Lou is having to rip out the very same tile that he just put down earlier this summer, but he says it isn't the first time! Great attitude.
Some of the tile was salvageable, but not enough to re do the bathroom, so that idea is now dead.
I found and ordered new tile. With my cousin Jan to help, we quickly spotted something we liked in Santa Rosa, and when we got the measurements today, I called them in. Luckily for me, they are in stock and will be shipped from the giant kiln in Ohio. Should be in SR in a week to 10 days.
I am getting hand molded four inch tiles in three complimentary coffee colors and they will go down in a random pattern...I think it will be very cool.
I am also having to change the color of the backsplash now, and lucky me, when I called MGI, I still have time to do that, so will go in tomorrow and take care of it, when I am out paint hunting.
Act, react, pause, breathe, act, react and on it goes.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The WALL
I was hoping that today would be the last day of the plastic as the floor is the last of the messy messy dust items, but I am not taking it down without consulting with Stuart tomorrow.
I have lost track of the progress of the mudding, and while it looks wonderful, who knows?
In any case, the priming and painting comes next...then we will wait for the cabinets.
I have lost track of the progress of the mudding, and while it looks wonderful, who knows?
In any case, the priming and painting comes next...then we will wait for the cabinets.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Bill & Stuart Confer duing the sheetrock install
Stuart and Bill are finishing up the sheet rock right now...then Stuart has to put in a zillion screws to make it totally secure.
At least what I think is the worst dustwise is almost over...and boy is there a lot of dust. There is a little breeze which makes the plastic move a bit, but it is so hot in there that I can't ask them to shut the windows too!
I think I will go look at paint tomorrow morning and again maybe in SR on Tuesday...so many choices. But this morning, I made a decision on pretty neat inside the cabinet wire storage baskets, one of which comes right out on the door, and allows the other one to come out of the dead space.
My sister who will have a much bigger kitchen in Ojai says she doesn't care about dead space, but I sure do!
If you click on the photo you can go to my flickr page and then go to kitchen remodel set to see the poor dogs, and the salvaged cabinets as well as the contents of the kitchen which are strewn all over the downstairs.
The great discovery today at Safeway!!! In the interest of trying to eat without having to actually go to a lot of trouble with prep time and clean up in my jerry rigged kitchen, I am searching out different 'healthy" fast food. I found Rice in a Pouch from Uncle Ben's!!! It is microwaveable in 90 Secs!!! Brown Rice too!
I will have to try it soon...I bought two different kinds. Who Knew???
At least what I think is the worst dustwise is almost over...and boy is there a lot of dust. There is a little breeze which makes the plastic move a bit, but it is so hot in there that I can't ask them to shut the windows too!
I think I will go look at paint tomorrow morning and again maybe in SR on Tuesday...so many choices. But this morning, I made a decision on pretty neat inside the cabinet wire storage baskets, one of which comes right out on the door, and allows the other one to come out of the dead space.
My sister who will have a much bigger kitchen in Ojai says she doesn't care about dead space, but I sure do!
If you click on the photo you can go to my flickr page and then go to kitchen remodel set to see the poor dogs, and the salvaged cabinets as well as the contents of the kitchen which are strewn all over the downstairs.
The great discovery today at Safeway!!! In the interest of trying to eat without having to actually go to a lot of trouble with prep time and clean up in my jerry rigged kitchen, I am searching out different 'healthy" fast food. I found Rice in a Pouch from Uncle Ben's!!! It is microwaveable in 90 Secs!!! Brown Rice too!
I will have to try it soon...I bought two different kinds. Who Knew???
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sheetrock here we come!
Ah...a normal day in the remodel world...cabinets moved down below...pix to come tomorrow, old sheetrock removed and taken away, as well as random stuff down below and the hideous SINK is gone!
Tomorrow Stu and Bill will hang sheetrock and next Wednesday, Lou will come and remove the tile floor in the kitchen...then all I will have to do is pick out new tile and wait for cabinets. Oh, one tiny detail...tomorrow I will go back to the cabinetmaker's shop to look at revolving racks for the dread 'dead space' under the ends of the counters. I am looking forward to that.
