It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Kitchen...

I'm typing this post from my phone, so I apologize in advance for errors.
I think today will mark the final day of construction, and I'm almost a little sad. I have loved having my Dad here for this long, and words cannot express how thrilled I am with the almost finished product. Here are some pics from yesterday. Needless to say, its a different place.

Things Are Shaping Up

Lots of tile work was done on Wednesday and I love the new floors. Today they finished the tile, did some painting, and then installed the upper cabinets. To say I am excited would be a total understatement. I am THRILLED with the way things are shaping up. Here are a few pics:

I also love the lighting and the beams painted white...super bright and clean ( for now! )

More to come soon!

Progress!

I'm pretty much amazed by what that Handy Duo ( Dad and The Mr. ) have done in the past four days. After discovering there was much more sheetrock work to be done than they had originally accounted for, they spent much of the day Saturday working on replacing the walls around the cabinet area. All of the cabinet mess from the garage disappeared as well, with a little help from our good friend, BD.

Here are some Saturday pics ( not sure if we can thank humidity or dust for the fine photo quality):

On Sunday, they taped and mudded the sheetrock and started building the new fur down, which is the small dropped portion of the ceiling that closes the gap above the cabinets. I know a lot of people leave them open, and decorate the tops of their cabinets, but I prefer this finish even though it will cut down on my tchotke collection.

So, here are some Sunday Funday pics:

There is a certain mug shot quality to Dad's expression here.

On Monday, while I worked, they did some electrical work, which resulted in nine new recessed lights on the vaulted ceilings, and wiring for the three island pendants.

Thank God he still loves me after all this hard work.

And I think they are pretty fond of one another, too.

The Hunger Games

So, you ask, what does one do without a kitchen for an extended period of time?

They turn their laundry room into one, duh!

I feel incredibly domestic now. As I wash, iron, and fold all The Mr.'s clothes (total lie), I can also make coffee, and a fresh, hot breakfast. In the same room. At the same time.

Bet you haven't seen that on Pinterest.

So here's the set-up.

Not too bad, if you ask me. I've brought out every small kitchen appliance we own for this event, and I even purchased this bad boy.

The card in the middle is inviting me to join their special club for Oster Double Burner owners so that I can get special recipes. Really?

And this is what the pantry looks like now, although slightly more organized than usual.

So, no, we aren't starving or eating out every night, but are instead doing some in-home camping for the time being. And honestly, it's not too bad. In fact, I can smell our Sunday pot roast cooking as we speak.

Let The Games Begin...

When we purchased our "big kid" house in November 2009, there were many reasons we fell in love. I wanted a separate formal space and The Mr. was fond of the manly wood-paneled office. We loved the neighborhood, the privacy, and the fact that there was still a lot to be done. Yes, we are gluttons for punishment.

We knew the biggest overhaul would be the kitchen, and now, almost three years later, we are tackling it. After months of planning, drafting and re-drafting of prints, and numerous calls and e-mails to our Construction Extraordinaire, aka my Dad, we started our project on Friday. To give you some background, this is what the kitchen looked like the day we bought the house:

And within four months, it looked like this. One can only handle so much bright red wood stain and unfortunate wallpaper for so long.

I loved our interim fix. The Mr. picked the cabinet color and was quick to remind everyone who complimented us that he chose the paint. I'll admit, he got it right.


And then I came home from work on Friday to find the kitchen looking like this:

With this in the garage:

And these two handsome dudes taking care of business:

If anyone can do it, they can. So, in the spirit of the Olympics, I say, "Let the games begin!"

Alabama

A lot has happened since the last time I blogged...

A series of major tornadoes hit the great State of Alabama last week, leaving thousands homeless. As it happened, I watched on TV, knowing that the storm was coming closer and that at any time I would lose power. As I watched it swirl above Tuscaloosa, my heart ached and for the first time in my life, I felt a little afraid of the weather. Keep in mind -- I grew up on the Gulf Coast, where hurricanes are a part of life -- but for some reason, this one really got my attention. Along with my Mother and the pets ( The Mr. was in Canada ) we took shelter in one of the guest bathrooms. I could hear the sounds outside and worried about what we would find when the door was opened. To my surprise...nothing more than a few limbs. We had escaped the worst of it, but I knew that we were indeed lucky.

