How is it December and We’re Still Not Done?

Memorial Day Weekend Me was veehhhrrryyy optimistic. We were going to bang this out. We were NOT going to be those people who didn’t finish a project because of the piddling things. December Me, a much more compassionate, well-balanced, loving and accepting person, gets it. LIFE HAPPENS. Especially now that robotics season is upon us. Oh my word, I had kind of blocked the schedule from last season out of my mind. Because the TIME. The TIME that I am not seeing my husband is sucking. However, he’s being a GREAT DAD. And totally involved with our robotics son. So, wife is taking a bit of a back seat. It’s a season. And hey, maybe they won’t go to World’s this year. Or Super Regionals. Or States.

You didn’t hear me say that.

However, we did still host Thanksgiving, and the family was suitably impressed. My mother, bless her pointed head, said something like “I didn’t expect it to look this nice.” Because even though my husband used to be a contractor, I was helping on the project. I love my mom. Tactful, though, she’s not.

Still Left To Do:

Buy door trim/baseboard, paint, cut and install, touch up nail holes

Paint door trim that wasn’t taken down (and therefore didn’t get painted in the basement)

Install Vent cover

Buy and build new stool from Ikea

Buy, stain and install wooden thresholds and metal thresholds (Finding this is proving challenging due to the width) – (We ended up going with an aluminum one that is disability friendly. Because it’s also really strong.)

Caulk backsplash where caulk has shrunk

Dig out a bad spot on the caulk

Caulk where baseboard meets walls  (Just added this because I didn’t know it had to be done but it did and it got done so it belongs on this list!)

Filler panel between fridge and over-fridge cabinet and under cabinets on either side of microwave

Filler pieces cut and installed for under microwave

Adjust doors and drawers so that they are all perfectly level, then install soft close hinges

Electrician out to do finish electricity 

Electrical inspection (Passed!)

Drawer pulls

Figure out configuration of island interior (shelves on one side/drawers on other–depends on how electrical outlet will fit) and install drawers/shelves

Seal backsplash – First coat, second coat

Return unused/unneeded stuff to Ikea (October 7th)

Outside:replace trim/siding and an outlet from door installation – I bought the J-channel, so this can happen this coming weekend. I think. I hope. I cross my fingers.

Thanksgiving is Around the Corner

And it’s kind of a hard deadline for us. The family is coming over. People will be IN our kitchen. No one in my family has actually seen the kitchen–has actually been over my house since this even started. So it’s a BIG DEAL. And we really want to be finished. We got some important stuff done this past weekend–it’s AMAZING how different the walls look with door trim and baseboard!–but there’s still a few things on the punch list.

Updated list:

Still Left To Do:

Buy door trim/baseboard, paint, cut and install, touch up nail holes

Paint door trim that wasn’t taken down (and therefore didn’t get painted in the basement)

Install Vent cover

Buy and build new stool from Ikea

Buy, stain and install wooden thresholds and metal thresholds (Finding this is proving challenging due to the width)

Caulk backsplash where caulk has shrunk

Dig out a bad spot on the caulk

Filler panel between fridge and over-fridge cabinet and under cabinets on either side of microwave

Filler pieces cut and installed for under microwave

Adjust doors and drawers so that they are all perfectly level, then install soft close hinges

Electrician out to do finish electricity 

Electrical inspection (Passed!)

Drawer pulls

Figure out configuration of island interior (shelves on one side/drawers on other–depends on how electrical outlet will fit) and install drawers/shelves

Seal backsplash – First coat, second coat

Return unused/unneeded stuff to Ikea (October 7th)

Outside:replace trim/siding and an outlet from door installation

 

Sorry, Still Not Done

But we’re moving in the right direction! (Jim was away two weekends, and then we were really busy last weekend. However, even though SOME OF US are under the weather, Jim was really able to get some piddly-but-still-necessary things off the list)

Updated list:

Still Left To Do:

Buy door trim/baseboard, paint, cut and install

Install Vent cover

Buy and build new stool from Ikea

Buy, stain and install wooden thresholds and metal thresholds

Caulk backsplash where caulk has shrunk (and dig out a bad spot I found yesterday) (I promised Jim to do this this week)

Filler panel between fridge and over-fridge cabinet and under cabinets on either side of microwave

Filler pieces cut and installed for under microwave

Install paper towel holder and foil/plastic wrap holder on inside of sink cabinet doors (this is put on hold due to the fact that the door might not be thick enough)

Adjust doors and drawers so that they are all perfectly level, then install soft close hinges

Electrician out to do finish electricity 

Electrical inspection (Passed!)

