tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66977759685194952682024-03-05T16:44:16.601-08:00Duck Out Of WaterLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.comBlogger558125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-31417207466724608892019-05-16T09:43:00.000-07:002019-05-16T09:43:20.645-07:00The Latest LatestWhat's that I say? The latest latest? Who knew it would be so long before the <b>next</b> update? Shush! It happens, and you know how frequently I get to my blog...not!<br />
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Anyways, here's what's been happening. Obviously, the sink delay has caused all things to be delayed. In my last post, I'd decided to go with an alternate sink, a second choice, and when it came in, I went to pick it up, inspecting it first and glad I did because <b>it</b> had damage! It had a crack in the rim. It took the vendor a couple days to get back to me with a delivery date on a replacement for <b>that</b> model and...hold onto your hats folks...<b>five months</b>!! Unbelievable, so here I've sat awaiting a sink since first-ordered in January. Twiddling my thumbs, fuming internally, frustrating to the max, not wanting to go to the local big-box hardware store for their offerings (their display models were very ripply-looking), and then on Tuesday, I get a text from our contractor who suggests I call the vendor.<br />
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I grabbed my phone, oh wait! a message...from the vendor, telling my my sink is here...my <b>first choice</b> sink! Are you kidding me? That's not a funny joke! No, really, first choice sink, it's here. I grabbed my son and off we went to see for ourselves because as you know, seeing is believing, right? Sure enough, it was the original and it wasn't damaged and you've never seen such elation and ear-to-ear grins on customer and vendor alike!! That sink is now sitting in our garage.<br />
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And as you know, we had also had an issue with the range hood, and that has good news too as the fourth delivery (directly to the vendor) was a good one, so it is also sitting here awaiting the return of the contractor, who is on vacation for a few more days. Folks, we may finally get this kitchen finished. It's getting close to Memorial Day, so scheduling may be met with some issues, but I'm good with that. I'm just so very happy at this point that the two problematic issues have finally been remedied. I'm only praying that the still-boxed remaining appliances have no damages...wouldn't that be a kicker!<br />
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While this all was happening, there was one wall that just wasn't up to snuff in regards to appearance with very obvious lines and pits from the taping & mudding, so the contractor's guy had to re-do that. While not 'perfect', it is much better than it was. This old house is so out of plumb that some of those types of things have had issues, or at least that's what I'm told, but I have some of my own thoughts about skills and abilities vs. 'laziness' for lack of a better word; maybe inattentiveness is better?<br />
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Again, apologies for a lack of photos, there just isn't much to show at this point. I'll be so happy when the sink and the appliances are in place because that will mean it's done, and I can clean up the dust and grit, and start figuring out where to put everything with the new cupboard and drawer layout. So, until next time, keep smiling.Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-77337535936082228032019-04-09T08:52:00.000-07:002019-04-09T08:52:15.551-07:00The Latest<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It looks like I've fallen behind in posting remodel updates; are you really surprised? I bet not! Well, most of the reason is because there just hasn't been a lot done the last couple of weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tiling is all completed, and while the overall look isn't exactly what I was expecting based on the one single 18" tile sample, I'm happy with it. If you use your imagination, it's a little like walking on a sandy/stony beach all swirled together with the gray/sand colors. I'll save pix for next post...Friday? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is the first day any of the crew has been here in over a week finishing up setting in shelves and a few missing outlet covers, adjusting cabinet hinges, that sort of stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Appliances still cannot be set because 1) no range-hood with current delivery scheduled at 4/19 with a lot of prayer and hopes that it won't be damaged. The first two were both damaged and the 3rd delivery was a sly one of sending out one of the original two that they had just restocked!! and 2) I've had to concede on the sink issue. Delivery by Kohler was pushed out further to 15 June [mega-grrrrrr] so have gone with an alternate, slightly different style but still equal double-bowl (drains are at back and close to divider rather than centered) and it <i><b>should</b></i> be here in about three weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My apologies for lack of visual stimuli. </span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-37424750249572882792019-03-12T09:04:00.000-07:002019-03-12T09:04:17.673-07:00Remodel: Weeks 3 & 4<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hmmm, I'm not sure how I missed Week 3, but will include photos now; I'm even behind on Week 4! Because of that, this post is a bit photo heavy, but with little commentary, it should be easy to skim through :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great progress has happened over those two weeks, and it's now been quiet since mid-week while we await the countertop fabrication. I received word last night that it will be installed today though I don't know what time to expect.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnx7KKZtoZx1IbYsMu5C5DsKFHO9uEVAI2uknQIMo8GXh0GO-H600wFQ3zkrlqe43XVDVWBP1ZxLi_-sep-yDIwXatiQJnd0BjHbXACXj6l27UEHpNFnk9PrOTlLI_WvHZM4jRFD_wwA/s1600/IMG_9006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnx7KKZtoZx1IbYsMu5C5DsKFHO9uEVAI2uknQIMo8GXh0GO-H600wFQ3zkrlqe43XVDVWBP1ZxLi_-sep-yDIwXatiQJnd0BjHbXACXj6l27UEHpNFnk9PrOTlLI_WvHZM4jRFD_wwA/s320/IMG_9006.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We left the ceiling fan/light in place so it's covered to protect from the ceiling spray treatment. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r6v1G-3q1UHO1MZVqmNut3dyXJ-cXdM1MV_4nokEZcFv60Us0lD0-1Qi-j1DB3sf4RiVqiYRm8X4sXsC9A4at537Qyfu5LpGw10cpy1capU3-H-w9R9NqdcSRyAvmV2LySIvEyhMksA/s1600/IMG_9008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r6v1G-3q1UHO1MZVqmNut3dyXJ-cXdM1MV_4nokEZcFv60Us0lD0-1Qi-j1DB3sf4RiVqiYRm8X4sXsC9A4at537Qyfu5LpGw10cpy1capU3-H-w9R9NqdcSRyAvmV2LySIvEyhMksA/s320/IMG_9008.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walls have been mudded and textured - nasty stuff, made my eyes burn, smelled awful and added humidity.It took awhile to dry as our weather was also quite wet during this process.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdsJkAvb55f_IuvkskvF6UcuijhPmJTrjaI7fPgQn9_hGVBgERcYmIr3y6uuo3y3mR-0rD-3PZlvHqqs-32Rj3Eg20QCP6SdZ6CkqbU7r5xmt0VyNLYzChM1chs0-Q63HBYgDhqYtuYQ/s1600/IMG_9009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdsJkAvb55f_IuvkskvF6UcuijhPmJTrjaI7fPgQn9_hGVBgERcYmIr3y6uuo3y3mR-0rD-3PZlvHqqs-32Rj3Eg20QCP6SdZ6CkqbU7r5xmt0VyNLYzChM1chs0-Q63HBYgDhqYtuYQ/s320/IMG_9009.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The additional pantry area mudded and textured.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6XnxHvxEK-JrgArau1YedZN_aMz8A5cVN12nYAp3RRuJNvD6M_lXK43M3Sek-flpnX8yzi7hyvwfwuz6YhBWp8dVgRFDZSPNTAlLdFffUZYlfp7BnsbPlkEBRkGo6Z4MG_HXTmzQmcs/s1600/IMG_9010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6XnxHvxEK-JrgArau1YedZN_aMz8A5cVN12nYAp3RRuJNvD6M_lXK43M3Sek-flpnX8yzi7hyvwfwuz6YhBWp8dVgRFDZSPNTAlLdFffUZYlfp7BnsbPlkEBRkGo6Z4MG_HXTmzQmcs/s320/IMG_9010.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That "Escher" issue fixed as best as possible - not perfect, but certainly not as noticeable.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24603FbJVAK4bGuRfAe3VnEMVlhl4fr6fwpDfxWCZ1rR1HBe5h-N3mt3X7er7RLJ_4Bxerx8-ebrDTaGueOmnsk0-jn1tAeH94yff_69w1Gx-gWpMHjzgO4TKp9ZxHelPc-W1TpI9zT8/s1600/IMG_9012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24603FbJVAK4bGuRfAe3VnEMVlhl4fr6fwpDfxWCZ1rR1HBe5h-N3mt3X7er7RLJ_4Bxerx8-ebrDTaGueOmnsk0-jn1tAeH94yff_69w1Gx-gWpMHjzgO4TKp9ZxHelPc-W1TpI9zT8/s320/IMG_9012.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paint! We have paint. I chose a color by Behr: "Perfect Taupe". I was concerned it may be too gray and too dark, but took my chances, and am happy I did!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB8i1yzGPx1iFD7QXDvc5arIjXkz_MEOqCxtNMVNnD-oq1y1fuhBBtB_NxFA61h_-oV7xlxvKblYc7crh-AQkoG_rogrBtWZEn3Vu57-I_3hRaGkBv1viNwsKgUsXbOgH8dUV4TI2vfk/s1600/IMG_9013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB8i1yzGPx1iFD7QXDvc5arIjXkz_MEOqCxtNMVNnD-oq1y1fuhBBtB_NxFA61h_-oV7xlxvKblYc7crh-AQkoG_rogrBtWZEn3Vu57-I_3hRaGkBv1viNwsKgUsXbOgH8dUV4TI2vfk/s320/IMG_9013.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More paint.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnnn1MQznwApOI4YWXzfhTIO1lWia78eP5X6zKuLv7NKFR8bPsJsuiiZrc8vfamcES8xwans4uC5XTsvjWN64wrFnM2Y_g_41c1uIDzV5_yivCAz-kBwFD88zDvetOuO8eHmFnxXDAmI/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnnn1MQznwApOI4YWXzfhTIO1lWia78eP5X6zKuLv7NKFR8bPsJsuiiZrc8vfamcES8xwans4uC5XTsvjWN64wrFnM2Y_g_41c1uIDzV5_yivCAz-kBwFD88zDvetOuO8eHmFnxXDAmI/s320/IMG_9014.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And more paint. Some areas of course were not painted as they'd just be covered up with the cabinetry anyway, so why paint?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKipo36SPhbksRGlyRc4GDPwwIR1GBOoTDbSmgCME2PomkaGtjEqSeiBC5nov7nhfBA7UMdNsH6kmuKH4UXwg6DFrxhF8JgVZIFP0fsAymOhkddB63k9W8WiI7yO6QgXhj9gyJZEd4MAM/s1600/IMG_9015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKipo36SPhbksRGlyRc4GDPwwIR1GBOoTDbSmgCME2PomkaGtjEqSeiBC5nov7nhfBA7UMdNsH6kmuKH4UXwg6DFrxhF8JgVZIFP0fsAymOhkddB63k9W8WiI7yO6QgXhj9gyJZEd4MAM/s320/IMG_9015.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh be still my heart! The first part of the base counters went in. The oak side cabinetry, and oh my, how I love it. And look at all that storage space!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1j4j-j8OiV0TlsgsGW9xJKSxK-YskWbZQwDbH7dYvRX4kBr7I_0XTOZyvE-3MMOzsJGifGbd3NQRbsNR94x42M2VwMvFK3PJFYGF16mPBEbHHp_yTIB8gSrl34a7427p2Qnw2A-4CKA4/s1600/IMG_9016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1j4j-j8OiV0TlsgsGW9xJKSxK-YskWbZQwDbH7dYvRX4kBr7I_0XTOZyvE-3MMOzsJGifGbd3NQRbsNR94x42M2VwMvFK3PJFYGF16mPBEbHHp_yTIB8gSrl34a7427p2Qnw2A-4CKA4/s320/IMG_9016.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From a slightly different angle.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcqCXDS4NcqwnjylI6D1CFlxRnNLVTP_ORe-tg1wBi6qqUtLKsUYbUTtMCU8kFa07b8L8uECnczOfYASTS_tp9_i14S74AQgMjoJtFqJdqQRXq_tciKgv7aba_R8dX4H6cLp0tmbJVWw/s1600/IMG_9017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcqCXDS4NcqwnjylI6D1CFlxRnNLVTP_ORe-tg1wBi6qqUtLKsUYbUTtMCU8kFa07b8L8uECnczOfYASTS_tp9_i14S74AQgMjoJtFqJdqQRXq_tciKgv7aba_R8dX4H6cLp0tmbJVWw/s320/IMG_9017.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cabinetry for the kitchen proper awaiting install, safely wrapped and protected.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDoz1SkfX_c42HC_lNxCMPspcIhmAFm6UOyIVvBsy_QgoSfgG3OgE2V2l8DNihYwn1JxuWj7p8l2k63vO66kzp8Hir6xh71BqfL5w48q5RXAGRjutl0MzQxV6LNdUXrDB2oflwRGhK0A/s1600/IMG_9018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDoz1SkfX_c42HC_lNxCMPspcIhmAFm6UOyIVvBsy_QgoSfgG3OgE2V2l8DNihYwn1JxuWj7p8l2k63vO66kzp8Hir6xh71BqfL5w48q5RXAGRjutl0MzQxV6LNdUXrDB2oflwRGhK0A/s320/IMG_9018.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And more hanging out in the garage.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplMXHlcDyUK6wGmhV5Ve4ypVZuyQrjAwbw30gqaWUeNTG1xuxUobA5bbPDSSpHXGKQYsbqPSpVML36Wl109N0yh0mKJMaeosmvm_zq2ZDYeJlEz-kGaCD1iFEkCn7-D40YWJ7EGWROXA/s1600/IMG_9019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplMXHlcDyUK6wGmhV5Ve4ypVZuyQrjAwbw30gqaWUeNTG1xuxUobA5bbPDSSpHXGKQYsbqPSpVML36Wl109N0yh0mKJMaeosmvm_zq2ZDYeJlEz-kGaCD1iFEkCn7-D40YWJ7EGWROXA/s320/IMG_9019.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's getting installed! Be still my heart x 2! Oh yes, I'm loving it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYgZj7kAnlXgkONstakwaUeb601A4SSpW3rG6st3_dnA5TgP9rH3HMs8B-9w5Jt6_R4DJnkB1WoQ3G78vVivy4dKg6ihGJ9n6DDM-Kxl1lWSP1iX4cVi9YocQLWqOddPhmDsCeh5IatE/s1600/IMG_9020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYgZj7kAnlXgkONstakwaUeb601A4SSpW3rG6st3_dnA5TgP9rH3HMs8B-9w5Jt6_R4DJnkB1WoQ3G78vVivy4dKg6ihGJ9n6DDM-Kxl1lWSP1iX4cVi9YocQLWqOddPhmDsCeh5IatE/s320/IMG_9020.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The refrigerator surround and base cabinets on either side. I won't say how expensive custom cabinetry is, especially that skinny little cabinet at the end along with it's upper not yet installed in this photo. The lower one will house my baking sheets, etc. The upper? Probably canned cat food, but who knows!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3YScVmJIaXJeojSBpccAjMFJtFM8DTHU3pMyVX9p8FXoIX8ukKHdWrh8fS8-gA1o516Brb477KhiLDJu2oYiWXZCkAr-jBIZkmy70yF62VIA_Xglp6CChmi279bdaSVGCV4LuB8PTIo/s1600/IMG_9022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3YScVmJIaXJeojSBpccAjMFJtFM8DTHU3pMyVX9p8FXoIX8ukKHdWrh8fS8-gA1o516Brb477KhiLDJu2oYiWXZCkAr-jBIZkmy70yF62VIA_Xglp6CChmi279bdaSVGCV4LuB8PTIo/s320/IMG_9022.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Refrigerator surround and cabinet above sans doors.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ3JcwV24S6Irp_2GY5ADoimXqkr297PcYoCn0MqwDM86YsQF8l7K8Xi4mT1jnyg9zLKq9TVf3Gt2YrnCF-Dd9CocO21V7YGXl1324CyHn_oodhhjaPdzYhEyXowglD7Nh6_e747zrGo/s1600/IMG_9023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ3JcwV24S6Irp_2GY5ADoimXqkr297PcYoCn0MqwDM86YsQF8l7K8Xi4mT1jnyg9zLKq9TVf3Gt2YrnCF-Dd9CocO21V7YGXl1324CyHn_oodhhjaPdzYhEyXowglD7Nh6_e747zrGo/s320/IMG_9023.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cabinetry to right of refrigerator surround.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_HgBV5n3YrESYjCUv2_tbUeGxEohiGhB0JOCEoYC8cq6zzXdbl6CM0tCV51hMOvbXPv-Z9cqYp-GU61OQkXb1BM-f7Ex0XI_uGn2wfUlOn8QXMjDrN0iZvDyOC2WkkGPn9yIRTVUA6Y/s1600/IMG_9024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_HgBV5n3YrESYjCUv2_tbUeGxEohiGhB0JOCEoYC8cq6zzXdbl6CM0tCV51hMOvbXPv-Z9cqYp-GU61OQkXb1BM-f7Ex0XI_uGn2wfUlOn8QXMjDrN0iZvDyOC2WkkGPn9yIRTVUA6Y/s320/IMG_9024.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Head-on view of skinny cabinet. This lower & upper cabinet was an afterthought as there was just over a 12" space that was crying for something to help balance that side of the wall.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsbwBjbFPGLDAi-CNaiG-uazWE1lakHBVJseQfApkpxbJtg3mQue0SkS1JrSeVucPFlvZ4E2bupiqVYzVEeVnu8JNbLv13LQ4AIheET5h2VOyR5eq2UCC2FCb-wUWCpjwzPaSqf9UFo0/s1600/IMG_9026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsbwBjbFPGLDAi-CNaiG-uazWE1lakHBVJseQfApkpxbJtg3mQue0SkS1JrSeVucPFlvZ4E2bupiqVYzVEeVnu8JNbLv13LQ4AIheET5h2VOyR5eq2UCC2FCb-wUWCpjwzPaSqf9UFo0/s320/IMG_9026.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cabinetry and drawers between where the sink will be on the left and the range on the right.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZQqCcHExrO9DFj-d16W4Jb55kUyqAr_8LYsH-18jzQ4zNSmJLi_LZBf-gBEgjLSm74laI9dZyVV_v_fVMuXldY-yb-M6iSFbHwzKnAVvGK0lVdpV-CIxD_6DRNAkQH2InuGEIITZMqg/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZQqCcHExrO9DFj-d16W4Jb55kUyqAr_8LYsH-18jzQ4zNSmJLi_LZBf-gBEgjLSm74laI9dZyVV_v_fVMuXldY-yb-M6iSFbHwzKnAVvGK0lVdpV-CIxD_6DRNAkQH2InuGEIITZMqg/s320/IMG_9028.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cabinet and drawers to the right of the range.