tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91150671603305313502024-03-05T16:57:30.022-08:00Why Dwell?My sister calls me the Queen of Denial - - I prefer the more zen state of "why dwell??"
This blog is simply a place to keep friends and family abreast of goings on and - - hopefully, it will make a few of them smile.
For those not in the know: "CMR" is short for our "COOL MID-CENTURY REMODEL." You know, just in case you were dwelling...wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.comBlogger368125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-45316349518310801642013-01-11T16:18:00.000-08:002013-01-11T16:18:35.928-08:00Pay no attention to the man behind the screen...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here we are about 2 weeks after the finish of kitchen-new. Most of the punch list has been attended to, except for our swinging door that will be between the dining room and the kitchen, the fixing of the LED light on our sink faucet (yes, George the Elder found that little gem. I guess it's important for doing dishes in the dark??), and the glass in the upper cabinets on the stove wall will be changed out with ribbed glass to match the back door and soon-to-be-hung kitchen/dining door. </div>
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I'm still working on putting in the drawer organizers, some were back ordered, some were mis-ordered and some were simply not ordered - - but I'm getting there. My spices are now alphabetized and at least I've got that going for me. And yes, I said alphabetized. You can laugh, but when you're in a hurry looking for oregano - - it's nice to just be able to scan past all those pesky C's - - you know curry, cinnamon and cloves.</div>
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I promised some photos of the kitchen-new with our stuff in it - - and today you get those, PLUS an added photo stream of things "behind the doors." I promised this to my sister today, so you all get to snoop as well. Do. Not. Judge. Just because I have capri sun in my cupboards, doesn't make me a bad person....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Atrium. Need a little work on my shelf organization and display, but am so pleased to have these shelves in there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View with "stuff" from top of stairs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up view of shelves... Plus, dig those nifty Emeco stools. They're aluminum so they weigh about next to nothing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of nice big bright windows in kitchen. Our plan for window treatments = none. I don't know if you can tell, but these have really cool pull open screens on them. The screens are on the inside, so you don't wrestle with dirt or spider webs from the exterior. Brilliant!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pantry - - closed...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pantry - Open. Love those drawers. Love those shelves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stove wall with stuff on counters... our vintage canister set, and George the Elder's very high tech coffee machine. I don't drink coffee, so I've no idea how to use it. </td></tr>
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And more for the insides of drawers...Left side first....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go ahead -- zoom in if you'd like. Alph on the right. Others on the left....</td></tr>
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Right side now...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oil pull out!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island with the bar block returned to it's intended state. What I didn't take a photo of was the inside of these drawers. The large middle one has a knife block. The other two are empty so far. I've a feeling that junk will fill them shortly! Far left is a little door that covers the electrical outlet and a port to plug in your computer.</td></tr>
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And now for the insides...Right and Center....<br />
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Left side. Can I tell you how much I appeciate having all of our plates and bowls in drawers? Plus, they're right across from the dishwasher, so once you're bended down to start unloading the clean dishes, you just move them across the way to their rightful location. It's a little chunk of organizational heaven...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sink wall.</td></tr>
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And the guts....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK5Z1Oj83IDRbaCS45VqNsLZKKX-uiAJock_-X7gv4ab54qzewlUC63Vss-sNFHOecFRgNS_mYXWdPDNCNnnFN4OlnuXM2-Unlb1Ub_IGbGFvQuNR_nwrVvM2LvfRXJulBH0ayHD_ip0/s1600/IMG_4876_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK5Z1Oj83IDRbaCS45VqNsLZKKX-uiAJock_-X7gv4ab54qzewlUC63Vss-sNFHOecFRgNS_mYXWdPDNCNnnFN4OlnuXM2-Unlb1Ub_IGbGFvQuNR_nwrVvM2LvfRXJulBH0ayHD_ip0/s1600/IMG_4876_1136.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room enough for a very nice sized composte bin!! So San Francisco...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTPlzYz48qE-ZJGnQQFlLabJcfA1Ja2ZAvGIhBrIe5eQlq3dqb1jc1q96DzQYgh2A9K4k2eOP9IMIP8sYAYS0C8-kgbxsztnqHPxhuw_orx_M8f58AeDKLNaGylKfMLkSAtFXgNZXSEg/s1600/IMG_4878_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTPlzYz48qE-ZJGnQQFlLabJcfA1Ja2ZAvGIhBrIe5eQlq3dqb1jc1q96DzQYgh2A9K4k2eOP9IMIP8sYAYS0C8-kgbxsztnqHPxhuw_orx_M8f58AeDKLNaGylKfMLkSAtFXgNZXSEg/s1600/IMG_4878_1138.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We put our recycling in this pull out bin.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqK9NNyKHI5do7PTMs5NNrQqX2n2JBMktMp2UHTe4MQpRLJ_smvgZDyVdvRxlgqvjNURyy7_BNQ5UFf4lhBiDJVO0ixfcuWroiQRzS0zpwq1PTMEgPDeQJS3STymNj9SDOkCn2zTU74c/s1600/IMG_4879_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqK9NNyKHI5do7PTMs5NNrQqX2n2JBMktMp2UHTe4MQpRLJ_smvgZDyVdvRxlgqvjNURyy7_BNQ5UFf4lhBiDJVO0ixfcuWroiQRzS0zpwq1PTMEgPDeQJS3STymNj9SDOkCn2zTU74c/s1600/IMG_4879_1139.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corner cabinet with kidney shaped thingy in....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN5OuCDxkmqu9cHXB9G2qwPQsrcRVkRcfsvAlhHLdVU9Bo2b_3yT06NEkzAzy90n8VvLDZ_bVAXdWQyi9JwbyNAogo3hkRslfBHMMidK84_zvGJAwrHcaAALhyphenhyphenFjDtoCKxqHCEnX3BAc/s1600/IMG_4880_1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN5OuCDxkmqu9cHXB9G2qwPQsrcRVkRcfsvAlhHLdVU9Bo2b_3yT06NEkzAzy90n8VvLDZ_bVAXdWQyi9JwbyNAogo3hkRslfBHMMidK84_zvGJAwrHcaAALhyphenhyphenFjDtoCKxqHCEnX3BAc/s1600/IMG_4880_1140.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corner cabinet with kidney shaped thingy pulled out. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_CuMx31vCHSpNNA238HDiKRJJfMHevayFVyyOQMjcVz_ZqfU3D3i1XF6rVox5QwGSZpTv9qYLH2yFsdy3r2XAzxTvkuJEVdVahYRupLvjEoSkikw_8M6C5aeuYWi52P5Jv-9KT3HszQ/s1600/IMG_4881_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_CuMx31vCHSpNNA238HDiKRJJfMHevayFVyyOQMjcVz_ZqfU3D3i1XF6rVox5QwGSZpTv9qYLH2yFsdy3r2XAzxTvkuJEVdVahYRupLvjEoSkikw_8M6C5aeuYWi52P5Jv-9KT3HszQ/s1600/IMG_4881_1141.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Tall Wall"....</td></tr>
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Behind the scenes....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiTIAqinjIQ/UPCAx8magKI/AAAAAAAADpo/YyJmkli1NFA/s1600/IMG_4882_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiTIAqinjIQ/UPCAx8magKI/AAAAAAAADpo/YyJmkli1NFA/s1600/IMG_4882_1142.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">appliance garage. sheer brilliance.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WclgO3ziseI/UPCA28EHqFI/AAAAAAAADpw/y2gPdCpFK6E/s1600/IMG_4883_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WclgO3ziseI/UPCA28EHqFI/AAAAAAAADpw/y2gPdCpFK6E/s1600/IMG_4883_1143.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hidden microwave...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_qiohJWxjmc/UPCA7v8NqtI/AAAAAAAADp4/c8jBBcgikbw/s1600/IMG_4884_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_qiohJWxjmc/UPCA7v8NqtI/AAAAAAAADp4/c8jBBcgikbw/s1600/IMG_4884_1144.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pantry</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VarEKtBwBqE/UPCBFgqegpI/AAAAAAAADqI/ItYfAZls6hk/s1600/IMG_4886_1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VarEKtBwBqE/UPCBFgqegpI/AAAAAAAADqI/ItYfAZls6hk/s1600/IMG_4886_1146.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of fridge room!!!</td></tr>
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And that is it for the kitchen-new. Pleased it's done, still need to find the right pendants, and I love cooking in it. I didn't say I loved cooking per se, but if I've got to do it - - the place is a real dream to do it in. Go us!wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-5919395871351638802013-01-03T14:40:00.002-08:002013-01-03T14:40:33.237-08:00Same Perspective : New ViewAfter posting the photos yesterday, I thought it might be fun to show a little before/after from approximately the same view points. I loved seeing the photos nearly side by side. One of these days I need to do a quick slide show for myself that shows the transformation over time. Cause for the life of me now, I still am confused about what took so long - - even though I was there watching it through its various stages of transformation...<div>
<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_5gxBXA0dY/UGyfil3t3uI/AAAAAAAADF8/tuNkV15WImg/s1600/Kitchen1001+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_5gxBXA0dY/UGyfil3t3uI/AAAAAAAADF8/tuNkV15WImg/s400/Kitchen1001+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-old on October 1, 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D47kLBHaPcA/UOSVjcF-ZsI/AAAAAAAADjw/db-K7SP3ENM/s1600/IMG_4801_1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D47kLBHaPcA/UOSVjcF-ZsI/AAAAAAAADjw/db-K7SP3ENM/s400/IMG_4801_1092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-new on December 21, 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGdTLyR7_6Q/UGyfijDyzZI/AAAAAAAADGA/u4uhbf_HHo0/s1600/Kitchen1001+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGdTLyR7_6Q/UGyfijDyzZI/AAAAAAAADGA/u4uhbf_HHo0/s400/Kitchen1001+%25281%2529.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-old stove view on October 1, 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifzicak2j60/UOSWA0sjMfI/AAAAAAAADkg/yv9jItuKNc8/s1600/IMG_4807_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifzicak2j60/UOSWA0sjMfI/AAAAAAAADkg/yv9jItuKNc8/s400/IMG_4807_1098.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-new stove view on December 21, 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5qFxa4ESCLxWXA5jVf-I1f21y4ZoroYYsHqgTXqesuaI2wqgMw1AESB3sS6CppaVoDXamwKlebW5DvF57qUf2hwSje17q0ck5wxdXgrYGxla9LV3Z4_xsvhXssPSVspUVOjENfkQaUc/s1600/Kitchen1001+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5qFxa4ESCLxWXA5jVf-I1f21y4ZoroYYsHqgTXqesuaI2wqgMw1AESB3sS6CppaVoDXamwKlebW5DvF57qUf2hwSje17q0ck5wxdXgrYGxla9LV3Z4_xsvhXssPSVspUVOjENfkQaUc/s400/Kitchen1001+%25285%2529.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-old view from pantry on October 1, 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oODSwh2NaLY/UOSVyBAjf_I/AAAAAAAADkI/ygjWiEeeXVk/s1600/IMG_4804_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oODSwh2NaLY/UOSVyBAjf_I/AAAAAAAADkI/ygjWiEeeXVk/s400/IMG_4804_1095.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-new view from pantries on December 21, 2012</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Beyond just updating everything from the 1984 pink sink, gray/pink granite, white cabinets and weird faux wood floor - - the thing that we like best about this room now is that it is really open. Removing the wall made a really big difference in the amount of light that we get in there (and I guess putting in a larger window over the sink didn't exactly hurt). It's also a place now where we spend a lot of time just hanging out - - when someone else is cooking, there's enough open space for other people to be there - - the "galley" concept of kitchen-old wasn't conducive to having more than the cook in there without getting in the way.</div>
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And like all things "new" - - it takes a little getting used to. Last night I discovered that putting garlic bread in the small top oven (which seemed to be a perfectly reasonable place to put it to heat it up) is not a great idea. The good news is that when the bottom of the bread turned black and started smoking - - I quickly discovered that my fan hood is amazingly strong and efficient! Silver lining - - but no garlic bread. heh heh heh.</div>
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wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-65312301221095700782013-01-02T14:46:00.003-08:002013-01-02T14:46:42.624-08:00It didn't fit under the tree...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But, on December 21st after a grueling 2 months, 20 days and 8 hours (give or take an hour or so), Luke made good on his word and delivered to us the best Christmas present EVER. All the protection was removed, the last bits ands bobs were attended to, the cleaner came and....VOILA!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D47kLBHaPcA/UOSVjcF-ZsI/AAAAAAAADjw/db-K7SP3ENM/s1600/IMG_4801_1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D47kLBHaPcA/UOSVjcF-ZsI/AAAAAAAADjw/db-K7SP3ENM/s400/IMG_4801_1092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the stairs looking down in to the kitchen new. Love the Ann Sacks tile - - it's so clean and bright. The pendant lights are the only thing we simply do not like, so these will be switched out at some point in the future. They're just a little too "some thing" - - too industrial, too heavy, too "some thing"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxXwQkBEs2w/UOSWeHCYY2I/AAAAAAAADlQ/EaPZDBr_KSU/s1600/IMG_4813_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxXwQkBEs2w/UOSWeHCYY2I/AAAAAAAADlQ/EaPZDBr_KSU/s400/IMG_4813_1104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "tall wall" - - Right to left: Fridge, Freezer, Pantry, appliance garage, microwave cabinet and then along the top all kinds of cute high cabinets where we will house all manner of things that we keep in the kitchen but rarely use since I cannot reach them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKRYXSGFxVI/UOSVodjQBaI/AAAAAAAADj4/K7WlAb8Qtqg/s1600/IMG_4802_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKRYXSGFxVI/UOSVodjQBaI/AAAAAAAADj4/K7WlAb8Qtqg/s400/IMG_4802_1093.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the top of the stairs, our GLORIOUS pantries! These bad boys are BIG and I was able to get everything in there that I had planned for.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5NCJ90ZZjaU/UOSVtM2AoZI/AAAAAAAADkA/S3GkrlCExwk/s1600/IMG_4803_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5NCJ90ZZjaU/UOSVtM2AoZI/AAAAAAAADkA/S3GkrlCExwk/s400/IMG_4803_1094.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our crazy big island and new emeco stools! See the lights? Some thing's not quite right, yes?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqHHAVyoi1mG-ArNh5OS6Ihm3naYHbmztNLPlrhwf9wS_chRmkUCnhNEmRw7YAFcqZiWoVC23RYSIgnYYNsjSjJXBniJ-dZ9dajUacmArvLIlDBtgrRqdKkOlmOO3_EfqanKS5f4YdzU/s1600/IMG_4805_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqHHAVyoi1mG-ArNh5OS6Ihm3naYHbmztNLPlrhwf9wS_chRmkUCnhNEmRw7YAFcqZiWoVC23RYSIgnYYNsjSjJXBniJ-dZ9dajUacmArvLIlDBtgrRqdKkOlmOO3_EfqanKS5f4YdzU/s400/IMG_4805_1096.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the door leading to the dining room. Still loving the way that the lights reflect off the stainless steel back splash.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6-0Y6e_i1o/UOSV79KS3jI/AAAAAAAADkY/AJ5Kwt2U0J8/s1600/IMG_4806_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6-0Y6e_i1o/UOSV79KS3jI/AAAAAAAADkY/AJ5Kwt2U0J8/s400/IMG_4806_1097.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing by the pantries looking towards the backdoor.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifzicak2j60/UOSWA0sjMfI/AAAAAAAADkg/yv9jItuKNc8/s1600/IMG_4807_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifzicak2j60/UOSWA0sjMfI/AAAAAAAADkg/yv9jItuKNc8/s400/IMG_4807_1098.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here she is - - all unwrapped, all cleaned and ready to cook in her own little "nook."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uP5gAQT92lE/UOSWKgYYNRI/AAAAAAAADkw/osfUpkXsaX4/s1600/IMG_4809_1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uP5gAQT92lE/UOSWKgYYNRI/AAAAAAAADkw/osfUpkXsaX4/s400/IMG_4809_1100.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of the island. Note white outlets on the bar block. Ugly and soon to be removed. We didn't pass our electrical inspection 2 days before this photo was taken. Some nonsense about needing multiple plugs on this island. So, we came up with an elegant solution put in place for the final inspection two days later. Luke is in the kitchen right now returning this to it's intended design. A nice little door on the far left that hides the first electrical socket, a second drawer will go back after removing the second electrical socket, and our radio will tuck nicely in to the last space on the right. I hate inspectors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oOq5aDRHnVs/UOSWUdl-iFI/AAAAAAAADlA/WP6EU_o1Hn8/s1600/IMG_4811_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oOq5aDRHnVs/UOSWUdl-iFI/AAAAAAAADlA/WP6EU_o1Hn8/s400/IMG_4811_1102.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our sink wall. LOVE the big drawer under the sink to put all my yukky stuff.</td></tr>
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Right after these photos were taken, the boxes were hauled up from the garage to put stuff in the kitchen-new. My brother was arriving in less than 48 hours and the rush was on. We needed to unpack all the stuff in boxes in the garage, dismantle the temporary kitchen that was downstairs in the laundry room, transform the guest room and dining room back to their original purposes from their temporary use as construction storage/work rooms! The whole house needed a cleaning from top to bottom -- that construction dust is a bitch. But just as the last rag was being thrown in to the laundry basket - - the door bell rang and the Christmas guests arrived. Perfect!!</div>