Drawer pulls

Figure out configuration of island interior (shelves on one side/drawers on other–depends on how electrical outlet will fit) and install drawers/shelves

Seal backsplash – First coat, second coat (I promised Jim to do this this week)

Outside: fix/replace trim/siding and an outlet from door installation

Return unused/unneeded stuff to Ikea (October 7th)

Electrical Work is DONE

Recessed lights, pendants, new outlets on walls, new outlet in island, under cabinet lighting, new ceiling fan….it’s ALL DONE.

Whew. One more big thing crossed off!

Updated list:

Still Left To Do:

Buy door trim/baseboard, paint, cut and install

Install Vent cover

Buy, stain and install wooden thresholds and metal thresholds

Caulk backsplash where caulk has shrunk (and dig out a bad spot I found yesterday)

Filler panel between fridge and over-fridge cabinet and under cabinets on either side of microwave

Filler pieces cut and installed for under microwave

Install paper towel holder and foil/plastic wrap holder on inside of sink cabinet doors

Adjust doors and drawers so that they are all perfectly level, then install soft close hinges

Electrician out to do finish electricity 

Electrical inspection

Drawer pulls

Figure out configuration of island interior (shelves on one side/drawers on other–depends on how electrical outlet will fit) and install drawers/shelves

Seal backsplash – First coat, second coat

Outside: fix/replace trim/siding and an outlet from door installation

Return unused/unneeded stuff to Ikea (October 7th)

When We’re Away Things Don’t Get Done

It was my 21st anniversary this past weekend. Like other years, my husband and I went away to the Poconos. We had a wonderful time, especially since it decided not to rain. On the downside, things really didn’t get much done around the house.

Updated list:

Still Left To Do:

Buy door trim/baseboard, paint, cut and install

Install Vent cover

Buy, stain and install wooden thresholds and metal thresholds

Caulk backsplash where caulk has shrunk (and dig out a bad spot I found yesterday)

Filler panel between fridge and over-fridge cabinet and under cabinets on either side of microwave

Filler pieces cut and installed for under microwave

Install paper towel holder and foil/plastic wrap holder on inside of sink cabinet doors

Adjust doors and drawers so that they are all perfectly level, then install soft close hinges

Electrician out to do finish electricity – almost finished! One wall outlet needs work and the island still needs to have outlet installed

Electrical inspection

Drawer pulls

Figure out configuration of island interior (shelves on one side/drawers on other–depends on how electrical outlet will fit) and install drawers/shelves

Seal backsplash – First coat, second coat

Outside: fix/replace trim/siding and an outlet from door installation

Return unused/unneeded stuff to Ikea (October 7th)

It feels VERY good to have all the Ikea stuff out. With the money on gift cards that we got back (plus the original 15% back) we’re going to buy a new couch for the living room. Our dogs have ruined our existing one. I can’t see investing in good quality at this point, so Ikea it is. 🙂

Jim will be away the next two weekends, so I’m not sure how quickly the above list will change. We’ll see.

Punch List Updated

It’s Sunday afternoon. This week Jim was traveling for business and then there was robotics yesterday, so not a lot came off, but the important thing is: SOME THINGS CAME OFF. Each week, even if it’s only one or two things, we get closer and closer to that place where we say “We’re Done”. Next weekend is our anniversary and we’re going to Jim Thorpe PA for their Fall Foliage Festival, but at least the electricity and Ikea return stuff will be off the list.