In for a penny, in for a ...!
Tomorrow Stu and Bill will hang sheetrock and next Wednesday, Lou will come and remove the tile floor in the kitchen...then all I will have to do is pick out new tile and wait for cabinets. Oh, one tiny detail...tomorrow I will go back to the cabinetmaker's shop to look at revolving racks for the dread 'dead space' under the ends of the counters. I am looking forward to that.
In for a penny, in for a ...!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
TODAY'S VIRGO HOROSCOPE
Here it is, direct to me, via the SF CHRON:
Don't be married to that same old game plan that you miss out on what's being proposed today. YOU have an uncanny ablitity to work with developments as they unfold.
And so it seems that I do! Yikes!
Don't be married to that same old game plan that you miss out on what's being proposed today. YOU have an uncanny ablitity to work with developments as they unfold.
And so it seems that I do! Yikes!
Shooting at the former sink space
Looking at this photo, I am considering that perhaps it might have been better to follow my sister's model of remodling...hiring a contractor etc. and just butting out of the actual moment. But when it is happening right here, right now, I would have still be sticking my Genovese nose in everywhere if not actually hands on.
So far I have had a hand at every stage, but soon it will be out of my hands. Like tomorrow morning. Then I can be the supervisor...maybe!
So far I have had a hand at every stage, but soon it will be out of my hands. Like tomorrow morning. Then I can be the supervisor...maybe!
Standing in the former sink space
I meant to say safe!!! I am starving and so thankful that I marinated and grilled some delicous pork chops so I could ravage part of one for a little protein boost before I have a TV dinner. Well, a healthy one. Tomorrow...THE NAKED KITCHEN!
FLOORS! TILE!!!!
Oh what a day! Started out wildly well with the rest of the tile being demolished right off those pesky counters (Stuart) and carted out to the truck (me). Well not all of it, but lots of it.
Then came the discoveries as we started to try to move the counters and cabinets...they were screwed to the floor!
Oh, you might say, how did they do that when the floor is tile? ah, I can tell you...the tile is not under any of the cabinets, and is not uniform in how it has been applied.
Stuart darkly kept muttering about the arrival of the Mike the cabinet man...mutter mutter mutter. I already had realized there was going to be a problem when the dishwasher had been removed, but the problem went beyond just removing tile here and there. I won't bore myself much less you all with the toe plate measurements etc. but I am here to tell you that no one exaggerates when they say, " Oh god, a remodel, you will never know what you will find."
To make life simpler, I had already decided if worst came to worst, I was willing to change the floor in the kitchen and so it will be. Thank god, I have my go-to tile man Lou. As Stuart's schedule with the sheetrock progresses, then Lou will come in and remove all the tile, and come back after the cabinets to put in the new tile.
Sheetrock? Did I mention sheetrock? Or should I call it shitrock? In anycase, the west wall is to be spared new sheetrock, but will be taped and mudded. But the east wall, and the north walls have to be completely redone right down to the floor. We found some mold behind the sink area. Anyway, Stuart is a master of sheetrock except around the exposed beams. (And that is a whole 'nuther story).
Poor Mike...when he got there to take measurements we had a list of very very long questions. But nice guy that he is, he really helped out. Even to tell me about some totally cool corner cabinet items. We were even able to salvage somemore space for cabinets and a few changes to the plan. He will explore further for me. I am in this deep, why not go whole hog.
Which is sort of my idea at this moment...I am going this far, might as well do it right, instead of trying to work around the old tile etc..
I know there were really good moments about today's work, and mostly that boils down to the fact that everything is ready to be taken out and we have a plan for a temp home for the useable stuff in the dog room. So Stuart and old friend Bill will arrive early tomorrow am, and we will be off and running again.
Hopefully next week Lou will be able to pull up the tile....he said a day's notice and he can get it done. Lots of ideas on how to demark the kitchen from the rest of the tile floor. I am thinking that rather then trying to match, I will go with a lighter color and different size tile...what do you all think?
Both computers are being photophobic this evening, so I will wait to post a photo.
Then came the discoveries as we started to try to move the counters and cabinets...they were screwed to the floor!
Oh, you might say, how did they do that when the floor is tile? ah, I can tell you...the tile is not under any of the cabinets, and is not uniform in how it has been applied.
Stuart darkly kept muttering about the arrival of the Mike the cabinet man...mutter mutter mutter. I already had realized there was going to be a problem when the dishwasher had been removed, but the problem went beyond just removing tile here and there. I won't bore myself much less you all with the toe plate measurements etc. but I am here to tell you that no one exaggerates when they say, " Oh god, a remodel, you will never know what you will find."
To make life simpler, I had already decided if worst came to worst, I was willing to change the floor in the kitchen and so it will be. Thank god, I have my go-to tile man Lou. As Stuart's schedule with the sheetrock progresses, then Lou will come in and remove all the tile, and come back after the cabinets to put in the new tile.
Sheetrock? Did I mention sheetrock? Or should I call it shitrock? In anycase, the west wall is to be spared new sheetrock, but will be taped and mudded. But the east wall, and the north walls have to be completely redone right down to the floor. We found some mold behind the sink area. Anyway, Stuart is a master of sheetrock except around the exposed beams. (And that is a whole 'nuther story).
Poor Mike...when he got there to take measurements we had a list of very very long questions. But nice guy that he is, he really helped out. Even to tell me about some totally cool corner cabinet items. We were even able to salvage somemore space for cabinets and a few changes to the plan. He will explore further for me. I am in this deep, why not go whole hog.
Which is sort of my idea at this moment...I am going this far, might as well do it right, instead of trying to work around the old tile etc..
I know there were really good moments about today's work, and mostly that boils down to the fact that everything is ready to be taken out and we have a plan for a temp home for the useable stuff in the dog room. So Stuart and old friend Bill will arrive early tomorrow am, and we will be off and running again.
Hopefully next week Lou will be able to pull up the tile....he said a day's notice and he can get it done. Lots of ideas on how to demark the kitchen from the rest of the tile floor. I am thinking that rather then trying to match, I will go with a lighter color and different size tile...what do you all think?
Both computers are being photophobic this evening, so I will wait to post a photo.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Washing station and drying station
OH woe...I knew that this might be the hardest part of the adventure and it is.
I have set up in the upper bathroom, and it is very hard. The countertop is so small that I have to put the drying rack right on the toilet which I think is really gross...even with the lid down. Of course as soon as I am done I move it to the bathtub, but still!!!
And to actually wash without letting anything drain stoppable going down the pipes I have three different pans that I have to fill with hot water before I even start...and where to put the dirty dishes while I do that?
Well, they go in the black tub that you can barely see...that is for getting "stuff" off that doesn't come off in the initial scraping...then into the soapy hot water in the bowl in the sink, and finally a rinse in the last big bowl followed by a quick stream of water from my watering can. God! And I only had four items to do.
NOT a happy camper.
If I move the whole operation to the downstairs bathroom, it would be more efficient and I might just do that tomorrow though it means hauling stuff up and down the stairs, but it might be so much easier to do that.
Paper plates are on the shopping list!!!
I have set up in the upper bathroom, and it is very hard. The countertop is so small that I have to put the drying rack right on the toilet which I think is really gross...even with the lid down. Of course as soon as I am done I move it to the bathtub, but still!!!
And to actually wash without letting anything drain stoppable going down the pipes I have three different pans that I have to fill with hot water before I even start...and where to put the dirty dishes while I do that?
Well, they go in the black tub that you can barely see...that is for getting "stuff" off that doesn't come off in the initial scraping...then into the soapy hot water in the bowl in the sink, and finally a rinse in the last big bowl followed by a quick stream of water from my watering can. God! And I only had four items to do.
NOT a happy camper.
If I move the whole operation to the downstairs bathroom, it would be more efficient and I might just do that tomorrow though it means hauling stuff up and down the stairs, but it might be so much easier to do that.