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There are still things to be done - a page long punch list - and the guys are back today to start working on it. But, DANG we are happy with the room (except for the pendants). George the Elder had the time of his life cooking here, it's already been christened by guests and I love seeing George the Younger eat his breakfast at the island bar. Nice to see him there instead of downstairs hunched over the coffee table. And yet, somethings will never change - - like the fact that even though the kitchen is brand new, I still managed to leave the extra pancakes in the oven from Christmas morning only to find them there 2 days later still in the oven -- cold, wrinkly and stale!</div>
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I'll eventually post some photos with the kitchen-new filled with our crap. Books on the shelves, art work hung and all our vintage clocks back where they belong. And, if I must say so myself - - we did a great job on this room. Thanks for Henrybuilt for their vision, Saturn Construction for all their hard work, and to George the Elder who, when I thought everything was going to hell in a hand basket, patted my on the hand and told me "everything is going to work out fine." He was right.</div>
<br />wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-15675601688782710462012-12-17T12:39:00.002-08:002012-12-17T12:39:51.484-08:00The Calm before the Stone...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just because I suck at posting, doesn't mean things aren't happening. What I thought was going to be a big week on December 3rd, kind of got kafluggled. Last week, however brought some big happenings.... Foreman Luke is still promising to deliver by this Friday - - and I'm going to take him at his word. Today we got "water" in the sink - - which I will post tomorrow when I take some more photos -- but last week the whole thing really started to gel and it looks like a "room" more or less...</div>
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The first notable achievement of the week was our big beautiful Chagny made it up from the garage to the kitchen. Luke and Dan carried her (sans doors and anything else that could be removed before hefting her) around the back and in through the door. They did this while I went to drive carpool. I think it was done then so I wouldn't hear them crying like a couple of little girls that, "it's SO heavy!!" They also brought up the dishwasher - - which you will see in subsequent photos. They reported that this was lighter and easier to maneuver. Go figure.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-4s7-0RHSI/UMvYxEapzsI/AAAAAAAADd4/djlURsPPiKE/s1600/2012Dec11_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-4s7-0RHSI/UMvYxEapzsI/AAAAAAAADd4/djlURsPPiKE/s400/2012Dec11_0044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is!! Ready to be pushed back in to her perfect place in the stove nook!</td></tr>
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So, after a week of fiddling here and fiddling there -- we sat ready on Friday morning for the boys from fox to come and deliver the counter tops.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zfNQu3ed9c/UMvYy1eIaxI/AAAAAAAADeI/CnJ48KLDa10/s1600/2012Dec11_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zfNQu3ed9c/UMvYy1eIaxI/AAAAAAAADeI/CnJ48KLDa10/s400/2012Dec11_0045.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall wall, minus the fridge and freezer....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GylpYL20kik/UMvYzyJBFkI/AAAAAAAADeg/64cXcCcAXfw/s1600/2012Dec14_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GylpYL20kik/UMvYzyJBFkI/AAAAAAAADeg/64cXcCcAXfw/s400/2012Dec14_0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island with our super cool bar block back on top! Edges protected...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOitMl_1trTh2LIMBMkLmLCWkc0rU233vDt59_9FteAyYxmtneE4fra8JgeuBUJnIRhJ-2zQorH-i724gAeBlLQxVprAiBd8kUJU5x0kdh9_UMZqJCGREBdBwHeTard7Q-_u68Dyghoo/s1600/2012Dec14_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOitMl_1trTh2LIMBMkLmLCWkc0rU233vDt59_9FteAyYxmtneE4fra8JgeuBUJnIRhJ-2zQorH-i724gAeBlLQxVprAiBd8kUJU5x0kdh9_UMZqJCGREBdBwHeTard7Q-_u68Dyghoo/s400/2012Dec14_0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sink wall (see the dishwasher - - just taunting me now every time I do dishes in the laundry sink downstairs..)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxUiCAK4N9UxTHtjwq8tHVDriVURcZMBgdla5pfq0k4UWlsq-yYVc8y_kYPmBW3i-CiqeM4NB4ArVFYYc__4V_hBr5ufQLANokGQv6wrVt22CbxtSQ1I-WlGpFMFJ02k958k3CAMNfRg/s1600/2012Dec14_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxUiCAK4N9UxTHtjwq8tHVDriVURcZMBgdla5pfq0k4UWlsq-yYVc8y_kYPmBW3i-CiqeM4NB4ArVFYYc__4V_hBr5ufQLANokGQv6wrVt22CbxtSQ1I-WlGpFMFJ02k958k3CAMNfRg/s400/2012Dec14_0019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front of island - - see where all the drawers fit in to the bar block? It even has a place on the far right for our kitchen radio...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmIL_4uMJq4/UMvY28fXCcI/AAAAAAAADfA/6vt6BYkrKEk/s1600/2012Dec14_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmIL_4uMJq4/UMvY28fXCcI/AAAAAAAADfA/6vt6BYkrKEk/s400/2012Dec14_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stove wall ready to accept its counter top. Stainless back splash still covered for protection. Also, note that the stove hood was recessed in to the upper cabinet as it was intended. Thanks Dan!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwAnnOgdAX2SGi-0PU7YDqp-Dpczj47zpZI-XhsWoLgOUP8CXXteTKVW91Pqws4C2priPYxp0xHlrrIfzZfyqRaiaZjWR4ttgmz4zR8f-B4TL8cfFPkPYIlc6rNoCed8Hed1MGkCOno0/s1600/2012Dec14_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwAnnOgdAX2SGi-0PU7YDqp-Dpczj47zpZI-XhsWoLgOUP8CXXteTKVW91Pqws4C2priPYxp0xHlrrIfzZfyqRaiaZjWR4ttgmz4zR8f-B4TL8cfFPkPYIlc6rNoCed8Hed1MGkCOno0/s400/2012Dec14_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before the counters arrived, the teeny tiny cabinets that fit above the fridge and freezer arrived and Dan hung them up. Can't wait for tomorrow when Miele comes a' calling again to deliver and install the fridge and freezer. Ooooh-weee!</td></tr>
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And then, through the rain came the Fox guys and our stone was here! I was like a little kid on Christmas morning. George the Elder and I had already met with them to determine how our VERY large piece of granite would be sliced in to pieces for the counter tops. Who knew there was very sophisticated software to help you with this? In the end, they got it just right. Black splotches positioned perfectly. Blue twinkley spots shining in the sunlight. A site to behold.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkDfYf-Gjzc/UMvY6QaqrLI/AAAAAAAADf0/qTbeGacQn_k/s1600/2012Dec14_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkDfYf-Gjzc/UMvY6QaqrLI/AAAAAAAADf0/qTbeGacQn_k/s400/2012Dec14_0028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First slab gets laid down in the corner of the stove nook.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OkRLPFvFFw/UMvY93jaOBI/AAAAAAAADgo/t5UkN1yMiks/s1600/2012Dec14_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OkRLPFvFFw/UMvY93jaOBI/AAAAAAAADgo/t5UkN1yMiks/s400/2012Dec14_0033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second slab is glued in to place and the protection is peeled back to reveal the amazing stainless behind it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgB9U7cTDyM/UMvY8rEBPJI/AAAAAAAADgY/0bshwOkyZrc/s1600/2012Dec14_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgB9U7cTDyM/UMvY8rEBPJI/AAAAAAAADgY/0bshwOkyZrc/s400/2012Dec14_0031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The island, the sink counter, and the back splash are all put in to place.</td></tr>
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And as the sun began to set here in San Francisco, the boys had all cleared out, and stools that we ordered for the island had just been delivered - - I couldn't help myself, so I removed the plastic morgue door at the top of the stairs and looked down on my emerging kitchen-new....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFsnzy7eOz0/UMvY_kwHAMI/AAAAAAAADhE/jCRTzvD6SDs/s1600/2012Dec14_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFsnzy7eOz0/UMvY_kwHAMI/AAAAAAAADhE/jCRTzvD6SDs/s400/2012Dec14_0036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first view of our kitchen-new from the top of the stairs. Love it. Really Love it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFMMuN8WkyY/UMvZBwnXl-I/AAAAAAAADhg/sDf4vmmHoI4/s1600/2012Dec14_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFMMuN8WkyY/UMvZBwnXl-I/AAAAAAAADhg/sDf4vmmHoI4/s400/2012Dec14_0041.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note how the radio was the first thing installed in the bar block? The construction guys love having music while they work!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpojOGpuffQ/UMvY_ckIbPI/AAAAAAAADhA/zog_EbXaMhk/s1600/2012Dec14_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpojOGpuffQ/UMvY_ckIbPI/AAAAAAAADhA/zog_EbXaMhk/s400/2012Dec14_0037.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The protection was peeled back from the stainless and I like how the lights from the stove hood and the under cabinet pucks reflect. The stove was pushed back in to place and it's looking amazing right there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-am7mOTzXaZk/UMvZBB2qB3I/AAAAAAAADhY/KA5AVp9Myr8/s1600/2012Dec14_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-am7mOTzXaZk/UMvZBB2qB3I/AAAAAAAADhY/KA5AVp9Myr8/s400/2012Dec14_0038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another view of the island and stove area. So pretty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bXq-AJ0vCrU/UMvZBwW2uWI/AAAAAAAADhk/QZ4ER63PeGM/s1600/2012Dec14_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bXq-AJ0vCrU/UMvZBwW2uWI/AAAAAAAADhk/QZ4ER63PeGM/s400/2012Dec14_0040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sink counter complete with our enormous sink and the casing installed around the very very large kitchen window!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7Q5wiDdDeIyuG7m7kZh64HonGxruLVJIAy2eDZZwM2h7ENSc1Z5QbWF0k6POqDLIrXZnHCDOCD6xDIMnfrQriKI1EhO9o73riH-Po66h9CE_SNi5m_kSMqQPx7A3EriG4rk8ud4pH98/s1600/2012Dec14_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7Q5wiDdDeIyuG7m7kZh64HonGxruLVJIAy2eDZZwM2h7ENSc1Z5QbWF0k6POqDLIrXZnHCDOCD6xDIMnfrQriKI1EhO9o73riH-Po66h9CE_SNi5m_kSMqQPx7A3EriG4rk8ud4pH98/s400/2012Dec14_0039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the sink counter.</td></tr>
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The weekend started with this as my last site of kitchen-new. We are happy, happy, happy. Monday morning brings lots of little things being taken care of. Five days and counting....<br />
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<br />wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-45708837984387865622012-12-07T21:07:00.003-08:002012-12-07T21:07:49.254-08:00If It Can, It DidToday marked just another day in the life of CMR Phase II where something went wrong... As Foreman Luke said today, "I think that the project is actually going along pretty smoothly!" To which Dan, our main construction man actually answered, "Yup, for a project where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong - - it's going along pretty smoothly!" Truer words were never spoken...<br />
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As I mentioned yesterday, today the fridge and freezer were supposed to be delivered. I got the call late yesterday afternoon from Miele concierge telling me that they would be here between 9 and 11. We were thrilled. We were excited. We were wrong. Wrong enough to want to go back to late October to really get a sense of where things really started to go wrong with the "Great Fridge Freezer Debacle of 2012."<br />
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It started November 20th just after the cabinets were delivered. Foreman Luke called me in Phoenix to "quadruple check" that the fridge and freezer were Miele. I thought the call kind of strange - - I mean I'd included them on the fixtures list, I had given the electrician and the plumer the spec for them - so I was fairly confident that he didn't need to "quadruple check." But, I was cooking for 50 and didn't take too much time to dwell on it. Come to find out that the reason he called was that the panels for the fridge and freezer had been scaled by our kitchen designer (or the manufacturer -- but who cares really?) to suit a different appliance - - a sub-zero - - Big drag!<br />
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Henrybuilt stepped up immediately to quickly rectify the problem - - which included re-sizing and new construction of the cabinets above the fridge - - but the fastest that they could get those in to production and delivered to us would be around the 13th of December. All good. Way to go Henrybuilt.<br />
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So, 10 days ago I contact Miele concierge to try to get the delivery delayed until the 17th until the panels and cabinets could be delivered. (Note: I had heard that the Miele warranty would be invalidated if they did not do the installation of the units AND the installation of the panels). I said as much to Miele and the response I got was - - if I delayed the installation then, the next available date for delivery was early <strong><u>JANUARY </u></strong>- - to which I replied, "Um.....NO!" I was then told that they would do the delivery on the 7th and it was O.K. that the panels were not here. Ummmm, OK!<br />
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Today I was not at home during the delivery time. I got the following sequence of phone calls:<br />
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<li>"This is Miele Concierge we'll be at your house in about 15 minutes."</li>
<li> "This is Miele Concierge" we are at your house, but no one here seems to know anything about a fridge delivery" (They were at the wrong address - - and we are grateful that wrong house didn't realize their windfall and accept units and have them installed).</li>
<li>"This is Luke. Miele says that they cannot install the fridge or freezers <strong><em>without the panels as it will invalidate your warranty.</em></strong> Can they just leave them here in the atrium until the panels are here? They will come back on the 18th to install them." (Huh? What? Did they say the 18th? Of December?? The 18th?? Why didn't they say that date was available in the first place???? But, fine, whatever, yes, just put them on the porch)</li>
<li>"This is Luke. Can I verify the freezer that you ordered? The one that they brought is too big for the space." (Problem? The wrong freezer was here. Wrong as in about 22" too wide wrong. This problem was not technically the fault of Miele. The problem originated at the place where we bought the appliances. The place where we have never had an issue with before - - so I still love them even though I had a giant freezer I could use still on the truck and a fridge I couldn't install sitting in a box the size of King Tut's tomb on my porch. Representative of the place filled out the order form <em>incorrectly</em>, then attached it to an email where in the body of the email that units were identified <em>correctly</em> - hence I did not open the attachment assuming that the order form would have the same information as the email - hence I did not know that the wrong unit was ordered - hence I now only have a fridge on my porch as opposed to a fridge and a freezer - - hence they will need to bring the correct freezer on the 18th when they come to install them with the panels and my warranty will be effective).</li>
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Bottom line, I. HAVE. NO. FRIDGE. OR. FREEZER. INSTALLED. Crap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ1K7SLBQk_kb5g-RxbWlaA-L8u3F_CroIzbNyTmjW5GDLXF4II_S6oNS74-dzqiFj5tAuLqyKzSO1W6F0iueTM3s1TiEqIhkO5RGvSGqkLhPo9gyfdW0fKqpG_4iTGWt_4D9jyoH-hw/s1600/2012Dec07_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ1K7SLBQk_kb5g-RxbWlaA-L8u3F_CroIzbNyTmjW5GDLXF4II_S6oNS74-dzqiFj5tAuLqyKzSO1W6F0iueTM3s1TiEqIhkO5RGvSGqkLhPo9gyfdW0fKqpG_4iTGWt_4D9jyoH-hw/s400/2012Dec07_0012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so for the second time in as many months I have a fridge on my porch. Good news is that this on is not on the back porch, plugged in, holding my food. Still...</td></tr>
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In other news, Howard the Electrician:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bE7-WqlRog/UMKj6tBqcsI/AAAAAAAADck/KuiVBM7vF-w/s1600/2012Dec07_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bE7-WqlRog/UMKj6tBqcsI/AAAAAAAADck/KuiVBM7vF-w/s400/2012Dec07_0014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Howard!!</td></tr>
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managed to do lots of electrical finish work like put in all our ceiling lights (except for the pendants that will hang over the island where he is standing. We ordered the lights a while ago and we loved the crystal protrusion as opposed to standard "cans" - - construction speak for canisters... What we didn't realize but happily discovered was that our crystal protrusions would create a nice soft down light glow in the kitchen (an AMAZING thing considering we are forced by code to use LEDs which are known to be yukky and bright and horrid) but that they also created this amazing mid-century boomerang up light affect on the ceiling. It's grand.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiCHQVRAWV1Alw14fqns3oXIBEu3xHH4ZDMEZAQOgAO3dvnKqD3HVClC4TUbevFxgoKMxqd6sUD0hKlCmIWOKEaKibSq9v1oWi0OkQ047ONq1cl0ddUD-1RC1ZLd5LUiSe4zaSQJIfI0/s1600/2012Dec07_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiCHQVRAWV1Alw14fqns3oXIBEu3xHH4ZDMEZAQOgAO3dvnKqD3HVClC4TUbevFxgoKMxqd6sUD0hKlCmIWOKEaKibSq9v1oWi0OkQ047ONq1cl0ddUD-1RC1ZLd5LUiSe4zaSQJIfI0/s400/2012Dec07_0013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the boomerang halos? They look much better in person. Hard to capture lights in a photo.</td></tr>
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In the end, the bad is pairedwith some good. We've got cooler lights than we ever imagined and we've got a fridge on our porch. Cosmic balance.<br />
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On to next week.... I'm pretty much finished with this one.wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-10828620946489332332012-12-06T16:35:00.003-08:002012-12-06T16:35:25.065-08:00Whaaats Up???I know, I know....loong time no update. Things got a little hectic around the end of November. Went to Phoenix to spend time with LOTS of family for a family reunion. Spent a week cooking, catching up and generally having loads of fun. It was so nice to see everyone, and especially for G and H to meet a lot of relatives that they have never met in person. It was also kind of nice to get away from the day-to-day issues of Phase II I have to say.<br />