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wdDerJ4QXNVJ9lBBPQUo3kQvQKluh9NuIYYZ0S0TWJr9OqZsf0BWVAkfM38zpRE-RjnqZCGFmA8tz8eLumjZK3JcNYLx-cKaZJma9Yqi_TPkWShBtvMX8EViyNvmtqRlFe1365iKl9I/s1600/IMG_9029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wdDerJ4QXNVJ9lBBPQUo3kQvQKluh9NuIYYZ0S0TWJr9OqZsf0BWVAkfM38zpRE-RjnqZCGFmA8tz8eLumjZK3JcNYLx-cKaZJma9Yqi_TPkWShBtvMX8EViyNvmtqRlFe1365iKl9I/s320/IMG_9029.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The oak bank of cabinets! I am so pleased with them, and so happy I went with oak there and white in the kitchen proper. My goof? Not moving the ceiling light, and I'm fed up with added costs (always with a remodel) so it's staying where it is since the ceiling has already been done. The empty space at the right (~36") and behind the refrigerator (which is the old one and not staying) was intentionally left that way as our oak China cabinet will be along the wall where the fridge is, and it is large so would not have left room for cabinetry to extend to the wall. My thinking is that should we ever get rid of the China cabinet and/or move, the 36" space could easily house a small desk or it would not take much to put in a small desk/work area in that corner. I know some folks like to have such a workspace in their kitchen/dining area.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwZhrU6RwtKGjZHwcoH2oG_IdoiWmynJYRJdO8Isq6JJruvjNfsPyebgaS3cMdone_4ftlpV5p_LWKvo7QvNLy_qeaw-GwcAaodKowfjeDlq42lrtSZxm-IjpbzIekyFFHuO55F1pRps/s1600/IMG_9030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwZhrU6RwtKGjZHwcoH2oG_IdoiWmynJYRJdO8Isq6JJruvjNfsPyebgaS3cMdone_4ftlpV5p_LWKvo7QvNLy_qeaw-GwcAaodKowfjeDlq42lrtSZxm-IjpbzIekyFFHuO55F1pRps/s320/IMG_9030.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All I can do is smile :) That's the space for the range and range hood. The entirety of the wall-space between the upper and lower cabinetry will be tiled.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoJN02Su3cR2BsAH9cLX3WYmIMtEJjs_mCj1ViKwEyLMn-pqQOVu2rodE_sPNSNZ9d7f3nGv56EJdao1FNBpXGvhh9MX9tjy6MM9f-FEwrRES3EZsFvxWE69175zD2oF9FcX2Yd918ng/s1600/IMG_9031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoJN02Su3cR2BsAH9cLX3WYmIMtEJjs_mCj1ViKwEyLMn-pqQOVu2rodE_sPNSNZ9d7f3nGv56EJdao1FNBpXGvhh9MX9tjy6MM9f-FEwrRES3EZsFvxWE69175zD2oF9FcX2Yd918ng/s320/IMG_9031.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rest, where the dishwasher will fit there at the left end, the sink directly below the window. At the very left end is yet another really skinny cabinet area, seriously skinny.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphhDCiwJkn3cYVhgOykmfxZdRG_tVUMjNn48wrZjlm8efyeD_-X6SBa6QA2TPuuvihFNMBvkeE4YkOP-hqwF9gkUswQQFUuhAGZ19tG7N0Bo5Hzn4ccc0O7FbJ1rrINKhiuSf9uQ9-dU/s1600/IMG_9034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphhDCiwJkn3cYVhgOykmfxZdRG_tVUMjNn48wrZjlm8efyeD_-X6SBa6QA2TPuuvihFNMBvkeE4YkOP-hqwF9gkUswQQFUuhAGZ19tG7N0Bo5Hzn4ccc0O7FbJ1rrINKhiuSf9uQ9-dU/s320/IMG_9034.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The opposing wall next to the refrigerator cabinet is a shelf for the microwave. Are you asking where the electrical outlet is? Yeah, about that. Well, the electrician had a really good (?) explanation, at least to him but maybe not so much to me though it could make sense. As often is the case, the cord on a microwave is on the back, so he has found it better to run the cord UP through a hole in the cabinet above to an outlet placed at the back of the cabinet, otherwise it prevents being able to push the microwave fully back on the shelf. I suppose he could have gone to the one below, but that would lessen the available outlet for anything on the counter, and the upper one is a separate circuit for the microwave. So, OK then.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dsAtihKCAjORc9Rmt9oKercHyEteOACycg1J1TdWmQip2v-Bbnpg5n9j1gK8beHePzjqYsvuNEo0FHK80YdKyYMIFhvWoH6dux1xORuPt7Y_4Vb7SwYLcJD1T04zMzVC2DyjReWWIQg/s1600/IMG_9036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dsAtihKCAjORc9Rmt9oKercHyEteOACycg1J1TdWmQip2v-Bbnpg5n9j1gK8beHePzjqYsvuNEo0FHK80YdKyYMIFhvWoH6dux1xORuPt7Y_4Vb7SwYLcJD1T04zMzVC2DyjReWWIQg/s320/IMG_9036.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The crown molding has been added, and it looks great. And the Perfect Taupe paint color? I love how looks against both the oak and the white cabinetry. It's a very good 'modern' neutral in my pseudo-country kitchen.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3hvG_N5k6Mooq-g6kTFhPUIMBUr51Fu-vsP-mxQ3aN8fCZfVKquffdMZaaO8KQZjm3FE3KbNcIri2eqCQgAcmUUXBX5kmaeaLjD9JGIqyHoyyQCizyMFxD47-g2kUVgPJYvFSx7SjL0/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3hvG_N5k6Mooq-g6kTFhPUIMBUr51Fu-vsP-mxQ3aN8fCZfVKquffdMZaaO8KQZjm3FE3KbNcIri2eqCQgAcmUUXBX5kmaeaLjD9JGIqyHoyyQCizyMFxD47-g2kUVgPJYvFSx7SjL0/s320/IMG_9037.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Close up of crown molding.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOah3wYrMGaYHPx1_usASBg4AZYXfhdbCGM1eW_IpwJCEpRgR80zyEDcwnU9z8f_qo9iCaHl5LgccSvMR6fz46AOiopZUdXNqcfrFe_Gv5xUNyM-y2Qxpihd-Yiu1aFxiWQJ26obBHBr8/s1600/IMG_9038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOah3wYrMGaYHPx1_usASBg4AZYXfhdbCGM1eW_IpwJCEpRgR80zyEDcwnU9z8f_qo9iCaHl5LgccSvMR6fz46AOiopZUdXNqcfrFe_Gv5xUNyM-y2Qxpihd-Yiu1aFxiWQJ26obBHBr8/s320/IMG_9038.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crown molding added here too, and the area is cleaned up.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59e8J4dV0O2vRoFYskpTPvImFyr6VAwVJRovXJP2FeEnFeVgms2N4FVmeldvrm2Q9pFEmgxqpqdni_qrsR1iGhyEexql3_rvHY1UjnTXKLBQU2yL40SyrMGnz-UMnGaVgsVWZm6SoUws/s1600/IMG_9040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59e8J4dV0O2vRoFYskpTPvImFyr6VAwVJRovXJP2FeEnFeVgms2N4FVmeldvrm2Q9pFEmgxqpqdni_qrsR1iGhyEexql3_rvHY1UjnTXKLBQU2yL40SyrMGnz-UMnGaVgsVWZm6SoUws/s320/IMG_9040.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crown molding adds so much to the look, so impressive.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7izJY1CyAiuvn2tE_hhZ5TsEtIZK9_J3YNaGkA0WS8P6velHzfoW9dnWqBG6uZkqbqtZT_DNcWNpM__Aat9r7ozaWoeLvy4jAy8OiQkA2q7sOHH8bsM35chCRJObfJY9fmoDunTYOhVo/s1600/IMG_9041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7izJY1CyAiuvn2tE_hhZ5TsEtIZK9_J3YNaGkA0WS8P6velHzfoW9dnWqBG6uZkqbqtZT_DNcWNpM__Aat9r7ozaWoeLvy4jAy8OiQkA2q7sOHH8bsM35chCRJObfJY9fmoDunTYOhVo/s320/IMG_9041.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We know in an old tract house, and one that's been through two major earthquakes, that due to settling and imperfect construction walls aren't always true, as evidenced by this image. Nice gap on the right. I'll have to find out if there's a plan to 'disguise' it. There was an even larger one on the oak side where it met the wall by the new door, and it was disguised completely. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that ends what has been done over the past two weeks. Today is the countertop, and after that should be the backsplash tile and then the floor tile. The big hang-up is still the delinquent sink - no updates as to its arrival as yet. To accommodate it, the countertop will now have to be cut in place. Not ideal but doable. Contractors and their subs have schedules so it wasn't possible to delay the counter fabrication, which would also have affected the tile man, and the finishing man and the appliance installation. We'll have a 95% finished kitchen that will be mostly usable, just no sink and no water; and that could be well into April.</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-61387895695015073412019-02-25T11:07:00.000-08:002019-02-25T11:07:34.538-08:00The Remodel: Week TwoWe've made it through the first two weeks, and hopefully those were the <b>worst</b> two weeks. I say 'worst' because it was so very noisy, and the dust from demolition, and new drywall is horrendous even with precautions taken by putting up plastic over the doorway. The odor from the mud and taping of the drywall as well as the dust has irritated my throat terribly, Nick's too! The sound of the jack-hammer removing the tile for a couple days was pretty intense, the upstairs floors were even vibrating - our poor kitties were in a rough spot and having a tough time.<br />
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Here are the photos from the past week: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl4ijz0IPuoUz5-U8a6XQPrPI0-UaXm25N5u0buCdYLZ8a5E7wWpC7BbaUoECq6OmbhO5kTNn7Pgdq7C9JvH7sK9r6PlRXjtDATgzuZyr5abPM_zgafJutWy4vNdISaMn28RJzbWRzPQ/s1600/IMG_8975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl4ijz0IPuoUz5-U8a6XQPrPI0-UaXm25N5u0buCdYLZ8a5E7wWpC7BbaUoECq6OmbhO5kTNn7Pgdq7C9JvH7sK9r6PlRXjtDATgzuZyr5abPM_zgafJutWy4vNdISaMn28RJzbWRzPQ/s320/IMG_8975.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">concrete slab - it has a thin, known crack which isn't obvious here but runs along the wall; we learned of it when we had the previous tile placed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_84KpzwuGy6RCAc5b5F4Rme84lS3zlkc_9Diax1uz01OObjwCrBGQuVTtYi7zXs3oX3I1eSwq7ATR32W6cY-Czoo4rcCO1-uL2_gs5JqwfFAcBcLq2Ra-x3kl-Ylnd-iYXL27Y0KGcHs/s1600/IMG_8976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_84KpzwuGy6RCAc5b5F4Rme84lS3zlkc_9Diax1uz01OObjwCrBGQuVTtYi7zXs3oX3I1eSwq7ATR32W6cY-Czoo4rcCO1-uL2_gs5JqwfFAcBcLq2Ra-x3kl-Ylnd-iYXL27Y0KGcHs/s320/IMG_8976.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new 5' sliding door. It never made sense to me that there was no exit from the kitchen to the patio where the grill and table are; instead, one would have to carry supplies and foods from the kitchen, down the hallway, through the 'library' to the sliding door there to access the patio - I often had to wipe up unobserved spills from whomever was carrying food out. This is where there was an 8' wide window. At first I thought the 5' was too narrow and wished I'd gone for a 6' but I'm now thinking this is perfect.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVVC_C0vlHhfoG57olEXj14X22W0zgo3sWErNatSPqrafNi3rZCERZTRYK8nKYTPW294OvAVi1C1njZc2UoOOqtu9QyWP3VSaHf2a4DD74d6iRWBPdgp6ZKwmOn1-_xqkfQKI55-SWbI/s1600/IMG_8977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVVC_C0vlHhfoG57olEXj14X22W0zgo3sWErNatSPqrafNi3rZCERZTRYK8nKYTPW294OvAVi1C1njZc2UoOOqtu9QyWP3VSaHf2a4DD74d6iRWBPdgp6ZKwmOn1-_xqkfQKI55-SWbI/s320/IMG_8977.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some rewiring needed to be done to fix some circuit issues as well as put in place for the new range, range hood and add new plugs for above the counter...some additional costs were involved.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6w9tWiCM0BGjVvJqtimeV8p4483Oo45SkC0fR7CfbPixUhsrHNlu91kg8YaxGnw44NMVnqZooGSDgS7MCxmWI8TewfGyVLx-xVnV4zErnv4mIgfvP1xWL7_nr7ASbeXBDD2omUKDUkU/s1600/IMG_8978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6w9tWiCM0BGjVvJqtimeV8p4483Oo45SkC0fR7CfbPixUhsrHNlu91kg8YaxGnw44NMVnqZooGSDgS7MCxmWI8TewfGyVLx-xVnV4zErnv4mIgfvP1xWL7_nr7ASbeXBDD2omUKDUkU/s320/IMG_8978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruh, roh. We spied a small leak in the copper pipe that had been installed in a whole-house repipe about 22 years ago. The pipe was also too close to the wall board so it was cut, moved and repaired...at additional cost of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDB8fEenDKI_LD8CYo7gEhUIDmEDAKcmpn6oTfCD8NxqtIddnTMA_VgOE-VCMdU6JjRXz7BOWZ6T5-IFmU1XrpDxhHm7IRWXGDFtohRyB3EYDSfqgJm2zFdubxdZrsSdIgRJYVU5k7vg/s1600/IMG_8984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDB8fEenDKI_LD8CYo7gEhUIDmEDAKcmpn6oTfCD8NxqtIddnTMA_VgOE-VCMdU6JjRXz7BOWZ6T5-IFmU1XrpDxhHm7IRWXGDFtohRyB3EYDSfqgJm2zFdubxdZrsSdIgRJYVU5k7vg/s320/IMG_8984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the wiring, gas lines, old water lines, old hood vent...and NO insulation. The entire house has NO insulation anywhere (except the bathroom walls that were remodeled seven years ago, and now this wall has some that the contractor added.).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpRGxnFlV3CNnZj3YZU-x5Hhfo0BhTVpbHtV1q2NhPLxiNqGZikZ8oGNgR0y5AXbJrTWxAN_0qX3zX0-nh4KTO563IxKHYx1QHnmExDr_VCB-88NTLaKIwEGHc3s4lyqO2bvy9hkafRU/s1600/IMG_8987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpRGxnFlV3CNnZj3YZU-x5Hhfo0BhTVpbHtV1q2NhPLxiNqGZikZ8oGNgR0y5AXbJrTWxAN_0qX3zX0-nh4KTO563IxKHYx1QHnmExDr_VCB-88NTLaKIwEGHc3s4lyqO2bvy9hkafRU/s320/IMG_8987.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New drywall added and the new outlet for the microwave. Why so high? The
cabinet will now have to have holes made through the bottom, the shelf,
and the back. When I asked the contractor, it has something to do with
code/legal positioning of plugs. Go figure. It would probably help if I explain that there will be a 2-shelf cabinet with door here, with a built-in shelf below it for the microwave rather than the microwave sitting directly on the counter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-Ba4jrf151et_FoRhXser4mE2XmlINzMpYPjpv5ULn0ijIPqVYlgbC73vCF7yWESuRO40G-MN-na4NTZfk5sY5ZosSRcoda9LdyxKkmPkpfhoB1PN0zxzIcKS4u2fm4fwmz1_C87Wp0/s1600/IMG_8988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-Ba4jrf151et_FoRhXser4mE2XmlINzMpYPjpv5ULn0ijIPqVYlgbC73vCF7yWESuRO40G-MN-na4NTZfk5sY5ZosSRcoda9LdyxKkmPkpfhoB1PN0zxzIcKS4u2fm4fwmz1_C87Wp0/s320/IMG_8988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drywall patching in place. For the cost of this process all of the old should have come down and all new gone up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMagr9Aaq8Ll1tyM8Xmd_a4QBmXR5JPRE9AQim8MPAv1c9bqpL2OvoTDI7CVGCt0y3nQ4qbgfZwwGMTA7Cbn20U7HtJpKHyRJDl07UKgKaxncHalaol5thXoM8KRp1UT4Qu7Qsi79MaY/s1600/IMG_8989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMagr9Aaq8Ll1tyM8Xmd_a4QBmXR5JPRE9AQim8MPAv1c9bqpL2OvoTDI7CVGCt0y3nQ4qbgfZwwGMTA7Cbn20U7HtJpKHyRJDl07UKgKaxncHalaol5thXoM8KRp1UT4Qu7Qsi79MaY/s320/IMG_8989.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This side did get a little more all new.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r20YEiNfLPfexl0Z0G9fS5PhbskN2paMvJNvGD48Pkr1Z_OElBIXWNmaMyquKppwafORVKGt7W9TBvXfmJscDeBzqYx_KxDb3FeUd3A0smUKluzEEOdo6no0cQQh20weVY1HtHi6WwQ/s1600/IMG_8991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r20YEiNfLPfexl0Z0G9fS5PhbskN2paMvJNvGD48Pkr1Z_OElBIXWNmaMyquKppwafORVKGt7W9TBvXfmJscDeBzqYx_KxDb3FeUd3A0smUKluzEEOdo6no0cQQh20weVY1HtHi6WwQ/s320/IMG_8991.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A thin strip of drywall was removed in order to fish the new electrical through for the outlets for the cabinetry and counter going in along this wall. Nope, no insulation there, and none going in. I should have had that included in my original plan - remove all drywall and install insulation! That solid wall is a west wall, and it takes the full brunt of afternoon southern California summer sun; hoping that the cabinetry will act as a little bit of insulation. The dining room/kitchen does have the best A/C-furnace vent in the house! Intentionally!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwL-8HpQrj4BO5OOIW2VjhMg4PB5727m7-ovgt3l1RsYakTuw6M8hEfM-DOTvbvqQGMDtA4vYrPt4OCaq2u-H9mv3d_4nrTnEdMxPnYQQIEeTu39E12pcUBAabpIkS0lf0tBbu7URJ3R4/s1600/IMG_8995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwL-8HpQrj4BO5OOIW2VjhMg4PB5727m7-ovgt3l1RsYakTuw6M8hEfM-DOTvbvqQGMDtA4vYrPt4OCaq2u-H9mv3d_4nrTnEdMxPnYQQIEeTu39E12pcUBAabpIkS0lf0tBbu7URJ3R4/s320/IMG_8995.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mudded and taped, looking nice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtqStR5RhduZTJzS5kWHwYxWLOjTknbR3gvRsb7vloMuNkmeWLVzisT5IXCdBgdvZwCR4os01f4fvxU-ouwptJnjmvNGaOy8FerUjxxyoBrnwhZoVxPniA9G91dLNO4xf7KPFBJRso-E/s1600/IMG_8996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtqStR5RhduZTJzS5kWHwYxWLOjTknbR3gvRsb7vloMuNkmeWLVzisT5IXCdBgdvZwCR4os01f4fvxU-ouwptJnjmvNGaOy8FerUjxxyoBrnwhZoVxPniA9G91dLNO4xf7KPFBJRso-E/s320/IMG_8996.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is that end wall where the copper pipe leak was, it separated the kitchen from a bathroom and is where the old built-in oven was before the bathroom remodel seven years ago. When the worker left on Friday, he said to me that he didn't realize until he was ready to leave that there is no cabinetry going there, so he will have to do some re-work on the wall to make it look uniform and 'pretty'. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2lGlHOZKSdyaiv2Lm8zUyN9nKNmyxRwaXjzQKAG-9_02hEtbuzN4lP6hd_Z0JovViqnde59lx2E7H967PSjWJbSXaVM_FnGOJ_nQzJhf-05lPHB5CRUoVMH5VfxXhtbigHUTU3VCGuA/s1600/IMG_8997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2lGlHOZKSdyaiv2Lm8zUyN9nKNmyxRwaXjzQKAG-9_02hEtbuzN4lP6hd_Z0JovViqnde59lx2E7H967PSjWJbSXaVM_FnGOJ_nQzJhf-05lPHB5CRUoVMH5VfxXhtbigHUTU3VCGuA/s320/IMG_8997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wider view of that area. At left, behind the door, can be seen the second pantry area, and the gas line that feeds the furnace up on our roof.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GetvMUjqSrfi-jCXKM4wJiKby7aWejdK1xZnDbIAvL1qEEP5Qolm4A6kTsqJW_3xTsvadja3b-f3kVo4gGzILHvXtinegPW6xzq9e9-naX4blb6wc3qAml4A1MJAEfDxT8xiDBD2hX8/s1600/IMG_8998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GetvMUjqSrfi-jCXKM4wJiKby7aWejdK1xZnDbIAvL1qEEP5Qolm4A6kTsqJW_3xTsvadja3b-f3kVo4gGzILHvXtinegPW6xzq9e9-naX4blb6wc3qAml4A1MJAEfDxT8xiDBD2hX8/s320/IMG_8998.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's our Escher-style conundrum. I suppose in a house that was built in 1966, between land settling and going through two major earthquakes (Sylmar & Northridge quakes), and that it's a tract home where attention to detail was less of a concern than deadlines, some oddity is to be expected. Looking at the soffit area that needs to remain because a heating duct runs through it down the hall ceiling to the bathroom and the library, it's easy to see that the left side is deeper and the right is shallower. However, if you look at the pantry doorway, it's pretty close - with measuring it's only about 1/4" difference at the door - over an inch at the edge. Moving along to the next photo...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82LAKQ-Vmkrn7kxJoPT-A8mAHhimCS-KTtJ5yZpEDFB-zs6d6MzzPECHQKXE_tU9d9qF0uVKAWPiWIzvLuBkohSG3YxzT76q5KqZiJn21mdPxtVdHr0cSuNBc6BOUJLzS3-O_lVlzLRU/s1600/IMG_8999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82LAKQ-Vmkrn7kxJoPT-A8mAHhimCS-KTtJ5yZpEDFB-zs6d6MzzPECHQKXE_tU9d9qF0uVKAWPiWIzvLuBkohSG3YxzT76q5KqZiJn21mdPxtVdHr0cSuNBc6BOUJLzS3-O_lVlzLRU/s320/IMG_8999.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking head on from this direction, it's squared up pretty well above the hall doorway. So the question is, what is out of alignment? The doors? The ceiling? The floor? And an even bigger question, how on earth to fix it so it isn't so obvious? The contractor hasn't yet seen this for himself, but has heard about it. And the frustrating part, the duct really only takes up about a one-foot square in the back left side of this soffit - so, tear out the soffit completely except that one-foot square? That would look rather odd. Take it back to just a foot in front of the door? I'm sure we'll be charged more for that too! As we would if making it diagonal from the left edge of the pantry door to the right wall of the hall door. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCj7tddAom2y1YjAUYzMfRXKvWOkd1EQls1hiF-DPv3mWfw2Q1gDaWdwtn8qNLmSqUIErofE5UIxW-qAL4bsMuVqI_qtN5Dh0IQ439sisB-lZdLCUA6fF0GqDHKMm0wy2hJZLbsITVrw/s1600/IMG_9000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCj7tddAom2y1YjAUYzMfRXKvWOkd1EQls1hiF-DPv3mWfw2Q1gDaWdwtn8qNLmSqUIErofE5UIxW-qAL4bsMuVqI_qtN5Dh0IQ439sisB-lZdLCUA6fF0GqDHKMm0wy2hJZLbsITVrw/s320/IMG_9000.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into that new pantry space. It will have 'matching' shelves to the existing pantry, while working around the gas line, that I'd hoped they'd be able to 'enclose' in some manner. An opening needs to remain though for the shut-off valve at the bottom near the bend. That'll probably add more cost too, as it would have to have had them relocate it. Sometimes it feels like "nickel and dime" with adding several zeros behind the 5's and 10's.</td></tr>
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Now to try to look at things a little more positively rather than the seemingly constant of added costs:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS-TsWL4A1QfgjO2a49giyaL33rE8rtT8BRbT7fZvRAodLN-xZt3eHVxnm0xfQyfB-YU6n8m0QDWjUqqE-LPrZSzeRJ22FQ64cHO1cMzwQN7mFp6yK4fInfUneShJawNN4b7xOSBKIG8/s1600/IMG_9001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS-TsWL4A1QfgjO2a49giyaL33rE8rtT8BRbT7fZvRAodLN-xZt3eHVxnm0xfQyfB-YU6n8m0QDWjUqqE-LPrZSzeRJ22FQ64cHO1cMzwQN7mFp6yK4fInfUneShJawNN4b7xOSBKIG8/s320/IMG_9001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These beautiful daffodils are giving a good showing this year. And with that new sliding door, it's so much easier to see them and get out to them. I really need to hone in on my gardening, it's been seriously lacking in recent years. These bulbs came from my Mom a very long time ago, before her passing in 2014. The squirrels devoured the tulip bulbs, but there is a hyacinth mixed in there but it's only just showing it's head above the soil level at this point. I hope it's the yellow one, but I truly do not know or remember.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv352d5fsQfJJlNV3UTVlfGf-NLGQDo4MvXCoO3FW4IDqNrQPmL85PIVI-O9hWWL6-6bhPZJupUEC8SoXICaHUIIEjjdJGx8SgFWVcu_XfEktAW-NeftUE4BOHQltHClqMA4scmKiS88k/s1600/IMG_9002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv352d5fsQfJJlNV3UTVlfGf-NLGQDo4MvXCoO3FW4IDqNrQPmL85PIVI-O9hWWL6-6bhPZJupUEC8SoXICaHUIIEjjdJGx8SgFWVcu_XfEktAW-NeftUE4BOHQltHClqMA4scmKiS88k/s320/IMG_9002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These arrived today: the new refrigerator, dishwasher, range, range hood, and respective attachment lines for the three main items.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPKLICqTixdYk2oQW4NEFDSXo_0xZIDSFBQLJIlkncFb5ApBQUhzAyaG-mUFnbj-gGfTR6AexjlgWUthTyJmVKqCKVjfQ-UppywiyoQvmNTzdXTycEjpauDMY_0aw45Dr2z0aa-iXgKA/s1600/IMG_9003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPKLICqTixdYk2oQW4NEFDSXo_0xZIDSFBQLJIlkncFb5ApBQUhzAyaG-mUFnbj-gGfTR6AexjlgWUthTyJmVKqCKVjfQ-UppywiyoQvmNTzdXTycEjpauDMY_0aw45Dr2z0aa-iXgKA/s320/IMG_9003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This goes back to our getting ready, we had to make a path for the workers to get through the garage. There was a path there, just not wide enough to accommodate a wheel barrow which they use to haul all the debris out. The mish-mash of boxes include everything I packed up from the kitchen seven years ago as well as currently, some boxes of stuff to determine what to do with - whether to store, donate, sell - and some stuff clearly headed to charity. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja54Dd0Kj2RXeYv8XkCdHGH-zEr771kIyXDh6suw6m3SzygORviNwjBS_toaZofdfIGxgT24IsdfW5euBAk__hnsvvN0GNfaagaP80_cdm2K7mXvWRLk_x7klcMR-rc1RCBw5zn7DBY8k/s1600/IMG_9004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja54Dd0Kj2RXeYv8XkCdHGH-zEr771kIyXDh6suw6m3SzygORviNwjBS_toaZofdfIGxgT24IsdfW5euBAk__hnsvvN0GNfaagaP80_cdm2K7mXvWRLk_x7klcMR-rc1RCBw5zn7DBY8k/s320/IMG_9004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The contractor's 'dumpster'...good-bye old, crummy dishwasher :) </td></tr>
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With all of this going on, some very chilly and wet weather for SoCal, our furnace decided to go on the fritz, AGAIN! We just put $1400 into it in November. I called the furnace guy first thing this morning, and he's 'hoping' he can get someone out this afternoon. In the meantime, I'm sequestered in my Creation Station with a space heater, and one of the two cats who is currently curled up in a box after being a real pesky pain all morning. All three of us were in our respective separate room areas yesterday with individual space heaters running and managed to trip the breakers...not good! So now I have a question in to our contractor and his wiring guy as to why it would also have taken down the breakers for the downstairs which he "re-circuited" in order for us to not have to worry about running the microwave and toaster oven at the same time which would previously throw the breaker too. Indoors outside of these rooms it's been dropping to about 55º when it's mid-30s out. I am thankful I'm not living in a colder climate.<br />
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Until next week, praying for a smoother week, and for a furnace fix that doesn't cost another small fortune!Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-54463132637342065382019-02-16T11:02:00.000-08:002019-02-16T11:02:48.554-08:00The Remodel: The First Week<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, here it is Saturday and I haven't posted any of the promised photos. The demolition started as planned, on Monday 2/11. By Thursday late afternoon, the demolition, rewiring, some plumbing stuff was pretty much a done deal. Friday was inspection day which went along without a hitch and the contractor (who grumbles about 'wasting time' waiting for inspectors), was pleasantly surprised to not have to wait as the inspector was on time, and had signed off on this portion within only a few minutes! On to the pictures with brief comments on them.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgIMYI7JzH6E0yjvPxwvHZD5YsA-bnleEgf5iohjA05c5iMNHggCLzwg2YzYKaphXXCVk1NVyaB6xFz0b_yoRek3SV3UaoGyPtzI7Vu5w83EfPkOqwOa_WMcov8Qg7HqNhVaWII0NbW0/s1600/IMG_8912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgIMYI7JzH6E0yjvPxwvHZD5YsA-bnleEgf5iohjA05c5iMNHggCLzwg2YzYKaphXXCVk1NVyaB6xFz0b_yoRek3SV3UaoGyPtzI7Vu5w83EfPkOqwOa_WMcov8Qg7HqNhVaWII0NbW0/s320/IMG_8912.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: original 1966 kitchen cabinets and brown range hood.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tit4ULxwmH1p4sZHKyIYvz3CWhE7WIkIucyrRXnpl9ICBpLLapBBhircYQ_UDaDRgevIfsjO_vrBRUboMQuuPF7OYG23nqRdY5FRPXbMxxnJTBMbHoSawStywL9UBheAtbJn5KiLYcg/s1600/IMG_8913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tit4ULxwmH1p4sZHKyIYvz3CWhE7WIkIucyrRXnpl9ICBpLLapBBhircYQ_UDaDRgevIfsjO_vrBRUboMQuuPF7OYG23nqRdY5FRPXbMxxnJTBMbHoSawStywL9UBheAtbJn5KiLYcg/s320/IMG_8913.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: front shot of same cabinets. I did like the flat top and front of the range hood; it gave me a place to set salt & pepper and to use magnets to hold a recipe while I cooked. The fan no longer worked without fear of catching fire - too many decades of grease drifting into it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3u_3R9bDoZW7lPMMKUsnymSnIQeY-LHjxX_D6eXYmJN0Mza9vCjPCStAdBOgV6jTcXyQQmOvWO9YvZ7TL-sydkmzmz3c-tGRRLIho8s1Th8Bkx7ZRMm59IwBq7X0qrFTV17igrx8jVc/s1600/IMG_8914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3u_3R9bDoZW7lPMMKUsnymSnIQeY-LHjxX_D6eXYmJN0Mza9vCjPCStAdBOgV6jTcXyQQmOvWO9YvZ7TL-sydkmzmz3c-tGRRLIho8s1Th8Bkx7ZRMm59IwBq7X0qrFTV17igrx8jVc/s320/IMG_8914.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: lower cabinetry; face plate has been gone for a long time. The little drawer was stolen from another, lesser used area when the original one fell apart. Bread/cutting board has also been gone for a long time. We discovered the counter top (almond colored formica) was probably new ca. 1991 - about the time Marty bought the house. We had the tile put in about 21 years ago after a water leak flooded the entire kitchen/dining room but I learned to hate the edges & the grout which could only be cleaned with a brush on your hands & knees...grout was not originally 'brown' but a light cream...what WAS I thinking?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JQrMi6evrDIxa7pBDo6wVe7cSAWZxA8zF-zF9zwiVzA48MzRATRE9nefMzv2cwuTjc5U46qlsu9HJdjo3BeUw56b59bnklXe0z-M2kU3J5Je8v2cclpvvXVMqI6g3oBzJaLfZh_hgPw/s1600/IMG_8919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JQrMi6evrDIxa7pBDo6wVe7cSAWZxA8zF-zF9zwiVzA48MzRATRE9nefMzv2cwuTjc5U46qlsu9HJdjo3BeUw56b59bnklXe0z-M2kU3J5Je8v2cclpvvXVMqI6g3oBzJaLfZh_hgPw/s320/IMG_8919.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: upper cupboard at right of sink and above where coffee pot was; very worn.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FJUTZvqBx7EdlKNt4TYjkQ0gb80ecQr_fNkyQSjypm1LuzRIgIsc1YuF3n2L9dYQl-bW1v9H1xRLUvyQO04d_duLLa_XhwmqiyrcGQ2pstEgTY-Kozrn8gYhMunF8cb_MYBniIv2DSs/s1600/IMG_8921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FJUTZvqBx7EdlKNt4TYjkQ0gb80ecQr_fNkyQSjypm1LuzRIgIsc1YuF3n2L9dYQl-bW1v9H1xRLUvyQO04d_duLLa_XhwmqiyrcGQ2pstEgTY-Kozrn8gYhMunF8cb_MYBniIv2DSs/s320/IMG_8921.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: the sink was not centered under the window, off by about 2"; that will be changed. 15+ year old dishwasher, you can see all the rusted (some missing) prongs. The camera actually makes the cabinets look better than they were. A chip is showing just to the right of the dishwasher on that faceplate.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABQeV8wnZfMGozPM_6z7ay4myDEJp9BiG21uwp062EqDHlP5AS7I9Mb3s22advkEPlGzvSELFDI5GDJ3V_cJAnuSqrWMUj-EdFyz5aHGjwwqBFT7_jIsWKZZai_b7dtW527S2mnI9x54/s1600/IMG_8924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABQeV8wnZfMGozPM_6z7ay4myDEJp9BiG21uwp062EqDHlP5AS7I9Mb3s22advkEPlGzvSELFDI5GDJ3V_cJAnuSqrWMUj-EdFyz5aHGjwwqBFT7_jIsWKZZai_b7dtW527S2mnI9x54/s320/IMG_8924.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: A narrow area at the right of the refrigerator. These drawers were probably in the best shape of anything in the kitchen. The board on the right is where the wall oven was SEVEN years ago when we did the two bathrooms (upper/lower) which we had to remove because we added a shower into the lower bathroom which previously had only a toilet and sink/vanity.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UQS1o02BfQyel8zROK4jLqZUy-DSz2T29hGQRqGp3GWD4xLI6vg5xQTKqeMCFoIhmuWpU83eoXdixRN3CrbeCo33VdePo7D-IzXUYBurZ4aL9ecqHnxbteTN0YF9cKG0XOZmg-OJQmc/s1600/IMG_8929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UQS1o02BfQyel8zROK4jLqZUy-DSz2T29hGQRqGp3GWD4xLI6vg5xQTKqeMCFoIhmuWpU83eoXdixRN3CrbeCo33VdePo7D-IzXUYBurZ4aL9ecqHnxbteTN0YF9cKG0XOZmg-OJQmc/s320/IMG_8929.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: a closer look at how beat up the little drawer is...ugh, and how dirty the top of the pieces look even though I would wipe them frequently. And knobs, ugh, I have never cared for these. Things get caught on knobs. The drawers got caught on the knobs at this right angle if they weren't close, and they never closed nicely. A galley kitchen will not have this issue.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF5CnZAgh3fyv95IoaypqlSBLwOnHWgo56eBcXhi0sjt31Qlx3psGLHeZ8KEjbV8vMNX5V4Y4BR_kNpQ0L8YnT_RgJCLivRvcTDYQRMo4aG0HoAbsJzWMsVB7shCjuHGwSGDhyphenhyphen2jGpVE/s1600/IMG_8932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF5CnZAgh3fyv95IoaypqlSBLwOnHWgo56eBcXhi0sjt31Qlx3psGLHeZ8KEjbV8vMNX5V4Y4BR_kNpQ0L8YnT_RgJCLivRvcTDYQRMo4aG0HoAbsJzWMsVB7shCjuHGwSGDhyphenhyphen2jGpVE/s320/IMG_8932.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: the fluorescent lighting; this, a light over the sink and the over the range hood light was it in the kitchen. I had a great dislike of these fluorescent bulbs, as did Marty. Their brightness usually failed quickly and continued to fail. At times, there was barely enough light in here to see before I could get Marty to replace them, then it was sunshine bright for about a month before dimming (or getting used to it) to a fairly constant level that eventually dimmed again. And we all know what those tubes do when start to go bad, flicker, hum, even smell!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJcbTOh24RYHg8uhHuj1GuqCGud7G-GDhLr-Ag6GjxFTyKacTwVOUdUZjXpUAaHn7J6Zs6ZKXSHkTmPYw5RGXpnm25YOC4VqUcy3EYRB9g3rcCjf8bnYxCk30rk2JXeieeqCnszXigbw/s1600/IMG_8938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJcbTOh24RYHg8uhHuj1GuqCGud7G-GDhLr-Ag6GjxFTyKacTwVOUdUZjXpUAaHn7J6Zs6ZKXSHkTmPYw5RGXpnm25YOC4VqUcy3EYRB9g3rcCjf8bnYxCk30rk2JXeieeqCnszXigbw/s320/IMG_8938.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: This was the vent for the old swamp cooler that was changed to A/C over a decade ago with different ducting, but was never removed. It is now gone along with a segment of the tube above it; a segment remains which runs through an area within my closet in the master bedroom - maybe someday it'll be gone too if we ever get the master bath done and reconfigure some closet space. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj7RuNOwfxtzIUNu4djXWaLjDblHU9HyEZnCl4W6qFJq74M15PsdafFtFjuHDfIFqHFzw_niqNyUtYCjW20FIOCaL_pbgIr6EUyOgKBrxgznv2y-WWsRQdjSrQ-z0S0ojkPvLIElewgs/s1600/IMG_8942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj7RuNOwfxtzIUNu4djXWaLjDblHU9HyEZnCl4W6qFJq74M15PsdafFtFjuHDfIFqHFzw_niqNyUtYCjW20FIOCaL_pbgIr6EUyOgKBrxgznv2y-WWsRQdjSrQ-z0S0ojkPvLIElewgs/s320/IMG_8942.