So here’s the updated list:

Still Left To Do:

Buy door trim/baseboard, paint, cut and install

Install Vent cover

Buy, stain and install wooden thresholds and metal thresholds

Caulk backsplash where caulk has shrunk (and dig out a bad spot I found yesterday)

Filler panel between fridge and over-fridge cabinet and under cabinets on either side of microwave

Filler pieces cut and installed for under microwave

Install paper towel holder and foil/plastic wrap holder on inside of sink cabinet doors

Adjust doors and drawers so that they are all perfectly level, then install soft close hinges

Electrician out to do finish electricity – Week of October 3rd

Electric inspection

Drawer pulls

Figure out configuration of island interior (shelves on one side/drawers on other–depends on how electrical outlet will fit) and install drawers/shelves

Seal backsplash (today) – First coat, second coat

Outside: fix/replace trim/siding and an outlet from door installation

Return unused/unneeded stuff to Ikea (October 7th)

Punch List

I’m holding off posting pictures of where we are now because we are so close and I really, really want to have that BIG reveal.

Instead I thought I would list (in no particular order) our punch list. For those new to DIY (or home repair in general), a punch list, according to google, is “a document prepared near the end of a construction project listing work not conforming to contract specifications that the contractor must complete prior to final payment. The work may include incomplete or incorrect installations or incidental damage to existing finishes, material, and structures.” So basically, all the piddly (or not so piddly) stuff that comes at the end.

Still Left To Do:

Buy door trim/baseboard, paint, cut and install

Vent cover

Buy, stain and install thresholds

Caulk backsplash where caulk has shrunk (and dig out a bad spot I found yesterday)

Filler panel between fridge and over-fridge cabinet and under cabinets on either side of microwave

Filler pieces cut and installed for under microwave

Install paper towel holder and foil/plastic wrap holder on inside of sink cabinet doors

Adjust doors and drawers so that they are all perfectly level, then install soft close hinges

Electrician out to do finish electricity

Electric inspection

Drawer pulls (I finally gave in and bought a template because I just couldn’t figure out how to make one)(it arrives today, so this will be done today)

Figure out configuration of island interior (shelves on one side/drawers on other–depends on how electrical outlet will fit) and install drawers/shelves

Seal backsplash (today)

Outside: fix/replace trim/siding and an outlet from door installation

Return unused/unneeded stuff to Ikea

And that’s it! Some is just a few minutes. Some is fairly labor intensive. Other than the toaster and coffee maker (which is waiting on the finish electric) we are using the kitchen full time. I have about four boxes of stuff still in the living room to go into the island but that is also waiting on the electrician. Last weekend we finished the floor (!), put the stove back (can I get a Hallelujah!) and even put the table back. We ATE DINNER on Sunday night using the stove and the dinner table. It was WONDERFUL.

The biggest thing, for me, has been the transformation from a full time construction zone that had a makeshift kitchen to a full time kitchen that had a little construction. Many of the tools and tool bags are gone. The Shop Vac is gone (another Hallelujah!). The remaining tool bags are in the living room.

Yesterday we put the panels on the island and Jim installed the rest of the toe kick. It makes for such a finished look, especially against the floor. And today marks 17 weeks. The end is finally in sight!

15 Weeks

The list of things left is still kind of long, but at this point everything we do makes a big difference.

Jim and Bennett had FTC Kick off yesterday and then Jim had to work, so nothing got done on the house. That was ok. Sometimes a day off is pretty good. Today (which is actually a whole day after 15 weeks) we got some important things done–although the range is STILL NOT INSTALLED.

Grrrrr!

Today we worked a lot on flooring, which was annoying, painful, exhausting and exhilarating. Flooring changes everything about a room. Really. As much as the cabinets and countertop. We also (because of the flooring) were able to install the refrigerator. It’s been in the kitchen, just off the the side where the kitchen table used to sit (and will, Lord Willing, one day sit again). Jim also did the toe kick under the pantry, which just totally finishes how it looks.

Here’s the proof:

Last weekend we finished the tiling and the grout (which looks impossibly amazing given the fact that neither one of us knew a thing about tiling!)

Here’s a close up from last weekend (before we did the faucet)

Also, please note the knobs! I figured out how to make a template all by myself! I used a DRILL ALL BY MYSELF (while Jim was at work even!). Such a sense of accomplishment!

Having water in the kitchen and a usable dishwasher is fantastic. It had been so long since we had a dishwasher I actually couldn’t remember how I used to load it! It was a little surreal.