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But since it's been a while - - here is a very long post to catch every one up on the saga of CMR Phase II: Kitchen-New....<br />
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On Friday the 16th - - this was the BIG news....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFihCQcW5xzyv0WnrMcbFIVlxy5s0O5LHw_XukLi5LgN7_N9e5MJr8NYIc6q68FubNHS31IvGBcudUO63mvb9h9MkxCZbQQQq_Y0F7qnKO677XZQ2aK0hPQFTZ3zlyCYw8v2In4dOGZ0M/s1600/Nov162012_2452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFihCQcW5xzyv0WnrMcbFIVlxy5s0O5LHw_XukLi5LgN7_N9e5MJr8NYIc6q68FubNHS31IvGBcudUO63mvb9h9MkxCZbQQQq_Y0F7qnKO677XZQ2aK0hPQFTZ3zlyCYw8v2In4dOGZ0M/s400/Nov162012_2452.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big moving truck FULL of kitchen cabinets sent all the way from Seattle from Henrybuilt!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tO_DHNysw78/UMEkRIB_h7I/AAAAAAAADaA/rDHTLJ49dTM/s1600/Nov162012_2453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tO_DHNysw78/UMEkRIB_h7I/AAAAAAAADaA/rDHTLJ49dTM/s400/Nov162012_2453.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stuff was extremely well packed and there was loads and loads of stuff</td></tr>
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It was really great to see these cabinets. If you recall we had a CATASTROPHE regarding the ceiling height. Turns out it was a problem with the measurements and the folks that caused the problem stepped up immediately to rectify. Best of all, Henrybuilt came to the rescue, did us a real solid and got everything taken care of with only 1 week delay in shipping! Hazzah!!!<br />
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The cabinets came on a Friday and I hustled off to Phoenix the following Monday without a single view of the damn things getting unpacked. I wish I had a photo of the garage, since all that was left was a wee narrow space for George the Elder to park his Ducati in. My car was ousted long ago to make room for the stove, but at least you used to be able to walk through it to get to the lower level of the house. Not so much once the cabinets were unloaded!<br />
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After I left - - George the Elder stayed behind a couple more days to work and to keep watch and to take some photos of cabinets starting to go in. Since I wasn't around I have no idea of the sequence - - but you'll get the gist...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0Jpse2uIuY/UMEZ0w0pvBI/AAAAAAAADVo/tdK1WmfrcUo/s1600/ppfIMG_4706_030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0Jpse2uIuY/UMEZ0w0pvBI/AAAAAAAADVo/tdK1WmfrcUo/s400/ppfIMG_4706_030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the stove nook coming together. Upper cabinets hung. The grayish shiny stuff on the back wall is a protective sealant that is over our fancy schmancy stainless steel back splash that will cover the wall behind the stove! They've peeled it back a bit below the upper cabinets - - you can see the black backing sort of hanging down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgIr3YG7acU/UMEZ16sDBhI/AAAAAAAADWE/7bM-Bqo8J_k/s1600/ppfIMG_4710_034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgIr3YG7acU/UMEZ16sDBhI/AAAAAAAADWE/7bM-Bqo8J_k/s400/ppfIMG_4710_034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This big boy actually belongs across the room as part of the "tall wall" - - it is 3 cabinets that sit at counter height and will house appliances, the microwave and, in the very top cabinet, lots of things I will never be able to reach :)</td></tr>
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George the Elder, ever the critic, commented that they didn't make as much progress on day 1 as he had hoped. Go figure. But on to Day 2 of Cabinet installation...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8hj0PNItXY/UMEZ_-jSBfI/AAAAAAAADW8/JcDYdmdeWQA/s1600/ppfIMG_4716_040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8hj0PNItXY/UMEZ_-jSBfI/AAAAAAAADW8/JcDYdmdeWQA/s400/ppfIMG_4716_040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper stove nook cabinets are partnered with their lower buddies. These sit back a little from their big brothers and will eventually have glass fronted doors. The uppers will be solid.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfAiaZAkYuaIYCyaNlL8MlgJw3_AWw7v5r-l4D4EWAPYQscnA7-YXyQDlil3MmO8XtFaArayYGtmZ7Etlq1kqZeD77DmTZDvROVGjWLKBzhW_dE2syk_qc8Ysakyq0SuW0RdLqaLkY2E/s1600/ppfIMG_4711_035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfAiaZAkYuaIYCyaNlL8MlgJw3_AWw7v5r-l4D4EWAPYQscnA7-YXyQDlil3MmO8XtFaArayYGtmZ7Etlq1kqZeD77DmTZDvROVGjWLKBzhW_dE2syk_qc8Ysakyq0SuW0RdLqaLkY2E/s400/ppfIMG_4711_035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In goes the sink counter! The dishwasher will eventually sit to the far left. "Tall Wall" will be on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yW3mGp0XKSQ/UMEaAJBrDBI/AAAAAAAADXA/UNA6I4JMiBs/s1600/ppfIMG_4718_042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yW3mGp0XKSQ/UMEaAJBrDBI/AAAAAAAADXA/UNA6I4JMiBs/s400/ppfIMG_4718_042.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cool little thing is a nice shelf that will live right under the sink. Talk about utilizing space that used to be wasted. I can put dish soap and rubber gloves and all my little scrubby things in there so that my counter top remains free clutter. Wheee!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RuhyABm4FvM/UMEaBfjvaAI/AAAAAAAADXY/qhJg4kU8eI8/s1600/ppfIMG_4723_047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RuhyABm4FvM/UMEaBfjvaAI/AAAAAAAADXY/qhJg4kU8eI8/s400/ppfIMG_4723_047.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to the Stove nook. This cabinet sits to the right of the stove and will eventually house a wire shelving type unit where we can put oils and what not with in easy reach of the cook top.</td></tr>
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It's at this point in installation that George the Elder brought G3 and H to meet me in Phoenix. We returned to SF to see the kitchen-new in a whole new light. These views will be preserved soley in our memory since I did not take any photos. In fact, I got lazier than Ian McLazy of the McLazy clan and didn't take many photos for a while....I suck.<br />
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This week I finally got out the camera to capture the floor tile going in. I also got out the camera today to take some photos of what things look like as I sit here typing....so here we go...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0vd_aZo5rgE/UMEqygV67II/AAAAAAAADa8/vu3iuVkH2js/s1600/2012Dec06_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0vd_aZo5rgE/UMEqygV67II/AAAAAAAADa8/vu3iuVkH2js/s400/2012Dec06_0004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stove nook with all the cabinets done and dusted! Now all it waits for is the La Canche. She's still downstairs in the garage nestled in her big crate biding her time until someone VERY strong comes to get her and put her in place. The range hood right now is incorrect, but we are working on changing that. It's supposed to be entirely flush with the middle cabinets -- but if that can't be fixed, we can live with it as is. Cause, dang, doesn't it look great? Dig the wood trim accent at the top. It's the bomb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AL_tC36rirI/UMEqxTm94yI/AAAAAAAADao/_pajQe73wUw/s1600/2012Dec06_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AL_tC36rirI/UMEqxTm94yI/AAAAAAAADao/_pajQe73wUw/s400/2012Dec06_0003.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next up is the sink wall and part of the "tall wall". Since the cabinets are all "under wraps" while the floor gets done and other big stuff goes on around it - - imagine that there are graphite colored cabinets all underneath there. Remember the cabinet that was sitting on the floor the first day of cabinet installation? Here it is right where it is supposed to be....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QoeiVcdReE/UMEq1f-0d1I/AAAAAAAADbc/WmBpaYhKt5w/s1600/2012Dec06_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QoeiVcdReE/UMEq1f-0d1I/AAAAAAAADbc/WmBpaYhKt5w/s400/2012Dec06_0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have coveted large sinks ever since our time in Japan and Europe where the sinks are only large enough to wash your hands effectively. This little puppy is HUGE and DEEP and Oh So Very Stainless. I will NOT miss my pink sink -- nope, not for a single second.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEVhpPaj6CA/UMEqzy8dyXI/AAAAAAAADbM/1e06ZCUHt-I/s1600/2012Dec06_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEVhpPaj6CA/UMEqzy8dyXI/AAAAAAAADbM/1e06ZCUHt-I/s400/2012Dec06_0007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down in to the kitchen-new from the top of the short stairs, you can see that the island is in place and the pantry on the right is installed. That pantry is Gee-Or-GEOUS and spacious and perfect. Drawers and shelves inside are a organizational girl's dream!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCSM8oGbLpw/UMEq107Qm9I/AAAAAAAADbg/lesPHteX44s/s1600/2012Dec06_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCSM8oGbLpw/UMEq107Qm9I/AAAAAAAADbg/lesPHteX44s/s400/2012Dec06_0008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohhhhh, the island. We are loving the island! 9 drawers on the front, plus a sweet tall narrow cabinet for trays, A bookshelf on the back to showcase some vintage kitchen items we've collected. It's fabulous in its current state....But, wait -- there's more! There's a piece that will sit on the edge of the island closest to us in this picture that makes my heart sing. It's got drawers for knives, a hidey hole for our kitchen radio, and a junk drawer space to boot. But it's sitting somewhere secret for now -- just waiting to make it's debut. I have seen it up already-- but it had to come down while the electrical was sorted out and perhaps will wait for the stone to be put on before it comes out of hiding. It's A-MAZZZ-ING.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTVC1bD-AUs/UMEqz9hR35I/AAAAAAAADbI/A8-pdm40Luw/s1600/2012Dec06_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTVC1bD-AUs/UMEqz9hR35I/AAAAAAAADbI/A8-pdm40Luw/s400/2012Dec06_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view standing at the back door.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDUguVorrmU/UMEq2r6DAII/AAAAAAAADb0/oSjOoMr1RS4/s1600/2012Dec06_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDUguVorrmU/UMEq2r6DAII/AAAAAAAADb0/oSjOoMr1RS4/s400/2012Dec06_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view looking in from the dining room.</td></tr>
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And now for the tile. I believe I might marry my tile. We were looking for something that would give us the same feel as our polished concrete floors in the downstairs - - but that was durable, stain resistance and could clean up like a rugby player on prom night. We found it....Thanks Ann Sacks!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPUzOY0qAH0/UMEiYqsF3fI/AAAAAAAADYw/zZZV5FFHxm4/s1600/20121203_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPUzOY0qAH0/UMEiYqsF3fI/AAAAAAAADYw/zZZV5FFHxm4/s400/20121203_0465.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used a big 12x12 square with very tight spacing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9S05t6fdhA/UMEiZfrOj9I/AAAAAAAADZA/DJod9d9OCbQ/s1600/20121203_0469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9S05t6fdhA/UMEiZfrOj9I/AAAAAAAADZA/DJod9d9OCbQ/s400/20121203_0469.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all done and grouted already - - had a wee problem with there not being quite enough tile -- but Foreman Luke is on it and it should get here tomorrow. I didn't get any photos of it when it was done - - and now it is already all covered up. But, trust me when I tell you it looks soooooo perfect.</td></tr>
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And with only a couple of weeks left before we are supposed to be "mostly finished" - - here's what's on the agenda...<br />
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Tomorrow:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qMJOQT80Qfs/UMEiaknJxuI/AAAAAAAADZg/SMxlziLqIqA/s1600/20121203_0470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qMJOQT80Qfs/UMEiaknJxuI/AAAAAAAADZg/SMxlziLqIqA/s400/20121203_0470.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See this big space? See that little radio? Tomorrow this whole space will be occupied by the new fridge and freezer that will be delivered. 30" of mind boggling refrigerator space!! 19" of crazy cold freezer space!! We had a minor communication snafu with the fridge panels - - wrong dimensions for another product - - which then impacted the cabinets above the units -- but again, Henrybuilt acted quickly and the problem is being fixed and new panels and cabinets are rushing down here next week. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGw7J3PwM7M/UMEzKaeHwwI/AAAAAAAADcI/tbKFThAIj00/s1600/IRG+Stone_0014IRG+Stone_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGw7J3PwM7M/UMEzKaeHwwI/AAAAAAAADcI/tbKFThAIj00/s400/IRG+Stone_0014IRG+Stone_0014.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George the Elder and I will head over to give our approval for our granite to be cut in to counter tops and island tops and sink wall back splashes. I wish that this picture could really show the beauty in this hunk of stone. It's a honed slab of granite -- so no shiny polished swirly stuff for us. We are looking forward to seeing how this stone complements the graphite color and fir. We're thinking it's going to be delicous.</td></tr>
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There you have it - - a quick walk over three plus weeks of work on the kitchen-new.<br />
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I would be lying if I said that the time had gone so quickly that I didn't even notice it -- but then again, it hasn't exactly been dragging either. We are more than pleased that our team is working so well together. Problems arise every single day. Little ones mostly - and some not so little ones - - but they are getting resolved in one way or another. True that the "one way" generally involves us spending more money - - but that's the nature of the beast.<br />
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Luke still seems to think we'll be ready for Christmas. I am cautiously optomistic. Still so much to be done - - more drywalling, changing of the stove hood, installation of the roof blower for the range hood, construction on the roof, replacement of the gutters on the back of the house, more tiling, painting, more cabinets to come and get installed, dishwasher and stove to get installed, electrical and plumbing to finish... and the list goes on. I just had a flash of Ty from "Extreme Makeovers" screaming in to his bull horn - - "LET'S GET WORKING PEOPLE!!!!!!"<br />
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wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-445801649474458562012-11-12T16:25:00.000-08:002012-11-12T17:08:22.972-08:00Things they are a' changinThings are a'changin here at CMR Phase II: Kitchen-new. I can thankfully report that our major dust storms are over!! Demolition = CHECK. Drywall = CHECK. Most of the shrapnel vacuumed up = CHECK. Subfloor poured = CHECK. So now we wait for the good stuff and some of that is already happening!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primer completed and chicken wire awaits the concrete....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6kNz-pCTQZM/UJ7WFggVlZI/AAAAAAAADTE/WsqgDx-D1-c/s1600/20121110_1553g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6kNz-pCTQZM/UJ7WFggVlZI/AAAAAAAADTE/WsqgDx-D1-c/s400/20121110_1553g.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underneath all this pretty "ply board" is our subfloor!! It's level, I've got my 95" ceiling height and it's looking GOOD!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqh2GyBnzwChzHQQyWejaYuR7FKTTxhtfvAj4ioxILYNRmxQsdGKA_T90PfgD_lpvVDhfe9-0peIWDwafG9naCIa8qJs4Lbx8UZENJ2sp920uyJeUEpwJZ0easUUb7Tvw6H_038qniKwg/s1600/20121110_1550d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqh2GyBnzwChzHQQyWejaYuR7FKTTxhtfvAj4ioxILYNRmxQsdGKA_T90PfgD_lpvVDhfe9-0peIWDwafG9naCIa8qJs4Lbx8UZENJ2sp920uyJeUEpwJZ0easUUb7Tvw6H_038qniKwg/s400/20121110_1550d.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry for the "over exposure" but in a sunny day it's virtually impossible to get a good quick photo in this direction. It's a problem of too many windows. A problem I am LOVING to live especially on those foggy SF days. But here, both doors are open to the atrium so you can see what a large opening it is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The while ply-board and the white walls make everything look a little larger than life, yes? But soon, very soon, we're going to have loads of color in there.</td></tr>
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So, that's the way things looked this morning at 8:30 when I took the last pictures and headed out to a meeting. It was all quiet on the front. No construction crew. Nothing. I returned from my meeting at exactly 10:00 and looky here!! A WINDOW!!! A Big Beautiful WINDOW!!! Gone is my boarded up hole in the wall. Amazing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFP05C6iaJZk6tbZywaoXMLadgXhV-6l_LXi61t6jGdKh8VXn8uhpduvh3ZxjL0cKoPadwPqAMp3J_6xREphlvghoFTa5-zw8Ex27v3saTi2sMdvGFFwIXc1l10PEoNa97UQUV61bDzw/s1600/20121112_1560a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFP05C6iaJZk6tbZywaoXMLadgXhV-6l_LXi61t6jGdKh8VXn8uhpduvh3ZxjL0cKoPadwPqAMp3J_6xREphlvghoFTa5-zw8Ex27v3saTi2sMdvGFFwIXc1l10PEoNa97UQUV61bDzw/s400/20121112_1560a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she a beaut???</td></tr>
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This week is going to be a BIG one. Cabinets are to be delivered and set, stainless steel back splash will be installed. The sink (which I need to track down) will be set. And then next week we're on to tiling the floor and cutting the stone for the counter tops. Foreman Luke still promises that I will be cooking my Christmas dinner in the kitchen-new (of course for those of you in the know - - you understand that we make reservations for Christmas), but still, I will be cooking Christmas pancakes there and pouring loads of champagne.<br />