Paper plates are on the shopping list!!!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Decontruction or Destruction? That is the Question.
Oh boy...finally we are making progress. Stuart and I started out this morning, masking off the kitchen with plastic sheeting and then removing all my sliding shelve inserts. Then we started on the reverse osmosis item under the sink...after a couple of misadventures and one phone call...a big Ah Ha moment...that was all removed.
As Stuart was about to take the piping apart neatly, I pointed out that it was going and never coming back, so out came the saw and voila, it was cleared out. Ditto with the electric wires and I had found out they weren't hard wired, just giant plugs.
Then came the moment, which you can see on my flickr site, where we started prying and peeling the faux bricks off the sheetrock. It went really fast...much faster than the tile work which we will finish off next week.
The difference in light is just amazing...this is really getting exciting...something about deconstruction perhaps?
As Stuart was about to take the piping apart neatly, I pointed out that it was going and never coming back, so out came the saw and voila, it was cleared out. Ditto with the electric wires and I had found out they weren't hard wired, just giant plugs.
Then came the moment, which you can see on my flickr site, where we started prying and peeling the faux bricks off the sheetrock. It went really fast...much faster than the tile work which we will finish off next week.
The difference in light is just amazing...this is really getting exciting...something about deconstruction perhaps?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
My Temp Kitchen
Ah, finally everything I could take out of the kitchen is out, right down to the kitchen clock.
And now tonight, I assembled a salad for dinner with minor slicing and dicing of tomato, avocado and tomato, and toasting of bread. The messiest thing was grating the parmesan cheese, but any bits I missed will surely be scarfed up by Koko the ChowHound.
I did cheat by using the kitchen sink to clean up and wash dishes.
I can say with some certainty that I will be quickly resorting to paper plates and maybe a different salad bowl...mine is huge and it will be unwieldy in a small sink.
Tomorrow we will begin to explore Behind The Walls! Hope it is more inspiring that Under The Dishwasher!!!
Anyway, the "kitchen" seems workable, and I don't have to try to type OVER, errrr, Oven anymore for a while. What a relief.
And now tonight, I assembled a salad for dinner with minor slicing and dicing of tomato, avocado and tomato, and toasting of bread. The messiest thing was grating the parmesan cheese, but any bits I missed will surely be scarfed up by Koko the ChowHound.
I did cheat by using the kitchen sink to clean up and wash dishes.
I can say with some certainty that I will be quickly resorting to paper plates and maybe a different salad bowl...mine is huge and it will be unwieldy in a small sink.
Tomorrow we will begin to explore Behind The Walls! Hope it is more inspiring that Under The Dishwasher!!!
Anyway, the "kitchen" seems workable, and I don't have to try to type OVER, errrr, Oven anymore for a while. What a relief.
Ryan & the dishwasher
Who knew that naked dishwashers were so dang ugly? I worried all night that Delilah or one of the other cats would get in that fiber glass insulation, but they steered clear of the intruders on the porch.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Harvey Removing the Dishwasher
Ah, what a kitchen I have now. All appliances are out except for the microwave and toaster oven...big gapping holes abound, but I did find that those funky chopping boards that were taking up valuable drawer space fit exactly over the cooktop space, so I have that covered and can still work there until the counter comes out.
Harvey is a miracle worker who got everything out and out the door by himself. Only hold up is he had to do a lot of service calls and then get the big truck and that hasn't happened yet. If not today, then tomorrow.
It is a good think my first meeting was canceled...I then canceled the second one.
Even the refridge got moved to a new temp space where the heating stove used to be...and that takes an adjustment. I already had my waving hand moment when I was washing my hands at the sink and turned to grab a towel, and there was nothing there!!! Yikes, this is going to be hard.
I even ventured to WalMart to get some basins and a dish rack for the day when the camping really begins. I know I can do this...so many people have done it before...AND survived!
Harvey is a miracle worker who got everything out and out the door by himself. Only hold up is he had to do a lot of service calls and then get the big truck and that hasn't happened yet. If not today, then tomorrow.
