Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Our Fabulous Kitchen Renovation

Renovating our kitchen was NOT something we had thought about doing but when our daughter Amber suggested that we get our kitchen redone while she is working in that field, she planted a seed that made a lot of sense. She offered to do much of the job at cost, which would be a huge savings. It would be an adventure for her to be in charge of an entire kitchen herself and since she has the tools, the skills and the backing of Elmira Kitchen and Bath the time was now because she is going back to school in September. This turned out to be an offer we couldn't refuse as the pros outweighed the cons. Why this generous offer? Amber loves us and wanted to show her thanks for all we have done for her over the years.

Check out the final photos of our newly renovated kitchen but read further if you'd like to learn about what was before and the adventure we experienced during the process.



So step one was going through the house trying to unclutter, pack up, sort, sell, pitch a lot of stuff we don't need and aren't using. Arthur and I had been talking about doing that for years so now was the chance to put our cards on the table. So a grand clean out ensuded and we listed many items for sale on kijiji and joined in the the Elmira community wide May yardsale weekend. Neither of these venues worked out well, but we did manage to part with a lot of treasures and junk... a good start indeed. One was my much loved but never used piano and another was the old kitchen cupboards. Take a look at our thirty year old kitchen. It was tired and outdated and the finish was getting quite worn. We had never thought of parting with it since it was a solid wood and good quality kitchen but honestly, it is cheaper to replace it than restore it and the design of it was very poor.

So check out this link to see photos of our old kitchen before the renovations began.


Step two was the design work. This was worked out over the course of a month in consultation with Amber and by viewing 3D work ups she developed in a special computer program. Here are a couple of sample working plan drawings.




As project manager Amber she did the design work, ordering of materials and doors, assembling and spraying all the cupboards in their shop etc. This had to be done after hours and on weekends around other jobs being done in her shop. She guided us in making many decisions along the way such as design layout, cupboard colour and profile, hardware, type of sinks, tap choices, counter tops, lights, Lazy Susans, towel racks, spice racks, appliance cupboards, type of hinges, self closing doors and appliance placement. She also arranged for cupboard installation and did follow up on trim work and other fine details.


Arthur helped her build the boxes in the shop but his main job was getting the house ready and doing all the grunt work.

Check out the old guy at work and our son in law Matt helping out.

In the process we had to replace a huge floor (hall ways, bathroom, laundry room as well as kitchen).  He had to remove everything, scrape up linoleum, take out fridges, stoves, freezer, washer, dryer, toilets bathroom counters, move plumbing and electrical around, remove kitchen cupboards, remove sand and refinish base boards and do the kitchen back splash. Along the way we also ended up scraping off old wallpaper and painting. It has been a huge amount of work and hard on old bodies.


 For the floor we ended up with engineered Congoleum Duraceramic tiles that are actually grouted so look like ceramic but don't have the hardness or coldness. Our goal was to keep the kitchen area as light as possible but have a floor that matched the cupboards and counter top without taking away from them. The floor looks terrific, matches well and does not show the dirt. However I would not buy this product again because it has a matt finish that does not allow things to slide on it. Thus it is hard to move chairs in and out and also push the mop!!! I hope it lives up to the wear and tear the product promises. It was a very hard choice and a big one.

Once the floor was laid, then the cupboards that were prepared in Elmira Kitchen and Bath were delivered and placed in the kitchen, ready for the cupboard installer. As you can see the cupboards are built as boxes then the door faces are attached. We had to order hardware and handles for 55 doors so it is no surprise that they filled up the whole floor area and spilled over into the living room. You will notice the newly installed Congoleum flooring in the first photo.



You might wonder what those black things are sticking out from the cupboard boxes? They are feet that can be adjusted to help level the cupboards which were set in place the next day by the installer. The new fridge and stove also arrived the same day so the lower kitchen was in place ready for the granite people to come and measure up for the counter top which then took about 10 days to prepare.


We had to batch it for about 3 weeks during the time from when the area was gutted to the final plumbing and electrical hook ups. During this time several the floor was laid, the wiring and plumbing were moved, the dry wall was cut and replaced, the cupboards were installed, the granite counter and upper cupboards were installed, the trim work was completed and the sink and taps were installed. For a time there was no water on the first floor or toilet. At one point I was cooking supper in 5 different places; camping stove in garage, BBQ outside, hot water in bathroom, cold water in kitchen, dishes and food in the dining room. With stuff packed away it was hard to find things. The furniture was piled up everywhere. Sometimes it felt like we had bitten off a bit more than we could chew but I now have a much greater appreciation of what is involved in this process and what Amber does at work. Our dining room became our kitchen and headquarters of operations. We used parts of the old kitchen before selling it on kijiji.