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before: This is my pantry. All that's changed here is Marty removed the popcorn ceiling, and the floor tile was removed. It will get repainted, but I like it as it is. To the right, behind the slatted door is the space where the furnace <b>was</b>. When we had the A/C installed, we chose a rooftop combo unit, so that space has remained an ugly hole ever since after the removal of the old equipment. To save on cost, rather than open up the wall between the pantry and that space, the space will have it's own door and will have similar shelving, ceiling treatment and floor tile installed. It will house those small appliances and some larger pantry items that have been stored elsewhere. At the left of the pantry door, you can barely see the knob/lock for the door going into the garage.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQdWhw1fneFlxijxFDf7fVEAI6BsVSZq9JN6LveW165P-mimqe-pXQMSAx1R3K106lqaOezsythlsFrFfN4NpJT7Smf9z0stKU86ZOIdDzlatLjNLdExy8OKXwoh7cYkPLkBPaku0CAo/s1600/IMG_8944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQdWhw1fneFlxijxFDf7fVEAI6BsVSZq9JN6LveW165P-mimqe-pXQMSAx1R3K106lqaOezsythlsFrFfN4NpJT7Smf9z0stKU86ZOIdDzlatLjNLdExy8OKXwoh7cYkPLkBPaku0CAo/s320/IMG_8944.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During: this is the ceiling of the pantry after Marty wet and scraped the gunk off, disposing of appropriately as it had 3% asbestos - something we learned at the time of the water leak when we had the dining room ceiling repaired. At the time, our budget only allowed for encapsulating rather than professional asbestos removal. Personally, I think the asbestos laws are far too stringent and overreaching/overkill for the reality of the carcinogenic results. I recognize the issues with asbestos, but also that the common consumer was generally <b>not </b>affected. Those in the manufacturing process...different story. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBXhAgsBr4tIX_fPQtvvgj3FlW93j9aB3ic5v1VGJG_q72u6wCZn-XeD12Qd-ttJKmPaY33TP5O93Dq_NZpNNqaS67smqsotl_v2xui_sSL3rf3q4Iv590aBSewXccKSq8sOfSLlK7Mc/s1600/IMG_8960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBXhAgsBr4tIX_fPQtvvgj3FlW93j9aB3ic5v1VGJG_q72u6wCZn-XeD12Qd-ttJKmPaY33TP5O93Dq_NZpNNqaS67smqsotl_v2xui_sSL3rf3q4Iv590aBSewXccKSq8sOfSLlK7Mc/s320/IMG_8960.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During: some of the hard materials removed :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2RJ91FoDe0Rjg_U7cqmJ5pY4oX3Zh5LK8ayKaDm5BcBcxzMwOHjDXfzbzZ_0lyPU34I9ohMdGWcfdhPAl3r3r9tl0DhZDqTENE8sBQnvueL8efc8IYD3sVCloOJPmias1g58u6F8TgQ/s1600/IMG_8961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2RJ91FoDe0Rjg_U7cqmJ5pY4oX3Zh5LK8ayKaDm5BcBcxzMwOHjDXfzbzZ_0lyPU34I9ohMdGWcfdhPAl3r3r9tl0DhZDqTENE8sBQnvueL8efc8IYD3sVCloOJPmias1g58u6F8TgQ/s320/IMG_8961.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During: after all the cabinetry and floor tiles removed and areas opened up for electrical and plumbing access. The brown stains on the walls? That's the <b>back</b> of the inside of the cabinets - guess that was a pretty standard method in the 1960s...don't have a back, just paint or stain to match. What's funny, is the end cabinet, it was only stained on the upper shelf level and not the two lower ones on the one side. There's that board where the oven used to be...g'bye!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS8-JlMhQBPiNSQZY4wyPmaA9EvKqXRlQGI8tq1AI_U4r40EyDsguGM32EdGfC3Tju-_vBznA-b9M70J9Cw5W9uEf3ybcKT9ny67vH8eubo3smL7nzwOMfvlIDvQTewNC751auhDFQ0E/s1600/IMG_8962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS8-JlMhQBPiNSQZY4wyPmaA9EvKqXRlQGI8tq1AI_U4r40EyDsguGM32EdGfC3Tju-_vBznA-b9M70J9Cw5W9uEf3ybcKT9ny67vH8eubo3smL7nzwOMfvlIDvQTewNC751auhDFQ0E/s320/IMG_8962.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During: before the tile was removed showing where the peninsula was, which is where the burners were on the counter.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPt47uZWMEhZHT0z-dxk7kFgGaNu5Ephul7QeQFOkrLHCkdond_UKeZAs8Ixwet2O3Pb5YhhbkV2Gfx8yA8TQYkIhyphenhyphen2KXmIk-tnE_Cj5cEJIRyTwIFE7KJC5vRrO3iFw9jHnlOof62Hr8/s1600/IMG_8965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPt47uZWMEhZHT0z-dxk7kFgGaNu5Ephul7QeQFOkrLHCkdond_UKeZAs8Ixwet2O3Pb5YhhbkV2Gfx8yA8TQYkIhyphenhyphen2KXmIk-tnE_Cj5cEJIRyTwIFE7KJC5vRrO3iFw9jHnlOof62Hr8/s320/IMG_8965.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During: that cupboard <strike>painted</strike> stained wall, funny, no?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyd03RMDQfGwuZ67YAVwaUjMe4lPM_-ZIYU2RkiwnE_it8nyVtmfCT5BwdKOHJVHEQt6xbwNv1QJBCWoe9JHlsPDpdBVlm3CBMn0tmPsAl2gNtzpULxMojE3TzepJqZHRs0drdEfe87Y/s1600/IMG_8969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyd03RMDQfGwuZ67YAVwaUjMe4lPM_-ZIYU2RkiwnE_it8nyVtmfCT5BwdKOHJVHEQt6xbwNv1QJBCWoe9JHlsPDpdBVlm3CBMn0tmPsAl2gNtzpULxMojE3TzepJqZHRs0drdEfe87Y/s320/IMG_8969.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During: the leftover hole from the swamp cooler vent removal. The old (no longer used) galvanized water pipes that ran through the ceiling. Above that is the second floor floorboard. A different opening showed me why our upper floor creaks so much. The nails holding the flooring plywood to the joists/stringers/2x4s (?), barely caught the boards at all. They went in at an angle and caught a very small portion of the top of the wood before coming out the side.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since Friday was only an inspection day, it was quiet, as are today and tomorrow before work resumes on Monday. Our kitties are rather stressed with this and remain upstairs, often hiding under the bed. There is no good place to get completely away from all the noises (nor the dust for that matter). The door from the kitchen area to the hallway is closed but it's slatted so dust still creeps through even with the crew taping plastic over it. We're letting them use our restroom so they still need to come through the door which also tracks dust and dirt through; all to be expected. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll be spending some time today trying to clean up some of the dust from everywhere before it attacks again. It's also been quite cold in the house while the crew has the garage door open and the door from the dining room into the garage as well. Because of that we only have the downstairs heat zone set to around 65. We've also removed an 8' window and replaced it with a 5' sliding door, so that opened things up and cooled the house down too. No insulation in our walls...at all!! That really wasn't a surprise though knowing how cold indoors that it gets in the winter and how hot in the summer, and that's why we had A/C installed...those hot southern California summers.</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-63142238648965484022019-02-08T09:08:00.000-08:002019-02-08T09:08:16.061-08:00We Have a Start Date<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I've been absent from the keyboard, things have been progressing nicely towards the kitchen remodel. Start date is Monday, 11 February for demolition! Oh my, that got here quickly. I was beginning to think we would not be ready, but all the pieces are beginning to come together. The biggest hitch at this point though is with the kitchen sink. We ordered it on 18 January, and more than a week later were advised it has a <b>90</b> business-day delivery + transit time on it. That puts the sink arriving not until sometime in April {gasp}. The Kohler sink manufacturer had a fire last year, and while I was told/or read that back-orders were caught up, it doesn't appear new orders are getting out very quickly...yep, frustrated!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, all the rest is in good status. The floor tiles are in our garage. The wall/backsplash & decorative tiles should arrive for pick-up within the next week. All appliances are scheduled for delivery on 25 February and will reside in the garage until ready to be installed approximately two or three weeks later. The faucet should be arriving at the vendor's sometime today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have yet to purchase the garbage disposal and disposal button (newer thing replaces having a wall switch) but given the sink delay...no hurry and they're pretty much stocked items.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paint samples are awaiting to be painted onto the wall now that the dining room is emptied of China cabinet and table; it's narrowed down to two or three even though I purchased six samples. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I need to make some hardware choices and get those ordered or picked up depending on where I decide to purchase from.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And lastly, today and tomorrow will be the final packing up of what remains in the kitchen cupboards and pantry. It's been a small challenge to figure out what implements and foods to keep out for my attempts to still feed the family during this process that don't require much more than the toaster oven or microwave. I need to get a hot plate for cooking, but don't relish the idea of that much given that our only clean-up area is the bathroom sink which will require using a dish pan set on the counter to wash and rinse anything - in this case, less is definitely more!! Paper/plastic is the order of the day along with anything else disposable that can be utilized for the next two to three months. I'm sure we'll also be quite tired of take-out meals! I'll still have a working fridge and freezer so TV dinners will also work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to packing it all up....</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-13908754811192788392019-01-20T09:26:00.000-08:002019-01-20T09:26:04.094-08:00A Kitchen Update<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Demolition is still a few weeks out, so I'm not going to show any photos yet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To date, we have made our selection for and purchase of the appliances: refrigerator, range, range hood, and dishwasher. My original plan was to go with white, but ended up going with slate, since all the cabinetry in the kitchen proper will be white ['sea salt' precisely] as well as the sink. Every appliance needed to be replaced, so this is not just an "I want new." issue. Our refrigerator is probably the youngest and it's somewhere around 17 years old, and leaks when it auto-defrosts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've made a decision on the counter-top. It's a quartz product by <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=cambria+new+quay&client=firefox-b-1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiL7Nm55_zfAhUEh1QKHeCRDVIQsAR6BAgAEAE&biw=1523&bih=724">Cambria, New Quay</a>. It's a white-toned counter-top with gray to taupe pigment to look like a real stone product. Some online images make it look tan, but it really isn't though it may pick up a slight tan hue on the oak cabinetry we'll be putting in on the dining room wall. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Friday, Nick and I went to make the purchase for the sink and the faucet. The sink will be <a href="https://www.us.kohler.com/us/Riverby-33-x-22-x-9-5-8-top-mount-double-equal-kitchen-sink-with-accessories-and-3-faucet-holes/productDetail/kitchen-sinks/1163470.htm">Koehler Riverby</a> top-mount double bowl. The faucet is <a href="https://www.moen.com/products/Brantford/Brantford_Spot_resist_stainless_onehandle_high_arc_pulldown_kitchen_faucet/7185SRS">Moen Brantford</a>. The MSRPs are considerably higher than what was actually paid! It was a real struggle deciding on a sink; specifically whether to go with a top-mount or an under-mount. I even created a poll on Facebook which ended up equally split between the 20 respondents - big help they were! Too many pros and cons with each. I finally decided on the top-mount because well, mostly, I like the look, but also from one respondent who has a son who is a plumber, he says the top-mounts have less leakage issues, also I realized that the 9/16" that it sits above the counter-top is no different than the current range-top and I have no issues with that though I know a sink is different. We will not be able to swish anything straight into the sink from the counter-top...I say to my guys, "Deal with it!" and infer to them to stop being such lazy slobs in the kitchen. It may also be easier to replace should that need ever arise, but at my age, I'm not expecting to have to do any more changes prior to death! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still to decide on are the wall and floor tiles, purchase a new garbage disposal, hardware, paint color for walls. At present we have one potential 'unknown' that could add more to this already pricey, but much-needed update/upgrade, and that's with the electrical wiring. The current tiny kitchen, a small "circle" of a floor plan, about the size of a very large walk-in closet, has a soffit around it which we fear may hold the wiring for much of the upstairs. If so, it will have to be re-run somewhere, somehow, and that could add more cost. Our design is to make the kitchen an open galley kitchen to the dining room. It currently has a peninsula with counter-top burners and corresponding upper cabinets which separate the rooms, and with a breakfast bar that we've never used as such.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next few weeks will hold making those final decisions and purchases along with packing up the kitchen and rearranging living room areas to accommodate a minimal 'kitchen' area, with only a bathroom sink for clean-up. I see a lot of take out and microwave meals in our future. Some furniture needs to be shuffled upstairs to the bedrooms for now...who knows, maybe some of it will stay up there. </span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-59149887836849310122018-12-25T09:28:00.000-08:002018-12-25T09:28:38.300-08:00Tis the Season<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning during my time of reading God's word, I turned the television on with a local station's "Yule Log". I don't care for all the music selections they put forth so turned the volume off, but the image of logs burning in a fireplace is a very nice background. I'm recording it, as I have in the past at times, in order to have in future days until summer hits and it's unbearable. We have our own fireplace but tend not to use it very often, in fact, it hasn't been cleaned of the ashes since the last time we used it, last Christmas perhaps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With our kitchen remodel coming up likely early February, we have gone really low on the Christmas decorations and gift giving. I'd like to go even lower on the Christmas dinner - I'd be perfectly happy to do Christmas at Denny's (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MRl2tLnKU">here's a link to a Randy Stonehill </a>song of that title), but I know Marty and Nick really love having our little, but special Christmas dinner of rib roast, baked potatoes, and whatever sides I add. Rather than a pie this year, I picked up a pre-prepared layered strawberry shortcake cake. If it tastes as good as it looks, I'll be pleased. Clearly, I am cutting back some on my efforts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gifts for the guys are mostly the necessities of life which they are in need of anyway. In fact, Nick's is only a bag of candy with a card for a Christmas I.O.U. shopping trip...he needs new jeans and new tees and it'll work better if he can go and try on and choose colors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do miss so many past years of great festivities and socializing with friends and family, some of whom decorated to the hilt. Most of those folks are gone - in one way or another. Maybe next year will be more festive; when the kitchen is done, and hopefully we have decluttered and cleaned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll 'wrap' this up now, and wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and whether you celebrate or not, I pray you have peace, and joy, and love and all good things during this holiday season. </span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-79917333963798949102018-12-15T17:13:00.000-08:002018-12-15T17:13:03.572-08:00Committed<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's official. The papers are signed. The deposit made. Demolition is expected to begin mid-February. Our contractor is a small, hands on business so only has a couple projects going at a time. He's about a week from finishing up one project, then the holidays, and has another starting in January, then us. In the interim, he will begin working on the cabinets, they are custom made by him so take time. While he does that, we need to procure ALL the other elements that go into making this a kitchen, the appliances, tile, sink & related items before he will start the demo. That way, it will all go together smoothly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a big expense; probably the biggest we'll ever put into this house aside from the purchase itself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the meantime at home, I must get busy with the years of not dealing with clutter so that we can move stuff from the kitchen/dining room during the demo/construction phases and set up temporary cook/clean areas and plan out meals that require few dishes to prepare.