Gutted

Well, the kitchen gut is completed - all the walls, ceilings, flooring (except for the glued paper) has been removed and tossed out. We've removed the 2 partial walls into the dining room and the wall and door to the back pantry. It looks much bigger. The next step is to get the flooring done - do we finish the original kitchen floor - or do we match the hard wood in the rest of the house and have it all refinished?

Here are a few photos of the gutted space:

Demolition Days

Well, we have gutted our kitchen. It took us 4 days - Scott Russell came up to lead the team. Carole also helped me out on the clean up crew. We started on Thursday - Scott arrived in the morning and we started around 11 a.m. I had to make a trip to the Home Depot to get Scott R. some work gloves and I also picked up a big bin with handles. I couldn't believe how dirty the lathe and plaster was. There was so much dirty dust flying around - 100 year old dirt. I took a break to go up to Subway to get so lunch for the work crew. I also had to stop at the Home Hardware to buy some more dust masks. The masks helped, but you still ended up inhaling quite a bit! So, the boys demolished and my job was to carry the stuff out to the front lawn. We put a tarp on the lawn and piled the rubbish on it. Scott R. and I took an afternoon break, when Scott had to do some computer work. We head out to buy a new shop vac. First stop, Home Depot - nothing there we liked, so off to Canadian Tire where we found the one I bought. Carole showed up after her class and put on her work clothes! We discovered when we removed all 3 ceilings that when the heating ducts were put in that 3 joists were cut to accomodate the ductwork. Just crazy!! Which explains why our floors dip and are uneven! We worked until dark - washed up and went to the Brass Taps for some dinner at 11 p.m.!

On Friday, we did more of the same thing - the boys gutted and Carole and I carried the rubbish out and dumped it on the front lawn - trying to arrange it neatly. The pile kept getting bigger and bigger! We had many of our visitors come and visit too. They boys took a trip to Home Depot to buy some suppliestto fix the joists. We are so lucky that Scott R. was able to come down to help - he did a terrific job! Again, we worked until it got dark - another late night dinner!!

Scott and I went out on Saturday morning for a breakfast run - picked up some Starbucks coffee and some McDonalds. Carole had to go home - so that left me as the clean up person! We had to rip out as much as we could because the Junkit.ca guys were coming to haul the garbage away.

It took them almost 2 hours, but they loaded all the stuff into the truck! They were so worth the money! As we were finishing up and releasing the final jack post, the post in the basement fell over and snapped off the drain tap on our hot water tank!!!! So, water was spilling out all over! Everything was going so well up until then. So, the boys rushed off to Home Depot again to pick up a new tap - which would't go in because the threads got stripped a bit. Luckily Scott R. had his plumbing tool box and found a brass tap in there and with some elbow grease was able to fit it in. Unfortunately, it had a small leak. It would have to do until the Enbridge guy came the next morning.

Kitchen Reno

Well, I've spent the last couple of days packing up our kitchen. Tomorrow, the demolition begins. Scott Russell is coming up to help Scott with the demo. I'm in charge of hauling the garbage out to the front lawn - thankfully Carole is going to help me when she is done her class. The next few days will be interesting!!!! I'll be living for at least a month without a kitchen! So, if anyone wants to invite us over for dinner...now would be a great time!!!

Haircut for Ginger-kitty

Not sure if people noticed, but Ginger was getting really fuzzy. So, this morning at 8 a.m. we dropped Ginger off at the Small Wonders Pet Emporium on the Danforth, near Broadview. Scott met someone in Withrow Park who took her Westie there and recommended a woman named Peggy. When we dropped her off, Peggy put her in one of the cages - she looked scared! Poor Ginger. Just after noon hour we received a call that Ginger was done at the salon and ready to be picked up! So off we went to fetch her. They brought her down to us and she was clean and fluffy. Her cut was $61 - about $15 more than we usally pay at her regular salon. Scott really likes the cut - says she's got a hair style now. I think for the summer, she should have got more taken off - here she is...

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Church

This past Sunday Scott and I were at the Leishman twins' baptism. It took place a catholic cathedral in Peterborough - a really nice church. Now, as many of you know, I do not go to church or follow a particular religion at all. But for some reason, during the service I felt tears welling up in the back of my eyes. I became very emotional at one point absorbing my surrounding, listening to the sermons - it wasn't even during the actual baptism. I can't even say when or what made me feel that way, but I was overwelmed - it may have been the choir, the organ, the beautiful stained glass windows, the babies - a combination of it all, I don't know. A higher power?

Here are a few photos from that day.

Molson's Tournament

Well, this past weekend was the Kawartha Men's Invitational - otherwise known as the Molson's - since Molsons sponsors the 3-day tournament and is the only brand of beer sold during the weekend! Scott played along with Mark, Mike and Jeff. They had a huge entourage walking the course with them all three days! It was a gorgeous weekend - perfect for golf! Scott placed 5th in his flight, Mike won his flight and Jeff also placed in his flight. The results can be found here http://www.kawarthagolf.ca/kaw_results.php Below are a few photos from the tournament.

On Saturday night, Mike hosted a big BBQ at his house - there was tons to eat including some really yummy Rolo cookies that Judy made. She gave me the recipe so I can't wait to make them!!

"I love Manni"

I got these pictures from Ingrid today of the kiddies. I sent some gifts home with Terry for Ava's birthday. Here is Carson in his new outfit and Ava in her "I love Manni" t-shirt. Scott and I made this iron-on transfer for Ava. Manni is her best friend, her favourite teddy bear that she has had forever.

"treehouse"

Got a call from my mom last night. Seems the windy, rainy storm blew half of the maple tree over on the front lawn of my parents' house! The poor tree - it's about 40 years old! Fortunately, no one was hurt. However, Peter's company minivan took the brunt of the tree trunk! The tree also blocked off the front entrance to the house and resting on the eaves - but I think the house is fine. My mom's main concern was how Peter would go to work! I believe the tree is owned by the town - so they will have to come and deal with it. We are stopping in Bowmanville tonight to assess the damages.

At one point last night, I was worried about the trees we have by our house - we have a large fir tree right in front of our house and then there is a HUGE Manitoba maple in the neighbour's backyard. If either one of them had gone down - I think we would have been toast! Thankfully, nothing happened!

Holy Crap it's Hot!

Stay indoors today! It is so hot and humid outside! Stay in the shade and drink lots of water. Unfortunately, one of the main fans in Sidney Smith is down and they are waiting for a new part! It's brutal - I just sit here and sweat is pouring down! We already had a student who almost passed out outside of our office. She came in and we gave her some water and juice!!

Current temperature is 36 degrees - 40 something with the humidity!!

I heard a song that I really like - it's called The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves - you can listen to it here on their website - http://www.angelsandairwaves.com/ - there's something catchy about it.

Last night I watched a bit of Canadian Idol - it was 80's night with the help of Cyndi Lauper! I'm not sure if it's me, but some of those idols are really out of tune - but the judges never seem to pick up on it! Is it just me?