England trip part 1

I had the incredible opportunity to fly to my sister's wedding in England last weekend. We have loved Scott since we first met him a few years ago, and I was over the moon excited when they got engaged.

The time of year, however, meant my work would not give me many days off (sweeps/book period). I would have loved 10-14 days to explore with my honey. But for only a few days, it wasn't worth the cost of both of us going. So I landed at Heathrow on Thursday and flew back Tuesday morning. Yeay for that Delta direct SLC-London!

My brothers Joe and Michael also flew over (Joe lives in Springville and Michael in Seattle), and I just had the best time running around with them, playing games with them, and just talking to them. Bekah and Scott also played games with us. It was the original Deardeuffs back together!

We shared an AirBnB in Woking, Surrey, near where Bekah and Scott live. We went for fish n' chips the first night at a place called Ye Olde Fishmarket. I could get used to that kind of eating. I tried some of Joe's steak and kidney pie, and liked that.

I felt like I'd been dropped into a movie, with the accents all around me, and the different sights and smells and sounds, and the driving on the other side of the road and everything.

On Friday, Joe and Michael went exploring with the London Pass, while Bekah and I went with Scott's mum and sister to a SPA DAY to celebrate the bride. This was my first official trip to a spa and my first real mani-pedi (at 40 years old, no less!)

We had "high tea" with the most delicious finger sandwiches and desserts. I really enjoyed getting to know them better, and hearing fun stories of their family. I also talked a lot with them about all the English shows I love. 

That evening, Rebekah and Scott took me to The Ketch, their favorite fish n' chip shop in Woking. So good! I had another great big piece of cod, and I tried a pickled egg and their version of southern chicken, which I really liked.

We played games that night. I learned Scotland Yard, Port Royal, and Unstable Unicorns while with everyone. With no children to need me to go help them with anything.

Kitchen fully operational

Last Thursday, the countertops went in! I was in England for my sister's wedding, playing board games with my siblings when JB sent me pictures, "It's happening!"

They celebrated.

After that, the sink and stove and fridge were able to all go into their places. And, the kitchen is nearly nearly done!

All it needs is the tile backsplash, and another go over the floors I think. When I came back on Tuesday and walked in, it was amazing to see.

We are still working out work flow and where things should be placed, and getting stools for the island. But we all love it so much!

Kitchen week four

We are really doing our best to be patient...it's ok, it's ok, it will be done soon...

This week the crown molding went up above the cabinets, and the electrical work finished so our new microwave works. We have light switches and outlets working in all the right places.

Notice the back wall by the back door/ stairway - it has been red for 15 years.  This week, it turned Hale Navy Blue!

I sent pictures to my siblings, "New accent wall, who dis?"

And, the whole upstairs is now white, instead of the beige/tan it has been. It looks super bright and open now.  

We are waiting patiently for the countertops. Then the backsplash can go in and all the stuff.

Max came home from school recently and asked what was for dinner. "Sandwiches" was the answer and he retorted, "What about all the restaurants nearby?" Hey, we are trying to not break the bank!

But they did go spend a little time in a booth with JB on another day.

Kitchen week three

This week the cabinets came in.

Day by day it took shape in 3D what we had visualized on paper

The place for the sink became Millie's favorite

Then the island and microwave went in on Thursday.

This is now the view from the living room, beside the front door.

They measured for the countertops, so now we wait for those. Next week is painting and other things.

We are eating a lot of sandwiches and cereal, and anything that can cook in the microwave and toaster oven we have in the corner of the living room. And some takeout with coupons/apps. For example, when the Jazz win, we get a deal on pizza the next day. 

I can't wait to move the fridge and table back where they go. And I miss baking chocolate chip cookies.

Kitchen week two

This past week was all about electrical work, patching walls/ceiling/door frames, and the floor.

They either moved lights or added new lights for the new space, and then the dry wall guys came three times (SO MUCH DUST), and the floor guy worked carefully all week. I took pictures of how that went.

The kitchen floor was tile. Then there was the spot where the wall was. He weaved in the new wood there by bringing up some spots of the living room floor.

Saturday they sanded and sealed. All day and evening we had to walk out the front door, down the sidewalk and around the driveway to the side door to go downstairs and then repeat the process to get back to the living room or upstairs bedrooms. But look how pretty!

Next week we could see some more big things happen, cross fingers.

Sharing is Costco-caring

Sometimes, dad takes all 5 children to Costco, where they get lunch.

They get a couple sodas with two straws so two kids can share.

Or so they think.

Millie believes two straws makes the flavor even better.

"Who, me? LOL, sorry about that"

JB was getting light fixtures for the kitchen and the laundry room below it. It's a perfect reason to pose these two hams.

Snow White came, too. Even she loves a Costco run!

Kitchen demolition

We are now into our first full week of the kitchen remodel.

This is something we've thought about for many years. No turning back now!

Here we are last week, packing it all up. That's why the counters are crowded, I was trying to sort things.

And then my brother Peter came on Saturday and helped move heavy stuff around.

Then the crews began Monday tearing out cabinets and taking up the tile floor.

Behind the pantry was the chimney box. It went from the laundry room all the way up through the house and out the roof. 

That came out this week, too, piece by piece!

Here it was after the chimney came out. (We have one little cupboard over the hole that we saved to store some food and the microwave and toaster on top. It moves around the house as needed)

The holes got patched up. Then in went a beam into the ceiling, and out came the studs the next day.

Today the electrician has been here. It's moving along!

I love how open it is now, even with plastic covering blocking off our living room from all the dust 

(SO MUCH DUST). 

Even our laundry room looks so much more open without the chimney block there in the way.

Cross your fingers for us that the work can stay on time and under budget. Many thanks to neighbors who have had us over for dinner this week.