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George the Elder and I picked out some preliminary colors yesterday. I think we're both happy where we're headed, but we still need to wait for the cabinets to get a final bead on what we want to do. We really loved our "atmospheric" of kitchen-old - - and I think we've decided to go in a similar direction with kitchen-new assuming that the new-atmospheric substitute compliments the blue of the cabinets. We won't know until they're in. We're going to go with two colors in the kitchen (how bold are we?). One on the stairway walls and another less bold color on the small areas near the cabinets. Or at least that's the plan. Who knows?? But, kudos to our guy at "house of color" for using his little color matching gizmo to get really excellent matches of the colors we were looking for.<br />
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So, onward to the really exciting parts. The pretty parts. The let's really see what kitchen-new is going to look like parts. Fun, fun, fun!!<br />
<br />wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-28342612126198641992012-11-07T23:47:00.000-08:002012-11-07T23:48:07.916-08:00We Got Wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wiring takes time. I found that out in week four. Turns out that dry wall also takes time. A whole week's worth of time - - and compact car sized dehumidifiers and big fans that make noise in the middle of the night and which make the plastic doors crinkle relentlessly All. Night. Long. And then there's the dust. Lots of dust. Copious amounts of dust. Haboob size clouds of white powdery dust. Insidious minuscule fragments of chalky hell that get on the bottom of every shoe in the house leaving ghostly footprints all over the place.</div>
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Much to my delight, on day three of dry walling they put up additional plastic over all the doors windows in kitchen-new. This did help to control the Haboob slightly, but it effectively eliminated our "short-cut" through the kitchen. Therefore, for the past week and a little we have been forced to go outside to get to whatever level of the house you are not in. This was similar to week 1, so while we had had to do it before, it wasn't any more fun than it was before either. Luckily, we've had some dandy weather, so there were only one or two wet nights when having to go outside fell in to the "this sucks" category.</div>
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I've been told that this is the worst week of remodeling when you are still living your house. It's the middle of the project, the bloom is 100% off the rose called "exciting new project", you're tired of trying to be creative while making meals in a microwave, the non-stop pounding and hammering and sawing and sanding are on your very last frayed nerve. And now everything is covered in white dust. Hip Hip Hurrah. It's a damn dance party in week 6!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghostly looking railings being protected by plastic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6qlI4DAxGM/UJfpWMRFJGI/AAAAAAAADRc/VFCy2TwB9us/s1600/20121105_1536a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6qlI4DAxGM/UJfpWMRFJGI/AAAAAAAADRc/VFCy2TwB9us/s400/20121105_1536a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the hallway stairs - - No more raw wood, just lots and lots of white walls. Oh and many little blue plastic boxes that only hint at the snake's nest of wire behind the pretty white walls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cMEojlbWorw/UJfpWGdMrlI/AAAAAAAADRY/W67i-WfYpus/s1600/20121105_1538c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cMEojlbWorw/UJfpWGdMrlI/AAAAAAAADRY/W67i-WfYpus/s400/20121105_1538c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think that the actual window will look much better than the large plywood they've got going here now. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-h31IjxH4k/UJfpW8f-GUI/AAAAAAAADRo/gUIlsGLOwj0/s1600/20121105_1539d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-h31IjxH4k/UJfpW8f-GUI/AAAAAAAADRo/gUIlsGLOwj0/s400/20121105_1539d.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling required two solid days of work. The dry wall went up after the ceiling was leveled . Then the dry wall was partially taken down when foreman Luke and Dan felt it wasn't "level enough." Since you can get a really good view of the kitchen ceiling from a horizontal view point from the top of the hallway stairs - it's critical that they get it "right" and as far as I can tell - - we now have the most level of all level ceilings!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yq09ToraiSPgAELzvZ2FszZMqpflgRRuruFRHvqw2L-EpW70NS4JOSGqSo0vtkqRnPQbwIklIXGvEUAOuIRNaBq1I-TEXQ1K2ultRxFn1xoQTfLhETx5I9MPt57beVw55n7FWsadw70/s1600/20121105_1541f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yq09ToraiSPgAELzvZ2FszZMqpflgRRuruFRHvqw2L-EpW70NS4JOSGqSo0vtkqRnPQbwIklIXGvEUAOuIRNaBq1I-TEXQ1K2ultRxFn1xoQTfLhETx5I9MPt57beVw55n7FWsadw70/s400/20121105_1541f.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blending of the new drywall with the "old" walls that didn't really have to come down for the remodel. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZVCyvKvjiA/UJfpXd3506I/AAAAAAAADR0/NdFrPGMI9eo/s1600/20121105_1540e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZVCyvKvjiA/UJfpXd3506I/AAAAAAAADR0/NdFrPGMI9eo/s400/20121105_1540e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stove nook looks more nook-y now that it's got a ceiling above it. Lots of action behind that wall - electrical and gas and the vents from the very complex hot water radiant heating system - - </td></tr>
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Will get some photos of the remainder of week 6 tomorrow and Friday. The walls are being primed, the mortar will get put down over the sub floor and the kitchen will be ready to receive all the pretty parts that come next. Cabinets are on time for delivery next week and our new window is being delivered on Monday! Week 7 is going to be VERY exciting!!<br />
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The last decision looming in the not too distant future is paint color. This one may not be pretty as George the Elder and I are in two entirely different camps on this. Oh, and those camps are located in two different states. May the best man win (that'd be me) hahahah.wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-82631834986716587102012-11-07T23:11:00.001-08:002012-11-07T23:11:40.120-08:00Belated Progress Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Best laid plans and all that... These photos have been sitting in my "draft" box for more than a week and every day I say, "I'm going to post them" and then things get in the way - - construction folks with questions, kids having to do things that require my attention or my car, oh and then there was (still is) this pesky problem with a little kidney stone. Who knew a little 6mm piece of somethin-somethin could be so disruptive. I told George the elder that the last time I felt pain like that they actually handed me a tiny human as a reward. This time, I got nothin 'cept the promise of more pain to come. Nice.</div>
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But, the show goes on here with the CMR Phase II. These photos are from the week before last. And things are a happening....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sub floor is removed to access the radiant heat and to run new electrical what not to new places. Much caution was used as poking a hole in one of those orange tubes is a "very bad thing" - - that's hot water running through them and they are what heat the house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rough opening for the new GIANT kitchen window is cut out. That's one big damn hole!! This photo shows that the old fridge was still waiting for it's new owner (one of our chinese plumbers) to come and get it. A couple days after this was taken they arrived to get it. It was in the evening during the final game of the world series, so I paid no attention as to how they got this bad boy out of the back yard. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X_iWg_pgbK7d4neDC3Popg4ZjtLZkqdZQK1s5412SSD-3aRBhhhJxyyx1YH5F2BAK04G-P27kLar_j_UnQoFLtp57hMTpLkHutPZ8yQyv6QZFCfbze45NYSj97TUt868h5suDJbkKVQ/s1600/20121022_1096d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X_iWg_pgbK7d4neDC3Popg4ZjtLZkqdZQK1s5412SSD-3aRBhhhJxyyx1YH5F2BAK04G-P27kLar_j_UnQoFLtp57hMTpLkHutPZ8yQyv6QZFCfbze45NYSj97TUt868h5suDJbkKVQ/s400/20121022_1096d.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New canister lights (a SF code requirement) are lined up and the boxes installed. Luckily Dan is very very tall. He is handy to have around for ceiling work when you don't have a ladder!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OrDksPJXRhes4u9UZbb35pR0t8wromxr6myODM_BDv9cnLBGh7K2GF9QBNkEEwLezqVhoOHhD1aC2CrnqrVhfD6pUJm-nVtHbq95dHvSR4Lz43vwfpF1I7hCQKg6Yu9kEDWgVRMFJiE/s1600/20121022_1091b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OrDksPJXRhes4u9UZbb35pR0t8wromxr6myODM_BDv9cnLBGh7K2GF9QBNkEEwLezqVhoOHhD1aC2CrnqrVhfD6pUJm-nVtHbq95dHvSR4Lz43vwfpF1I7hCQKg6Yu9kEDWgVRMFJiE/s400/20121022_1091b.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the electrical stuff that will shortly be covered up by dry wall and disappeared. It's really quick amazing how many wires it takes to power up a kitchen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtk-JIrfHLI/UIdQEUS1QiI/AAAAAAAADQQ/Y9MkQ8Yr5PU/s1600/20121022_1089a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtk-JIrfHLI/UIdQEUS1QiI/AAAAAAAADQQ/Y9MkQ8Yr5PU/s400/20121022_1089a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the doorway to the atrium looking in at my window size from the inside. It's gonna be a bee-you-T!!!</td></tr>
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Onward to week 4.....wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-51856894105682796902012-10-21T20:29:00.001-07:002012-10-21T20:29:12.053-07:00What's in a ceiling??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a looooong week. So loooong that it actually moved in to the weekend - complete with CATASTROPHE in the middle of the day Saturday - - but we'll get to that in a minute...</div>
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First - - let me introduce you to foreman Luke. I mention him many times, but now you can put a name to the face. Luke was our finish foreman on Phase I of the CMR and I'm thrilled to have him heading up this job. He's got a level head, is focused on getting the job done in time - - and more importantly, he's a calming influence when things go sideways. And, things ALWAYS go sideways. Sometimes they even go CATASTROPHICALLY sideways.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling Foreman Luke....</td></tr>
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But before CATASTROPHE - let's move on to progress... Beautiful piece of steel now holding up our ceiling and, thankfully, our roof. All the temporary posts are down and the room is now entirely open. We are just a little in love with this beam.</div>
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Once the beam went up and the walls came down, Dan took the day and taped off where our stuff was going to be. This is done for a couple of reasons - - one to make sure it's gonna fit in according to the plans (which it does - - at least as far as fitting on the floor is concerned - - and THIS is a little foreshadowing for the CATASTROPHE...). Second, it allows us to lay out the lights and make sure they're all in the right place. See two pieces of blue tape in center island? Those indicate the placement of our pendants...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Center Island in blue tape.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole right side of the "tall" cabinet wall and the sink counter layout. Window is till the old window....waiting anxiously for new window!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stove nook with new wall framed behind it and blue tape layout of bottom cabinets. Window gone bye-bye.</td></tr>
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This is the last and final view from this angle - - open view from kitchen in to dining room. As of today, that view is gone. Sidewall that abuts the closet is now framed. Dining room door is taped closed again. The final "palette" for the kitchen is finished in that corner.<br />
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Lots of electrical/gas/plumbing work has been happening over the past few days, and I'll get in there with the camera later - but, we've got outlets, we've got switches, we've got gas lines and we've got water. Lot's of gots! But now you're kind of bored and you're wondering about the "CATASTROPHE" aren't you? OK, I'll alleviate your curiosity...<br />
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Many months ago we started this project. The kitchen was measured by our architects - - or at least the floor dimensions were. The architect sent a CAD file to our cabinet designer in NYC. She then proceeded to design a very cool and efficient kitchen in that space. There were several back and forths about getting an inch here - or getting a half and inch there (hence the space we took from the dining room and guest room closets). We were looking for wee inches every where we could. We must have measured that room corner to corner no less than 20 times. We did it with a measuring tape, we did it with lasers, I even once measured the dining room closet space with my sewing yard stick. It. Was. Measured. We were CERTAIN.<br />
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And guess what? When it was all laid out in blue tape - - it all fits. It looks great. Our many measurements worked perfectly. Or did it? Not so fast...<br />
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Yesterday we got a beautiful package of installation instructions from Henrybuilt on the many intricate steps that my construction guys were going to need to take to get my big old bad johnny cabinets installed the perfect way. They came to me by email in a PDF file with a negative 2 font - - so Luke went to Kinkos and arrived here this morning with a BIG GIANT copy of the plans. We looked at the plans - - everything fit. That is until Luke takes his measuring tape and does something I never did in all the times that kitchen was measured. He measured the height. He checked the plans and measured the height again. He checked the plans and used a laser to measure the height again. Cause, guess what friends??? It's all kinds of wrong. All kinds of 6" shorter wrong.<br />
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This wouldn't be a big CATASTROPHE if I didn't have floor to ceiling cabinets all along one wall. Floor. To. Ceiling. Or technically now, I've got floor to roof cabinets sitting some where in Seattle biding their time to be trucked down here to SF. This is NOT GOOD.<br />
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Foreman Luke, who I mentioned is great at keeping me calm when things go sideways -- has repeated "don't worry, we'll work it out" about a dozen times. So, I haven't completely come unglued. I don't know who measured the height. Was it our architects who then passed that info on to our kitchen designer? Was it our kitchen designer who just plugged in a number? I haven't got a clue. I know it wasn't me - since I never measured - - but I suspect that the buck stops here since I suspect I should have.<br />
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Wrote panicked email to Kitchen Designer in NYC. Kitchen Designer says DON'T panic. They can fix it. I'm not exactly panicked, but I suspect my wallet will be when the "don't panic" becomes of-course-we-can-fix-it-for-the-low-low-cost of a boat load of money.<br />
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Let's see what tomorrow brings.....wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-15895483965829797452012-10-15T20:16:00.000-07:002012-10-15T20:16:00.972-07:00Blue Steel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last time we worked on the CMR, we were living elsewhere. Come to find out that because we weren't around all the time, we probably missed some interesting conversations among and between the construction crew. Now, due to the configuration of our house, and the fact that I am here during the day, I get to hear LOTS of interesting conversation. I get to hear some things that are probably best left un-heard.</div>
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For instance, last week the crew spent some considerable amount of time talking about how to creatively solve construction challenges. Challenges like how to best keep to roof from caving in until the time that the supporting steel beam could be installed. This particular conversation was peppered with a number of "well, that MIGHT work"s. "Might would work???" whaaaaat?</div>
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I have to say that when it's your roof that they're talking about - - and more specifically, your roof that has the potential for caving in - - the word "might" is cause for some retrospection. I mean, honestly, it's not much of a confidence builder. "Might" indicates that their end solution just may end up a "might NOT." And having my roof fall in is not something I would be particularly pleased with. I mentioned this to Foreman Luke - you know something along the lines of it would be easier on my nervous system if the crew could, you know, lie or something. You know - - speak with absolutely confidence. Foreman Luke laughed. That didn't help me much. The good news is that the roof is still where the roof is supposed to be.</div>
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And now on to progress....Our beautiful new steel was delivered last Thursday...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EECOGQ3GCGU/UHnukKFaeGI/AAAAAAAADM8/oRDNlpeFb64/s1600/20121011_1073a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EECOGQ3GCGU/UHnukKFaeGI/AAAAAAAADM8/oRDNlpeFb64/s400/20121011_1073a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steel coming off truck...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown strong steel guy in red sweatshirt - the beam weighs more than 300 pounds. He carried the front end like it was nothing. The guy with the big smile is Ian - one of our crew. He is one of the guys that is fond of the word "might" :) The steel came in through the front door and through the inner atrium. It was too long to make the turn into the back door in the kitchen to bring it in from the back yard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second strong unnamed steel guy and another one of our crew members sporting his Giant's gear!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big bold steel beam now laying on the floor of the kitchen-new ready to be prepped to hold the roof up. All the vertical posts that you can see are temporary. These will come down as soon as the steel is installed.</td></tr>