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have a fireplace so have considered using the camp stove there so that any emissions can go up the chimney. We have the microwave and the large toaster oven too. Disposable plates, bowls, etc. will be my best friend. We will only have a bathroom sink available for clean-up (the tub is upstairs, and no laundry tub), so plan on using as little cooking tools as possible for the time required to accomplish the work. I'm good with a lot of take-out meals too, but I'm sure that'll get old. Freezer meals in their own trays are a very good option.</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-80669725747180905652018-12-13T00:06:00.003-08:002018-12-13T00:06:52.078-08:00Almost Signing<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the last couple weeks of going back and forth with questions and answers on the kitchen remodel proposal, it's likely we'll be signing the contract on Saturday morning. I look forward to the kitchen being done; I do not look forward to the process, the payments (ouch!!), nor the shopping for all appliances except a microwave, choosing tile for the walls and the floor, choosing countertop material/style, and of course I never look forward to yet another layer of dust. It will be so very nice to have a real, full-size oven again though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our current fridge is about 17 years old - leaks water, ice-maker quit years ago. Dishwasher is about the same and is used more as a drying rack than to wash. There is no oven, and the current range-top will be gone - I think it was original to the house in 1966, same with the sink;, garbage disposal works but is old and they recommend it be replaced. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're adding a 5' sliding door where currently is an 8' window. [To get to the patio where the grill is, you have to go down the hall and through the den/library - wonder who thought that was a good design?] We're adding an entire bank of cabinets - upper & lower with counter top, to a wall in the dining area - it will be all one undivided room for the kitchen & dining. The kitchen area proper, would still have only a small amount of cabinets, thus the additional. Cabinetry is probably the highest individual expense of the project. Current floor tile has to be replaced because the peninsula will be gone as the kitchen becomes a galley-style layout. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once our contract is signed and the deposit is made, he will begin building the cabinetry in January. When that is built, and <i><b>only</b></i> after we have purchased and had delivered all the appliances and other components, will he do the demolition, after which everything will be reconstructed and put in place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A big project, a big price tag, big fears...has anyone else gone through this? No DIY abilities here and we've only remodeled bathrooms before. When I was in my late 20's, my first husband & I did some remodeling to our kitchen, but he was able/capable and we both were young, energetic and had the strength to do the work ourselves. I think my biggest fear is that we'll go to this expense, and I won't like it, or we'll move and not have enough time to enjoy it. Well, I shant focus on the negatives of my fears...we've put this off too long already, it <b>will</b> be done, it <b>will</b> cost a lot, and we <b>will</b> be content. And I'm going to be very, very busy for the next few months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keeping Christmas decorations to a minimum this year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blessings to anyone still reading my ramblings :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-81680934547371565512018-12-01T12:30:00.001-08:002018-12-01T12:30:46.226-08:00A Proposal<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So did you think there's someone getting married? Nope, it's not that kind of proposal. Rather, it is a very costly proposal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsoJUwJXa-YqaDXRUrdM2gDGGzlrd_Bxt3M1lZs6IhEr9Ia85VMszwh_-TvQsLHWH0X_Th9SXAP2b_GSfuIcwgJGaLiasa_KbyXjgIL-Ucs0aSIkPksqsWGcJrjyMg-Zev5Pmg-sreIU/s1600/IMG_8899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsoJUwJXa-YqaDXRUrdM2gDGGzlrd_Bxt3M1lZs6IhEr9Ia85VMszwh_-TvQsLHWH0X_Th9SXAP2b_GSfuIcwgJGaLiasa_KbyXjgIL-Ucs0aSIkPksqsWGcJrjyMg-Zev5Pmg-sreIU/s320/IMG_8899.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've probably written in the long-ago past about the need for a kitchen remodel. Well, we're finally back at it after a nearly six year "delay". We were going to get started on it back in Spring 2013 (it was last bid on in Feb/Mar 2013) but after a disagreement about a component of it between Marty and I (and <b>my</b> bad response to that), it was postponed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That and one year later the death of my mom and the next 18 months of back and forth travel to keep my dad on track, which turned into a fiasco later, upsetting me and destroying all the hard work I'd done for him. Well, that's water under the bridge, along with Marty's 9-month layoff before finding work, my health issues too, and then the "I'm just not ready to get to it" issues, but finally, here we are. We had the contractor in the week before Thanksgiving, and received his estimate after. Oh boy, have costs gone up in those years, especially on cabinetry. We've been sitting on the funds so we're ok even at the higher cost, but that doesn't make it any the less painful to have to shell out those dollars. The contractor is the same who did our beautiful bathrooms, he's not 'cheap' and his work is quality, and we trust him. Any others are big unknowns, and we are at the point we just want, and need to get, this <b>done</b>, so aren't even getting another bid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we did the bathrooms, we put in a shower downstairs where none existed which in turned moved the toilet over to the space where the wall oven enclosure had been, so I've lived with no full-size oven, limping along with my large capacity toaster/counter-top oven. It's been fine, and I've been able to make most things as I would have in a standard oven (recall my Toaster Oven Tuesday posts), but it has also taken over half of my precious little counter-space, so I'll be happy to regain that space! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our kitchen hasn't been updated since we've been here (I came in 1996, Marty ca.1992). The kitchen is tiny, out-dated, worn, and literally falling apart. A small drawer is entirely gone, the facing board below the range top is gone, the stain is completely worn off. After a water leak in 1997, we did replace the floor, removing the linoleum and carpet from the dining room and using tile. We lack cupboard storage place (little space was required in 1966 when the house was built) and outlets. The lighting is four fluorescent tubes under a pull-away plastic shield. The faucet is lifting from the sink, the sink has chips and stains that no amount of cleanser or bleach will remove, the counter has chips, the stovetop burner pans are worn, the knobs are yellowed, the enamel has painted repairs where it's been chipped, and one knob is entirely missing. The hood is harvest brown while the rangetop is white (the oven was harvest brown with an avocado handle!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple old posts that concern the kitchen are <a href="https://duckoutofh2o.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-have-i-been-doing.html">this one</a> and <a href="https://duckoutofh2o.blogspot.com/2013/12/toaster-oven-tuesday.html">this one showing the old oven. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have mixed feelings, and am feeling a lot of anxiety. I'm not good with decision making when I don't really know my 'style' other than if this were an old farmhouse in the country, it'd be a snap. A mid-60s house in a California suburb, well...it's not a farmhouse. Some of my preferences, like white appliances which are not currently in vogue, will have limited selection. And <b>all</b> of our appliances need to be replaced, none are less than 16 or 17 years old and <b>all</b> have issues - other than the toaster oven, nothing is salvageable. That adds to the cost, and there are some unknowns that could cost a pretty penny too. My only hopes are that we will live long enough to really enjoy the new kitchen and if we should sell within a few years, that the home's value will sustain the cost of the upgrade. Kitchen and baths, the two most important rooms of the house, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pray for me as I go through this. Demolition, once we sign, won't start until February or even March due to contractor's availability and other jobs he has going.</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-48470158546721775272018-11-23T13:15:00.001-08:002018-11-23T13:34:38.552-08:00A Feline Friday Edition<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've not taken part in Feline Friday before, but am seeing several posts today, so thought I'd share and link up at <a href="http://sarahdidit.blogspot.com/2018/11/feline-friday-special-edition-112318.html">Sarah Did It.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For as long as I can remember I've either had cats or been around cats. My farm grandma had barn cats that would stand on their hind legs to lap at the milk she'd squirt from the cows nipples while milking. I always thought that funny. With barn cats you get kittens, and I remember snuggling with them often too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwEWEuyMrTM8LyUG_UFlGh-2_dYNAY6cHHdeRoJ1NdVRkrasCYLMftSzvsR5Bv9PYfaapL6FWDJfonlvZ8lDUKQiSN54Txn9rPks43Zv2tlaeN1vXqArfDj1qimuuYUMw8OyFnYGLkYw/s1600/1954-0000+NELSON+Donna+with+kitty+%2540+Muddy+Valley_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1583" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwEWEuyMrTM8LyUG_UFlGh-2_dYNAY6cHHdeRoJ1NdVRkrasCYLMftSzvsR5Bv9PYfaapL6FWDJfonlvZ8lDUKQiSN54Txn9rPks43Zv2tlaeN1vXqArfDj1qimuuYUMw8OyFnYGLkYw/s320/1954-0000+NELSON+Donna+with+kitty+%2540+Muddy+Valley_1.jpg" width="316" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is my sister with one of the kitties. The date indicates Oct 55 but that would be a reprint date; it is more likely summer of '53 or '54.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kxR6xDcsL9lE70LJjAE2bloQ0VPT7udRsIwHzpFa9yFSoZRwCunm3-7tYd8VUmmrb5j8TL1eKU29I2yJ4jYoCfiLXP4y5VPKb3TBD-qI6YL3dfv_hJrTtuLEN9CLXNjj80nGR3eWi14/s1600/1963-0100+WOOD+Ronald%252C+Robert%252C+NELSON+Russell%252C+Donna+on+sofa+%2540+Mill+St..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1197" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kxR6xDcsL9lE70LJjAE2bloQ0VPT7udRsIwHzpFa9yFSoZRwCunm3-7tYd8VUmmrb5j8TL1eKU29I2yJ4jYoCfiLXP4y5VPKb3TBD-qI6YL3dfv_hJrTtuLEN9CLXNjj80nGR3eWi14/s320/1963-0100+WOOD+Ronald%252C+Robert%252C+NELSON+Russell%252C+Donna+on+sofa+%2540+Mill+St..jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Notice the grandmother's flower garden quilt in the background on the right?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 1963 we had a mama named Clementine. My brothers are holding two of her babies. It was the first time I recall actually seeing the kittens being born.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3neqJTQNs0MR7Yp9fGiqTs56C01gHYx5JistHZTPkdVkufQ3UTWZn5ZNYxVn-r843mCHWG8ppayULu_-wDUsnd7qHpFQsFJyC9pIcRT3QRGd8DOeVaUgH4oklpGPHm7NJBtxfnKf2go/s1600/1961-0000+NELSON+Bonnie+%2526++Clementine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1274" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3neqJTQNs0MR7Yp9fGiqTs56C01gHYx5JistHZTPkdVkufQ3UTWZn5ZNYxVn-r843mCHWG8ppayULu_-wDUsnd7qHpFQsFJyC9pIcRT3QRGd8DOeVaUgH4oklpGPHm7NJBtxfnKf2go/s320/1961-0000+NELSON+Bonnie+%2526++Clementine.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Me with Clementine in 1961.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgQH1YifcysPt3seJGmv__uWAR5lAicNR8HD1fCl7kpBQhMlXojUj5aZI5tu38raA_nvb5RR0HYKIoWpxAYVHWzQWWg1XyOkacVOHKL4xEh-4sT9f3djmM2ZVgpoJuxQdYeIKOhL5yts/s1600/1969-06dd+WOOD++Ronald+with+Tommy+%2540+Rt+2+Box+259+%255Best+date%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1593" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgQH1YifcysPt3seJGmv__uWAR5lAicNR8HD1fCl7kpBQhMlXojUj5aZI5tu38raA_nvb5RR0HYKIoWpxAYVHWzQWWg1XyOkacVOHKL4xEh-4sT9f3djmM2ZVgpoJuxQdYeIKOhL5yts/s320/1969-06dd+WOOD++Ronald+with+Tommy+%2540+Rt+2+Box+259+%255Best+date%255D.jpg" width="318" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My brother with Tommy. Tommy had a full tail, but it was all kinked up and looked like a ball.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There were many other kitties during my childhood: Kitten, Tommy, Many Toes (she was poly-dactyl), Monkey, and those who were either never named, or whose names are long forgotten and who were never photographed. Such as it was in the 1950s and '60s in rural Oregon. <br /><br />In adulthood, and on my own, I've had Booger, Wanna, Spooky, Steely, Aja, Skitz, Monster, Fanner, Raven, Flame. Some of these I didn't have for long but Aja I had for 16 years. She was special, a long-haired gray and white girl. She was brought to the place I worked by a lady who was headed to the pound. She was only about five weeks old and spent the rest of the day either in my sweater pocket or curled up on my desk. As a still young kitty she traveled in the back of a camper to Colorado, at one point hiding so well that I thought she'd escaped through the window I found open. Some hundreds of miles later at a stop, my then-husband discovered her and brought her to me - I cried, and had been crying for hours. She was a true lap cat. I won't explain her demise, but I was heart-broken.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Skitz was a solid grey short-hair. Sadly, I never really liked her, but she lived with me for over 18 years. She played fetch and would not give up searching if the object was tossed where she didn't immediately find it. She had a rather Siamese type voice...maybe that's why I didn't like her. She also sprayed my coffee pot once!! Yep, some females will spray, even when fixed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is Monster. He was a feral kitty that we took in and tamed. His mama and several batches of her kittens roamed the neighborhood for a couple years before finally capturing them all. We tried to tame one of his sisters, but she never warmed up to us. But Monster became a strictly indoor kitty for a couple years. When my daughter came to live with us for awhile, she brought two cats with her and we decided it was time to allow Monster and his sister back outside. They both kept out of sight for a couple days, but eventually returned. Monster would come back in the house and he'd sleep on the bed all day, occasionally letting me hold him for a short time on my lap. The sister would never let us get close to her again and eventually got really sick, was trapped, and put down. Monster was 12 when we last saw him. He liked to be outside at night so as we always did, I'd let him out the night before I was to leave on an Oregon trip. He hadn't returned by the time I left in the morning and my husband said he never did while I was gone. Sadly, we think perhaps he fell victim to a predator. I like to think that while he was with us, he had many more years spent in comfort, than he'd have had had he been left feral.