The Doors, The Doors

It's a super quick post today but something exciting happened yesterday!   **edited** This was not a quick post.

The DOORS were installed!  Well, 90% installed, they are doing some adjustments today and the trim work needs to be done but they're in!  And, it took all day long AND I love them!  (here she goes with all the exclamation marks again-haha)

The toaster saga is finished and my selection arrived yesterday.  In the end, a last-minute decision was made to get the 2 slice because the 4 slice does not come in this navy blue color.   The reviews better be right for this toaster because I did go a bit over the toaster budget but I really loved this color.

Smeg Toaster

Let me recap the door story for you.  I really, really wanted the big folding doors to replace our single-door and double-window setup but Hubster wasn't feeling the price tag on that at all.  I mean peeps, those doors are like dumb expensive.   Hubster is also fairly new to Instagram and sends me random videos which he knows drives me crazy.  However, one night he sent me a video of a glass door company based here in Texas and told me to check it out.   Allow me to digress for a moment, most of the places that carry those big accordion doors send your order to China and the lead time is 4-6 months. MONTHS I tell ya, and that just wasn't working in my world.  So I checked out Glass Expanse and I really liked what I was reading and their lead time was about 8 weeks. Me likey that much better and their prices were much better as well.  Now here is the scary part....I had to do everything online, only emails back and forth.  This is an expensive order and so Hector and I double and triple-measured everything before I placed the order, then it was place the order-pay half down, and wait and pray and wait and pray.  Here's another different aspect of the doors, this company does not do the installation, they can suggest a crew to install in your area but advise that you just speak with your general contractor.  Since we were already remodeling, Hector was cautiously optimistic but also thought it would be a good new skill that his guys could learn and a new company he could refer his clients to.   

The doors got delivered last week after the poor crew got stuck in a tornado and hail in another part of Texas.  Those doors were wrapped up well and arrived unscathed.    We weren't quite ready to do the installation so the forklift driver just left them on the back side of our driveway and said we should cover them with a tarp just to keep them dry so that the cardboard wouldn't get on the glass if they got wet.  We covered them but the glass had the protective plastic over it so it didn't really make a difference but with that kind of expense sitting in your driveway, erring on the side of caution is necessary.  Tuesday morning we had some doozy storms with hail and big winds and when Hector arrived he rushed in saying, "Did you get hail? Are the doors ok?"   Thankfully, we live in a weather vortex and got some crazy winds but no hail and the doors were fine.   

So back to the doors now that I've gone around the world and back.

This is what the morning started out looking like in the driveway.

So I left them with their installation video and headed to the laundromat.

And yes, the company sends you an installation video to show how to install the doors properly.  I think they watched that video 10 times at least.

Good lord willing and the creek don't rise this will be my next to last trip to this place.

I won't lie and say the nice part is that I had 6 loads going at one time.   The washers are super small so it takes several but it only takes me 2 dryers to get everything dried.

Let's go way back and take a look at the inside from what it used to be.

And from the outside.  I mean the outside isn't bad but it could be so much more functional.

This picture is the one I emailed to the glass company to verify how we measured for the doors.

Now here's what it looks like today!

So much better and they haven't even done the trim work yet. 

The plastic coating is still on the doors too, they will leave it on until it's almost finished for protection from paint and such. 

And from the inside!!!!  (again with the exclamation marks!)

Big Leo and Jr. have currently headed out to the Home Depot to get the materials for the trim so they can work on that today.     Imagine how great it will be when the plastic covering gets removed.

And because I'm like a kid who can't stop peeking, I slipped over and snapped some quick pics while the guys were out picking up materials and lunch.  

They have started pulling paper and plastic from everything.

It's time to start grouting the backsplash and floors.

The plumber will be back soon to finish installing her designated appliances.

(the blue tape is a mark of a blemish to fix)

It's getting very exciting!  Although I think we can all anticipate that grouting these floors is going to take a while but they WILL be done perfectly.  With Francisco, you can bet on that!

ooooh, I can't wait for the final paint/stain to go on this hood vent and my stove installed!