It is a good think my first meeting was canceled...I then canceled the second one.
Even the refridge got moved to a new temp space where the heating stove used to be...and that takes an adjustment. I already had my waving hand moment when I was washing my hands at the sink and turned to grab a towel, and there was nothing there!!! Yikes, this is going to be hard.
I even ventured to WalMart to get some basins and a dish rack for the day when the camping really begins. I know I can do this...so many people have done it before...AND survived!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Rex before banishment
The pack of wolves is a good symbol of all the packing I have been doing. I never knew how many little dribs and drabs of lentils could get shoved to the very back of the highest, deepest cupboard.
But they are all out now.
After I use the oven one last time tonight to roast fire potatoes, I will be done with most of the kitchen. Hopefully the drawers will come out and stack up, and that will only leave me with the big pull out cabinets to work on Tuesday and Wednesday.
All the orchids, three of which are blooming, are now gracing the ledge in window of the bathroom. They look great in there.
But they are all out now.
After I use the oven one last time tonight to roast fire potatoes, I will be done with most of the kitchen. Hopefully the drawers will come out and stack up, and that will only leave me with the big pull out cabinets to work on Tuesday and Wednesday.
All the orchids, three of which are blooming, are now gracing the ledge in window of the bathroom. They look great in there.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Mutant Hiding in the Veggie Bowl
I wonder what the Mutant sees from his vantage point at the north end of the kitchen?
This is probably the start of Kitchen Remodel Dementia that will be posted.
This is probably the start of Kitchen Remodel Dementia that will be posted.
Old Oven Stuck at 7:03
Monday is the big day, but to get there, I have been working very hard...nothing as hard as others will be doing, but it is the getting ready that is interesting and only I can do it. That is the only way I will be able to find stuff after it is all done.
First, with a little help from my friends, I made the dining room table smaller to accommodate my "kitchen" in the dining room. Then we rolled up and stowed the carpets in the car for cleaning. Lucky me, there was someone to unload them in St. Helena...they were filthy rugs, esp. the one that KOKO favors when she has her many accidents.
Friday involved moving furniture so that even with the plastic sheeting closing off the kitchen might still get dust and grit on it. A little hard on the back but doable.
Today I had to move anything that is in the way for the removal of the appliances and the moving of the refrigerator. So that meant books and their shelves...lots of trips up and down the stairs.The place is starting to look as bare as when I first moved in, and dogs are a bit bewildered. Koko especially misses her yak wool rug.
Everything I move leads me to something else...which is a good thing, or I might have forgotten to clear out all the stuff under the cook top as that brand new item has to be uninstalled. So sad as it was just put in.
I think I will still be mostly in the kitchen until Thursday when the first exploratory ripping and tearing is supposed to start...I will move the microwave, toaster oven out that morning.
That will really be the end unless the sink survives and I can use it until the real tear out start next week.
So many steps here.
First, with a little help from my friends, I made the dining room table smaller to accommodate my "kitchen" in the dining room. Then we rolled up and stowed the carpets in the car for cleaning. Lucky me, there was someone to unload them in St. Helena...they were filthy rugs, esp. the one that KOKO favors when she has her many accidents.
Friday involved moving furniture so that even with the plastic sheeting closing off the kitchen might still get dust and grit on it. A little hard on the back but doable.
Today I had to move anything that is in the way for the removal of the appliances and the moving of the refrigerator. So that meant books and their shelves...lots of trips up and down the stairs.The place is starting to look as bare as when I first moved in, and dogs are a bit bewildered. Koko especially misses her yak wool rug.
Everything I move leads me to something else...which is a good thing, or I might have forgotten to clear out all the stuff under the cook top as that brand new item has to be uninstalled. So sad as it was just put in.
I think I will still be mostly in the kitchen until Thursday when the first exploratory ripping and tearing is supposed to start...I will move the microwave, toaster oven out that morning.
That will really be the end unless the sink survives and I can use it until the real tear out start next week.
