Okay - now I'm REALLY nervous!

Matt called yesterday afternoon and they are starting on Monday! I'll have to be late for work because he wants me to be there Monday morning when they get there so we can go over a few things. I'll have to take Opie over to Mom's so he doesn't drive them crazy wanting to go in and out. Woo-hoo!!!

I finally took pictures of the painted paneling. I like it more everyday. Ebony just can't stop looking at it! LOL!!

The lighting is ordered!

I have looked through all the catalogs and brochures and come up with the following lights which I love! At least I hope I love them - I haven't seen them up close and personal. I hate ordering sight unseen but these lighting places cannot stock everything. I think they are contemporary yet kind of have that cottage feel too. Let me know what you think.

There will be 3 of these over the island counter.

This goes over the dining room table!

This is my favorite - it replaces that ugly thing in the foyer!!

The waiting is killing me!

Well, I've done all I can do - I'm just waiting on the contractor. I did paint the paneling in my foyer but I haven't taken a picture yet. They called me from the cabinet place on Monday - they're working up the actual building plans! I'm so nervous about all this. I still need to pick out a faucet and get the lighting finalized. I haven't ordered my tile yet for a couple of reasons. One, I'm waiting to make sure I have enough money! And two, I probably need to wait until the cabinets go up so I can get an accurate measurement.

My hands have been killing me! I'm not sure what that is about. I think it's just from the hammering, paint brushing and rolling, etc. It's hard on a woman's delicate hands!!!

Now I'm trying to make arrangements to fly to Disney to attend Retta's cheering competition! It's January 16 through 18. I can get a cheap flight, it's the hotel that's a killer. They have a package deal through the cheering organization which includes transportation from the airport, tickets to the competition and tickets to the Disney parks. I'm considering just doing that. Retta's coach called me yesterday with information as to exactly when they compete, etc. Her coach is pretty amazing - she is married, has two little kids, is a college professor, cheering coach for a college squad and is studying for her doctorate! How does she do all that?

Well, that's it for today all you followers. I'll get a picture of the painted paneling soon! I really like it - it doesn't look so 70's!

Day 4 of Renovation

Day 4 is the last day! Well, not really but all I have left to do is pull drywall nails out of the studs in the ceiling! I didn't get to take another picture of the dump truck but it is full!

After all this, here's me:

You can tell I'm tired - only two pictures this post!

Kitchen design and samples

I'm sure you're all curious as to what the kitchen is going to look like. I was going to make it a surprise but seeing it on paper and seeing it in real life is probably very different. So . . .

This is the cabinet sample - it's Maple with a Wheat finish:

Here is the formica countertop - it's called Labrador Granite (since I can't afford the real thing):

This is the Corian sample - will be on the island, just where the sink and dishwasher are:

And this is what I have chosen as the backsplash tile:

Any comments? (Only praise comments accepted - no negative input, please!!!)

Day 3 of Renovation

I was surprised to find that Matt's dump truck was still in my driveway when I got home from work yesterday. So I ran in the house, changed my clothes, made a frozen dinner in the microwave and got to work. I think I've got the dump truck just about full! I've still got a little more drywall to tear off the walls and the whole ceiling, so that should fill the truck! I'm really sore today - this is a lot of work for an old lady!

Day 2 of Renovation

Day 2 went pretty well. Bryan came to help me. We had an incident with the phone lines but other than that, nothing major. We got all the cabinets out except the sink cabinet and the dishwasher - we need a plumber. I took all that stupid Z-brick off the walls. Now its just tearing off drywall.

Darcy's Kitchen Reno has begun!!

Sunday, October 19th

I have been waiting six years to redo my very ugly 1970's kitchen. The loan has gone through, the contractor has been hired, the cabinets have been ordered, the appliances have been ordered, the floor has been ordered and the demolition began yesterday! I'm doing the demo myself. I worked by myself yesterday and Bryan is coming today to help me ! Thank you, Bryan!

Bryan, Jodi and Eric came a couple of weeks ago and helped me tear out the carpet from the living room, dining room and down the hall. I'm putting in hardwood floors! How exciting is that? Jodi and Eric took the flooring to use in Jodi's house.

Here's the first day of demo: