Day 2 -- Electricians, Plumbers and Framers

Put a power tool in a framer's hand and wield that power tool with authority, and I swoon. There is something remarkably appealing about a young man clasping a reciprocating saw tightly in his left hand with his right forefinger firmly depressing the power button as he masterfully cuts a perfectly straight line through the wall. But, sshh, don't tell my husband.

We now have a 36-inch wide by 30-inch high pass-through in the wall to the living room. I've been talking about cutting a hole in the wall for the past six years. My husband kept saying no, we are not cutting a hole in the wall. I let him say that enough times to get it out of his system. I guess I wore him out.

I offered to email my husband photos of the lovely plumbing work when I spoke to him today, but he declined. Yet, the plumbing is beautiful, simple and perfect. All of the awful, twisted contraption that some nitwit jerry-rigged under the sink is gone. Gone also is my blind-man plumbing job on the washer and dryer connections and drain.

The electrician, plumber and framing guys all showed up on time on Tuesday and performed magic in the kitchen. It was refreshing to watch professionals. We had only one little glitch. As the electricians were cleaning up the floor and picking up their tools, I walked into the kitchen and said, "So, where's the switch for turning on the under cabinet lights?"

They looked at each other with that stare that told me somehow the head dude forgot to tell them we were also installing under cabinet lights. So, they had to work overtime, but the job got done. See, if I wasn't here, I would have had no task lighting.

I called my countertop people to get the template date booked and was informed that they can indeed measure for the template on Monday, but they could not install the countertops until August 7. That would not do. It must be August 4 because my husband will be home on August 5. The kitchen must be finished by then. Nope, they said, no can do.

Fine, said I. Then I will select a different countertop product from another company who can be here on August 4th.

Ten minutes later my phone rang. Why, they were able to reschedule a couple other clients and now have time available to do my install on August 4th. Isn't it funny how that happens? See Day Two photos below:

Day Three -- Sheetrocking and Flooring Install

On Wednesday, the Sheetrockers showed up at 8 AM with a boombox. Well, ya gotta rock and roll when you rock. I understand that. Talk about professionals. I was blown away. The seams were tight, corners intact, and like lightening, they zipped through the kitchen. By noon, the kitchen was Sheetrocked, taped and mudded. I want to kiss my walls, I'm so happy.

Soon as those guys left, my flooring guy appeared with boxes of Marmoleum. I am using the Click product, which are planks about 3 feet long and a foot wide. It's a green product, but the color is Lava, which is black with a bit of a gray design. It's designed to last 40 years.

The flooring guy said that last week he hauled a bazillion cartons of maple flooring up to a second floor in a home in Land Park, and when he opened the box, the homeowner took one glance and sniffed, "I don't like maple anymore. Take it back. I've changed my mind." I'm glad that I could never be that kind of person.  It's not in my genetic make-up. More photos below.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub 2008