Yesterday, over a couple of heated cups of coffee, brainstorming happened for the Mr. and me as we discussed our current stages of the work in progress.
The discussion was a slightly scary kind of one, ultimately determining who’s the boss of this project, me, or Mr., or the countertop.
We were just a couple of in-love darlings hashing things over.
Not quite yelling. Just raising our voices as to whose ideas are better. Cuz’ we’re going to stay married through this renovation.
Yes, we are.
We have too much invested, and those lights and blinds will get rehung before the project is done.
The discussion was the kind where no matter how many of my ‘what about trying this idea?’ I shared, (as a novice who has no real experience in DIY matters such as replacing countertops), Mr. came back with ‘just hear me out, that’s not going to work, and this is why.’
Me: “It’s really scary to think that maybe we won’t be able to get the new counters installed…”
Logistics…logistics…limited space and appliances in the way…you know, the small details that are a big deal.
Apparently, just because the counters we bought are identical in size to the ones we’re replacing, it isn’t just an easy task to replace them. We (I) didn’t think that through well.
The longest section is 12′ long. Miter joints on each corner and an additional splice on another counter to extend it to 15′ and some inches. And there is no space available to preassemble it all and then place it into space.
Huh, I guess that will be challenging?
I’m not sure how to help. Can I even help? I dunno. Somewhere over a double rainbow, I’m sure a golden idea will pop into Mr.’s head.
I did suggest Googling it, and that helped. Doing so reaffirmed Mr.’s suggestions, not mine, so thank goodness Google came through with a grand plan.
Meanwhile, the new counters are lying facedown in their cardboard boxes, on the floor in two other rooms.
And we’re (Mr’s) pondering how we’ll (he’ll) get them installed. We have about a week or so to wait for the new sink to arrive. The one we ordered and picked up was cracked in the corner – Mr. loaded back into the car, and back to the store it went.
Hopefully, it comes in before the snow flies.
And our ‘3rd one is the charm’ window replacement comes in. There’s no way they can get it installed, there’s too much in the way on the floor.
But…woohoo – I completed the initial painting. And it felt so great to be done with that phase of the project. And the island in the center of the room has its new counter installed, it fits!!! So that felt good too.
So much so, Mr. said to me, “Go ahead, go to the winery with your friends to celebrate!”
So I did. I know how to stay outta the way while he plans.
After a couple of glasses of wine, I bought a couple of bottles of wine…
for Thanksgiving dinner we’re hosting, aka, the deadline for the completion of WIP and the RIP day for the old counters and sink.
Cheers to it’ll fit, won’t it…!
Post Inspiration – Sunday Stills – Something scary and Lens-Artists #69 Seeing Double (check out Tina’s post here) She’s shared some really great seeing double photos!
PS – What project have you done that you underestimated the challenges? Are you ready for November’s arrival? What do you think of my subtle seeing doubles in my photos? Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a wonderful day!!
Hi Shelley, I admire you and the Mr. for beginning this project. You have been married a long time. By now you have found ways to communicate, negotiate, compromise…….the usual buzz words for a “happy marriage.” Thank goodness for Google. Research and someone to blame:) It will all be worth it! Love the photos!
Thank you, Erica. We finally decided that updating our own home instead of one of our rental properties was in order for this year. It’s kind of fun to do together, even with obstacles. I will be glad when it is completed. Thank you for sharing! PS – your tic tac post was so fun. Glad your granddaughter was fine!
Oh my goodness Shelley – you are MUCH more adventurous than I am. I cannot imagine tackling such a project, and I KNOW my husband would feel the same way. Here’s to staying married thru it all LOL.
LOL – thanks, Tina!! It’s fun to compare how we are handling this project now versus how we handled it when we first built. In a fun way – we’re feeling ‘youthful’. The painting was the easy part. 😉 Thank you for the opportunity to play along with your seeing double prompt!
Good luck with it all, that was a huge project to take on 🙂
Thank you, Alice. It’s been interesting. 😉
We have underestimated all projects that we do around here, including having this house built. However at this point I am, by default and disposition, in charge of all home remodeling projects. Also the wine looks intriguing. It was good?
I imagine that if I let my mind wander about all the things that are needed to be done in a project I’d talk myself out of them. We built our house too, so it’s like flashbacks to that time in life as we’re doing it all again. Buying the house twice seems so unright?!
The wine is good – one is too sweet (cherry) and the other too tart (cranberry) – but perfect for the family members who are coming to dinner. I’m more of a dry Pinot Noir fan – this winery makes an excellent version of that.
Can you bring the pieces into the kitchen? I did a replacement counter in a very small space (years ago) when I had my cabinet shop. We assembled the parts while the counter was standing on edge, with the surface facing away from the counter. It was annoying to work like that, but once assembled, it could be lifted up, and tilted back over the cabinets. The existing counter had been removed first. With mitered corners on each end, you might need to offset the center section so you can slide it into the counter. Tilt the ends up and then slide to whole piece to the right or the left once it’s over the cabinets. If you plan to use an adhesive to hold it in place, lift the assembled unit up and put it on spacers. Apply the adhesive once it’s sitting above where it needs to be and remove the spacers. That sounds easier than it will be, but it can be done. You could also assemble the sections while all the parts are resting on spacers (I’m assuming you have those blind clamps in the underside of the miters). It’s harder to work that way (in my opinion) but it is possible. I had to do that with a wooden surface that could not be inserted in one piece.
