Happy Valentine's Day!

I have to confess, we aren't much on romantic mushiness. In 11 years, I think Ben and I have given each other 2 cards. So, instead of longing glances across a candlelit table, we tore apart our kitchen. And since the kids are at their grandparents and I have nothing to report, you'll get to hear all about it!

We started Saturday and really got a lot done. I was pretty proud of ourselves. Our contractor arrived at 1 and worked with us until 5:30. We tore down tore down the kitchen counter bar, tore out drywall, removed studs, took a trip to Lowe's, and put up new headers so the ceiling won't fall down.

We were proud, but very tired at the end of the day. And sore, oh so sore. Ibuprofen is a life saver.

Sunday, Ben got an early start. Well, earlier than me. I slept until noon. Ben cut down some more drywall and put up another header all by himself! I was very proud. Our contractor arrived at 1pm, and we finished framing a wall. The big issue was trying to create a corner from an oddly shaped intersection so the dry wall would do on flush. That took a good bit of discussion, figuring, and trial and error. We didn't have much to do though, so we were finished by 3:30.

In the end, we have everything ready for the electrician to come this week and move outlets, light fixtures, and light switches. Once that is done, the inspector comes to okay it. Then we can re-dry wall, fix the counter and Phase I will be complete. Hopefully, all this will be complete when the girls return on Sunday or Monday. (I am going down Wednesday to spend the night and then leaving Thursday to go all the way to my dad's. we will return either Sunday night or Monday early afternoon.)

Phase II will involve choosing the cabinets and counter tops and new floors.

Phase III will involve new carpet - hopefully.

I'm actually pretty pleased with ourselves. Ben and I aren't really that great on our follow-through-ness. We have great ideas, but frankly, sometimes we can be a little lazy. But we did it! We actually did it. We are really happy too. We love the way things look so far and are so excited about the upcoming finished project.

Here are a few pictures so you can visualize what we have been up to!

















































So - the fridge has now been moved next the the sink counter (where a wall used to be). The wall will be drywalled behind it.










The new cabinets and counters will now run from where the fridge was to where the bookshelf is. The bookshelf represents where another cabinet and bar will be.




The table will be on the other side of the bar in the new "eat-in" kitchen area.