Lots of change

Oh my. Lots of things to report.
I am thinking that Home Improvement is an allegory for everything else in life. There is expectation, planning, imagining, then action. As you implement the plan there are always little surprises, some big surprises, some good, some BAD. These surprises, especially the bad ones make you realistic about your dreams, your imagining. It is a reality check, and jerks you into problem solving mode. This is where philosophy comes into play. You have to decide where you can compromise, and where you cannot. The Zen of Home Improvement is about ethics versus budget. Then, when things start to really happen you see your work and your plan in a different way. The sense of accomplishment grows, and you start to examine and rejoice in your handywork. You remember the plan and the hours of imagination and pitt that up against your real work.

The floor is in! On Saturday the flooring was installed, I was beyond relieved! and impressed. The pic does not do justice. It is beautiful. Even and beyond solid. The room feels so strong now with that floor. There are 2" staples going through the wood to the subfloor and even into the joists to anchor it to the structure of the house. When it is finished, I think it will be just perfect.

Then came the "surprises". As it turns out, the wall underneath the window (the one where the table will sit) was done with plywood! Plywood! Great. Dad and I just could not let that stand. So we ripped it out, having to move the window sill (technically the sill snub) to get at it and found "surprise again" more doggone termite damage. Old damage, but the wood just crumbled in our hands. So, we could not let that stand, (or fall, as it were). So, we replaced 2 studs and 2 cross studs under the window. The actual sill of the window was water damaged to the point that I am now going to purchase a new window. It is not something I want to do myself. It will take me hours, (like 5-6) to fix it ourselves...so contractors have been contacted for bids.

Skip to Wed. Appliances arrived! W/D, Microhood, and dishwasher. No stacking kit, somehow it did not get ordered...so tonight, another trip to Lowes. Another surprise...

Final surprise of the day...the crown molding was not with my order! The kitchen designer did not end up putting it in the order, so it never arrived. ARG! As you might imagine, you have to know the molding to decide how far away from the ceiling to hang the cabinets. So, off to the store again. Got it figured though, I will order the molding in the morning. Dad made a template of the molding, and we think it will work.

Here is a fun surprise...a whisp of old wallpaper. Isn't that fun? I love to try to imagine what past iterations of the room may Then after lunch, we hung 3 cabinets. The first one was the doozie! It had to be right, or all of the others will be out of whack. It is pretty exciting to have 3 of them up. It is the place where you imagination comes to reality.

Nina seems to approve of our efforts! She has offered to help with the installation, but without opposable thumbs...and all of that fur, the screwdriver just keeps falling out of her paws. She has decided to be the foreperson instead.

We are on our way!