bins disguise the fact that they are all well used. LOL

Yes - we are keeping the doors, and I am also purchasing all of the hardware for all of the doors - even the ones we aren't putting back on, so if ever in the future we want to put them back on, it will be quite easy.

I am having such issues with an accent wall color... I just can't seem to visualize anything. So, I am almost thinking, for now, I won't do an accent wall - then I will see what it all looks like when it's painted and put together and go from there. I can always add my accent wall later - that's super easy to do.

That should be lots of fun - I hope you had a great time! I know my girls have very fond memories of when the Grandparents would come and take them BTS shopping... But once they got to High School - that pretty much stopped, the girls had their own opinions and I guess it wasn't as fun anymore? LOL Not sure?

Yes - it was super cold last night and the night before, not only did I have to find room in my house for all of my plants I'd put outside, but I had to find room for the bazillion gallons of paint and stain that I am now the proud owner of. Sadly - we even turned the furnace back on last night - it was just too darn cold in here - and I feel like we are being tortured enough with out a kitchen, we shouldn't have to freeze to death too. LOL

Crossing my fingers that Josh gets the sink and the dishwasher installed so you don't have to live with out water for too long.

Thanks Lillian... Well, he was able to get one done, but not the other.

When I was doing my kitchen renos a few years back, I too painted my cupboards. I used melamine paint, which is oil based... I'm not sure if you buy that kind of paint anymore in the U.S, but you can't in Canada where I am. Though I left all the doors on, I still had to paint the insides. I painted the shelves of the cupboards and didn't put anything on them...my dishes never stick to the shelves, even when it's humid. I'd just make sure the paint has cured very well before putting anything in the shelves. I can totally sympathize with you about the cost of hardware for the cupboards...I have a tiny kitchen and bought cheap hardware, but it still cost $150 for all the hinges, knobs and handles!

I am not sure if that type of paint is available here? I did splurge on the cupboard paint and purchase the really expensive stuff - just so that it's more durable.

That is good to know - I've been a little bit worried about that. I guess I can just try them out painted, and if I start having issues, I can always lay something down.

No kidding? I just ordered the hinges yesterday, and the drawer pulls - I still have to order all of the knobs for the cupboard doors... So, yesterday was 36 hinges & 8 drawer pulls, which came to $100... I still have 16 knobs to get... They are so expensive - and believe me, I am going with almost the cheapest ones I can get away with. Yes - I want quality, but I am feeling soooo broke with this project. LOL I need to talk to Josh - because if we can just spray paint the handles we have - I'd be willing to settle for those for the time being too.

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So, yesterday, my morning was spent running V to and from college. That is 3 hours on the road for me, which cuts a lot of time into my kitchen time right now. Oh well - it's just super important for her to do this - so I have to remember that.

Sadly - after reading the directions on the stain... And on the Waterlox... Yah - there's NO WAY my counter tops will be installed anytime this week. Sometimes it helps to read directions - seriously. :shakinghead: So, the stain has to be completely dry - which I knew, before I can do my first coat of Waterlox - that's an 8 hour minimum. Then the Waterlox is a 24 hour dry time between coats and I need a MINIMUM of 4! Soooo... The stain will be done today, this morning - it was just too cold yesterday to do it. Depending on how my day goes, I may get a coat of Waterlox on the counter top yet today... Otherwise I will be adding a coat every day this week until Thursday... I want to let it cure for a couple of days before we install it - so Saturday or Sunday. Which is OK - we still have other stuff that must get done before we install anyways.

Most of our day yesterday was spent on miscellaneous items that needed to be done... The big one for Josh was cabinet repair... We had a few boards that needed to be replaced and a few spots where the bases were loose at the wall - this took a big portion of the day for him.

He also took the time to move 2 light switches for me - technically one... OK - 1 set. Their location was just bad... And I guess any location they are in at the moment is bad... but he moved them over for me, so that I can add something to my cupboards to make them look prettier. But that's a secret. Needless to say, nothing is ever a small project in this house and it took him hours and a lot of frustration. But he's my hero and he got it done.

We also have a few outlets that are old and need to be updated - as you can see from the below picture. That will be done when he adds the extension thingies for the wainscot.

Oh - and he installed the dishwasher too. It's hooked up to the new power, but it's not hooked up to any water yet - and probably won't be until next weekend, as Josh has to install the new/old sink before he can figure out how he wants to/needs to route the plumbing under there. But it looks pretty. And it fits into the space provided so nicely! Josh did a great job! (and nope, that isn't a ding in my new dishwasher... Just an air bubble in the protective cover).

As for me, I spent my day filling nail holes... Filling cracks in our cabinets... Sanding our partially stripped cabinet doors down to bare wood (we opted not to strip the interior of them) - and then deep cleaning the interior painted portion. This took the majority of my day, in between helping Josh.

The good part in all of this - is now the entire room is ready to be primed - if only we could stand in the middle with a giant sprayer and just spin - it would be perfect. I am really hoping to have the first layer of primer on everything today... I am also hoping to have the cabinets painted this evening... I want them to have several days to dry before we add the counter tops to them.

I still have not decided on an accent wall paint color. At this time, I am almost leaning towards not having one for the time being... I can just paint it the same color as all of the other walls for now... Then once I get everything set up - likely some time this summer, then I will see how I feel about all of the colors and what I want to do there. Just thinking about it makes me incredibly anxious - and sometimes when I get to feeling like that, I just need to back away and rethink - so that's what I think I need to do here. But for the record, I am still open to opinions and ideas.

This morning - we have to run to the home improvement store, hopefully for the last time (how many times have I said that?) - but this time, it's for finishing items, like the remainder of the plumbing supplies... 1/4 round for the trim around the wainscot... That sort of thing. And the best part about this, is that we have a $60 rebate check to spend from our carpet pad... So, most of this stuff should be free. I honestly didn't think that check would be here until well after we were done with all of these projects - so that was an added bonus.

And then it's a full day of priming for us... Glad we have a 5 gallon bucket of primer.

So, that's all - that's my exciting weekend so far.

I hope all of you are having much more fun than I am. Sending out prayers and pixie dust to all of you!

D~