Breezy- I've been wondering the same thing! I'm only posting now, since this thread is starting to fall down, but let us know how things are progressing :)

Another in waiting...hoping to bump this up...

I'll chime in too. What's happening?

Hi guys! How sweet to think of me.

Drywall guys--nothing new. Still waiting for one last bid, and DH is considering taking out the remaining huge chunk of ceiling in the kitchen and family room area. The areas to be patched there are already big, and with the custom texture we having going on he thinks it'll be easier to blend the old with the new if he takes it all out. Argghhh. I get his point. A couple of the drywall guys said the border of old and new could be unsightly. More money and time. Whatever. I don't care at this point. I want it to look as good as possible without re-sheeting 1200 squre feet of ceiling.

Move--DH told me last week that he didn't tell the owner of our temporary house that we'd be out at the end of the month. He says we should just let it ride and see how fast we can get done without talking to the owner. That makes me uncomfortable as the owner wanted to sell the house this summer when the market is the best here. Plus, the nice man walks his dogs to get the mail here everyday so there is a distinct possibility that I will run into him. (He lives across the street from our house and his mom owns the one we're in now.) I try to avoid driving down the street the direction that he comes at the time he comes. I don't know what to say to him anymore! Yikes.

As far as progress goes, if I could throw the plumber out the window, I would. He's getting on my last nerve with his taking weeks to show back up and then having some excuse why he can't do the last few things he needs to do. Now he's saying the plywood on top of the framed tub deck needs to be completely cut out for him to place his valves as the 3cm limestone that will go on the deck is too thick to work through with the plywood. I'm getting the feeling that he's never plumbed at roman tub filler on a tub deck before.

The electrician is almost done. He finished most of the wiring yesterday and installed the new panel last night. Our old one is a brand prone to catching fire and burning houses down. Plus, it wasn't big enough for the new appliances anyway. I think he'll be back tomorrow night and his rough-in will be complete.

My goal, dare I say it, is to be ready for inspection Monday morning. If the plumber calls back and actually finishes this week, that is. If he doesn't, I'm going to find a new plumber. I've given this guy enough chances, and it can't cost too much more for an experienced plumber. Again, whatever. I don't care at this point.

I've got an insulation company hired so I'm good there. The hardwood floor installer has my deposit and my wood on hold. We've got a tenative install date in a few weeks, but I may have to push him again. I'm hoping to order all new doors, interior and exterior, by Thursday. Lofty goal considering it's hard to get anything done now with two little kids running around fighting and screaming at each other.

Whew! That's a big info dump. I took a photo with my cell tonight when I was at the house away from the kids enjoying some peace and quiet. DH didn't get home in time for me to go to yoga, the one activity I get to do by myself. I went to the house to sit on the plywood and dream.

Dreaming is good. (especially with wine).

Ooooh, I can just 'see' your beautiful hood, between those two windows...perfect for all the cooking you'll be doing, in NO time :)

Darn! Wine! I'll remember that for next time, blfenton!

Thanks Lavender. The hood should finally be here this week. I'm so hoping it looks good IRL, or at least as good as the pic I have in my head of it between those windows!

Thanks again Briana, Slush, Enduring, and Lavender for asking.

Glad to hear you have some progress going on, even if its not everything you wanted to be complete by now. Ohhhh, I see your island and your hood. Actually, I can visualize you sitting at your island with a glass of wine. BLfenton is right- take the wine next time... at least you can pretend!

The strategy I use- drink a couple glasses of wine with the DH in our pretend kitchen and then we go on a house tour. If you've had a glass of wine, its easier to miss all of the things remaining.

Thanks for the update. I can't wait to see it coming together. Here's hoping your inspection goes smoothly...on Monday.

I'm picturing a blanket, with a picnic basket, and a bottle of wine in your pretend kitchen :)

Briana--Yeah, if I could only find a babysitter do that! We used to go on a garden tour in the backyard with wine after kids bedtime.

Celtin--Here's to Monday!