There have been tons of decisions to make along the way. It was quite a challenge to find a granite counter top that would work.... not too dark or too light.The one we chose is called Ocean Storm. It has a lot of green and many interesting colours and quartz in it..... looks gorgeous. It was pretty much a guessing game whether this would match the tiles and the cupboards. It was pretty exciting watching the team install it.




Every time we turned around there were more decisions to make and more work to do. I can't count how much research had to be done and how many trips we made to town. Another huge element was timing everything, placing orders so the products arrived in a timely fashion for the next step in the process.

We chose a stainless touch faucet that looks like a swan. It has a magnetic pull up for the double spray tap. We chose double sinks that are the same size. It was interesting to discover that these sinks become an inch and a half deeper because of the thickness of the granite.

We chose a three tiered spice pull out rack unit to go beside the stove. I love, love, love it. There is a huge tray rack over the fridge, a pull out appliance cupboard where the old stove used to be, pull out trays for canned goods and many big pot drawers. Another thing I love, love, love is the pull out, no smell, garbage pail.



There is an upper and lower Lazy Susan in the corner cupboard. The door area has been made as wide as possible for easy access and the lower door swings right back so you can easily use the Super SusanThe cupboard doors are all self closing and quiet closing. We built in the stereo system as well as the microwave. The goal was to create as much storage space as possible and get all the junk off the counters. 

Another goal was to keep the kitchen modern, light, airy and easy to maintain. One of the things we did to make the kitchen pretty was install a lighted, glassed in china cabinet that faces down the hallway so it is the first thing you see when you come in and walk up the hall towards the kitchen. It has German antique glass in the doors and several glass shelves.



Another thing we did to make it pretty was create a small open glass shelf area to display some of my glass collection.

The final step to beautifying the kitchen was choosing a back splash that enhanced but did not take away from the incredible granite counter top. I had trouble parting with my turquoise glass block backsplash which is shown in the old kitchen photo so ended up with glass blocks again. However the new ones are very soft with just a hint of colour. Arthur installed them used a new grout that brings in the light.




Speaking of lights, something else we had to choose. In the pass over area we installed some life time lights that will never burn out. They produce a white light and are on a dimmer switch. Installing the lights under the counter was the final step.

The final step to beautifying the kitchen was choosing a back splash that enhanced but did not take away from the incredible granite counter top. I had trouble parting with my turquoise glass block backsplash which is shown in the old kitchen photo so ended up with glass blocks again. However the new ones are very soft with just a hint of colour. Arthur used a new grout that brings in the light.

You can see how one thing led to another and  grew into a much larger project .... as renovations often go. We now have a new laundry room sink and rugs in our living room. The entire first floor has been repainted and out went the final old wallpaper border in the two upstairs bedrooms which were also repainted.

The renovation has made a huge change in the house which we will get to enjoy, hopefully for several years before we have to sell... and then it will help sell the place. It has brightened up and modernized our dark kitchen. We find ourselves wanting to hang out in there and soak up the ambiance.

We owe a huge thanks to Amber who did so much of this work for us. It sure was nice to welcome people to our home when she got married this August. And of course Arthur used so many of his skills as well. Both of them gave up many more hours of their time than they originally expected. As for me, well maybe I can take credit for some of the creative part, for totting and carrying, packing and sorting, organizing, decision making, taking photos and writing this not so wee piece of prose.



We enjoyed the journey and hope you did too.


So again, here is the final product,  newly renovated kitchen  if you missed the link to them at the beginning of this article.








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Friday, February 28, 2014

65th Birthday Triple Header


ONE SHOULD BE SO LUCKY AS TO HAVE FRIENDS SUCH AS THESE!!!!

Turning 65 is one of those milepost birthdays that some of us are lucky enough to reach. Having survived a 40th and 60th surprise party I was not really expecting anything special for my 65th. 

I was told that I would be picked up at noon and would be gone for lunch and supper on our usual Tuesday bridge day, two days after my birthday. The only other hint I got was that we were going to have a fun day and I should dress kind of flowery. I have been the one to organize events for other bridge ladies with milepost birthdays so I was expecting maybe lunch out and a cake. Little did I know what an incredible day was in store for me. 