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoAob7syP_kgP9VSKA5ul-5aBOK3fkefoAyxnqhjwDO0JkDKlweXkIN84xipDGFUrF45NfC_XMxa6PfYOOnT0yWsFVJkE8mo985SIEK0NR-g7eYmCYIfSnIMSy1TmsNrN-BSqq-hVJAs/s1600/Fanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="1600" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoAob7syP_kgP9VSKA5ul-5aBOK3fkefoAyxnqhjwDO0JkDKlweXkIN84xipDGFUrF45NfC_XMxa6PfYOOnT0yWsFVJkE8mo985SIEK0NR-g7eYmCYIfSnIMSy1TmsNrN-BSqq-hVJAs/s320/Fanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pure sweetness.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fanner, sweet Fanner, our special-needs kitty. One summer, Nick and I went to Oregon and visited a high school friend. They had a grass-seed business and at their shop had a mama with kittens. Fanner was pretty much the runt of the litter, but was female and had extra toes. We fell in love with her and she with us. Her fur was as soft as rabbit fur. Within a short time, we realized she had something wrong. Thinking it was something she ate (she was allergic to fish), we didn't think too much of it. But then she'd wobble and her nose and mouth would always be wet. We took her to one vet and he wasn't able to determine the reason for her problems. We then took her to a doctor who only treated cats and she was able to determine that Fanner's condition was caused by <a href="https://www.petcarerx.com/article/cat-and-dog-liver-shunt-treatment-and-prevention/1646">liver shunts</a>, in her case, congenital. She would have seizures and later developed bladder stones which we had surgically removed once, but they redeveloped within six months and the vet said it would be too hard on her to go through surgery again. Her medications were no longer as effective and after much agonizing decided it was best for her to say good-bye. That was one of the most painful decisions I've ever had to make. Did I mention we all absolutely loved this kitty?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwAdsA9NUy8CxyjeYy1C7pDuK5ys0N30aPH8iPyjEmTttpE8V0zzJdHv7CRlaCjACM4k2ejtfYIQgA5QSVUJt378qb5yrWHJFprXg5ir1BRnn-rLVrB6PjhW5QF-WwyXOzNQdSA58pps/s1600/IMG_2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwAdsA9NUy8CxyjeYy1C7pDuK5ys0N30aPH8iPyjEmTttpE8V0zzJdHv7CRlaCjACM4k2ejtfYIQgA5QSVUJt378qb5yrWHJFprXg5ir1BRnn-rLVrB6PjhW5QF-WwyXOzNQdSA58pps/s320/IMG_2593.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sleeping sweetly on the step.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAW4VWEYHDgooAVOh62XJo5XEfvHSz2R9zgfmSp2GWeAOaA2mr3WPEsiXApOh7TFnjA8_6M4mdq2GEPMnQChNvJqv8HwY8Fxd9jAAneI-CDE_ZRGoek12DL1bhaw0re57Fgt5HqTPw7U/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAW4VWEYHDgooAVOh62XJo5XEfvHSz2R9zgfmSp2GWeAOaA2mr3WPEsiXApOh7TFnjA8_6M4mdq2GEPMnQChNvJqv8HwY8Fxd9jAAneI-CDE_ZRGoek12DL1bhaw0re57Fgt5HqTPw7U/s320/IMG_5038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goofy Raven</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> So as we were preparing to say good-bye to Fanner, a few months before at Thanksgiving, a neighbor came over with this little itty bitty black and white kitty. He's was out in his truck on a local road and saw this black and white something run across the road in front of him. Not knowing if it was a baby skunk or a kitty, and being an animal lover, he stopped, found it (thankfully a kitty), looked around for any others or a mama and finding none, brought it home where he cared for it with a bottle for a week or so. We welcomed here into our family. The vet said she was probably no more than seven weeks old. We'd already had her for one by then, so she was probably only about five weeks when the neighbor found her. She has a developmental birth defect of her eyelid and her eyes are a bit crossed, but otherwise is quite healthy...and chubby!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHgjA2eAlpofusTH-_kpnPHp4WlKkck2QQj_-NifJjataTLvnlI9A7T6sDbRnam55NQ5WEBuYs2KDHl3ljiE_nObxHji-SGadv8Cb-6KFp-WdGTvGmZZJX9KMZQg22fcfFSMI8zTu2z4/s1600/IMG_4467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHgjA2eAlpofusTH-_kpnPHp4WlKkck2QQj_-NifJjataTLvnlI9A7T6sDbRnam55NQ5WEBuYs2KDHl3ljiE_nObxHji-SGadv8Cb-6KFp-WdGTvGmZZJX9KMZQg22fcfFSMI8zTu2z4/s320/IMG_4467.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Raven</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I marveled that she had the black dot next to her nose just like Tommy from my childhood. She plays fetch, but not as much now as she's gotten older, just turned seven. I find I'm a bit allergic to her as if I rub my eyes after petting her, they itch badly.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Flaming Star aka "Flame"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After Fanner was gone, and Raven was still only a few months old, I thought it would be good to be a two cat household, so we adopted Flame from a local rescue. She was there with siblings but we only wanted one and it was Nick's pick as it would be his kitty. Well, kitties pick their humans, and Flame in the last couple years has pretty much picked me as her human. Raven has chosen Marty, so Nick enjoys them when they choose to spend time with him. Flame will divide her time more than Raven. The two kitties haven't really bonded with each other and only play together/chase each other on occasion. Thankfully they don't fight with each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That's it on my cats. I'm thankful for all of them. I think if it were up to me, I'd have more, and they'd be indoor/outdoor, but I know there's a lot of risk with that, and heartache when they disappear so we limit to the two, and keep them strictly indoors. The same neighbor we got Raven from has some young kitties running around his yard again - likely feral. A couple had visited our back yard a few days ago and one got up into the tree chasing a squirrel. The other one went 'home', and the one in the tree spent over 24 hours there before it finally found it's way down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm chuckling right now as Flame has decided she rather likes watching The Spiderwick Chronicles!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-26909880683801355062018-11-14T10:21:00.001-08:002018-11-14T10:21:51.376-08:00Still Chewing, and High Anxiety<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, so my last DOOW post talked about eating elephants 'one bite at a time'. Well, those bites are pretty small, but I'm still chewing though some require <b>lots</b> of chewing. Progress is happening, yet it seems barely visible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and on top of all that, how many remember way back when, 2012 to be exact, when we went through our bathroom remodels? We were on board to get started on the kitchen in early 2013. Just think, I could've been enjoying that new kitchen for the last nearly-six years, but I responded badly to an issue, and in my sinful response, wanted nothing to do with proceeding with the kitchen and we never signed the contract. Then, God had other plans for life events which kept us from proceeding, and fast forward to recent days, I've been complaining a lot about the kitchen's condition, every appliance is on its last leg, the base of the faucet is lifting from the badly chipped and stained sink (no amount of cleanser or bleach has helped), cupboards (ca. 1966) are showing their age (cheap construct to begin with), the funds have been set aside for all these years, and the burden of knowing it <b>needs</b> to get done is weighing me down, and my estimated life (aside from God's plan) span left on this earth is dwindling, I finally made the call to our contractor to re-bid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My anxiety threshold is at its peak, and I am so not ready for all the decisions that need to be made, but that first bite of <b>this</b> elephant needs to be taken. I've pretty much concluded that the less input my hubs has, the better...it will be better for <b>us</b> that way. The first bite was setting up the contractor appointment, and he'll be here at 4:30 today (PST). I've already been informed that demo and construction won't be able to start until mid-February at the earliest, so that gives me a deadline date to have all things in place: sorting, clearing, shopping for all the necessary required items, and maybe going to a doctor for anxiety meds (said tongue-in-cheek!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-74453484012973245852018-10-24T13:28:00.000-07:002018-10-24T13:28:00.078-07:00Biting Elephants<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's an old question, "How do you eat an elephant?" which is answered with, "One bite at a time." and I just have to keep asking, "But where do I take the first bite?".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I try to start...somewhere, anywhere...and am side-tracked or overwhelmed before I make any real progress. Focus. It's an issue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving along...to try again. </span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-57482345823989557282018-09-29T14:45:00.000-07:002018-09-29T14:45:57.293-07:00Of Low and High<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Low:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Less than two weeks ago, I learned that our kitties' veterinarian was ill and taking time away to be with her family. Sounded serious. Later in that week, I learned it was cancer and she was already on hospice. On Monday of this week, I learned she had passed away, and today was her memorial service which Nick and I attended - a huge outpouring of the community. 20 days from diagnosis to entering eternity. There's still stunned disbelief. She was younger than I. Her cancer was very aggressive. I know no other details than that. She was a wonderful, wonderful veterinarian and cared greatly for her kitty patients and their human "parents". While I only knew her from visits to her office, she was warm-hearted, kind, patient, and just one of those souls that makes you feel like you're family. She is missed, and will continually be missed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The High:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though that might eventually be debated by some. My daughter called the other night. She said she had recently submitted her DNA to the 23andme folks. She checked the day she called me, and discovered she had a message from someone of whom he and she shared 25% DNA. That means, a half-sibling. She asked me if I knew anything of this; specifically as to her dad having a child when he was pre-20s. She's excited and not at all upset with him, just surprised to find this out as it has never been mentioned to her. I confirmed that when her father and I were married, he had shared that he had a child but he and the mom had parted ways. I knew/remembered nothing more than that. I felt it was not my secret to divulge. I have no animosity toward my first husband, he's a good man, and has been a good father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I spoke with her she was still so high from finding this out that she said she probably wouldn't sleep. They have shared a number of emails, but she has not said anything yet to her dad as he was away for a few days. I don't know if this will upset him or not, but she is really, really thrilled to have another brother and to get to know him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-34644372106269590532018-08-17T14:48:00.001-07:002018-08-17T14:48:44.710-07:00Hot August - Days and Nights<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a long, hot summer, as many in the west know all too well. Fires everywhere! Little relief in sight. For the next 10 days our forecast runs between 95-100 for the days, and 64 - 72 for the nights. That's just too hot when the nights don't cool. The 64 at night isn't until about the 10th day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">July 17th found me traveling north with my friend Panda, me in my car, she and her little doggie in hers. I was headed to my aunt's in Oregon, she to her daughter's in Washington. We had a fun two-day trip traveling together this way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first two weeks were spent at my aunt's doing the usual summer things we do. The exception to that, was meeting a 4th cousin (to me) for the first time. He lives only a little over an hour away from her, so we met at a restaurant and shared family history information. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was also a special class reunion. Our class has been exceptional in having a picnic reunion on the 5-year anniversaries, and a full weekend with a casual meeting at a bar (small town, I don't drink but have gone on occasion), nice restaurant dinner the following night, and then the casual picnic the next day for the 10-years. Some make it for all events, others only one or two. This year was special as it was in-between a 5-yr and 10-yr time frame and we chose to invite the class that was ahead of us, and the one from behind us. Our graduating class had only 71 students, of which 5 or 6 have passed away, but but we still had around 20 or more show up. The lower class had only three, and the upper class just a few more than that. Being a small school community, everyone knew who everyone else was. Our next reunion will be a major one...50 years! It's hard to believe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The better portion of the next two weeks, was spent traveling to Kansas and back. My aunt's oldest granddaughter is attending school there for the next two years aiming for her master's in mathematics. There were two cars and five people going, and one car and four people returning. We went through portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas, and spent a day at Yellowstone. We stayed two nights in Kansas, and a couple hours from the school is the location where my great-grandparents lived. He had been there in 1893, married a gal from Cincinnati, OH in 1902, and my grandmother and her sister were born there at the property in 1904 and 1905. They then sold out and traveled to Oregon around mid-1909.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While gone I missed the every-third-year (paternal line) family reunion, but figured this would be my only opportunity in life to visit Kansas and the original family homestead (maternal line) so off I went. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After spending 10 days in motels and 8-10 hours a day in a car, I rested only two days before returning home to California, spending a night just three hours from home. The drive wasn't bad except for the smoke from the fires, and crossing the border from Oregon, all the way to the inspection station, it was black on either side of the freeway - made me cry! And that wasn't even part of the Carr fire in Redding. Only the smoke from that one could be seen from the interstate. There were signs of many fires that had burned at different places all along the interstate. Rain would be a real good thing about now, as long as it wasn't a sustained deluge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were only a couple of days where I felt temperatures were
reasonably cool. One day was spent at the Oregon coast, the other was
the day at Yellowstone. Everywhere was hot, hot, hot, and Kansas had