DH spoke with the plumber last night. He's as frustrated with the plumber now as I am. He got the plumber to agree to show up tomorrow morning at 8a.m. to meet him. (So far I've been the one meeting with the plumber.) DH says he'll do all the things the plumber asked to be done the last time he was over and if he doesn't finish the rough-in this time, we're firing him and finding someone else. He's so close to being done that we wanted him to be able to finish. Now we're tired of excuses. DH agreed that the plumber probably hasn't done a large tub in a tub deck before.

If he can get the plumber to finish tomorrow, then we're on track for a Monday inspection!

Inspections today! It's a long story however....

On Saturday night I noticed that my sweet old kitty Archie was having major problems with his teeth and had stopped eating dry food. The vet noted his teeth were becoming an issue in April last time he was in. Given his age and kidney failure, dental work wasn't a good idea. I took him to the vet this morning after our electrical rough-in inspection. We passed! It doesn't look like we can get Archie's teeth fixed now. We've started him on antibiotics and pain killers. I'm afraid to ask how long we can go on like this. I've mentioned Archie before when he was sick, but he got better last time.

Because we had been at the vet's for 75 minutes and it was lunch time, the little ones and I were cranky from hunger, heat, and worry so we decided to drive across the street for a smoothies to tide us over until home. Got back to the car to find it wouldn't start. Our mechanic came to start the battery, except that wasn't the problem and the car still wouldn't start. Waited for a tow truck, and the mechanic took us and the cat back home.

We got home to the temporary house to a message from the city inspector for our rough plumbing, mechanical, and framing inspection. He wanted to meet us in 20 mins so I put the kids in the stroller and walked us to our house a mile away. I threw some very quick snacks in since we hadn't eaten yet. The inspector took 70 mins to show up. Good thing we found some ripe berries and peas in the backyard to eat.

The inspector noted a few minor things to be corrected (I cursed the plumber again), but agreed to let us insulate and recheck those items during the insulation inspection.

Walked a mile back home and started to rummage for lunch when the car rental place called to say they were on the way to pick us up so we could get a car. Snacks for lunch and no nap for DD. Both kids had major meltdowns all day, but we have a rental car and passed our inspections. Now to get the insulation contractor to return my call for scheduling. Who works 9- 1:30 and is out of the office every time I call? And who can deliver a cocktail to my door tonight? :)

So sorry to read about Archie. Hope he's feeling better, with the medicine. It's so hard when your kitty gets older (we went through the same thing last year) but it sure helps when they're loved!

Congrats on the inspection and I hope things calm down for you, very soon!

In the meantime, I'd recommend 1-800-MARTINI...or would you prefer 1-800-TEQUILA...or do we just skip right to 1-800-WHISKEY? :)

Oh Breezy - what a day! YHEA, hip hip hooray for passing the inspections though. As for the car and cat, that sucks. Kids won't remember the snack lunch tomorrow but they sure as heck will remember the beautiful house they are going to grow up in.

I'm so sorry to hear about Archie and hope he'll be okay. We're cat people in this house (although our current ones aren't lap cats which is our favourite kind) and we know how attached you can get to them.
A big congratulations on passing inspections and first time. It seems you are hiring quality people (except the fireplace guy) so good job.

Here's hoping the rest of your week goes smoothly! You're so helpful on this forum, the kitchen gods are bound to be smiling down on you!!! ; )

I hope things with your kitty and car improve . . .

Hey breezy....sorry about Archie. Cat person here, too. I currently have two: Beauregard (Beau) and Tessie. Beau is a Ragdoll and Tessie is a short-haired tabby. Does Archie get to enjoy soft food now? My former cat, Titus (RIP), had to have a lot of teeth pulled (Rags are prone to dental issues) and could not eat dry food either.

Oh breezy! Sorry to hear about this rough time. When it rains-it pours huh?
I hope Archie gets better and you get a new plumber! Arg.
Still standing by for your amazing reveal. It'll happen :0)

Breezy- Sorry to hear about Archie. I remember he was having issues back when you were having issues with the fireplace guy. Glad you passed inspection, even if it was the only thing that went right with your day.

Lavendar- how could you hold back and keep those handy numbers a secret? I would have used them so many times by now that any one else attempting to reach them would have gotten a busy tone :)

Briana- LOL! :)

LOL to you, Lavender! I found 1-800-BROWNIE instead. Leftovers from baking Sunday.

The vet called this morning to say Archie's kidneys are in full failure and he's anemic with some other problems. We're going to try some at-home IV's for a couple of days to see if we can perk him up for a a few days or maybe even a week. The vet said it probably won't help at this point, but I have to try. I want his last days with me to be comfortable and full of as much love as I can give him. Thanks for your kind thoughts towards him. He has been my child for 18 years, long before I was finally able to have my own human ones. He follows me around like a dog and wants to be with me all the time. We're bonded like I've never been with an animal. This hurts! :(

The insulation contractor called and scheduled install for Friday, the soonest they could do it. My guess now is that we'll be in mid-September. Little DS will have to start kindergarten before we move back. Oh, and my hood was delivered this morning! It's still crated so I didn't get to see it. If I can get DH to uncrate it tonight, I'll take a picture.

Thanks guys!

Breezygirl- I am so sorry to hear about Archie. I hope you enjoy every day with him to the max. I feel the same way about my Molly.

Did you pick hardware yet? I saw that the contest at HB did not get off the ground since they did not have enough contestants.

Breezy- 1-800-BROWNIES...that sounds like it would go great with my 1-800-KAHLUA/CREAM! :)

Breezy... good luck with the rest of the reno.

so sorry to hear about Archie. Our pets, especially those with us before the two-footed ones, are so much a part of our lives, memories and hearts.

Hope things with the rest of the house are moving forward and on track. Can't wait to see more!

Hi Breezy -- I've been thinking about you and was so happy to see this update thread.

I'm sorry to hear about Archie; I'm glad to read that you've had such a long, happy time with him. You must have many great memories.

I was also glad to see the photo of your kitchen! Woo hoo! I can see it taking shape, and it's very exciting. It sounds like things continue to be challenging, but are moving forward, which is great news.

Newbie--No hardware yet. I've got to focus on a few more pressing decisions before I get to hardware. I'll probably wait until the cabs are in so I can see them. But maybe seeing the hood uncrated will inspire me. I really, really wanted the HB Bakes pulls, but without winning the contest I can't afford them. $$$

Lavender--How about 1-800-I'M FAT NOW BECAUSE I'VE BEEN EATING SO MUCH JUNK DURING RENO STRESS FOR THE LAST 9 MONTHS?! ;)

Cosmo, Hello, and E--Thanks. Hopefully I can post a drywall pic next week!

Breezy- Don't worry about it! You'll be cooking healthy food and losing weight in no time, once you get your kitchen back. In the meantime...think salad and lots of water. You know, salads with ham, turkey, cheese, avacado, nuts...I'm not helping, am I? LOL

Seriously, you'll be back to your usual weight in no time, once this stress is over. Don't worry about it and do something fun today. I know you're on overload, but take 30 minutes and do something you enjoy...even if it's taking the kids to McDonald's for a sundae. They're really small, they don't have very many calories...and chocolate is a wonderful stress reliever. If it makes you feel better, chase the kids around the playground, when you're done eating :)

Breezy- I love the HB Bakes pulls but the price is crazy! I just ordered Amerock Westerly and Highland Ridge to see which will work better, since stores around here do not have them in stock. I too feel like I have gained a ton during this reno! I have also developed an aversion to potato/pasta salads and anything else that comes out of a deli case! Oh and grilled foods! :)

Lavender--Nothing fun today. DH is coming home in a couple of hours so we can take Archie to the vet to say goodbye. Kids will get to play at my DB and DSIL's house so they should get some fun.

Newbie--I like the Westerly and Highland Ridge also. Curious to know what you end up choosing.