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And so, while the steel beam took up a few days residence on the kitchen-new floor - other things got taken care of. The window was removed and the fill-in construction to the wall began. Eventually, we will never be able to tell that a window was there at all...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The diagonal beam is also helping to support the ceiling/roof </td></tr>
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A big piece of the back exterior wall got taken down. There was a chimney like structure here that housed a now-obsolete heating chase. It became obsolete when we replaced the forced air heating system to radiant heat during Phase I. We were THRILLED when we found out that this could do, cause now our new 88" window can be centered over the kitchen counter. A historical rumor was also put to rest. We had heard that the house had originally been painted gray. And, indeed, once some of the original wood siding was uncovered, you can see where it really was gray. <br />
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This is kind of a hard photo to take.... So work with me here. See the door waaaaay to the right of the photo...to the right of the blue electrical box? That is the actual door from the kitchen to the dining room. See what looks like a door to the right of the enormous yellow level? That is actually not a door. It is a new large square shaped hole on the wall that is technically the inside of a dining room closet. We are "stealing" some of the space in that closet to give us some extra room for our sexy and wonderful 30" miele fridge in the kitchen-new. Eventually, that will be closed off again and the closet door will be reinstalled in the dining room. Part of that closet has always housed the back of the fridge from kitchen-old - - we're just commandeering another several inches more of it for the new fridge. I think we'll probably end up with just a tall thin area in the closet for shelving. But, honestly, even if it's just a closet door leading to no where - - that fridge is going to be SO worth it....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hPgyIuphPkMCRiBEEV9WcMHM2irDYx55syWSiCigypgVSJdtfs132Ja7y2ZpdZ2hUCclLCYdLANtXKD_uSe6ZYp267zK7FXnhZ0bALv5eMc4HEPHbdPTC_ivZHhyphenhyphenX7yX7RuK0sbJBX0/s1600/20121012_1067a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hPgyIuphPkMCRiBEEV9WcMHM2irDYx55syWSiCigypgVSJdtfs132Ja7y2ZpdZ2hUCclLCYdLANtXKD_uSe6ZYp267zK7FXnhZ0bALv5eMc4HEPHbdPTC_ivZHhyphenhyphenX7yX7RuK0sbJBX0/s400/20121012_1067a.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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As of Friday last, the steel beam remained on the kitchen floor - - un-installed - - but there was loads of banging and sawing and swearing today - - so I'll have new photos soon showing the result of all of that. Some of this had to do with with installation of the beam - - other parts I think had to do with the fact that we trapped a skunk in our backyard over night and the construction crew had to work in very close proximity of a potentially dangerously smelly attack. I gotta hand it to em though - - they kept at it even while keeping a very close eye on Pepe Le Pew.</div>
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Week three begins!!!</div>
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wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-54591097588975989412012-10-10T18:09:00.004-07:002012-10-10T18:19:59.092-07:00A little Blue. A little Gray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Colors are funny things. You put them in different lights, against various walls, in small dabs or in large swaths and the same color can look vastly different. But sometimes, no matter where you put them, it's simply that the colors are different. Entirely different. And that's not, generally speaking, a "good thing."</div>
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Couple o' weeks ago we were told by our cabinet makers exactly what condition the kitchen-new needed to be in to "receive" the cabinets. You know - - what the walls are supposed to look like, whether or not the tile floor should be installed - - ya know, the optimum shell for the installation of the crowning glory of the kitchen - the cabinets. We were told that the first coat of paint should be on the walls. </div>
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There are designers out there that possess the enviable ability to look at both a small piece of cabinetry and a small sample of paint and declare those two things matchy-matchy "PERFECT!!!" Me? Not so much. So, I asked the cabinet place to send me a bigger sample of the cabinets so I could have more color real estate to work with. They did my bidding and Monday the package containing the larger sample arrived.</div>
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I excitedly opened the fed-ex box greatly anticipating seeing a large color sample that matched perfectly the smaller sample that we made our color choice on. Now, you knew that this wasn't going to be the case, didn't you? What the @#$??? What originally looked bluish gray (and was indeed bluish gray) was now some other kind of bluish gray, but a more bluish than grayish bluish gray. If you know what I mean. It just wasn't right.</div>
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So I grabbed my handy-dandy cell phone, took a photo and sent it to our designer. She agreed that they weren't the same color. I was happy to hear it, since if she had said it was the same color, I knew I had a bigger problem. One that might require a doctor's care. But she agreed that they were different. What she couldn't say was why the smaller sample had the same "graphite" label on the back, since in her observation - - it wasn't "graphite" at all. No kidding.</div>
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Keep in mind that we are 3-4 weeks from cabinet delivery. Said cabinets are being built in Seattle. Or should I say have already mostly BEEN built in Seattle. The fact that they had now been constructed in a color that was different than the sample was thought to be problematic.</div>
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The good news is that George and I actually liked the color. What we didn't like was that we had already bought tile and granite to match the graphite-of-unknown-origin. So, we checked the now more bluish-gray against the floor tile. Check. No worries there. We hopped in the car and headed down to visit our granite at the granite store. And, thank our lucky stars - - it's still a go. Granite looked good with the more bluish-gray than grayish-blue. Crisis averted.</div>
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I did mention to our kitchen designer that perhaps a good bottle of wine wrapped in Henrybuilt t-shirts would be a nice gesture since I didn't make them rebuilt a whole boat load of grayish blue furniture. We'll see what happens :)</div>
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And just for grins and giggles this...</div>
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is our loaner fridge. Even without handles and full of dings and scratches, I am slightly in love with it. Just having to head out to the garage for milk and OJ is a VAST improvement to having to head to the back porch and getting it out of an outdoor side-by-side.</div>
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In other news, Howard the Electrician, was here on Monday to do his stuff. The upstairs electrical panel is now magically down stairs in the basement. I would like to report that Howard did all this in a day, made sure that we mostly had electricity in the other parts of the house while he did it... and most importantly restored electricity to the parts of the house that didn't have power over the last week. George the Older no longer looks like a homeless person going to work (he reports that shaving in the dark is dangerous) and I no longer need a flashlight to take out my contacts. Hazzah!!</div>
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See these nice big boxes? I call them Thing 1 and Thing 2. ...</div>
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Thing 1 on the left is our floor tile. It arrived mysteriously in the garage on Monday. I didn't hear it come - - but that could be a result of the loud pounding and sawing and knocking of continued deconstruction. Thing 2 arrived on Friday late and it is George the Elder's Baby in that box. His coveted and long awaited La Canche oven arrived. All the way from France, via a way stop in Seattle and finally to our garage. He is so excited that you'd think we had adopted another child or something. He saw one of these several years ago on display at Harrods and has not-so-secretly pined away for one ever since. His dream made reality right there in a big wooden crate.</div>
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As per the instructions, today I opened the crate. Do you know that they use screws that are nearly 7 feet long to hold that thing together? And you need to use a little ratchet thingy, not a regular screw driver. This took me a bit to figure out. Tried every screw head in my wee box of electric screwdriver screw heads. Nothing fit. I moved on to ratchets that look like screw drivers and voila! a fit. But the tiny ratchet head would only fit on a tiny rachet and since I could locate an adapter to make the tiny head fit to a larger base part, I just went to town using the tiny contraption. Then all the while I was using the tiny ratchet to unscrew the 20 seven foot long screws - - I was thinking that I could make a fortune by inventing an electric ratchet gadget - - you know, like an electric screw driver - - but for ratchets. With an adaptor directly attached to it to ensure there was never a problem with little heads and big heads. I was going to make a fortune. I told George the Elder this when I texted him a photo of his new child once I got it open about 40 minutes later. He informed me that there already was such a thing - - and yes, of course, we own one. Who knew? Apparently I didn't...</div>
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I am leaving Miss La Canche just like this for now. No dents or scratches that I can see, but I have NO INTENTION of removing the plastic sheeting or any of the protective cardboard until they haul this big girl up to the kitchen to her final resting place. She weighs 600 pounds and I suspect it's going to take more than a little wrangling to get her up there. Protection will be the key. That, and perhaps a small crane?<br />
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And so, here we are mid-week of week 2. Steel comes on Friday and then we are good to frame. Bring on the steel....wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-29957581383721268462012-10-09T10:28:00.000-07:002012-10-09T10:28:06.690-07:00A Brand New View<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello Phase II followers! Suffice to say that if life didn't continue to get in the way, I'd get these photos posted on time! These photos were taken Friday morning before a little more work commenced in time for the weekend. </div>
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All in all I dub it a "good" week of construction.</div>
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Pros:</div>
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Lots of demolition completed! </div>
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Separating wall between kitchen-old and weird closet hallway is nearly gone.</div>
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The space is really opening up and we are jazzed!</div>
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Discovered need to put a supporting beam length-wise in the ceiling to hold up the ceiling and keep the roof from caving in on our kitchen-new. We thought that the ceiling had been reinforced during Phase I, but is wasn't. The necessary strength of the beam determined by our engineers meant that the thickness of the beam made of wood would result in either tearing up the roof above, or creating a bump out in to the ceiling below. Neither of those choices was highly appealing, so we decided to go with steel. The steel can be thinner, so it will fit in the space without protruding out either above or below. More expensive in the short run, but more visually appealing in the long run. Steel will come on Friday... hurrah!</div>
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Turning off of electricity in the kitchen meant no lights in many parts of the upstairs living areas. This was not too terribly inconvenient except at 4:00 in the morning Sunday when I had to get ready in the pitch dark to take H to a volleyball tournament in Sacramento. There was a definite "camping" feel to washing up by flashlight! I hate camping.</div>
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Fridge on back porch was a little hinky. But, on Wednesday I ordered a new fridge for the basement that we had been meaning to get eventually. "Eventually" has a habit of becoming "immediately" during construction, doesn't it? The fridge we had our heart set on is going to take 5 weeks to deliver - - but the very nice appliance place brought over a loaner-fridge for us to use during the duration. Who knew? A loaner-fridge?? It's no beauty, but it keeps things cold and means we don't have to go through 2 zippered doors and on to the back patio to get milk. Works for me.</div>
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And now for the pictures....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken facing the atrium. The wall that used to separate the weird little hallway from the kitchen is now nearly completely gone. The new wood post holds up the ceiling until the steel arrives on Friday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from the top of the small stairway towards the swinging door leading to the dining room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from standing in the atrium doorway. Cannot believe how much difference the removal of the separating wall and existing closets in the hallway makes! It's gonna be a much bigger room now!! There is also an additional support right by the shop vac that will help hold the ceiling up while the rest of the old wall (slightly to the left) is removed today. That old wall still holds the electrical box for the kitchen-old. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the "door leading to nowhere" beside the ladder against the wall. This is the closet door in the guest bedroom above. We're stealing that closet space for the kitchen!! The stove will go here instead!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the "brand new view" never before seen in captivity. I am standing where the stairs used to be - - before Phase I was completed, and before the removal of the wall in Phase II. This is what my view will be from the stove when all is done. Amazing!!</td></tr>
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wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-78688703381046679252012-10-04T23:17:00.002-07:002012-10-04T23:22:22.538-07:0030 minutes to 7 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I willingly and publicly admit I have a real Jones for watching HGTV. Love it or Leave it, Kitchen Crashers, those sexy brothers that sell and renovate - the whole lot of them. It's like real estate candy. Amazing spaces get planned out, on staggeringly small budgets in exactly 30 time elapsed minutes. </div>
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I'm no fool. I realize that amazing renovations do not really happen in 30 minutes. EVERYONE knows that they need an <u>entire week</u> to build a new house on Extreme Makers - -so clearly the real time is somewhere between 30 minutes and seven days (hardy har har har). I do spend some relatively large chunks of time completely stone cold baffled by how the folks on those shows can do an entire down-to-the-stud house renovation for less than $5000. The only logical explanation is that in TV land things are just a whole lot cheaper. Like 1959-roll-back-prices cheaper. I think we will have spent $5000 for the privilege of simply <u>thinking</u> about renovating our kitchen. Just thinking is expensive in SF. I wanna move to TV land in 1959.</div>
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HGTV also doesn't spend much time highlighting the consequences of construction in your home while you remain in your home. During CMR Phase I we moved out - - kind of hard to live in the house when it's suspended on steel beams while big diggers dig big holes underneath said suspended home. I came over every few days to be amazed by what was going on. Following my awe and wonderment, I would brush the dust off my shoes, hop back in the car, occasionally stop and grab a starbucks and then return to our comfy clean and plaster dust free little rental digs. The dust and dirt stayed behind. Honestly? Right now, I'm feeling so, so, so, so very nostalgic for those days.</div>
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Living with dust, not to mention a new daily routine with two teenagers, that currently requires going outside the physical house to fetch the milk for cereal - - makes me a tad uneasy. I know this about myself and I thank my lucky stars that George the Elder knows this about me too. I change things often in my life, but those first few weeks of new house, or a new country or a new morning routine - - are not when I would be considered "most adaptable." I get a little cranky. I can be not-so-nice to husbands, short with children, and down right nasty to drivers who get in my G.D way. Just saying. I nearly burst into tears last night twice lamenting my sad, sad lot of plastic doors and refrigerators currently on the back porch, no lights in most of the upstairs rooms, and some other minor thorns in my paws. And while George the Elder may be secretly thinking "quit your whining little Miss-gonna -get-a-new-kitchen brat" - he just pats me on the knee and tells me that all will be well in a week when this all starts to feel more "normal." He's sweet, but I struggle with accepting it will be "well" - especially in light of having to remove my contact lens last night while George the Elder illuminates the bathroom with a flashlight. Hell, last night I dreamed that local SF zoo animals had somehow escaped their confines and were gathering in my backyard. Oh, and these various zoo creatures? They. were. ON. FIRE. Hmmm, a gorilla, a bear, a lion, and what might just have been a tapir or a Bhutanese takin, were all gathering about my back door like an angry mob growling and aflame. Growling and aflame. </div>