In the days following the storm, I spent countless hours at the Junior League of Birmingham's Bargain Carousel ( my placement and something I am passionate about ). The stories of tragedy came from all walks of life, and on a number of occasions, I found myself slinking off into a corner to dry my eyes. One person after the next, all weekend long, recounted their tale. And amazingly, no matter the scale of their loss, they each ended by saying, "But we were lucky.".

And indeed they were, just as I was. For the storm had passed, left its mark, and moved on, leaving us among those who made it through alive. I realized over the past week that one's life can change in an instant - a split second - and for that, we should spend each moment treasuring our fortune of friends and family. I was, and am, moved to tears by what this state has endured, but I am reassured by the constant and abiding spirit of good hearted people, willing to lend a hand. For it must have been that same spirit that Julia Tutwiler spoke of when she wrote our state song so many years ago, adding these lyrics:

Little, little, can I give thee,
Alabama, mother mine;
But that little -- hand, brain, spirit,
All I have and am are thine.
Take, O take the gift and giver.
Take and serve thyself with me,
Alabama, Alabama,
I will aye be true to thee

What You Don't Know...

Aside from the updates about Charlie Sheen , my favorite part of US Weekly magazine is the section entitled "25 Things You Don't Know About ( Insert Celebrity Name Here )".

I really liked Martha Stewart's. She told us that she enjoys rap, but specifically Eminem. She also informed us that she carries fresh lemons with her when she travels - because who doesn't? Oh yeah, and she used to trap muskrats as a child.

That Martha is one well-rounded chick.

All of this led me to think about what I would include in the column should they ask me about my 25 things. And just in case they do, here they are:

1. Most terrifying moment: Watching my mother "dance" with a grizzly bear on skates at a local skating rink. The things that journalists do to get their stories....
2. I hate the word "snack". Not when I say it, but when you do. And don't you dare tell me you're gonna "munch" on a "snack". Ugh.
3. I fiercely believe that people should not co-mingle grocery staples in a marriage. A girl who grows up on skim milk and wheat bread should marry a man of the same ilk. Should he favor whole milk and white bread....well, you're in trouble.
4. I love dance crazes. MC Hammer : Check. Roger Rabbit: Check. Soldier Boy: Check. Dougie: Check.
5. I hate alligators. I cannot emphasize this enough.
6. As a child, I wanted to be one of two things - A) an archaeologist and B) a marine biologist. Then I grew up, realized I hated school, I wanted enough money to pay my power bill, and that both required extensive time in the heat. Nevermind.
7. I've never admitted this outside my family and no offense to those of you who have them, but I really don't like black dogs. No reason. Just don't.
8. I once had a cat named Orangie In The Supermarket. Yes, you called him all four names.
9. I'm distrustful of people who don't eat mushrooms.
10. 7x8 still gets me every time. Here's looking at you, Dad!
11. I was in the Scripps Howard Alabama Spelling Bee in 1995. Losing word: languid.
12. I really enjoy Scrabble ( see #11 ).
13. I like asking the people at Taco Bell about the meat quality EVERY time I go. It evokes a classic response. And it makes my husband laugh until he cries, which is my real intent. Who cares about the meat!
14. I hate haunted houses, hayrides, and horror films.
15. I think chopsticks are useless in America. I believe in the addage of "when in Rome", and to me, Surin of Thailand is not REALLY in Thailand and therefore, I will use my fork, thank you very much.
16. I enjoy reading Shakespeare. It's good stuff.
17. I almost was arrested in Kindergarten for mail theft ( accomplice only...not actual perpetrator).
18. Adults who have obsessions with Mickey Mouse, or any character for that matter, freak me out.
19. I have two pair of glasses- one for "public" and one for "home". The "home" pair are so totally amazingly 1980's nerd that I just had to have them. I, for one, think I look smashing in them.
20. I roll my eyes a lot. Oh wait, you knew that?
21. Favorite Sandwich : Tomato with Mayonnaise, Salt, and Pepper!
22. I've already picked out where I'm retiring and I talk about it all the time, as if retirement is in the near future. Isle of Hope, Georgia, here I come!
23. I vehemently believe in the power of Karma.
24. Not once, but twice, I cut my bangs into spikes in the weeks leading up to Easter. Literal spikes. Nothing is more embarassing than taking communion and having the Priest look at you as if you are from another planet.
25. Some people like to be called "brilliant" or "beautiful". Me? I prefer "efficient".

Did you learn anything? Here's to hoping US Weekly gives me a call -- I'm ready!