Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Hellllooo, Newman!

Ok, so I admit, I've been slacking on the blog (or at least that's what my contractor tells me!). But I've been busy! Running errands and getting grout that our contractor demanded (being very sarcastic here- he's not demanding at all. Just checking to see if he really reads this thing!).

So... where did we leave off in our last episode? We last saw our superhero.... Oh, wait a minute, we're remodeling, not changing the world. Well, kind of.

Yes, when we last checked in on 5112, the wood floor was being set laid down. They had finished up until it hit the bar. The next step was to pour the sub floor for the kitchen and the den. And pour the floor did they! So much so, that *all* the floors are finished (minus the finishing trim work). Can I tell you how amazingly wonderful it looks?! The wood came out even better than I thought it would look.

It's like a ballroom floor in here!

Mike asked us to pick up grout last night, and walking into Lowe's (where everybody knows our name...), I had it in my mind that I wanted a darkly stained grout, because the grout we previously had in the kitchen was a light color and got nasty dirty in high-treffic areas. After being re-assured by the guy at Lowe's that as long as we seal the grout it won't stain up, I to the Ivory colored grout. Seeing the finished product today, I'm super happy that we went with the lighter color- see the pictures below!

Kitchen

Den

Our cabinets arrived on schedule yesterday and they are *so* purdy! Just having a corner unit with a lazy susan (which is big enough that I'm convinced Ledder could fit and go for a ride!) alone is reason to celebrate. I think I stuck my head in one of the drawers for about 5 minutes enjoying the fresh new wood scent. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

'Cabinetry', not cabinets...

Oh, where was I? So, the major flooring is complete. It's time to let the grout cure and then.... drum roll, please.... the cabinets get installed on Thursday. AND, the refrigerator (#2 for those that are keeping score) gets plugged in too! If anyone is free around 5pm Thursday, come over for a celebratory beer- there will definitely be some celebrating going on! The cabinets will be finished and the microwave and range will be running on Friday. By the end of this week, the transformation of the house will be *this* much closer to being finished.

Did I mention we had a minor set back today (guess you can't win them all)? The new door that we ordered last week arrived damaged (and with the wrong glass inset). So Mike ordered a new one that should be in a few days, and will probably get installed next week. Luckily the old door hadn't been removed yet!

We are looking forward to moving back home this weekend, too (although we'll miss you Mark and Sarah)! We'll be spending a majority of the weekend painting before the furniture goes in. Unless we find something different, we've chosen two Ralph Lauren colors- Eucalyptus for the living room and Faded Silk for the den. If there's time this weekend, we hope to paint the hall and the bathroom. Just walking around the house tonight made me feel like we're in a completely new home!

I promise to post at the end of the week, once the cabinets are in. And if you're around the WP area Thursday night, drop me a line and come on over! I figure festivities will start around 5pm. We have much to toast: Good times, good work! And if you can't make it, plan on the open house party TBD.