The Kitchen is funtional!!!!

So last night I christened our kitchen and was able to cook, bake, refrigerate and use running water and lights in the same location- it was fabulous!!!!! As you can see the counter tops are installed (a very easy process) and the cabinets and drawers have all been put back on. The handles are still missing, they look very tired in comparison to the new finish on the cabinets (thanks to absolute powder coating) so we are in search of refinishing the handles or finding new ones. The other accomplishments include: the faucet, garbage disposal and dishwasher are working, the fridge is going and the freezer is making ice and the stove and microwave work very well (all though the microwave has a lot of buttons I still need to figure out).
I started getting anxious last night to use the kitchen and started to turn a little psycho, but quickly recovered with a time out (aka shower) and then went to the store to buy groceries. Upon my return I cooked way too large of a meal for 8:30 at night, (steak w/onions and mushrooms, garlic bread, noodles, corn on the cob, salad w/marinated cucumbers, and brownies) but as we sat on a sleeping bag in the living room watching a M.A.S.H. marathon we enjoyed every bite. It feels so good, each day we step closer and closer to having our home take up more space than the construction zones.

I also decided to refresh the look of the blog. Let me know if you have something you liked to add to my "Have you seen" list.

mastering the master

so the tile in the master bath is finished- YEAH! but i don't have those pics yet- so here is the tiling in progress. and what the master floor looks like.

the library

the library is just about done- the lights and fans are in- along with the floor. just waiting to hang the doors on the bathroom and the utility closet. later down the road we'll paint the brick.

In the kitchen

it's not functional yet but it's on it's way. we have our counters and appliances. we just need to install the counter tops and put the drawers and cabinet doors on and then finish hooking up the plumbing. just a couple of loose ends and we'll be cooking with appliances other than a rice cooker and a crock pot- YEAH!!!!

here's a close up on the counter top- it scared some employees at Lowe's but our neighbor josie confirmed it was a good choice- she said it was so cool. i agree.

wah wah wah

wah wah wah- you never update your blog. well I'll show you something to cry about- example one: my blood blister :

and I received said blood blister while installing (please use the Rod Rodney Price is Right voice while reading) our neeww floor!!!!!
yes we finally started the last bit of flooring in the house and here's how it went down:

example 2 of pain- the back of my knees. I used knee pads one day and they caused more harm than good. the straps ripped into my skin and caused nasty blisters. for the sake of Maggie I am very glad that I did not have the chance to install the floor before she and Dutch got married.

After two days of pain I borrowed the best tool ever from Cyndi. I highly suggest gardening kneeling pads to anyone who has to install flooring. They cushion your knees or your bum- they work anywhere you need them and they do not cause blisters.

The floor is officially finished!!! I just have to finish taking the pictures. It looks amazing and it means that all floors (except for the foyer) are complete- YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!