We have countertops!

It's true! We have countertops. The process didn't take the two hours that was predicted for the installation, but the countertops were installed today and they look fabulous. We have decided to add an additional backsplash and that will happen on Friday of this week.

After the countertops were installed, Bryan couldn't control his enthusiasm and also wanted to install our new vent hood. The task was no easy project, and lucky his handy nephew, Phil, was here to help us install it. There is still some electrical work to be done, but we tried the unit with an extension cord, and it looks fabulous.

Bryan also wanted to see what our cooktop would look like on this section of counter, so, he set it in place. You can see what our cooktop area will look like in this image - hopefully the gas line will be connected later this week.



Does this countertop look big to you? Well, it should - it's 13 feet, 1 inch long. That's a lot of countertop! The sink is an undermount that has a seemless transition from the sink to the countertop - it's a pretty slick feature.



All this to say, we are making some significant progress on the kitchen and it's a great feeling.

Two weeks!

I'm an Aunt! (Again!)

Hazel May
8 lbs, 10 ounces
22 inches

Suicide Run to Dallas and a Hotel Recommendation

Last Thursday and Friday, Bryan and I made our second suicide run to Dallas to claim the symphony's contrabassoon from the bassoon repair man. The run was aptly named because we were only absent from our Amarillo home for a mere 34 hours.

Yes, we have a kitchen to work on, but sometimes we need to take a break (or more accurately, I need to provide Bryan with an opportunity for a break. This is an even better opportunity when the expenses are covered by someone else, especially work!

Prior to our departure, I browsed online seeking a fun hotel option. I saw that Le Meridien Dallas North was conveniently located near the bassoon repair man. After a quick call to the hotel, I learned that they had a room available online for a mere $75 and that it was a suite - SWEET!

So, I made plans for a fun stay at Le Meridien. The Meridien is a chain hotel trying to be a boutique hotel at a modest price point. We certainly enjoyed our stay at the hotel and learned that if you want a deal, search online - and the day of your arrival and you are bound to find a good deal!



After we checked into the hotel I treated Bryan to his first dining experience at a Cheesecake Factory. Delicious! We had dessert (of course, how can you not?) Silly Bryan ordered chocolate cake, and not cheesecake and I had the wild blueberry cheesecake.

Oh, before we checked into the hotel we saw Bryan's brother Lem at Lem's house.

On Friday, we met Bryan's high school chum, J-Hole. Yep, that's his nickname. J-Hole and his wife Karen are Bryan's pals from way back. Luckily, J-Hole brought some photos to prove that Bryan once had hair. Who knew?

After our leisurely lunch we claimed the contrabassoon and began the roadtrip back home. Midway through our journey the temperature began to drop and folks back home advised us worsening road conditions. Sure enough, once we arrived home the snow began to fall. After a week in the 70s it was time for a weather change. 9 hours and five inches of snow later, Amarillo had another day of winter on the first day of spring. Have no fears, the weather has changed several times since then and the snow has all melted (except for a few piles in our yard!).

Phew, and that's a 36 hour trip to Dallas.

Accent West: Symphony Ball Edition

Ladies and Gents, I have further proof that my husband is indeed a gentlemen. Bryan and I were included in this year's Symphony Ball spread in Accent West. Yes, he cleans up, wears a tux, and ends up in the society pages. Not bad I say, not bad at all. (In fact, this is not the first time!)



Yes, Mom, we will work on getting you a copy of this issue.

Phil's new guitar

Philip bought a new Taylor guitar today. We were lucky enough to be serenaded this evening by the very happy guitar strummin' young man. (We may have had to dodge a button or two).



Congrats Phil, it's a beaut.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

It's another weekend of home remodeling projects. We are ready to begin the finish painting in the kitchen. In an effort to protect the tile in the kitchen we spent a good portion of Friday evening covering every square inch with paper or tape. Bryan was quite fond of the finished product - think of it as our version of abstract art.

We got off to an early start today. Bryan's primary project was applying a primer coat to the interior of the cabinet boxes. The project began and Bryan felt a little loopy - this is perhaps because of the fact that we are using a lacquer undercoat and the fumes are a bit much (even with all of the windows open and several fans to help with the exhaust. I convinced Bryan that it was time to head to the Home Depot (because really, what day is complete without a trip to the Home Depot?) to purchase a respirator. Bryan quickly learned that he was a fan of this piece of equipment and even was now all smiles.


Here Bryan is mixing the undercoat to apply to the cabinets.


Cat enjoyed another rough day resting in the sun. Despite the fact that the screen door was propped open for her she preferred to use the entrance she created in the window screen a few weeks ago. She's so smart.


And really roughing it. :)

Ok, two weeks.

Ok, so maybe we are a few weeks farther into the project than two, but I can assure you that progress has been made on our home.

Last month we were cruising through kitchen rennovations. At the end of the two weeks, Bryan's brother left town for new adventures. Bryan and I were left to finish the project on our own.

So, of course - I had to complicate the situation. After progress had been made in the kitchen we knew we could step it up a notch. We made the decision to texture the walls in the breakfast nook. (The previous texture looked like an unfortunate accident). We had observed Bryan's brother shoot texture on the walls in the other rooms in the house with a hopper - how hard could it be?

And clearly, if we were going to make the mess to texture the walls in the breakfast nook, it would make the most sense if we also textured the walls in the utility hallway and the half bathroom.

Before progress could be made in this scenario there was more demolition in our future.

I was tasked with tearing apart the half bath and Bryan worked on the utility hallway.

Underneath the first layer of painted over wallpaper in the bathroom I discovered this cheery second layer of wallpaper. The paper is so cheery it even has it's own bluebird.


And with the bluebirds are acorns, and oak leaves on a pink background, what was someone thinking?

Did you know that our bathroom used to have a window to a hallway? Why? Even more amusing is that the hallway originally connected to the garage and even more interesting is that the bathroom used to be a closet - so, why was a window needed? We were not sure either. No worries, Bryan fixed it!

Once the wallpaper was removed and the walls were prepared for texture, I set to work removing the linoleum tiles. A heat gun makes quick work of that project.

Today our tile man came to work on the bathroom floor. We have a new ceramic tile floor in the bathroom. He will come back tomorrow to finish the grout work.


The kitchen has seen progress since the last round of photos. The cabinets have been caulked and readied for a coat of laquer primer.


During the February kitchen push we decided to use beadboard instead of tile for the backsplash. This decision created a lot of extra work for our carpenter and expanded the scope of the project. Beadboard was added to several walls and in the breakfast nook to a chair rail level. We also used the old picture rail from the living room to create a chair rail.



Our carpenter left a few projects for Bryan. Bryan has honed his carpentry skills and was able to install this beadboard and crown molding. I think it looks pretty good, don't you?

Maybe in two weeks we will have a finished kitchen.

Two weeks!