Red Carpet Event #1 - Amazing Hippie Party at the Waterpark Condo Room



Well you can see my expression as I walked with embarrassment into the room. I was greeted by a sea of colour and at least 35 smiling faces singing "for she's a jolly good fellow."

Everyone was dressed in a plethora of colour, beads and scarves a la hippiedom......some of the ladies had been collecting from thrift stores and some squeezed into old attire. It was a delight to see my daughter Miranda among them with our new grandson Colby. Her presence was extra special because she was in Austalia and missed my 60th birthday party.

Check this link to see my arrival and the parade of outfits. Check out this link to see the ladies setting up for the party and mingling.

Miranda is wearing my blouse & a leather vest that my parents brought my sister back from Brazil in the 70's.

Check out the décor which was quite psychedelic, thanks to the incredible decorating efforts and hours of work by two talented sisters.


Susan Giesler spent hours making vibrant circle streamers, tissue flowers, tie dyed back drops, thematic displays of hippie clothes and books and table centre pieces. Yes, purple table cloths were in order.


Belinda Burt made some these wonderful five foot high hippie chalk drawings. Munchies anyone? They were posted on the windows.

Steph had organized and set up a gorgeous display of home made pot luck food which tasted as good as it looked. Check out the meal.


How nice that Bev was able to provide us with a helper to clean up and thanks to Lorraine for organizing the room in their condo. We dined by the pool so to speak.


Jean, one of our many teachers made a toast to me via an object lesson featuring cards, stained glass, vans, rings etc. She was too kind. I think we are both kids at heart I was presented with many other riches: a beautiful display of flowers (see link above) in a gorgeous orange glass vase; a card shuffler; a bag of over 60 cards from people in my many groups, all with lovely personal messages, some even  home made; a photo cake organized by Helen Clough, lots of hugs and a substantial monetary gift which will be used for guess what? A ring of course to remind me of so many lovely friends!!! Can't have too many of either.



Jean toasts me with an object lesson and presents cash, a bag of cards and these gorgeous flowers. One was a Bird of Paradise which reminded me of a stained glass piece I recently made.




And then followed the piece de resistance. The ladies gathered round the piano to sing a song Shelley wrote as another toast to me. The song was called "Don't Worry, Play Bridge" and it was sung to the tune of "Don't Worry, Be Happy". It was hilarious!!!! I was thinking 'now what have I unleashed here?' You can tell that they had lots of practice sessions.

Asking Nanci seems to be one of the big themes of the song. We meet every Tuesday to play what we call Discussion Bridge. Every time someone has a problem they call me over for advice. Hopefully you'll find this song to be a great incentive to play bridge!!! 

The above link will take you to a larger and clearer video of the ladies cheerful singing. You can also click below. The video picks up for the last third of the words copied below so feel free to sing along!!! 






Thanks to Shelly for writing the song and sharing your playful era music with us during the party. 





Don’t Worry, Play Bridge   - by Shelley Trueman

(words in brackets in italics are spoken by one person after the sung line)

(Whistling):  oo-ooo-ooo (don’t worry)
                     oo-ooo-ooo (be happy)
                     oo-ooo-ooo (don’t worry, be happy)
Repeat:


Here’s a little Song we wrote,
All about bridge    so Please take note,
Don’t worry   
Play bridge

In every hand    we Have some trouble,
If in doubt           You can double,
Don’t worry
Ask Nanci                   (don’t worry, ask Nanci)

oo-ooo-ooo                 (don’t worry)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (be happy)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (don’t worry, be happy)

oo-ooo-ooo                 (play bridge)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (ask Nanci)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (play bridge, ask Nanci)


Ain’t got no spades,   ain’t Got no hearts
Got no partner    to Bid her part
Don’t worry
Get a dummy             (don’t worry, get a dummy)

Even if you’re    a New bridge kid
You always gotta  have    a Second bid
She told you
She meant it              (she told you, she meant it)

oo-ooo-ooo                 (have a problem?)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (call Nanci)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (need a visit, bring flowers)

oo-ooo-ooo                 (plan a party)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (stain the glass)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (make the coffee, do the dishes)


Go to three,    Pass or double,
You don’t know,    then You’re in trouble.
Don’t worry
Ask Nanci                   (don’t worry, ask Nanci)

You need thirteen tricks   for A grand slam
You only made twelve    Oh! Damn
Play bridge
Be happy                    (play bridge, be happy)


oo-ooo-ooo                 (need to move?)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (want a ride?)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (call Nanci for her van)

oo-ooo-ooo                 (that’s our Nanci)
oo-ooo-ooo                 ( volunteer queen)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (we’re so lucky, she’s the best!)


