HOLD UP......WAAAAIIIITTT!

WTF!!!
So, we think we have it all figured out...cabinets, colours, door styles, functionality things, and little details that will make this look BOSS!  
Then Gino comes over to measure, and we get another price

EEEEEEEEEERREEEEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK!!(my version of a car braking)

And it is like $$5000 more than the inital price.  So I dont need to elaborate to much, but I had to go in and make Tara proud.  We ended up getting everything we origianlly wanted for within our budget number.  But we have changed door styles.  THANK GOD!

I was started to look at the door style and wonder why we were doing this, it was sooo similar to whats there now.  We originally liked the Shaker style, its classic and contemporaryish all in one awesome package.  So here are our two choices in Maple still.  White for the main cabinets and dark for the island still.

This isnt the Dark we chose....or the white

So then we go down to LOWEs, Tara scouted out some flooring at Lowes onsale!  I love onsale, especially if it means I can get Maple for the same price as OAK or ASH (*making face like Im sick and throwing up)

Its a lightish Brown Colour, and it is beautiful!  And the price was killer.  SO we say, we're here lets just pick a tile.  LOL  WHat do we get?  Fricking 6"x24" tile that looks like hardwood.  Should look cool, funny thing is because maple isnt grainy, the tile looks more like Hardwood than the hardwood. LOL

Anyways.....so you know whats going on, I ripped out the upper Cabinets and the bulkheads.  I borrowed Bills purple truck to take the trailer to the dump, and sure enough I blow the brake lines on it.  SORRY BILL!

This weekend is going to be rewire certain areas weekend and on Monday drywall is getting delivered for the ceiling and wall repairs.  Fred and his buddy Joe can get it done all next week and then floor and lower cabinet demo the weekend following.  Hopefully I can have the flooring in before we go to Florida on the 3rd, but if not.......whateva!  Cabinets are 5 weeks away anyhow!  WTF

Kitchen Operation FLITCH BEAM

So today was probably not the best day to be doing this...Grieving still for Gram...But the material is here, the people showed up to do it.  So what the heck.  THE WALL MUST COME DOWN!!!

So Freddy "CRASH" McDonald and Kevin "BASH" Miski come over and execute the plan.
The wall was braced on both sides with 2x6's and Shoring Jacks. Then some ripping and cutting followed.

One wall Down, that was the easy one...Send in the muscleNext the beam was built with 2x12x20' lumber and a 1/2"thick steel plate with staggered 1/2" bolt holes drilled in it from my good buddy Mike Condello at the Ferrell Builders Supply Steel Yard 905-575-8524.  

Getting this beam up was NO treat and took all our strength and patience.  It was a snug fit to say the least. BUT...it's up and GOLDEN!

 So it's all insulated and needs the vapour barrier and sheathing tape on it and Operation FLITCH BEAM is complete.

The Kitchen rolls along

So.....a tough time to be sure.  Work is crazy busy, family life is also busy.  The kitchen planning and effort must go forth.  However, I've taken a few days off really even thinking about it to cope and deal with the loss of my amazing grandmother.  She'd be proud of whats going on in this kitchen.  Here's Whats been going on.

Kitchen Cabinets.
After getting several prices and talking to cabinets makers of various qualities.  We have decided to go with CR Technical Kitchens and woodworking.  They were recommended by my favourite local builder.  If you need to build a house or want to move to a new one.  Racing Construction and Homes Built by Mike and Mario Restauri is the way to go.  Ultimate class gentlemen...Also if you need any renovations done large or small they do that too.
MIKE RESTAURI 905-971-8631, mkmrestauri@hotmail.com
Back to the cabinets, as I started asking around the verdict was clear that the new home industry trust CR and wondered where else I could possibly go.  Here's a bit of whats going on here...

This is the style of door we are using, and the rise and crown.  And on either side of the fridge is a sneaky area to stash brooms.  We are not using this colour though.  Our main cabinets will be off-white.

The island however will be...

this colour, other style though.  All Maple, with some fun functions added in. like.........

SPICE RACK!! and GARBAGE PULLOUTS

And don't forget the big slide out Pantry!!!!

So....things will be looking pretty sweet in 5 weeks +/-.  BUT WAIT

There's a ton to do to get to that stage.  And by the way CR Tech was almost $3000 cheaper installed than the next best Cabinet place and that was comparing apples to apples..sorta.  Its hard with these cabinet people to get an identically quoted kitchen.

CR Technical is on Arvin Ave.  In Stoney Creek.  just east of Grays Rd.

THE KITCHEN

BEFORE

I am going to repeat these four shots over the life of the job.

The funny thing is that you can't even see the before kitchen in them.

I have been leery about starting the kitchen of our dreams.  Changing our main floor into complete open concept.  BUT....enough dragging my heals.  It occurred to me that it is going to happen one way or another, so might as well get going.  I'll keep adding stuff on here, pics updates, companies that i am using for my cabinets and granite and flooring etc.etc.etc...  

THE START OF DEMO

I love Fall

 Remember the waning days of summers past.  The stockpile of new and forbidden "school clothes" in the closet.  Then the end of the tedium of summer, no more getting harassed to go outside and play.  The welcome embrace of structure and routine.  And then fall colours, unexpected frost, or the hint of a snowflake followed by a day of summer-like warmth.

 Fall fairs, the smash up derbies, the Rural social calendar reaching its apex.  Pumpkin patches drawing the families from the city for tractor rides, hay bales, and some small reconnection with our childhood.  Hot apple cider, warming rosey cheeks.  Dads wearing layers of plaid shirts.

  

Sunday October 14, 2012

Dreams are the wings of the poor,
finders of the cures
inspiration to invent
excuses to explore
a chance for peace
a better life for the worlds children
Dreams are food for the soul
I AM A DREAMER
and my hand can weave the reality of my dreams.

October 12,2012

  What a cold crisp morning! Its almost the middle of October and I've just read an article on, Amanda Todd. This 16 yr old girl commited suicide 2 days ago.  I might have skipped this story 5 years ago.  But now with children I can not.  I am not going to comment about it or elaborate, but i am sad about it and the society my children are going to grow up in.

LIFE

Right now my kids are my life.  Kids seem to rule the world now and we are all slaves to them.  We are busy and getting them involved and exposed to as many things as we can.  I love them so much.  

Addie has such a sweet demure spirit.  She is so intelligent, and creative.  I used to worry about her not being athletic or coordinated (silly concerns) but where she was gifted early in speech and intelligence she lacked in athleticism. But those concerns were unfounded and we are seeing her start to love dance lessons, and is starting to do very well.  She is very sensitive and loving.  And I am scared her skin is not thick enough for this world.  

Declan on the other hand is ready to rule the world.  He is smarter than smart, cuter than cute, he is honest and charismatic, oh and he's not even 3 yet.  He amazes me daily.  He is headstrong and stubborn.  But is wise beyond his years and has the arrogant disregard for dangers I once had. 

Both are a joy to be around.  At their best and at their worst they are my world and I love it.

SPORTS

i AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH SPORTS RIGHT NOW!!! The NHL is still locking out the players. The Raptors look like they are in for another long season of struggling in an improving division.  I will watch for a while until i get the sense of the team.  I do enjoy their new defensive approach.  They are going to need it to have any chance of winning games and retaining fans.  The BUFFALO BILLS look terrible.  It is embarassing to admit I watch the games and cheer for them.  And their season doesn't look like it'll get any better.  My only optimism is that the Leafs aren't playing right now, so i don't have to be depressed by their underachieving.  LOL.