Thank you for your suggestions, Dan. I’m hoping Mr. read your comments. I think that’s the route he’s going to go with. Yes we have those spacers. Our challenges (according to the expert) is that our lazy susans in the corners are enclosed, so there isn’t any space under the spacer to work. That’s where the miter joints fall, and they can’t be removed. You’re right on target with the sounds easier than it will be, but we have faith it can be done. Luckily Mr. has accumulated lots of tools over the years, like you have. I have a feeling the two of you working together would have the counters installed in no time! 🙂
OK, the problem is more clear. This would be fun to figure out. I wish him luck.
😉 He would love your help brainstorming. I’m not so good at even picking out a container the appropriate size for leftovers!
Ha ha 🙂
Oh, I think the two of you handle this well.
Good luck with everything.
Now, I believe it was George Carlin. He said, at the end of the night when the two of you are in bed and one of you has to get up and turn off the lights. When you are standing next to the light switch, just before you turn off the lights, look at the bed. Because the person still in bed is the boss.
Have a great Sunday.
Thank you, Drew – you know what it is like to take on a DIY project!
LMAO – that’s me! 😉
Hope you had a great Sunday too!
Those surprises always keep life interesting, don’t they? Even with measuring, plans change. It’s upsetting in the meantime. I’m impressed you are doing this yourselves – way more brave than we ever were. Good luck! (great turkey double photo LOL)
Yes, indeed they do! We’ve always been more of the DIY types, to save $. Our optimism gets us in predicaments sometimes. We’ll get through this one. We hope.
LOL – that Drake was so funny – he kept pecking at my car trying to scare away the other guy in the reflection.
Oh I love how you integrated scary into this post, Shelley! It can be scary and daunting to do house renos with our partners. I’ve been there and done that. My hubby is a master carpenter and has that eye and knowledge about how things are done, so i defer to him 90% of the time! The other 10% is my creativity that needs to be reckoned with and that’s when the wee arguments manifest 🙂 Good luck with it all!
Thank you, Terri! My Mr. isn’t a master carpenter, but he’s got lots of reno experience being a landlord who does most of his own DIY. I’m like you, it’s better to just be the 10% person when it comes to the execution of a project!!
I applaud you doing the remodel yourself. No way would we tackle something like that now.
Thank you, Janet. It was now or never – ‘we’re getting too old for this stuff’ has been sad many times so far! 😉
You guys have your hands full with this project! I hope it’s complete before the snow flies. 😎
Me too!!! It should be. I hope you get back to LV from your trip before the snow flies!!!
Oh my. We have been there. We remodeled this entire house, starting in 1992 and we aren’t finished yet. Lots and lots of stress doing that, so I understand. Good luck with the counter, and Thanksgiving dinner! You might have to open that wine early.
We feel like we’re rebuilding our house again! Thank you for your well-wishes, they are much appreciated!!! Oh, yeah, there will be wine along the way.
Good luck, Shelley! I know how it is… communication, etc. It will get done, I’m sure. 🙂
I love the rainbow you captured, really cool!
Thank you, Amy. We’ll persevere, we always do. Once we get the plan down first.
Double rainbows are so fun to see – I’m thankful I caught a photo of it before it faded. 🙂
💖😊
Fingers crossed for your renovation! We’re planning a bath redo and kitchen backsplash and I’m dreading the mess and drama–but the finished product should be worth it. Cheers to a great weekend. Hope you enjoy your wine. A group of ladies and I went to a wine tasting today at a nearby vineyard–so nice!
Thank you for your words of encouragement. The mess and the drama is right – I’m secretly thankful we have a deadline, otherwise, we’d keep putting off the tough stages. I did/do enjoy the wine. That’s great you went out with friends for a tasting of wine. I love those kind of afternoons – the conversations just flow! xx
I think that Turkey Vulture likes what he sees in the car reflection. And Mr. and Mrs. Clementine – subtle. I haven’t seen a rainbow in forever. I am not ready to concede that November is a handful of days away. This month has raced by.
He’s actually a Drake and was quite the character, he liked looking at himself in the reflection of windows too. I’m not ready for November yet, hanging on to October through to the end here too.
Really? I was laughing when I saw him admiring himself in the window. I had a Pekin Duck picture one time and the duck kept checking itself out in the water and looked like it was smiling. It is in the header picture here … it looked like it was laughing or smiling: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2018/05/28/those-lazy-hazy-crazy-days-of-summer-are-happenin/
Yes. He was quite the master of reflection. Your photos are great in that post. Love the close up of the duck reflection, the squirrel, the woodpecker and the bridge! Nice!!
Glad you liked it Shelley – I had to share the Pekin duck especially – he looked like he was laughing at a private joke. 🙂
Yes, indeed!!!
I’m addicted to HGTV.
Me too – I can spend the whole day watching it!
Oops – my pinkie pushed something … anyway HGTV is all about couples and negotiations and things going wrong … I know it’s important to try to figure out which of your many feelings is the one that’s really important to you … and make sure that’s the one that gets taken care of. Recognizing it can be all you need to do, or maybe you’ll need to sit down and communicate it. Often a compromise means the boss doesn’t get to have his/her way in all things, not because he/she is wrong about anything but because the partner needs to feel empowered, period!!!
Aw, thank you for sharing your thoughts – you’re right. Communicating our feelings throughout this process will be important. Overall, we do well. We need to write down our decisions so we don’t have to remember who said what last. 😉
I love that, Shelley. After 2 glasses of wine, you bought 2 bottles! That made me smile. Best of luck in your DIY renovations. I admire you both for doing it yourselves. It’s always so stressful!
LOL – yes, you had wine in your post too!! Thank you for your well-wishes. We’ll be celebrating with wine when we finish the project (or sooner).
😊😊