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These are some things that I need to get used to:</div>
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<b>Body Bag Doors:</b></div>
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These are my plastic body-bag doors. They don't show these on HGTV. They don't show them for good reason. Every time that zipper goes up and down I get the willies. It's a morgue sound if there every was one...</div>
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These are shots of my temporary kitchen-in-the-laundry-room dealy. It's a tight set-up. Counter space is - - none. To try to achieve a zen state, I try to imagine myself preparing a delicious meal in a darling Un Petite Apartment in Paris - - that would be romantic, wouldn't it? It is a little challenging when the dryer is running and the smell of boy-socks threaten to overtake the room - "all will be well", yes?</div>
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<b>Exterior Refrigeration</b>:</div>
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Remember the photo from yesterday that showed the fridge in the wrong place in the kitchen? That very same fridge was "supposed" to be eventually moved downstairs to the garage to sustain us through the long cold dark months of kitchen renovation. (Can you hear the sad sappy music in the background???). Except, tragically, we realized that there was no way on this god's green earth that that fridge was going down any stairs to any basement at any time. Hence, it is now sitting on the back porch. On the other side of the very plaster dusty kitchen-old.</div>
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I have a great photo of George the Elder last night in the dark getting something out of our exterior fridge that I still need to post up here. OK he wasn't honestly getting anything out of the fridge at that time, but I coerced him open it just to get his photo taken cause it's just kinda weird (and oddly red-necky) that we have a frickin' old side-by-side on our back porch. When we attempted to plug in our porch-sitting-fridge it ended up blowing a fuse and had to be plugged in through the kitchen window. Classic.</div>
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There are no actual up close microscopic photos of the dust. When you look at all the photos, simply imagine that everything is covered with a fine silt-like dust. That will suffice. Dust is the devil's snow - - and it's blizzarding here at my house!</div>
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And last the photos of the action for morning Day 4:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpHY0Zbtors/UG3zNPK6o0I/AAAAAAAADJM/VMbiUCQdz3k/s1600/4Oct+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpHY0Zbtors/UG3zNPK6o0I/AAAAAAAADJM/VMbiUCQdz3k/s400/4Oct+%252811%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the plaster got swept up and carted out to the back porch. Now we have invisi-walls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exposed wiring needs to be addressed - - sadly, this was one of those unanticipated consequences ...when they turn the electricity off to deal with the kitchen wiring - - it affects the power in our bedroom and bathroom. Hence the need for a flashlight to remove contacts!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceiling all gone too! Guy on ladder is wielding a big sharp saw. Time to take down some ancillary wood.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJE07LkrlyCxDDLxV_yQiGHMd8Lwbz3wyq4jt04cgasYmjdYBhzLZkrhw6QL1HvboDaJNiwjDP41UCygMiUoFVwboTAG8X80ftgZvGmr4Lk0qUcnCF1WjjRD4J2XeDXc7y-HXk2pVoHs/s1600/4Oct+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJE07LkrlyCxDDLxV_yQiGHMd8Lwbz3wyq4jt04cgasYmjdYBhzLZkrhw6QL1HvboDaJNiwjDP41UCygMiUoFVwboTAG8X80ftgZvGmr4Lk0qUcnCF1WjjRD4J2XeDXc7y-HXk2pVoHs/s400/4Oct+%252812%2529.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Fridge... heh heh heh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_9_VvlFv_U04NgdhEJMh0YHyeA_LFpZNNUOSSAGDgfe7w2tOmvcG6Hd14a5890ZyMCNtJHnCRLL49jPHUYpzwVPEiXqosGg44NYH5j9YmlMgar_CC8tN7oY74kmppTeOwr2_XnQM4ZA/s1600/4Oct+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_9_VvlFv_U04NgdhEJMh0YHyeA_LFpZNNUOSSAGDgfe7w2tOmvcG6Hd14a5890ZyMCNtJHnCRLL49jPHUYpzwVPEiXqosGg44NYH5j9YmlMgar_CC8tN7oY74kmppTeOwr2_XnQM4ZA/s400/4Oct+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the "newer" looking wood post? This will hold up the ceiling while we work through one of the first "issues" - - sounds like we're going to need to put a little steel beam in our kitchen-new. Update tomorrow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-old is now a pile of kitchen pieces! </td></tr>
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I'm off to bed now. May my zoo animals be less smoldering and ablaze....<br />
<br />wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-15253397054851825522012-10-03T15:12:00.003-07:002012-10-03T15:12:46.481-07:00Hammer Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, Monday came and went. George came home from work and remarked that not much had been accomplished. Visually, he was correct. Not much had been accomplished as far as the eye could see.</div>
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Foreman Luke spent the better part of the day reviewing the plans and making notes and coming up with the ultimate game plan so that kitchen-new would replace kitchen-old in a timely fashion. I spent the better part of Monday trying to improve on my laundry/kitchen organization, fantasizing on what I was going to make for dinner in my new convection oven and teeny-weeny portable cook-top. Shockingly, we ended up eating pizza for dinner. True dat. Sometimes fantasy is just fantasy. Actual implementation is hard and requires action. Given the 90 degree heat there was no action. I'd like to believe that at some point I will be able to crank out a nutritious meal for my family in that space I've carved out. I'd also like to believe that Pluto is still a planet.</div>
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We did however get insulated and protected on Monday. Big zippered plastic doors are now installed at every orifice that connects the kitchen to the rest of the house. These doors are "technically" supposed to be helpful in keeping the dust and debris out of the living space. We'll see how that pans out. What's really bizarre about these little doors is that even with the zipper open you still need to push through a bit to get to the other side while stepping gingerly through the opening one foot at a time. So far this transition between rooms has been described as a "birthing experience" and a "body-bag" experience. It's a little unnerving to tell you the truth. There's something just plain hinky about it.</div>
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With kitchen-new as the objective, I'm going to attempt not to whine and complain about how this is going to affect my everyday life. I mean honestly. I'm going to end up with a brandy spankin new wonder kitchen. This should be enough to encourage me to endure the bad on the way to the good. I would like to illustrate how flawlessly I will adhere to my attempts not to whine and complain. Yes, I am immediately going to whine and complain.</div>
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Let's focus for just a moment on logistics. Specifically, the simple act of getting from one place to another. See the thing about our house is that in order to get to the lower level of the house where most things are from the upper level of the house where there other most things are - - you need to use the stairs in the kitchen. During the work day the kitchen is a war zone, so there is no chance that you are going to walk down those stairs. Option 2 is that you must exit the house through the front door, walk around the house to the garage, use your key to get in the garage (since the garage doors are not electric or automated) and then enter the downstairs through the door in the garage. Yesterday I did it about seven thousand times. It stands to reason that I will eventually get the hang of making a list of things I need to do downstairs and the things I need to do upstairs and then coordinate those in to a handful of level changes during any one day. I'll let you know when that happens. Don't bet too much on that pony. You'd loose the farm.</div>
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And now - - what happened yesterday in the SF bajillion degree heat. A BOAT LOAD! I left yesterday morning at 7:45a.m. and returned at 1:00 p.m. During those hours THIS had happened:</div>
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From 1:00 until 4:00, while I was walking around the house, up and down, lamenting that when I was downstairs I needed something critically upstairs and when I was upstairs I so very badly needed something downstairs - - THIS is what happened:<br />
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Holy Tasmanian devil batman! I had heard that the demo part was the fast part. Pictures do not lie. Gone was everything. And in it's place were BIG piles of kitchen shrapnel in the back yard and big piles of dry wall on the inside. Amazing. I was kinda hoping that I would have been able to work out a bit of my frustration wielding a sledge hammer of my own - - but that was not to be. I will have to live vicariously through the swings of my contractors. Guess I can manage that.<br />
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And now the teaser - - In to every life a little rain must fall, and Tuesday brought the first of many chin scratching, what do we do now moments during construction. Tomorrow we will cover such fascinating topics as: What happens when the fridge cannot be moved the basement as planned? and The joys, pros and cons of outdoor refrigeration.wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-80859890475737272412012-10-03T14:15:00.001-07:002012-10-03T14:15:41.494-07:00Here we go AGAIN!<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Beginning Note: Sorry for the delay, kind observers. Turns out that for some reason my blog does not like to upload photos directly from my computer. Tried a bunch of things, thought about a link to smugmug, but then realized that I could download them from Picasa - which means I first need to upload them to Picasa. Alas...But now on with the show...)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Monday morning dawned bright and sunny and hot. And when I say "hot" - what I mean is unnaturally warm for October and for SF in general. It was beach-hot - - like 90 hot. An auspicious beginning to CMR (Cool mid century Remodel) Phase II.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Phase II will be the kitchen. A very cool and nifty kitchen it will be (I hope)! They say this will take 10 weeks. Having just lived through CMR Phase I, I am not putting any money on it. Stupid is as stupid does. I've promised to hit my foreman with a large stick if it isn't ready for Christmas, but I don't think he's too terribly afraid of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In order to start Phase II, I spent last weekend moving all the stuff out of the old kitchen. In my imagination, this seemed like a fairly easy thing to do. I will now remind my readers that sometimes I completely underestimate the easy-ness of things. This kitchen clean out was no exception.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In my dream world, I was going to do this in a couple of hours. I mean, really... What's there to do but pack up some boxes of all the crap that you DON'T NEED for the next couple o' months, and move all the crap that you WILL need for the next couple o' months down to the laundry room where I planned on setting up kitchen-shop for the duration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In fact, that's all you really need to do. The reality of that is while you move crap from one place to another place you must make room for the crap you are moving where other crap already exists. It's exhausting. One minute you're just trying to figure out where to put the saran wrap and moments later you are up to your elbows reconfiguring the linen closet which never entered your dream world of just sticking the saran wrap somewhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the end, Sunday night closed with the old kitchen completely devoid of anything that wasn't going to end up in a dumpster. These pictures are the last ones taken of kitchen-old....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice wall. Soon will be no-wall!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bye-bye white plastic covered cabinets, ugly cook top and speckled granite...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think I'll miss this band-aid colored sink? Me thinks not!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_5gxBXA0dY/UGyfil3t3uI/AAAAAAAADF8/tuNkV15WImg/s1600/Kitchen1001+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_5gxBXA0dY/UGyfil3t3uI/AAAAAAAADF8/tuNkV15WImg/s320/Kitchen1001+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And what about that laminate wood floor? Bu-bye to you! (although there is something kind of interesting about computer generate wood-grain embossed on non-wood product that ends up looking kind of like wood, but not)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you in the dumpster white plastic windows. Your wood replacements are going to be gor-gee-ous!</td></tr>
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Come on demo crew - - time to do your stuff!!!wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-89913071682507989162011-11-22T10:00:00.000-08:002011-11-22T10:00:22.273-08:00One + One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryO2huU9xwJ-GQQ913VjceqrWUlNvw1GuoKi04IXX7PbzKXH3nHw_2lODJGtOzJACprYIhUa-fITJYWDGD7feyooLfgiu8wIxxL5XGXUePPF2FYl1bncB9haohdmpD1ZaPb7wjU-nHe0/s1600/mini+fridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryO2huU9xwJ-GQQ913VjceqrWUlNvw1GuoKi04IXX7PbzKXH3nHw_2lODJGtOzJACprYIhUa-fITJYWDGD7feyooLfgiu8wIxxL5XGXUePPF2FYl1bncB9haohdmpD1ZaPb7wjU-nHe0/s1600/mini+fridge.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Conversation snippet from yesterday Afternoon:<br />
<br />
George the Younger: If I had a curfew what time would it be?<br />
<br />
Me: I have no idea, but it will surely be earlier than you will ever like.<br />
<br />
<br />
Conversatoion snippet from last evening.....<br />
<br />
George the Younger: Tomas and I are going out shopping on black friday. We're going to buy a mini fridge.<br />
<br />
George the Elder: What would <strong><u>you</u></strong> do with a mini fridge?<br />
<br />
George the Younger: Isn't the question really, what <strong><u>couldn't</u></strong> you do with a mini fridge????<br />
<br />
<br />
In isolation - simple questions from a 15 year old boy taking place hours apart. Put them together and I have to wonder. Maybe he's craftier than we think.wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-47741105921441140632011-10-03T14:47:00.000-07:002011-10-03T15:16:44.382-07:00Medium to Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbPeo6jn8RqW1_eMDJgJ8eKcrFi32I4UvRw3Dr_Xij1ZBCmgiWh0NfuaM6gxPKubY2JXah8v-oQo0oq-IB9khh-X-LQCn3OBkUfnpYQsAJFp0jqB_Y8pPih7bqb7TemzM5OqSBQCITpA/s1600/powder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbPeo6jn8RqW1_eMDJgJ8eKcrFi32I4UvRw3Dr_Xij1ZBCmgiWh0NfuaM6gxPKubY2JXah8v-oQo0oq-IB9khh-X-LQCn3OBkUfnpYQsAJFp0jqB_Y8pPih7bqb7TemzM5OqSBQCITpA/s1600/powder.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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This morning I'm sitting in Starbucks nursing a steaming hot grande cup of awake when I am approached by a dapper looking young early-thiry-ish man in a suit. He has just rushed in the door, but does not head towards the counter to place his order. Instead, he sits down directly across from me on the edge of the nice large cushy leather chair, leans forward towards me conspiratorially and says...<br />
<br />
"I was wondering whether you had a little face powder that I could borrow? I ran out of the house this morning and forgot to put mine on." (this is said while he is stroking his face in a manner, which I suspect is supposed to have me notice his uneven skin tone)<br />
<br />
The way I see it, shouldn't every meterosexual male who is worth his salt carry his own personal pressed powder compact? Sadly, I had none to lend. Not a face powder kind of girl (which he would have surely noticed if he had take a second to look at the uneven skin tone of the person that he was addressing). <br />
<br />