60%+ humidity while we were there. On the return, we spent the last
night at La Grande, OR. 106-degrees at 5 o'clock at night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I'm spending my days getting caught up after Marty and Nick "bached" it for nearly a month. Laundry is done and I started in on the kitchen only to promptly clog the kitchen drain after putting very old sauerkraut down the garbage disposal...who knew? Marty tried, but didn't have the necessary equipment to clear it so called in a plumber and $145 later, good to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the 24th or 25th Marty heads to Colorado to comply with his late father's wishes for his ashes to be scattered near Steamboat where he had spent much of his life; same time as my sister plans to drive down for a visit for a week and which is the same length of time as Marty will be gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nick will be starting his school year again soon. He continues to work at the pizza joint and seems to be happy there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is probably enough update for now. Perhaps there'll be a picture or two in the days or weeks ahead when I take the time to download from my phone and camera to see if any are clear enough to post...taking photos from a car speeding at 80-mph or more isn't conducive to good photography!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-64217674012693426572018-01-29T15:42:00.000-08:002018-01-29T15:42:22.738-08:00Missing Winter<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sure there are many of you out there who would argue and say you'd LIKE to miss winter, but for us out here in SoCal, we've had a very mild, all-too-warm, winter. Today is pushing 80ºF. I'm hoping that after this next 10+ days of heat-wave, pushing toward 90ºF, we might get some cooler temps, but that may not happen. We've only had one really good rain storm hit all fall and winter to date...not good! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hot days of summer 2018 are coming in early. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier today, I took some material out to the compost bin, stopped to check on the hummingbird nest outside my kitchen window and discovered it has one egg in it. I'd not seen the hummingbird working on the nest nor sitting in it so was a bit surprised to see an egg. A short time later, she was sitting on it. I've had at least two individual hummers hanging around since summer, so have kept the feeder going with a minimal amount in it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also noticed the daffodil/narcissus stems are coming up and have a bud or two showing. The neighbor's ornamental pear is also starting to bloom, the jade plant had just begun to bloom a few weeks before Christmas and is now covered in little white flowers, and the little purple violet plant near my front door has several blossoms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Genealogy, and paper de-clutter projects have been filling most of my time in recent weeks - there's much to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even going to Road 2 California with my friend Panda and another very nice lady I met for the first time, hasn't sparked me to get back to much quilting. The projects are sitting there, making me feel guilty that they're neglected, but still...just sitting there. Oh, and R2C was actually a LOT of fun with these two gals, but yowza, my aching feet and back by the time the day was over - so, so out of shape!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too many places have become over-cluttered while I've neglected to deal with them the past few <b>years</b> and now even my son Nick is pestering me to 'clean it up Mom'. </span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-33159107928461087472017-12-18T09:49:00.000-08:002017-12-18T09:49:30.448-08:00No Urgency<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's exactly one week from Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've not bought even one present.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What to get anyone - I've no clue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About half of my Christmas cards are mailed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About another half is waiting to have an additional item included.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there's those that I need more cards for; I ran out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are no gifts in the mail to my grandkids in another state.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They received last year's when they arrived here in May of this year...not even wrapped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once upon a time, I was <b>very</b> good at getting things done in a timely manner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My head tells me, "You need to get on the ball.".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have NO sense of urgency...but I suppose I must head out the front door, and face the crowds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-57884492545784199992017-11-23T20:20:00.002-08:002017-11-23T20:20:53.389-08:00THANKS-giving<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By now, I suspect most everyone has finished up their Thanksgiving
meals. I would hope, and pray, that all have had a safe day, filled with
love and gratitude for all they have, whether it be a little, or a lot. My family has been
blessed beyond what I'd have dreamed as a child and a young adult. I will never forget those very lean years and the struggles they held. For
that, I am very thankful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday, I wasn't much feeling that way, and it carried into most of the morning too. I wasn't feeling thankful, or grateful, or appreciated, and wasn't much in the mood or mindset to prepare a regular meal, let alone a feast for my little family of three. The holiday blues were upon me big time. It hits me every year, and it's a struggle to stay cheery and motivated all the way through to the new year. Earlier in the week, I had gone to the store and purchased a whole turkey, which of course, I cannot cook in my large toaster oven in its whole form (it's now been five years since I've been able to) and so I had planned to cut it into pieces and cook the breast portion, and freeze the rest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night I made sure my kitchen was cleaned of all dirty dishes, and this morning put them away. I still wasn't feeling much motivation, but after spending time in God's word this morning, had made a list of foods, and set to it. First I boiled some eggs for deviled eggs - darn eggs wouldn't peel for anything, but still I managed to make them 'good enough' and Nick watched me as mixed up the yolk ingredients, put it into a small plastic bag, snipped the corner and piped it into the eggs. He was impressed :) so that helped. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The turkey had been dissected, parts in the freezer, some bones, wing tips and such in pot of water boiling for soup later - I completely deboned the breast. I had made stuffing, which I prefer cooked in the bird, but had to find a way to do that without a bird cavity and still have it, and the breast fit into the very small covered roaster that fits in my toaster oven. I mixed up a whole package of store-bought stuffing (Mrs. Cubbison's I think) with lots of butter, some broth and of course onion and celery, lined the roaster with foil and with cheesecloth, laid down a good layer of the stuffing, and then seasoned the breast and placed it atop the stuffing. And I didn't take a single picture of this process! before or after! It ultimately turned out well. The stuffing was a little more moist than I prefer, but I'd also put some of the stuffing in a separate baking dish and fit it alongside the roaster - amazing they both fit in the oven! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other sides were mashed potatoes (butter, cream, cream cheese), gravy, whole green beans with bacon, niblets corn from a can, Cheddar Bay biscuits, cranberries both jellied & whole from a can, the deviled eggs. I'd spent maybe 4 1/2 - 5 hours in the kitchen on my feet, having sat down only a couple of times for about 5 minutes each, cleared and set the table. We enjoyed our feast, I filled up my plate, looked at it and said "I don't know why I put so much on my plate, I'm not hungry" and I wasn't, but I ate all that I put on my plate. Less than 30 minutes later, we were done, I got everything put away and washed up, and then put a Claim Jumper frozen Dutch apple pie in the oven. By then, I could hardly move. I took an Aleve-equivalent, and went to my craft room to rest a bit and check social media. Went back down and put the crumbly stuff on the pie for the last 10 minutes of baking, handed the timer to Nick, and told him to take it out when it went off, and as I'd been so uncomfortable sitting in my chair, went in and laid down for a nap. Over an hour later I got and felt a whole lot better, but still somewhat tired. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While eating dinner, somehow we got on the subject of concerts. Kicking it around, and talking about where to go for concerts - Nick's never been to one - I mentioned Las Vegas, and that way back in time, like in the early 1980s, my first husband and I had gone to LV and I don't even remember who we were seeing, it was a dinner lounge show or something, that required you to buy dinner. So we had the prime rib. It was served with the usual including horseradish. What I DO remember is, the then husband, without testing the horseradish first, put a huge blob on his piece of meat, which went promptly into his mouth, and which he nearly spit out as it was the hottest horseradish one has ever had. For some reason, today, it just seemed funny as could be...it wasn't at the time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will probably spend the rest of what remains of the evening, watching TV and working on genealogy. Nick is in his room doing whatever he does there, and Marty's downstairs (I think) watching football or the political talking heads. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-60421924131030297772017-10-08T15:59:00.001-07:002017-10-08T15:59:38.528-07:00<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With the passing of Marty's dad on September 18th, I thought I'd share some information and photos of him and his family. "Richard" was a very independent man. His mom passed away when he was about three due to complications from a burst appendix. Four years later, his father passed away from leukemia. Upon his mom's death, he and his older brother went to live with his mom's sister and her husband. In a paper Richard had written, he said that during the time between his parents' respective deaths, he only remembered his dad coming to visit a couple times. The reasons are not known, but I'm sure the absence of both natural parents had life-long consequences even though his aunt and uncle were good people and cared for him and his brother greatly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He graduated high school, joined the Navy during WWII serving aboard the USS New Mexico. The ship was engaged in a battle at Okinawa where it was hit by kamikaze planes. Over 50 of his crew-mates immediately surrounding him were killed and over 100 wounded, but he survived with only bruises. Upon returning to civilian life, he went on to college and entered the work force becoming instrumental in developing FAX transmission machines. He married, had three children and later divorced and never remarried. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkH39K6n8GVmXwMIa4bf_aImUlUnprfDf_BvLP3N2d2tYbNsM8UAUAt4sVPLFHBgQqo8j52CkvN60FEVFxRhOtTc63KghrulqD5PBiLJx7PoAoh3wQiiaTigqWGZBn5uOAtyaB3MZARrY/s1600/0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1104" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkH39K6n8GVmXwMIa4bf_aImUlUnprfDf_BvLP3N2d2tYbNsM8UAUAt4sVPLFHBgQqo8j52CkvN60FEVFxRhOtTc63KghrulqD5PBiLJx7PoAoh3wQiiaTigqWGZBn5uOAtyaB3MZARrY/s320/0009.jpg" width="220" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">ca. 1926/7</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Fred" & "Richard" ca.1929/30</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaFraPFrFbPj8EpR99m3bDIV7fUKhCw3bnIqltvrMq5GYfxjs9AwbG1F3thtdEhBnaPpV2GSo7zCbphbwcq5adZ-USWHuvwMPUwnPeZ9xPiEZh83wfvDHOh_jdTpvl4M-DgmM0OGMvHU/s1600/0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1190" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaFraPFrFbPj8EpR99m3bDIV7fUKhCw3bnIqltvrMq5GYfxjs9AwbG1F3thtdEhBnaPpV2GSo7zCbphbwcq5adZ-USWHuvwMPUwnPeZ9xPiEZh83wfvDHOh_jdTpvl4M-DgmM0OGMvHU/s320/0021.jpg" width="237" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Richard" with his aunt & uncle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MvV4_Bi1aJ636JgyPDqWeK4SszlJ2ejWDrRKF5lEsKKnIcVHvkMc4ojcGA9tH_mAMZR5LNo5h1MSrEqtaX7g7KVJveK0u0cyb1hNqo2v1-NkBjzEIWnt0sxfgdvvkJSdi3x027GG0Ig/s1600/0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MvV4_Bi1aJ636JgyPDqWeK4SszlJ2ejWDrRKF5lEsKKnIcVHvkMc4ojcGA9tH_mAMZR5LNo5h1MSrEqtaX7g7KVJveK0u0cyb1hNqo2v1-NkBjzEIWnt0sxfgdvvkJSdi3x027GG0Ig/s320/0023.jpg" width="255" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Richard" in Navy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8LuUobblAE0gGqSSDWU2kfhYIdUGZEoAJ_e-GWp5zMqdf_IR1HCHV3pu0Dw5ekIgcKw3piocoh4rWCFWCoOuuHTHL21DrO4LQEFLxMoep0gqFn9QvOGAlTGXjWpPCpY3Ga6nvz10oFE/s1600/0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8LuUobblAE0gGqSSDWU2kfhYIdUGZEoAJ_e-GWp5zMqdf_IR1HCHV3pu0Dw5ekIgcKw3piocoh4rWCFWCoOuuHTHL21DrO4LQEFLxMoep0gqFn9QvOGAlTGXjWpPCpY3Ga6nvz10oFE/s320/0034.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">USS New Mexico after being hit by kamakazes (photo taken from USS Wichita) 12 May 1945 Richard said he was between the forward superstructure and the stack, about 40 feet from point of impact.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcaO4Oey-QEposSYDSc5HUom1uX0k9op0bxbD_VdySRR9VmQX1h9CcJZlC0t3kf2VzUuBpwZ6wXqRKWBqD_BltETlO0_zBFJRNP0VprEJM7Ygliy2m7LcpdLRP23MfTT_246yb7YMUXQ/s1600/0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcaO4Oey-QEposSYDSc5HUom1uX0k9op0bxbD_VdySRR9VmQX1h9CcJZlC0t3kf2VzUuBpwZ6wXqRKWBqD_BltETlO0_zBFJRNP0VprEJM7Ygliy2m7LcpdLRP23MfTT_246yb7YMUXQ/s320/0052.jpg" width="257" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Richard" and "Alice" on their wedding day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxakNfcentOrfjXIqi481mYnrrCHlWn9aUZXi0RW-sY7KazgAoiBHP8loKnGbbD_egueB2MUQlhV2IS91fmbt9pNhdmFB61r_1Ln53OJ0uNOHxM9S9wAyAteXgkiXa-bJvhXzaZqpbvQ/s1600/0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1238" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxakNfcentOrfjXIqi481mYnrrCHlWn9aUZXi0RW-sY7KazgAoiBHP8loKnGbbD_egueB2MUQlhV2IS91fmbt9pNhdmFB61r_1Ln53OJ0uNOHxM9S9wAyAteXgkiXa-bJvhXzaZqpbvQ/s320/0107.jpg" width="247" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Fred" and "Richard" with their mom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8Shqf-fVsaBKTtXD8huo7Ncx9LVvIBRnSbbNh5d66VICmPWoAV7huZYDwr96s3ryhyrvAJ21PZXFfwnEGTYVr4zdqxEVuFnBPOWVXZvjSq0sMLJpeHdleLW1iATgBVmLptk34mD91OU/s1600/0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8Shqf-fVsaBKTtXD8huo7Ncx9LVvIBRnSbbNh5d66VICmPWoAV7huZYDwr96s3ryhyrvAJ21PZXFfwnEGTYVr4zdqxEVuFnBPOWVXZvjSq0sMLJpeHdleLW1iATgBVmLptk34mD91OU/s320/0220.jpg" width="191" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Fred" and "Richard" with their dad</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq9Yf-XGJ_Npl0lXHdxTQXkPG1KCgCpIenEihiwBLognLeKPp4VnlJZOuUHOlsdDfRpZHYewWOcUPsjWjtXLJUW2GsdC031JqFtUM8iuh5Vp91bZfAlO5uliq_zfGzRKLS2PiWlQas9I/s1600/0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq9Yf-XGJ_Npl0lXHdxTQXkPG1KCgCpIenEihiwBLognLeKPp4VnlJZOuUHOlsdDfRpZHYewWOcUPsjWjtXLJUW2GsdC031JqFtUM8iuh5Vp91bZfAlO5uliq_zfGzRKLS2PiWlQas9I/s320/0221.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Richard" with his maternal grandparents. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Richard's early life was spent in Colorado. He returned there for a time later on and was there for a family reunion in 2002. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As his family was in Colorado for a number of years in the early to mid-1900s, along with his wife's family, I researched online for Colorado records. One source I came upon is the <a href="https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/">Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection</a>. This site is free and I located a lot of small-town tidbits that gave insights into who the family visited, how they spent their time, what relatives came to visit, hospitalizations, and school activities and events. I found information on some marriages, some deaths, but surprisingly little on births. We even discovered that "Fred" had a first wife, which Marty didn't know or remember ever hearing about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hope you enjoyed this very brief journey of a man who, as Frank Sinatra sang, did it (his) way. He had a good life. He had a long life. We will miss him but will remember the times we shared in his life. Ten years ago we thought he was not going to make it after an illness incident, but after three months of care, he regained his strength, rebounded and went on his way living alone until he was gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today is a day of celebration as Richard's grandson, our very own Nick, turns 19. Being the birthday-boy, he gets to choose where we eat dinner. </span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-15115202908183272622017-09-23T12:25:00.000-07:002017-09-23T12:25:20.765-07:00Oh My...It's Been Awhile<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'd have never guessed it's been so long since I updated. Not quite as long on <a href="http://webs-of-threads.blogspot.com/">Webs of Thread</a>, but still, I've not been a good blogger of late.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nick's graduation, along with my daughter's and grandchildren's arrival in May/June and their return home, all went well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nick and I went to Oregon for three weeks during August through Labor Day. We had a perfect viewing location, and clear weather, for viewing the eclipse. It was a sight to behold, and while I initially wasn't all that gung-ho about seeing it (I went to visit family), I'm glad we were there as it was quite impressive. Staying at my aunt's, we weren't faced with traffic issues as her home was right at the edge of the totality zone, so pretty much, we had totality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's always nice visiting family up north, though for Nick, it was probably it bit more boring. He had opportunity to take in the state fair with my aunt and others, but opted to stay at the house. It was a hot day, nearly triple-digits, so I didn't blame him at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While Nick and I went one direction, Marty took a week with a couple of his guy friends and headed toward Wyoming to catch good viewing of the eclipse - they all have a photography hobby. They had a nice time too, except that Marty caught a bad cold, which is still affecting his bronchial tract. It happens every time he gets a cold and will be that way for a couple months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Prior to our respective trips, we heard from the V.A. nurses in Arizona concerning Marty's dad and how they thought that perhaps it was time he transition from independent living to a care facility. There didn't seem to be an immediate urgency at the time, just that it was time to start looking into it. Upon our respective returns home, it seemed that maybe it was somewhat more urgent, so as recently as the 16th Marty said that he might have to temporarily move to his dad's apartment and care for him (his dad was fiercely independent and not wanting to be a burden to his kids and did <b>not</b> want to go to a care home). Marty had spoken with his dad last Saturday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Monday morning we get a call and it was not good news. V.A. hospice nurses had been going to check on & care for Dad several times daily and the first check of the day found him sitting in a chair in front of the TV with his headphones on (he was hard of hearing and had difficulty seeing), where he had expired sometime during the night. He got "his way" and though he had a long life, 91 years, it's still sad to think that he passed alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As Marty has responsibility for his final affairs, we had to make a long trip to Arizona. Nearly a 10-hour drive each way, fighting wind, and emotions the whole way, then determining what to keep from among his few belongings, arranging with the apartment manager to clean & remove for use/donation any furniture and other items that remained, dealing with the mortuary, the bank, the utilities, etc. and some issues that are going to take time and possibly another trip there. He had things set up in a trust, but hadn't updated it in 15 years, so much was no longer valid. If you have a trust, <b>update </b>it whenever something changes! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We arrived home late Thursday night, then I went to a quilt show on Friday, with my friend Panda. More about that over on WOT.</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-1140257580486649202017-05-22T09:05:00.005-07:002017-05-22T09:05:51.826-07:00Exciting Times<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The end of May is rapidly approaching. I need to have done more than I have, but it is what it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tomorrow morning, my daughter is leaving from her home in Texas along with my grand-babies (ages 2 and 6) traveling <b>alone</b> to come for a visit and to attend Nick's high school graduation on June 1st. It will be great to see them, but I'm very concerned about her traveling alone with the youngsters. Her original plan was to drive straight through...a 16-hour drive under 'normal' conditions...I can't imagine attempting that with kids. It's tough enough with my 14-hour straight through to Oregon from here, by myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was able to convince her of the folly in that plan, and they will be spending the first night in Flagstaff, and should get here later in the evening on Wednesday. This all could be delayed a day, but as of last night, she still plans to leave in the morning. This will be the first time I've met my grand-daughter (the 2-yr old), so it is especially exciting. Our house hasn't had little ones in it since Nick was little. Speaking of Nick, he's encountering his final week of high school. Have I mentioned that, while he's academically doing well, school is just something required from life. He's not enthused about anything related to school or his classmates for the most part. He's had NO interest in doing any of the senior activities - no prom, no senior special events. He had NO interest in picking out senior pix, or a class ring, or his announcements. In fact, we just ordered said pix last week after I hounded him to pick a pose. The photos were taken last July and we had online proofs in August! and announcements have sat on the dining room table for weeks. I hope he doesn't regret his lack of interest one day, but this seems to be who he is. School is nothing special to him. He plans to take a year off before heading to the local 2-year college. I've opposed that plan, and have lost the fight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's a Costco shopping day; it's getting late and I still need to shower. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh, before I go, if you're wondering why my daughter is traveling alone with the kids, her husband has too many work commitments right now to join her, though there is a slim chance he may be able to fly in and then drive home with them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-45761422987084140562017-03-24T19:23:00.001-07:002017-03-24T19:23:33.708-07:00Passing Time<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And time is surely passing by! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Having anything worthy of posting about seems to escape me. Or, maybe I'm just not as inclined to post about as much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've not been ill or depressed, nor have there been any problems. Well, except a bit of a water saturation issue between my "new" (now four-year old) bathrooms, but Marty has fixed that...at least that's the hope, and that only occurred during the last couple weeks, not over the last few months of my absence from blogging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A little bit of work has been done on genealogy, but nothing on quilting since my last Webs of Thread quilting post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My aunt visited in January, but I think I covered that on WOT, maybe. The visit was short compared to my visits to her home, but we had a nice time all the same and I'm very happy she came.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spring is here, and our weather is typical for this time of year. Some days get quite warm into the upper 80s and nights are in the 50s or slightly below. We still have some cooler days too, and even had some more drizzle/showers this past week. Spring is my favorite time of year...except for the shedding done by the kitties.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A hummingbird produced two babies in the nest right out my kitchen window and it's already been nearly two weeks since they fledged. What a joy it was to watch them grow! I miss them, but I saw two flying around together in the back yard earlier today and wondered if they were 'ours'. The feeders have been up all but a short time during the winter as we have the hummers year round. I need to get out and clean the outside of the window before one decides to re-use the nest. They really "hit" the window this time, if you catch my drift. I'm still awaiting the arrival of the Hooded Orioles. Soon, I hope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yep, that's been about it around here. Oh, except Nick got his first car. A bright red sports car about 12 years old. He owes us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-37792080861489309222016-12-01T08:47:00.000-08:002016-12-01T08:47:28.940-08:00<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wasn't it just December 1st, <b>2015</b>? Someone please, stop the clock!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">December is usually a tough month for me; depression has a tendency to hit harder, and there are so many more things that need to be done. I'm trying to look at 'brighter' things, and I'm looking forward to my aunt visiting in January for R2C. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Does your area get snow at this time of year? In the 44 years I've lived in this part of the country, we've had snow once. I forget the date, but it wasn't for Christmas. Still, it was a real treat to be able to watch the flakes fall, see it stick, and even play in the small amount we had. Nick was much younger and I had him make a miniature snowman, so he could at least experience once during his childhood. I think it was all of about 6" high. We only had about an inch or two, but what a treat.</span><br />
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★*˚°。°*。°*。★*˚°。°*。°˚°★*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★<br /> ˛°_██_*˚°。°/ <span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/fac/1/16/2665.png" width="16" /><span class="_7oe">♥</span></span> \*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★<br /> ˛. (´• ̮•)*.。*/♫.♫\*˛.*˛_Π_____*˚°。*。°*<span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/f6c/1/16/2764.png" width="16" /><span class="_7oe">❤</span></span>*˚°。°*。°*★<br /> .°( . • . ) ˛°./• '♫ ' •\.˛*./______/~\*˚°。°*。°*°*<span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/f6c/1/16/2764.png" width="16" /><span class="_7oe">❤</span></span> ˚°*★<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> *(...'•'.. ) *˛╬╬╬╬╬˛°.|田田<span class="_5mfr _47e3"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/f6c/1/16/2764.png" width="16" /><span class="_7oe">❤</span></span>|門|╬╬╬╬╬*˚°。°*。°* </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show">The above set of characters may not translate perfectly, but it's a cute scene of a house, snowman, tree, picket fence and falling snow mixed with hearts, stars and musical notes. Whomever created it (I cut & pasted) was pretty smart. Enjoy. </span> Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6697775968519495268.post-48698418896614939472016-11-28T13:59:00.000-08:002016-11-28T13:59:06.349-08:00Dentists<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you dislike going to the dentist as much as I? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Many years ago I had a wonderful dentist, but in the late 1990s he had back surgery and found it too painful to continue working so sold his practice. I'd gone to him for probably 15 years or more. I didn't care for the new dentist-owner, and wanted to find one closer to home so switched to one nearby that a friend referred me to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She was alright but after a couple years I needed a root canal and she was a bit aggressive and managed to break the tip of one of the tools deep into the canal...after extensive efforts by her and another specialist she referred me to, neither were able to extract the tip of the tool so it is entombed in my tooth's canal forever. This ordeal was very off-putting and little or no discounts/compensation were ever given for having to endure the consequences, pain, and time involved in the process. I know things can happen, but this was very traumatic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I think I went back to her just once after that and was just not feeling the love, so decided to change dentists. I was referred by an old acquaintance (reconnected on Facebook) who would travel over an hour to get to her dentist in my area because she felt he was the best. Ironically, his office is in the same building, diagonally one door away from the lady dentist. I have been very happy with him. He is patient, uses far more of the latest & greatest tools, etc. He explains exactly what he's doing all during the process. And he plays 1960s music over the speaker system. I'm just afraid he'll retire and I'll have to find yet another dentist. He's just a couple years younger than I am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today's visit was my bi-annual cleaning, x-rays and general check-up. I had been in a couple months ago for a replacement filling that went very well. This time, it seems that a very old crown should be replaced. Not that the crown itself is failing, but given its age (it was put on by that first dentist back in the late 1970s or early 1980s and had popped off once since then needing to be reseated) there's a gap at the edge of the crown where it covers the remaining part of the tooth at the gum, and he thinks it would be best to replace it with one that sits much lower to the gum, so that will be done on Wednesday morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What's bothering me at this point is less about replacing the crown - I know they don't last forever but why are they so blasted expensive?? I have insurance that covers just over half but the half out of my pocket is almost as much as what we pay for a year's worth of property insurance. And property insurance is due in a couple weeks...and Christmas is coming...it's the costliest time of year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I was driving home, I was thinking how nice it would be to just be able to go to the dentist and have my two cleanings per year and be told "all is well, see you in six months". Maybe I'm just at the age where dentists, doctors and insurance companies get more of my money than anyone else :/</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454690665258566957noreply@blogger.com0