The little odd corner piece of there is being remade.  The paint did not turn out perfect on that one so they will redo the whole thing.

The island will be getting its drawers and cabinets installed as soon as they get the plumbing tied in.

I see dreams of the good ice in my near future!

Even with the plastic on the doors, it is so much brighter!

Just in time, they have returned to start work so let's talk dinner last night.

I made a big, beautiful salad to start.   The cucumbers, tomatoes, banana peppers, and squash are all from our garden.   That Cherokee purple tomato was delish!

Had some Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper and I tossed in about half the garden squash.  

Made our plates and headed to the back patio for some dinner.  

Because the bugs were out in full force, we took dessert inside while we got caught up on Hacks. 

Strawberries and angel food cake with a little whipped cream.

And yes, I'm in the garage in the refrigerator making our dessert and taking pics.  I also wash our dishes from a big bowl while standing in the bathtub, we are living a glamorous life indeed!

Unless you like pictures of grout, things will quiet down for a few days then we'll be moving and shaking again.   I should probably think about ordering furniture soon.  

Oops, let's not forget gratitude before we go.

1) rain, we know it won't be long before it's hot and dry

2) doors that fit and work- def. answered prayers

3) workers who have pride in their craft

4) a garden that produces even though I'm neglecting it

5) clean sheets- laundromat or not, there's nothing like clean sheets

Peace, Love, & Doors

Floors, Cabinets and Paint: Oh My!

Hey Peeps!!!

I'm gonna do a catch-up today because you know things are starting to move and shake around here!

Allegedly, the doors are going in today!!  Woohoooooooooo!   I think it's going to be such a big difference this evening.    In the meantime let's get you caught up!

Alright, the last time we spoke it was Friday and the floors were still going in and I'm thrilled to say he finished those late Friday evening.  

I had a hair appointment on Friday and had to take my Amy Winehouse to the dealership.  You might remember she had a little run-in with a rock and needed a new windshield.  Then I ran to Williams and Sonoma and Pottery Barn.  I'm on a never-ending quest for a nice toaster, since it's going to sit on the counter I need it to be pretty and functional.    It was a big surprise to come home to the finished floors.

TaDa!!  I mean, they aren't even grouted yet and they are deeeevine!

Gorgeous against the island. 😍

Stunning in my midnight blue dry bar!

See the board?  Francisco's way of telling us to not walk on that part of the floor.  

haha   He's such an amazing craftsman!

My pantry is even gorgeous!

I'm not even sure I want a rug by the sink now. 

Just so much in love with these and so happy Hubster convinced me to do the whole area instead of just the kitchen.

Garage entry area floors.

The den area and Hubster has asked that I not put a rug down for a bit.  No worries dear, I don't even have our new furniture ordered much less a rug. 

Outside the MereBear and Abogg's rooms. 

Ya'll I wanted to paint the cabinets in this laundry room and well..budget so I opted to repaint the walls.  Then I really wasn't crazy about the color and we had to buy another color and by the time you start painting three times you just say the heck with it and let it be.   Well, I'm so happy.  I absolutely love the color with the floors and the cabinet colors.    Hubster is happy too since that's one less thing to change and I'm definitely not putting a new rug in this room.  I'm soaking up all the brick floor glory!

Once we get the two light fixtures in this garage area switched out it won't be a forgotten part of the house any longer.   

Since Francisco was with us until about 7 pm Friday evening, we had a ham sandwich and some popcorn for dinner.  I seriously debated ordering a pizza but it was so late I came to my senses and skipped it. 

Bright and early Saturday morning Jose #2 arrived to finish prepping the cabinets for primer.

Which includes covering up those floors!

side note:  all 3 painters are named Jose

Jose #1 - bad man, let's never speak of him, destroyer of cabinets

Jose #2- cabinet painter extraordinaire (literally the only thing he paints)

Jose #3- painter of walls, trim, and ceiling 

Floors were covered, plastic on everything else and the cabinets got primer.

Looking better already.