This coming week we’ll be continuing on with the flooring. Once it’s under where the range goes Jim will hook up the gas and finally install it. And I’ll start baking! And making spaghetti and all sorts of lovely stove top/oven-y things! Yay!

Thanks for sticking with us in this incredibly long journey!

 

14 Weeks

Today marks 14 weeks since we started. The end is actually in sight. Most of the interiors of the cabinets are in. The granite is in. Half of the backsplash is tiled. However, I can’t put the shelves or drawers in the island until the cover panels are on. I can’t put in the interiors of the cabinets to the right of the fridge in until we take off the fridge panel, take a bit off the bottom to fit the flooring, and then reinstall. Too much sawdust!

So, today I’m taking a day off the kitchen (I’ve worked on it every day this week so far!). It’s a little weird, I’ll admit!

This weekend we will:

1. Tile stove wall, grout both walls
2. Remove aforementioned fridge panels, cut a bit off the bottom and then reinstall.
3. Install the drawers/shelves in two cabinets
4. Install floor
5. Get water working for dishwasher and hopefully sink.

If we have time:

1. Install cover panels on sides of island
2. Put in shelves and drawers in island

Busy and really productive weekend ahead!

 

11 Weeks

If you had told me, back in May, that at 11 weeks I’d still be in the thick of this I would have cried. If you could have told me that a ENTIRE DAY would be taken up on ONE FRIDGE PANEL I would have been in disbelief. Yet that is a true statement.

Last Friday Jim took off work so we could really bang out a lot this weekend. That strategy sort of flopped, but it’s ok in the end.

Our plan calls for two large (LARGE) panels on either side of the fridge to box it in. They would attach to the cabinet at the top and I guess hang down and rest on the floor (we would floor around them, not under). Sounds simple, yes?

NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO!

Our walls are not plumb. Our floors, for all that work that we did, are not really level. Our ceiling is so out of level it’s ridiculous.

We took the 36×96 panel to the basement to use the table saw (yes, Jim owns one). It was really heavy and unwieldy. Got everything set up, cut off the side and the bottom. Bring it upstairs a little more easily because it’s now smaller and less unwieldy. Hope for the best and put it against the cabinet. Not even close. The wall is rather unplumb (meaning it bumps out several places doesn’t sit at a 90 degree angle to the floor). Get out the circular saw and try to shave down some of the side to make it sit for even against the wall. First battery on the saw dies. Change battery. Try again. 2nd battery dies. It starts to rain, so our impromptu sawing area on the back deck is unusable. Jim takes Laura on a road trip to get a different brand (aka good brand) of circular saw because we have many, many cuts ahead of us and using one that can’t even get through one panel is not an option.

The rain finally stops, we try again and finally FINALLY can hang the panel and get it into place. Followed by a giant fight and raised voices. It was pretty yucky.

Renovations are HARD, people!

The next day we picked Ethan up from his week-long camp, had brunch in Philly with Jim’s sister, came home hoping to do stuff but then Jim felt sick. We ended up taking the whole day off. Also, there were apologies and talking things out because we are married and love each other and that is what we do.

SUNDAY!

Up and at ’em at 9am. Hang the 2nd panel with so much less stress and strife because we learned from the first one. Started locking uppers in place and screwing to each other, only to discover that the electrical outlet for the microwave was too low. Jim managed, after finagling, to move it up (thank you God for handy husbands!) and we finished the rest of the uppers and one of the lowers. Then he cut 2×6’s to support the weight of the granite in the corner where there is no cabinets.

Brought in the other wall of cabinets, built them and put up the upper railing. Installed the two parts of the full-length pantry and put the other upper in place, but couldn’t do anything with the base because the electrician forgot to move the outlet and you can’t bury it legally.

Here is the fridge wall and those lovely panels.

And here is the pantry wall. You can’t see the outlet behind that bottom cabinet, but it’s sure there! And the shelves in the pantries will be moving up so they form a bottom shelf for when we install the upper doors (each pantry has an upper short door and a lower long door).

The theme for the weekend seems to be “All’s Well That End’s Well”