So many steps here.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The Real Shell
Seems like we are wandering far afield, but no, the kitchen is still on top of the mind.
Today I made another half down/half due on install for the backsplash. Also had a good conversation and tightening up of the timeline with Mike of Mike's Cabinets. He said once he can measure, it should only be two to three weeks until installation.
I am glad for the lag time at this point, as now I am seeing a few other things I would like to have done and will be ready for when he comes for the final measurements.
I am sure I won't be happy about the lag time when I am out of the kitchen...or rather, don't have a kitchen...a nonexistant kitchen! Hard concept to express. But then I can grab the shell and keep on drawing and breathing deeply.
Today I made another half down/half due on install for the backsplash. Also had a good conversation and tightening up of the timeline with Mike of Mike's Cabinets. He said once he can measure, it should only be two to three weeks until installation.
I am glad for the lag time at this point, as now I am seeing a few other things I would like to have done and will be ready for when he comes for the final measurements.
I am sure I won't be happy about the lag time when I am out of the kitchen...or rather, don't have a kitchen...a nonexistant kitchen! Hard concept to express. But then I can grab the shell and keep on drawing and breathing deeply.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Backsplash and window sills, not to mention Pasta con Pesto!
MGI Stone, Gary came calling today to give an estimate for the backsplash and window sills in Caesarstone.
Very personable fellow with a lot of good ideas.
He is used to working with Mike the cabinet maker, and knows Tim the Stainless Steel man, so thinks this will all work out just fine. He thinks that he can come right in after the Stainless and do the final work. Confidence, that is what I like.
I am jazzed once again, and just hope the tear out and redo doesn't take forever...that is the hang up right now.
Hopefully on the 17th, Stuart can make a small start and we can see exactly what is in store for us. I will have the appliances removed before that, so I am guessing I will be out of the kitchen by the 15th or 16th.
If anyone wants me to make pasta con pesto for them in their house this summer, just give a holler...I don't think it will work in the space I have planned.
Very personable fellow with a lot of good ideas.
He is used to working with Mike the cabinet maker, and knows Tim the Stainless Steel man, so thinks this will all work out just fine. He thinks that he can come right in after the Stainless and do the final work. Confidence, that is what I like.
I am jazzed once again, and just hope the tear out and redo doesn't take forever...that is the hang up right now.
Hopefully on the 17th, Stuart can make a small start and we can see exactly what is in store for us. I will have the appliances removed before that, so I am guessing I will be out of the kitchen by the 15th or 16th.
If anyone wants me to make pasta con pesto for them in their house this summer, just give a holler...I don't think it will work in the space I have planned.
Shell
July 1, 2008
As I practice patience with the soon to start remodel, it occurred to me that I might want to start posting some of the drawing picture that will be keeping me sane and learning something at the same time.
I am starting to try different ways to draw, trying to break out of the pure line of my pen and ink...and boy is it hard!!!
So this is the first attempt with Judy having to hold her hands still instead of grabbing the charcoal out of my hands and doing it herself. I could see her fingers twitching away.
Next time we will work side by side. In the meantime I will keep at this particular shell but start a new drawing.
My first lessons are: Look At the Object and Don't Think!
Ah not that the remodel is far from mind...I am waiting for the stone man to come and measure for the Caesar Stone for the backsplash. I have several questions about the electrical outlets there and want to make sure I am on the right track.
As I practice patience with the soon to start remodel, it occurred to me that I might want to start posting some of the drawing picture that will be keeping me sane and learning something at the same time.
I am starting to try different ways to draw, trying to break out of the pure line of my pen and ink...and boy is it hard!!!
So this is the first attempt with Judy having to hold her hands still instead of grabbing the charcoal out of my hands and doing it herself. I could see her fingers twitching away.
Next time we will work side by side. In the meantime I will keep at this particular shell but start a new drawing.
My first lessons are: Look At the Object and Don't Think!
Ah not that the remodel is far from mind...I am waiting for the stone man to come and measure for the Caesar Stone for the backsplash. I have several questions about the electrical outlets there and want to make sure I am on the right track.
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