Very careful conversations over the painting/priming of the hood vent.

The pieces to be stained were taped off and everything else primed.

The island and faucet are all covered.

Ready for paint and Saturday was a stinky day and HOT 🔥💥

I mean like really, hot!    I spent a little time in the pool but it was so hot and humid that wasn't even pleasant.  Later that evening we trotted over to the neighbors and feasted on crab legs and shrimp.   Howard (not real name) and Hubster ran to the grocery and had the crab legs steamed there and then we gorged ourselves!  Scumpdillyicious!

Things needed to dry so no work on Sunday which means Hubster and I took the opportunity to go with the neighbors to the horse races.   Much fun was had but no winnings were in our future. 

It was hot but we were inside mostly and we had ourselves a big time!  These are 2 of the amazing families that have kept us fed and entertained during this renovation and we could not be more grateful for their friendship!

On the way home we stopped at Bone Daddy's for some dinner.   Then home and early bed because we've got a long day tomorrow.

Monday was a holiday but not for the painting crew.  It was another hot day but Jose #2 and his helpers worked tirelessly sanding the primed cabinets and then painting.  Let me tell you....the paint fumes were BAD.  I mean, really, really bad!   I don't know how he did it because Hubster couldn't even sleep in the house Monday evening, he slept out in Court's room.  

The refrigerator cabinet area is all painted and looking amazing!

Cabinet doors and drawers will be coming back in this week too. 

The Bar area is painted as well.

Looking through to the kitchen everything is blue that's supposed to be blue, save for a couple of cabinet fronts that couldn't be saved.   Jose#1 really botched things up and Cesar is having to remake a few pieces.  

While the world's stinkiest paint was going on, Hubster went over to some neighbors to have burgers and dogs and fixings.   After a bit, he came back for me and I went over, stuffed my face then came back home before the painting wrapped up for the day.  

Later Monday evening, we ventured across the street for some home-cooked pizza.  There ya go, you knew I'd been too long without my pizza fix!

Yesterday, we had doozy storms but thankfully no damage for us, and I had to take the loaner car back to the dealership to pick up Amy Winehouse.   On the way home, I stopped at Home Goods to mill about since Jose #3 was painting walls and it was a good day for me to be away from the house. 

Then I ran to the nail salon for a not-so-quick mani-pedi and a quick stop at the grocery and at Michael's to pick up a custom framing piece.  I cannot wait to show you that one but it's for Court's room so you can't see it until she does.  But I came home to almost all the wall painting completed. 

We're not the girl and the dog behind the plastic bubble anymore either!

Now they can see me spying on them!  The bad part is the air conditioner still can't be on over on that side of the house and it's hard to keep things cool on this side.  We may have to put the plastic back up on this side but we'll see how it goes.

Drift of Mist wall paint is up and it looks so good with the floors!  The room is so much brighter even with the dark cabinets in the kitchen.

The stair plastic is still up but it'll be coming down very soon because that has to be painted where we installed the new wall on the stairs.   You can see the new part because the crown molding hasn't been extended just yet.  

Garage entry area: plastic is down to this area.  You can see the grayish tint to the wall paint a little better in this area when the lights are off. 

 The area outside MereBear and Abogg's rooms.   So much brighter and more inviting.

It'll be even better when we get those light fixtures swapped out and those yellowish Edison bulbs are replaced. 

Last night our neighbors from Monday had us over again for dinner. They have family in town so they've been making room for two more for dinner, we had a Southwest pasta dish with chicken and a salad and it was very delicious! 

Room looking toward the kitchen and you can see that wall paint color really well from this angle. 

Last pic of the day because tomorrow this looks completely different.

Those doors at the end are currently being removed so big changes today!

You're all caught up and I need to go peek the corner and see the progress because it's also Laundromat day around here. 

But first: Gratitude

1) Good Friends 

2) Dissapated paint fumes

3)  Sunshine & Rain because we need both

4) Being out of the house- my sanity has been restored

5) Fresh hair, nails, & toes- self-care at its best

Peace, Love, & Sunshine!