kitchen progress

 

This is the "before" picture.  As you can see, the cupboards are custom made with tongue and groove cedar.  We did not want to replace them with all new cabinets, as the layout is great, and the 'carcasses' are good two side 3/4 inch plywood, and not pressboard or crap wood substitute that modern cupboards use.  Of course, we are in the midst of this renovation, so here is a picture of it in progress on another wall.  The new countertops will not be here for 3 weeks.  

 

This is three coats of Zinsser Primer and 3 coats of creamy white semi-gloss paint.  Whew! Lots of work.  At the same time, I am cleaning out the contents of the cupboards, and getting rid of most of the contents.  We do not store food in these cupboards, as we have a huge walk in pantry.  So, how many dishes do you need?  Very little.  We are learning to pare down, pare down and do it again in our preparation for rv'ing full time.

Happy Birthday D!

      Well to some it is Robbie Burns Day and to us it is Donald's birthday!  He has opened his gift from his lovely wife and of course, it was RV related, and all books:

     By Mike and Terri Church: Southwest Camping Destinations, Camping Mexico's Baja and Mexican Camping.
     Trailer Life Directories: 2009 RV Parks, Campground and Services and the RV Road Atlas.

and an RV themed birthday card made by the aforementioned wife:

    
    

Kitchen renovations

     Well, today we started on the last of the kitchen renovation work, in preparation for selling the big house.  D started on finishing the windows and window trim and I have cleaned and washed down one set of upper cupboards.  This afternoon, I will tape and start priming then painting.  I have picked out a nice cream coloured paint, and we picked up some dark antique brass looking knobs when we were at Home Depot. 
     We also ordered and paid for all the countertops, that will be here in about 3 weeks.  We have one window to replace, in the main floor bathroom and that is better than replacing all the windows!
     I know, it makes you tired just reading this.  Just gotta keep that goal in mind --- RV, travel, new friends, freedom ......

Trip to the city for shopping and a break

     We went into Prince George this week for a break and to do a little shopping.  Let's see - we bought a Wii, Wii Sports, WiiFitPlus and board, a Cuttlebug machine for cardmaking, some cardmaking papers and stamps... wait a minute - what did Donald get? Well, he is playing Wii as well.  We managed to go see the new Sherlock Holmes movie - quite good.  The plot was well written, and the acting was well done.  It leads into a sequel and what movie doesn't these days.  Two friends were also in the city at the same time and Lorne and Dan joined us for lunch and the movie later that night.
     There was a trip to Home Depot for new knobs for the kitchen cabinets.  We just have to decide what we are going to do with the cabinets - paint, new knobs, and new countertops OR new cabinets fronts, new knobs and new countertops.  Decisions..decisions. The layout of the kitchen is terrific, the bones of the cabinets are 3/4 inch plywood and not particle board .  I have a new recent huge walk in pantry. So, there is no need to make any structural changes, just updating the tired wooden fronts.  The biggest decision is knowing how much to do or not do with the goal of selling the house in mind.
     It is nice to have a 2 week break from work this week and next!
     Oh yes, we did make a trip to the RV dealer in Prince George and we feel very proud of ourselves - we did NOT get out of the vehicle to walk around and look at the 5th wheels. ( look? gawk... drool... )

Football Sunday and chores

     Yesterday I worked for about 5 hours and now I have two weeks off with banked overtime I have to use up before the end of January.  It will be a nice break since I have not had one since last August.  Donald was busy in the morning measuring up the kitchen countertops in preparation for ordering new ones.  Measure twenty times!!!
     In the afternoon, I made a card for my brother in law's birthday that is coming up on February 14th.  I have a number of cards to make in the very near future.  I think this afternoon may be a nice walk with the Gatorgirl while Donald watches the playoff football games and then I should commence on more card making after that.  It looks like it will be a nice day.
     We had a lovely email and phone call from Donald's sister yesterday - thanks Liz!  Our 20 year old son is having some minor health problems and she called with some welcome advice.  Tomorrow we are going for his one week follow up doctors' visit with him. If all goes well with that, we may go to the city to do some shopping ( looking for a Wii ) and just a break.
     So, not a lot of plans for today, but relaxing just the same.