Count your cards for a Major fit,
If you do,    Nanci’s   Eyes are lit
Don’t worry
Nanci’ll help you       (Nanci will always help you!)

Down one, down two     Three or four?
Am I in my hand or    On the board?
Whatever
Play bridge                (whatever, play bridge)

oo-ooo-ooo                 (play bridge)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (call Nanci)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (play bridge, call Nanci)

oo-ooo-ooo                 (don’t worry)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (be happy)
oo-ooo-ooo                 (we love you, O Nanci!)


So after that we had to actually play a little bridge. Check out the happy faces. For some reason my daughter left at this point.

Oh the memories. I loved all the hugs and happy faces. This was over and above expectations and I was humbled by their giving and joie de vivre. Well as you can see this alone would have been quite enough but there was more in store for the rest of the day.


Red Carpet Event #2 - Crazy Bridge Ladies and Friends take over the Princess Theatre for Private Showing of 'Mama Mia'




Next I was spirited away to the Princess Theatre where the entire place had been rented on my behalf. I had no idea where we were going or what the movie might be until it actually started... and what a great choice.... Mamma Mia!!! It doesn’t get more hippie than that or more happy. I was also delighted to see some new faces in the crowd, some people from Grand River Unitarian, my book club and my other daughter Amber with her boyfriend Matt.




Well we certainly took over the theatre and these crazy women went ape by dragging us down to the front to dance along with Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia. We were given boa’s to wave about and lots of laughter ensued. I might point out that when I was back to the Princess the next day, the manager of the theatre mentioned that they were a bit surprised to see the floor covered in feathers... they wondered what had been going on, had the group perhaps had a stripper in??





It was an uplifting entertaining good vibe feel good movie. What a great idea for a special celebration and a wonderful way to share our love of movies. Thanks to all those who attended that outing. It was so neat to be in a theatre surrounded by so many special friends. Laughing and dancing together... well it just couldn’t get better than that.... or could it?






Red Carpet Event #3 - Birthday Supper at the Bauer Kitchen

No not over yet. I was once again spirited away to the Bauer Kitchen for a delicious meal. And more surprises. Once again some new people from different walks who had not been at the other events were present. How thoughtful to have this evening party as well so those who worked or couldn’t make it to the other events could attend.




The staff were wonderful and efficient and it was a great ambiance. My steak was excellent and now I got to enjoy a glass of wine. Maike read another toast to me, an article she had tried to get published in the Record  and I felt humbled and quietly thankful for such wonderful friends as these.




The ladies again entertained with their “Don’t Worry, Play Bridge, Be Happy, Ask Nanci” song. Now of course we had to have a second cake!!! Oh my this one was also very special as it was made to look like stained glass.... the top layer of fruit was encased in clear gelatin. It was delicious and once again I managed to not blow out all the candles in one breath – a true sign of getting old and not of how many boyfriends I have.



Of course I wasn’t allowed to leave empty handed, snow storm or not. Our car was full of flowers, balloons, left over cake, punch, art work, other presents (imagine someone thought to get me a card shuffler – have been trying to find one of those for years.) Thank you Alicja!!! I also had a huge bag of cards to open..... over 60 in that bag. What a joy to receive such personal remembrances. Thank you so much everyone. Your cards were each different and precious to me. Thanks for all your kind words and personal touches. I love each and every one of you and am so glad you are in my life.

 And of course your gift of friendship is the very best gift of all. You are all such lovely people and isn’t this life’s greatest pleasure, seeing the richness in each other and sharing our joys and sorrows. I am still blown away by all the giving and a bit embarrassed by being in the limelight... your outpouring of love and generosity makes my cup runneth over!!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Oh and I must add an Oscarian touch while I'm handing out thanks. My family also had a party for me the day before my birthday and we had ice cream cake, the world's best spaghetti made by my husband and I got to blow out the candles and open gifts with my four grandchildren. I am truly blessed.







































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