And, for what it's worth, we didn't even have the same skin tone.wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-11232440118205776082011-09-28T09:39:00.000-07:002011-09-28T09:39:19.184-07:00On a different Page?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been noodling lately that perhaps George the Elder and I ought to start watching our waistlines. You know drop those 10 pounds or so that have stealthily crept up on both of us over the last several years. Was imagining that we should start a Mediterranean Diet or some such nonsense. But over the last two weeks, it's become obvious that perhaps George the Elder and I might not be on the same page.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Behold. The last three cookbooks that George the Elder has added to his vast cookbook collection....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZb_FgaXhrewVHPhpFydjRvbtOrDf95lVx2Wnp1etWVFoUYn9BIP7Ven84rmgBqhM3glvR9UezbKB3zzaAUX43IyFbpwRRZoZdrw0seutgKL2wserS-bVIdAf-7ClGQBclDBkNb2AOf4/s1600/don.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZb_FgaXhrewVHPhpFydjRvbtOrDf95lVx2Wnp1etWVFoUYn9BIP7Ven84rmgBqhM3glvR9UezbKB3zzaAUX43IyFbpwRRZoZdrw0seutgKL2wserS-bVIdAf-7ClGQBclDBkNb2AOf4/s200/don.jpg" width="167" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4FoHw39ypURIaqV_vmurt3nkHzpWZ-izs-3hPJvZtqKOFm7vOKA-kaYpiVa40K5B3mpnJc3rlWftrjslJ7ZRMlL8I_PtLvuqWws-lEOBli_93-9cZHFIciSI_Mm65NGlk-XTFP-m8jY/s1600/ice+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4FoHw39ypURIaqV_vmurt3nkHzpWZ-izs-3hPJvZtqKOFm7vOKA-kaYpiVa40K5B3mpnJc3rlWftrjslJ7ZRMlL8I_PtLvuqWws-lEOBli_93-9cZHFIciSI_Mm65NGlk-XTFP-m8jY/s200/ice+cream.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw32S77U49cASvKVxcP3yioH3ZojYLdfaJEiZ4CiVYeL4TcjRPCtf2p35Gb30DubKJEKrDckK9cC4VenYm01xwt2B7FhwMaOzZwAkgLZHJAk5_J0njlCcqEZXBCff5Dlk64fa9MYKk4mU/s1600/TMM-book_leftsidebar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw32S77U49cASvKVxcP3yioH3ZojYLdfaJEiZ4CiVYeL4TcjRPCtf2p35Gb30DubKJEKrDckK9cC4VenYm01xwt2B7FhwMaOzZwAkgLZHJAk5_J0njlCcqEZXBCff5Dlk64fa9MYKk4mU/s200/TMM-book_leftsidebar.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Donuts. Milkshakes. Ice Cream. Nuff said.wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-45190761789803178152011-09-26T11:51:00.000-07:002011-09-26T11:51:31.847-07:00Two Teens and the Art of Thank YouI'm certain that I've mentioned this before, but George the Younger and Henry share a birthday. No, they're not twins. No, they are also not biological siblings (unless by some incredibly weird coincidence their birth mother moved countries and changed nationalities between one birth and the next - doubtful). No, we do not celebrate both birthdays on one day. Yes, we do a birthday-palooza kind of thing that spans across two days.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day One = celebrator #1 selection of birthday dinner and dessert.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day Two = celebrator #2 selection of birthday dinner and dessert.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All presents are opened on Day one. It would be cruel to have to wait 24 hours for your presents just because it wasn't "your year" to eat first.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year we decorated mightily and left those streamers and balloons up for the whole two days. For those of you who know me - - this was torture! But, a shout out to my favorite place to buy stuff, "Target!" Adored the little "party set" with streamers, balloons, and banners! All for some ridiculously low price of "who-cares!" You can leave out the sparkly confetti next time. Confetti is only used by stupid people who want to clean it up out of their homes for the next decade. I'm just saying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year means we transition forever in to no-longer-having-a-less-than-teenager-in-our-lives. Henry 13. George 15. Next birthday = potential driver's license. Time is marching on. and on. and on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPGaoUpLZanl2a5e_MZtX09VCeE5zK3IzckQWUhUgSlcGUvgQs5MS3nl0MP8a43NAQqR7XrrSxIC3EnZSdysnUAfCKDTgsug4Rk7ERdz2kibfr0DjgiynadsSysQAnPB4EmU0Vs_WD0U/s1600/birthday+2011_23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPGaoUpLZanl2a5e_MZtX09VCeE5zK3IzckQWUhUgSlcGUvgQs5MS3nl0MP8a43NAQqR7XrrSxIC3EnZSdysnUAfCKDTgsug4Rk7ERdz2kibfr0DjgiynadsSysQAnPB4EmU0Vs_WD0U/s400/birthday+2011_23.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry is Celebrator #1 in 2011.<br />
Dinner: Porcupine Balls (not from real porcupines)<br />
Dessert: Creme Brulee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7hbxoRoTnwTdOM4tQpWeZzRWP4FBqLGbXNi2BJwCh-lQ0rTfyPo5JHGhBU-uFdCYwMRnVvJUsawx7aHsSRGIutFycOX_bW2v1Kq_WZW0E0M43wgOQTHBxVdgO31ftSmIIvByraaqkBw/s1600/birthday+2011_75.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7hbxoRoTnwTdOM4tQpWeZzRWP4FBqLGbXNi2BJwCh-lQ0rTfyPo5JHGhBU-uFdCYwMRnVvJUsawx7aHsSRGIutFycOX_bW2v1Kq_WZW0E0M43wgOQTHBxVdgO31ftSmIIvByraaqkBw/s400/birthday+2011_75.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George the Younger is Celebrator #2 in 2011<br />
Dinner: Shannon's Island Pork Tenderloin<br />
Dessert: Classic Baskin Robins Mint Chip Ice Cream Cake</td></tr>
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Just a couple of observations re: dinner and dessert selections;<br />
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<ul><li>Henry chose Creme Brulee this year. He is getting to be the King of unique birthday dessert choices. Last year we did Boston Cream Pie. This year we had to buy a blow torch. Having now used a blow torch, I believe that there should be an entire cookbook dedicated to cooking things with small hand held fire makers.</li>
<li>Creme Brulee is tasty. It has a couple of problems when used as birthday cake. One: inserting candle into recently bronzed sugar is impossible. Two: Do not try to light candles with blow torch (even though it's going to be right on the counter calling to you). Candle Wax burns much more quickly than sugar. A lot more quickly. Puddle of blue wax on top of beautifully browned sugar is not aesthetically appealing.</li>
<li>George the Elder was personally insulted that George the Younger chose one of Shannon's recipes for his birthday dinner. Historically, George the Younger selects some pasta dish made by Dad. George the Elder took his decision personally. Dad did, however, choke down the delicious Island Pork Tenderloin while nursing his broken heart.</li>
</ul><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mnlF9PGWXD-Y2LNjcDeg_hbDfHQd6XmvGPsxghfoOB-Weg99bGSHIv594r7yz8Y7J-drEoEDoTUBzr_rAfNN3AQ0PnAlk615mk9I6U6NjOfQdMpIyc08vdy_aMEu7UpYMYQJticF7hQ/s1600/mattress+2011_11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mnlF9PGWXD-Y2LNjcDeg_hbDfHQd6XmvGPsxghfoOB-Weg99bGSHIv594r7yz8Y7J-drEoEDoTUBzr_rAfNN3AQ0PnAlk615mk9I6U6NjOfQdMpIyc08vdy_aMEu7UpYMYQJticF7hQ/s400/mattress+2011_11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shannon came to celebrate again this year. HURRAH!</td></tr>
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I try to make the boys write thank you notes for the gifts that they receive from others. They've been writing these a few years now. First we started them off with the fill-in-the-blank variety. You know:<br />
<br />
Dear ____, Thank you for the _____. Love, _______<br />
<br />
They used a template that looked just like this and had to write them out as soon as they could manage it - - 5ish, I think.<br />
<br />
This morphed in to a more sophisticated template of:<br />
<br />
Dear ___, Thank you for the _____. It was the perfect gift because _____. Love, ______<br />
<br />
These days, there is no template. They are simply reminded over and over and over and over again to write their notes. Saturday, I finally got out their notes out of the boxes, placed them on the dining table and announced that NO-one was doing NO-thing the entire weekend unless the damned notes were done. Amazingly, faced with missing fun-with-friends or just sitting on the couch watching Mythbusters - - the notes were written! Huzzah!!!<br />
<br />
[SPOILER ALERT: If you are my mother, my sister, my father-inlaw or my daughter and do not want to read your thank-you note PRIOR to receiving it in the mail in two short days...STOP READING RIGHT HERE. If you are not my mother, my sister, my father-in-law or my daughter, please continue reading to get a glimpse of what years of thank you note writing has morphed in to...]<br />
<br />
Remember, the template is: Dear X. Thank you for X. Insert personal sentence regarding the gift or that person. Love, X....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3LdYW4u4w0r043CEsoqGFs_pXQp8yuOesV0ldAJbIUb3wJC82c3rxJkmYS5souAWtoR9hMghA5_-wCAwRPFqA5NtOG-K2cp2PqlX9FlEmJ6GOj5Bkye60qI9ZCwv6FgdHvSAuh8FjRs/s1600/card008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3LdYW4u4w0r043CEsoqGFs_pXQp8yuOesV0ldAJbIUb3wJC82c3rxJkmYS5souAWtoR9hMghA5_-wCAwRPFqA5NtOG-K2cp2PqlX9FlEmJ6GOj5Bkye60qI9ZCwv6FgdHvSAuh8FjRs/s320/card008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-69050362460114787002011-09-22T10:20:00.000-07:002011-09-22T10:20:26.618-07:00Hello Sailor.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Bnvw_UZA78CGfuzOSsP_DVV1_wfyBahJgsq2am1EBzSnZVGCb8NgVtwmLXjgQQdaYdaH3v3LBuBn1buwVPJQRsnZVD7qcA-Dv_qlbnv_cLFa426IoVn4m4VX39oy5B9aY3I9htVkyQU/s1600/lips2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Bnvw_UZA78CGfuzOSsP_DVV1_wfyBahJgsq2am1EBzSnZVGCb8NgVtwmLXjgQQdaYdaH3v3LBuBn1buwVPJQRsnZVD7qcA-Dv_qlbnv_cLFa426IoVn4m4VX39oy5B9aY3I9htVkyQU/s1600/lips2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And, nothing says "old lady" quite like no lips at all....<br />
<br />
My grandma used to always say that putting on a little lipstick would make everything better. I thought she was speaking metaphorically. A little lipstick = a happy day. Turns out that she was actually simply articulating an indisputable truth of the aged. A little lipstick = bona fide visual lips. Nuggets of wisdom by older women are usually a little tricky that way. <br />
<br />
Perhaps the metaphor aspect was just an illusion. A happy coincidence to lure you dreamily in the harsh reality that lies deeeper and darker. I mean at any age a women could have a happy day <em>without</em> lipstick. And they could have a happy day <em>with</em> lipstick. It's just that as you get older, <em>without</em> the lipstick other people have no way to know you are happy because they are entirely unable to discern whether you are smiling or not. They cannot see your lips. Because they have merged seamlessly into your face. So, OF COURSE wearing lipstick makes everything better. Or something like that. Whatever. What I'm getting at here is that I have no lips and I feel like my Grandmother didn't exactly spit it out that without lipstick you have no friggin lips at a certain age.<br />
<br />
Of course, "I have no lips" is simply figurative. I still have<strong><em><u> some</u></em></strong> lips. If I had <strong><em><u>no</u></em></strong> lips I would have nothing to apply lipstick upon. What I have are reduced-mostly-invisible-to-the-naked-eye-50+-year-old-lips. The kind my grandmother doubtlessly had when she spoke her words of "wisdom."<br />
<br />
Something must be done. What I need to do now are two things.<br />
<br />
<ol><li>I must now never leave the house without lipstick when doing any activity that does not require a leash, a dog and a baseball hat. I fear that should I do this, I may find myself in a matter-of-life-and-death situation where only I have the information necessary to stop the tragic death of a child - - and the only person capable of physically saving the dying child is a deaf person who can only read lips. In a face devoid of readable lipage - - the child would certainly perish. I can't have that on my conscience. (And yes, if you are paying attention I am clearly going to accept that risk while walking the dog. I don't know why. Just lazy I guess.)</li>
<li>Go and buy some better everyday lipstick. This, sadly, requires a visit to the make-up counter. I detest the make-up counter. All that youth with all that make-up spackled on - judging us old folks with wrinkles and aversions to 27 individually applied layers of water-proof mascara. It's hellish. But, I need some "normal lip color." Dismally, I suspect that this not an available shade choice: Normal Lip Color. Instead, I will be forced to consider and slog through various varieties of berries, a smattering of spices and most likely a standard fruit or two before , finally, in utter frustration I just roll-over and buy what the lady says looks good. Subsequently, I will discover that I hate it. This will happen while I am driving the car and pull down the little mirror at a stop light to apply slightly more "Dazzling Berry" to my non-existent lips and I will notice that in the light of day the color makes my lips look like semi-dried earth worms instead of lucious berries. But I will wear it because if not children could die and all that. Sheesh.</li>
</ol> Oh yes -- and that last thing - - I will now begin reciting the <strike> lie</strike> wisdom-of-the-aged to all my younger relatives - - daughter, cousins, nieces - - <br />
<br />
<u><em>"A little lipstick makes everything better"</em></u><br />
<br />
Let's see how damn long they think it's simply a metaphor.... wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-90274155721923646322011-09-21T13:39:00.000-07:002011-09-21T13:39:41.237-07:00Emmy's 2011 - better late than never....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watched the Emmys the other nite. Of course I did. Sucker for those awards shows and all that I am. Set the DVR, planned pick-ups and deliveries of two teenage boys to coincide with the viewing. Even set the DVR to include the pre-show red carpet so I could check out all that glamor, all that glitz, all those poor fashion choices. Best laid plans and all that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to the poor sportsmanship of the network (not to mention the 49'ers and the Cowboys) seems that there is a definite heirarchy to what American wants to watch. Red Carpet vs. sweaty large men pushing and shoving each other in to over time. Me? I'm for the red carpet. The rest of America? Heavily padded freakishly large men and a ball. I lost.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, when I'm wrong I say I'm wrong and 20 minutes in to the truncated version of "Red carpet by Fox", I sadly admitted that the network was absolutely right in their choice. I didn't have a single clue who Fox's red carpet announcers were, and worse - - they were horribly bad. Were they behaving badly because they also felt usurped by the game coverage? Who knows, but I am SO glad that I was in the position to fast forward. Yuck. 20 minutes of nuttin honey. Disappointment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, on with the show:</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jane Lynch was an adroit host. Thought she'd get a little more "Gervaise", but heard that the network pulled in her reigns a scosh in rehearsals. Too bad. She can be very funny with the right material. Given a little more leash and I think she would have been fabulous!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What was with the cut-down-to-there dresses this year? Julie Bowen (modern family), Anna Panquin, Kristin Wigg, and yes, even the daughter from modern family (Ariel Winter) was showing was too much of her tender 13 years. And, while Julie Bowen claims that she just naturally has the figure of a 14 year old - - I still think a couple o'snickers bars a day ought to help with the bony-breast plate thing she's got going between her wee breasts.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What in tarnation was Julianna Margulies wearing? Resembled a mid-century lampshade with a pleather diner bench skirt. Tragic. And I LIKE mid-century. Just not furniture as clothes.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dear Zooey Deschanel - - Did you miss your prom as a child? And I might suggest that using the ribbon from your last year's xmas gift from your mom might as a belt not have been the best choice no matter how "recycle/reuse" you were going for.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It it probable that many people had to run to look up the word, "grandiloquent" used in Julian Fellowes acceptance speech. If you were one of them, be aptly forewarned. Only brits can say that word and not be considered total knobs. Same with the word "dodgy." Oh and the word "knob."</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did Guy Pearce borrower Martin Scorses' glasses? The proof in in the photos....</div></li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2QOLDhdRC6x4SIibEMznjQWVeJzQf1JK2vaHkrS9X3oXtsQuy6Ls0fIjWcVmRU37-UuqnPA-kFUODSQ7BedSl81d66lG0zDavjah9tN6wFbD-OsUalkkwez1uy9Ymn87BwTTQ2ey6CM/s1600/martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2QOLDhdRC6x4SIibEMznjQWVeJzQf1JK2vaHkrS9X3oXtsQuy6Ls0fIjWcVmRU37-UuqnPA-kFUODSQ7BedSl81d66lG0zDavjah9tN6wFbD-OsUalkkwez1uy9Ymn87BwTTQ2ey6CM/s1600/martin.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who doesn't love the song Hallelujah? Sung by 4 Canadian tenors. Teared up a little at all the Moms we lost this year. </div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whether spur o' the moment or planned far in advance, the contestants for the lead actress comedy were spot on and jeepers they are all funny. I was kinda hoping Melissa would win. And so pleased she got a tiara. Who doesn't want a tiara? I don't watch Mike and Molly, so I like to pretend she was winning for Gilmore Girls. I was in love with that show. I watched all 7 seasons in the year that Big George was working in London and we were stuck in Germany. Kept me away from the schnitzel...</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And last, for those of you, older than say 20, who were totally perplexed by the musical number of the night starring Lonely Island and Michael Bolton......the one that included a somewhat terrifying mommy-make-the-bad-men-stop segment with William H Macy.... I have a 15 year old that explained it all to me. Here is the Lonely Island video upon which the farce was based. This doesn't explain away the lap dance for William H - - or the "for everyone who's had sex in the last millennium", or the "better with three" parts - - but it helps.</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GI6CfKcMhjY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-80065981328451700902011-08-25T17:37:00.000-07:002011-08-25T17:37:10.280-07:00In or Out?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSv5_49S3BENvLqp8z0u3l2fbeFs1gCW6W_Fe2zEN5igPYW9a8SXKmQh-kNnR-QDwL2AGbJw73c5IY-gkWlOp4ITmLeujiXn8zwzvIUoJJuAA7uVtqARnuk1TcSP6wdNd3wh5uT8wmmY/s1600/marla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSv5_49S3BENvLqp8z0u3l2fbeFs1gCW6W_Fe2zEN5igPYW9a8SXKmQh-kNnR-QDwL2AGbJw73c5IY-gkWlOp4ITmLeujiXn8zwzvIUoJJuAA7uVtqARnuk1TcSP6wdNd3wh5uT8wmmY/s1600/marla.jpg" /></a></div><br />
There's a scene in "A League of Their Own" when Tom Hanks finally steps out of his drunken stupor and decides to start managing the team. He and Genna Davis simultaneously give "Marla Hooch" conflicting hand signs from the dugout about what she should do at the plate. Marla steps in the batters box. She steps out of the batters box. She steps in the batters box. She steps out of the batters box. Finally, she swings away.<br />
<br />
I was reminded of this film clip, not because I just saw the film again the other day AND cried at the end again the other day (so sue me) - - but because the whole concept of stepping in and stepping out of something- - or more precisely WHEN to step in and WHEN to step out of something was I've been wrestling with these past two days.<br />
<br />
The story goes like this. George the Younger texts me on his way home from soccer practice on Tuesday night with these words, "mom! I didn't make the team!" I text back casually, "Which team?" Not that I'm an idiot - - of course I knew he was at soccer practice so I was referring to A SOCCER team-- but the question was more of did he not make the Varsity team (a looooong stretch since he is first a freshman and second he's no Pele) or did he not make the JV team? He texts back "I didn't make any team."<br />
<br />
I found the context of this text confusing. Why, you might ask? Kids get cut from sports teams all the time. And didn't I just say he's no Pele? This kid is a baseball player. He only plays soccer every summer at camp. End of story. The basis of my befuddled state was the advertised "no cut" sports policy his newly attended high school. The basic philosophy is that the boys get to try lots of different things. It means your kid gets on the team. It <u>doesn't mean</u> he gets to play in games, in fact he could ride the bench hard all season long - but he does get to attend practice with the team and if in some weird "Rudy" moment he actually triumphantly takes the field, more power to him.<br />
<br />
So George the Younger gets home from soccer practice thirty minutes later. He walks in the door with devastation embedded in his very being. He's shell shocked. This boy is an athlete. This boy has never before been cut by a team. He just got named MVP of Color War at camp for his athletic contribution by his fellow campers. He didn't know what to do with himself. So, the face of this terrible news, combined with the emotional stress of starting a new school, exacerbated by the lack of sleep given his new schedule (no red-blooded human teenager should have to get up at 6:00a.m.) - - and well dang, I had a living breathing basket case on my hands. He didn't understand how he had been cut. Cue the tears. "I picked this school so I could try different stuff." Giant angst. "I'm not going to play on the baby team!!!" What baby team? What was he talking about??<br />
<br />
As it turns out, there was going to be a "baby team." The non-upset-wounded-pride-14-year-old title for this team is technically the "Developmental Team." How did I find this out? Well, here's the stepping IN part: I sent a very nice email to the director of athletics and the head of school. [Yikes! Was this the first step in "helicopter parenting" during my son's high school years??? Egad, I hope the hell not. I hold distain for those kind of parents.] But, I needed to understand if we misunderstood the school policy - - its sports philosophy - as it were. Kindly, the school responded quickly - first a nice email from the athletic director (containing a forwarded email that had been send out the weekend before describing how they needed to have a 3rd developmental squad because they had an unprecedented number of boys go out for the soccer team this year. I didn't get this email because George the Younger gave them the wrong email address) and then I had a nice phone call from Shuja (not the head of school, but the admissions guy who we knew from applying) - - swell guy! All was well - - no philosophy changes. All good., except I still needed to deal with my son's disappointment on being assigned to the "Development Team" - - a team that would still play a couple o' games, and who's members would be able to move up to the JV as their skills increased. But it's still a bitter pill to swallow when you're the only boy in your carpool not to have made the JV or Varsity teams. That stings, but he would survive it.<br />
<br />
Now for the stepping OUT part. I told George the Younger I was going to ask the school about philosophy -- which I did. But, to get the answer to the "what the heck happened to me and why didn't I make the team???" question - well, that was something only the coach would know. The coach conversation was something he needed to do. I don't talk to coaches. He's not my coach. He's his coach. If players have questions or want to talk - - the player needs to do it The mom (or dad) needs to stay the heck out of it. He said he would do it at the next practice.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I head to the school for a meeting on an entirely different subject. George the Younger is waiting there in the courtyard - - still looking a tad dejected - - but now he's obviously been bolstered up by his new group of homies who are similarly incensed that George did not make the team (I'm beginning to "get" the whole boy-brotherhood thing. They're like tiny little packs of wolves they way they already hang together). I told him what I had found out from my research and we talked about how he was going to couch his comments to the coach (i.e. don't be a whiny baby - ask what skills you need to improve to make the team - find out what he's looking for - be mature about it). Just then his phone buzzes. And seconds later a smile the size of the world appears on his face....<br />
<br />
Why? The text is from a fellow freshman soccer player currently getting ready to start the first JV game of the season out at Treasure Island (where George the Younger is NOT since he didn't make the team). What does the text say? Something to the tune of "WHERE R U??? You're supposed to be starting!!!" (I'm sure the full words were not spelled out- - but I got no skills in text-ish.). My reaction to the text? WTF? (non-verbal of course)<br />
<br />
Turns out that the coach had <strong><em>meant</em></strong> to put George the Younger's name on the list. He just <strong><em>forgot</em></strong>. He didn't transfer the names correctly from one sheet of paper to another. So at 4:15 we head across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island. The normal 15 minute ride - - stretches to 40 minutes or beyond with traffic - - but we're pretty lucky and make it in 30. George the Younger has no soccer gear with him, he cannot play in the game. But he's there to talk to the coach. Which he does. Which makes him smile. Cause yes, he was on the team. The world, in his estimation, had righted itself.<br />
<br />
I remember now - - this High School parenting thing. The still-having-to-step-in for the "administrative stuff" and the needing-to-step-out while they learn to take care of their own business. All of this would have been a non-issue if George the Younger had simply "stepped-UP" the night the team announcements were made and talked to the coach right then and there. A little life lesson learned. He still might have gotten the news that he was on the "developmental squad" - but he would have had facts to deal with instead of his imagination gone wild ("I will prolly NEVER be able to play sports at SH until my senior year when they HAVE to take me even if I SUCK", "I'm not going to have any friends since ALL my friends are on the team and I am NOT!"). But that is hard to do. Hard for an adult. Especially hard for a 14 year old faced with bad news.<br />
<br />
So, my time in the batting box begins. Step in. Step out. It would be a whole lot easier if I were getting hand signals from the dugout.wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-53818570763384527992011-08-22T09:47:00.000-07:002011-08-22T09:47:07.320-07:00Compare and Contrast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-QYLqyQPfeoHZCu2BasWu5BTl7L7XRDnTNjZWpkTLxWbeDe20OSqdNvXFsaqfNeWzTyJyf3zM4bYd1Yf3E5Cv-eKyCMkWValPVzhMMlTZqWk2FGcHIZhswqsUHRZi5PaMNf29JphtSQ/s1600/K+to+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-QYLqyQPfeoHZCu2BasWu5BTl7L7XRDnTNjZWpkTLxWbeDe20OSqdNvXFsaqfNeWzTyJyf3zM4bYd1Yf3E5Cv-eKyCMkWValPVzhMMlTZqWk2FGcHIZhswqsUHRZi5PaMNf29JphtSQ/s320/K+to+12.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />
This morning George the Younger donned his new high school "uniform" apparel and headed out in to the foggy San Francisco morning for his first day of High School.<br />
<br />
I managed to get him to stand still for a moment to capture the moment as he rushed out the door at 7-flipping-a.m. Sadly, the photos were not well focused. I was rushing since he really didn't feel the moment needed historical photographic documentation. I explained that ALL "first days of school" have been duly documented in his life, so would he just stand the heck still and let me take the damn photo? He acquiesced and smiled. And then, in a blur he rushed out the front door to catch his carpool.<br />
<br />
I spent the next hour researching photoshop techniques and managed to cobble together his first days of kindergarten and high school. Can you say "nostalgic?"<br />
<br />
The differences between the two "first days" are obvious. He's taller and he's sporting a duster. He has a heavier backpack full of bigger books with more words and less pictures. He won't get a happy-sunshine-sparkly-rainbow name tag when he gets to his classroom (at least I am certain he is praying he doesn't!). He doesn't need to carry a nap mat and I'm doubtful he will get a morning snack. He didn't need me or George the Elder to hold his hand on the way to school. Although, I still helped him pack his backpack last night and watched him open and close the lock for his locker several times to ensure proficiency. Miss Barbara will not be there to greet him with a snappy morning song strummed on her zither.<br />
<br />
But the two photos side-by-side remind me that he's still our same sweet guy inside - - off to make new school friends and conquer new adventures. And Mr. Farrel, the headmaster, will be there to greet him with a grown-up handshake welcoming him to his first official day as a freshman at Stuart Hall High School.<br />
<br />
I'm a bit misty over the whole thing. Can you tell?wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115067160330531350.post-9552992465285218222011-07-25T14:20:00.000-07:002011-07-25T14:20:23.230-07:00When Rocks FlyWere you aware that a "rock" is classified as a "boulder" when said rock is simply too large for a person to move? In other words, all boulders are rocks, but only some rocks are boulders. (Are you getting that creepy feeling like you're taking a university logic class yet??) I didn't know this. I know it now. And I know it because George the Elder and I bought a boulder. Of course we did.<br />
<br />
We went to a local stone quarry a couple of weekends ago to buy a bunch of smallish landscaping rocks to cover up all the dirt that still surrounds the front of the CMR. Since the whole kitandkaboodle of landscaping is going to be Phase 27.5 of the CMR expected to occur sometime in the second millennium - we needed a little somethin somethin between now and then. See the dirt just kicks up and gets my newly painted house all groady. Can't have that happening for the next 7 thousand light years. So, we head down to this cool quarry to pick out some rocks. We bought a couple of tons of them. Literally. Two. tons. of. rocks. Turns out that rocks are pretty heavy. And while we were strolling around the stone yard, we decided to buy - - well, the boulder. A 1.5 ton boulder to be exact. Most people buy gum or mints as impulse buys. Us? A bronze boulder.<br />
<br />
We had it all delivered. Wasn't that nice of them? We could have rented our own couple o'ton dump truck - but we took (what we thought then) was the easy way out. "Please come and put everything where it belongs." The morning of the delivery I was so excited. No more dirt around the CMR!! Cool boulder in the front too.!! But, alas. So goes the best laid plans. The boulder and the rocks could only be put on the driveway. Dang it.<br />
<br />
Now moving two tons of little rocks is not a particularly unsolvable problem. This is why we have sons and husbands. To solve these problems. They take buckets full of little rocks garnered from the big crate of rocks and spread them around. Lots and lots of buckets full. About 100 trips of buckets full to be exact. Are they happy to do this? No. But do they do it? Yes. But a big bronze boulder? That would required some heavier lifting.<br />
<br />
We briefly considered the logistics of hiring manual laborers to do the deed. I mean - -a whole scad of not-so-big Cambodians built a lot of temples in Siem Reap with much larger stones than these and a tremendously long distance to move them. The same could be said for the pyramids. I mean - - amazing right? Big stones, moved long distances, placed strategically way up high! Yet, without minions of workers - generations full of minions - we realized we needed to take a different tact. SF frowns on toys with happy meals. Disposable generations of manual laborers? I don't think so.<br />
<br />
So, we went all machine age on the problem and we hired a crane. Who knew you could do this? You simply get on Yelp. Search for crane operators. Rule out the ones that only do sky scrapers and -- you get three bids. Neato. Keeno. We chose the cheapest one. We also chose the one that didn't feel the need to pay the city of SF $600 for a street operating permit. Getting my rock moved AND not paying the city? Marvelous!<br />
<br />
In the end moving the boulder cost roughly the same amount as the boulder itself. Go figure. Yet, we love our little boulder bench. I hope we love it. It's never going anywhere ever again.<br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRMjvLqWPg3oueAX_Spv4O1o1xVrM8sMq9VaG7n4enJc2HCKaqV8Oa-oOhBBfvESjRmKfMx2Ro1tfdV5lDxDnL_KNESFO70TpzmwOIqULHYre3vRRWDPzjYsjjeHlDbhPucLB-DG56wU/s1600/Photo_68833A1B-6E42-0761-7994-35CA85F90838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRMjvLqWPg3oueAX_Spv4O1o1xVrM8sMq9VaG7n4enJc2HCKaqV8Oa-oOhBBfvESjRmKfMx2Ro1tfdV5lDxDnL_KNESFO70TpzmwOIqULHYre3vRRWDPzjYsjjeHlDbhPucLB-DG56wU/s400/Photo_68833A1B-6E42-0761-7994-35CA85F90838.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze boulder and .25 tons of the stones left on the driveway</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZfmwVmYTgB2Rl2uiNtaEjgOe1iSBBaQSF-6vN3v8xMbNFV-IeTlhbvrBFTuQAF6ofk_suutgIC1KhTF0ZhS4AnffwlO0M-SYP8oFFgY4rh2cJuSKrB7PNEqW5iIJgmpckQYXdriFJxc/s1600/Photo_D568CECB-0B34-6255-7BC7-6FD470A69548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZfmwVmYTgB2Rl2uiNtaEjgOe1iSBBaQSF-6vN3v8xMbNFV-IeTlhbvrBFTuQAF6ofk_suutgIC1KhTF0ZhS4AnffwlO0M-SYP8oFFgY4rh2cJuSKrB7PNEqW5iIJgmpckQYXdriFJxc/s400/Photo_D568CECB-0B34-6255-7BC7-6FD470A69548.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GIANT crane arrived for hoisting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOUhv5f4Te51WBdJ-DlFriZdr5BylWlqBHpy8CbKgbW0VmChVZv0f-7r7bXyY5eYzbFlxKSQjfymN62KPkQJnPrcJzqmt9zRYoqPgV-DfYYqnndWpoZhYSAryrwaOoS_gJR7vscWcDqY/s1600/Photo_F73BABC0-04B7-2BF8-2828-28C56195AC93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOUhv5f4Te51WBdJ-DlFriZdr5BylWlqBHpy8CbKgbW0VmChVZv0f-7r7bXyY5eYzbFlxKSQjfymN62KPkQJnPrcJzqmt9zRYoqPgV-DfYYqnndWpoZhYSAryrwaOoS_gJR7vscWcDqY/s400/Photo_F73BABC0-04B7-2BF8-2828-28C56195AC93.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy nice crane operator "Sean" dons his hard hat and we're off to the races!<br />
And, no. I did not partake of his erection services. Thank you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MWcOm9V1Ydm61x6wiVXTlNdBRVbiZbh6dPHjGNp3XWyhvAkP7512BiZ-Up2DNjzhHn3k5yzVsISVqZI6y1emn55muHXFzAOhKMsUoTq7DVcLQeV1agE0aRdb2TBystAcpPlcI1KTByU/s1600/Photo_1A009B8B-8BBB-283E-0FB8-FC7949C03665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MWcOm9V1Ydm61x6wiVXTlNdBRVbiZbh6dPHjGNp3XWyhvAkP7512BiZ-Up2DNjzhHn3k5yzVsISVqZI6y1emn55muHXFzAOhKMsUoTq7DVcLQeV1agE0aRdb2TBystAcpPlcI1KTByU/s400/Photo_1A009B8B-8BBB-283E-0FB8-FC7949C03665.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First we pick up boulder from drive way. I am the assistant.<br />
I get to place the hoists on the rock.<br />
I do not get a hard hat. I am disappointed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7L9GrEtdxRPIDFsMxqQTuFKxrgTzRshEXt4JuycnH2QpM5oNAbcCazCPGanR6zmz_WEBp_lU8xCvoQ5OZVuGDTOVS3PHFH13HnzlhPaX4A5WgDuLzQhSJHoXRz5YIyppGB6lcZKwhXrg/s1600/Photo_366E5CC2-2DC1-EA85-32DA-D84F736369AF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7L9GrEtdxRPIDFsMxqQTuFKxrgTzRshEXt4JuycnH2QpM5oNAbcCazCPGanR6zmz_WEBp_lU8xCvoQ5OZVuGDTOVS3PHFH13HnzlhPaX4A5WgDuLzQhSJHoXRz5YIyppGB6lcZKwhXrg/s400/Photo_366E5CC2-2DC1-EA85-32DA-D84F736369AF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulder is put on the back of the crane bed for a short trip around to <br />
the front of the CMR!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8Rq7RJAihqz325dO3CUUoxNkuDPsgxxbOAjHgtdzoLPhnJTPjfZZdzUyqYw3UQvCWOi944Z0SbYFG2i25miAkBL6-Q5SiUxcU5I0d8TmBD_6yxLXPUh7tETgCJvfdnZ968N1SFx577w/s1600/Photo_962B163D-6BA4-8F5B-4049-3ED4F1E82128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8Rq7RJAihqz325dO3CUUoxNkuDPsgxxbOAjHgtdzoLPhnJTPjfZZdzUyqYw3UQvCWOi944Z0SbYFG2i25miAkBL6-Q5SiUxcU5I0d8TmBD_6yxLXPUh7tETgCJvfdnZ968N1SFx577w/s400/Photo_962B163D-6BA4-8F5B-4049-3ED4F1E82128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"X" marks the spot for the Boulder.<br />
Excellent markage by my very own tennis shoe.<br />
We are professionals!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJMJ4_Q4th2v6RXN0axTd9Sz_0N2e4eMu_SvTUxFIQSjRBELEkr6osq-TXmn7NFuiXUAwcGYCQgqzhyvhZG3Uq1QXwGYShE-NE1gY3rwRi4cFkBsFzBaCR6YQxPW1IraJdZdg02gMcyU/s1600/Photo_A85E5C0E-A45E-2308-1E28-13526683F66E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJMJ4_Q4th2v6RXN0axTd9Sz_0N2e4eMu_SvTUxFIQSjRBELEkr6osq-TXmn7NFuiXUAwcGYCQgqzhyvhZG3Uq1QXwGYShE-NE1gY3rwRi4cFkBsFzBaCR6YQxPW1IraJdZdg02gMcyU/s400/Photo_A85E5C0E-A45E-2308-1E28-13526683F66E.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With large crane now repositioned - we heft that bad johnny up.<br />
I am standing ready to give the hand signals - oh<br />
except I am taking pictures too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR-u_OggxjVMeDAoKUFxlbJoZ-aHB2oRAaTGdaDU4v0yDagToo9Lu320i-w5DyRazJEBgny3ImO3d5olOqxK3BGVHs7dPnF39dnBkIN00BdvEaLxnt7_ds6lziMn56n70kb8LjrcCtdI/s1600/Photo_00243EE2-44A6-C0F6-49D9-E47D45F60D28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR-u_OggxjVMeDAoKUFxlbJoZ-aHB2oRAaTGdaDU4v0yDagToo9Lu320i-w5DyRazJEBgny3ImO3d5olOqxK3BGVHs7dPnF39dnBkIN00BdvEaLxnt7_ds6lziMn56n70kb8LjrcCtdI/s400/Photo_00243EE2-44A6-C0F6-49D9-E47D45F60D28.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulder coming towards me! It seems much bigger in person when a<br />
1.5 boulder is moving towards your head. I put the phone<br />
away at this point and start waving my arms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8BODaklcs4itT0bw_QFxgc9Cde98uQObKv0_y94H3NQwUdWJQZYU4OFpXkiB3mSHJEA0amrIw09ZJx7SmID4RXGuaN4zdMvqUz8NBM45f4P69y6ftq_WNnS2PhSMPRR_5_dmd124ISo/s1600/Photo_B75C8ADE-F35C-2020-2E2A-7F7E1BD96F09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8BODaklcs4itT0bw_QFxgc9Cde98uQObKv0_y94H3NQwUdWJQZYU4OFpXkiB3mSHJEA0amrIw09ZJx7SmID4RXGuaN4zdMvqUz8NBM45f4P69y6ftq_WNnS2PhSMPRR_5_dmd124ISo/s400/Photo_B75C8ADE-F35C-2020-2E2A-7F7E1BD96F09.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After much hand signalling the boulder is finally mostly where we want it.<br />
Actually, it's definitely where we want it since it cannot<br />
ever be moved from here :). Ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>wendy wisniewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12041000909140311866noreply@blogger.com1