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PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Kitchen Project Update...

For the previous four nights I've been putting in 20 hour days. Working through the night, until the wee hours of the morning to get my kitchen project done.


My darling neighbors said I could use my tile saw through the night. Yesterday morning I finished with the last brick around 3 a.m. Oh... my kitchen looks very cool.


Since I am finished with painting, tiling, and stoning.... it was time to retired my work pants.

Throughout the previous six years, as I painted, laid tile, or whatever home-improvement project I worked on, I had my dirty pants. Which I just allowed to dry, bag up, and then I would wear them again the next project. Unfortunately all three had to be retired this year due to excessive mud. Paint drys, mud just crumbles. The great thing about work pants is you pull them over another pair of pants, and you can wipe your hands on them. I did often, as you can see.


Today I was planning on grouting the floor, but the electrician stayed all day, one of my grandsons was sick and I made a quick visit to help with his sisters while he went to the doctor. And then two of my other grand-kids were having a sleepover tonight, so I had a break in the middle of cleaning grout lines.

Back to the project...

Before you can grout, you need to clean the grout lines so they are free of thinset, and dirt. And clean the edges of mud. It's a tedious job at best. But... I got about 1/4 of the way before the kids showed up. Dinner, bath, stories, and then I worked while Miles played legos...That lasted about 10 minutes. My evening work finally started at 2000. Alias....8 p.m.


By the time I got the lines cleaned and fixed a broken tile, it was well after midnight. I still need to vacuum the floor to suck out all the dirt. So grouting was put on hold and I cleaned my counters and sealed them one more time. I'm so close to having my kitchen done.

Remaining items: 

Clean and Grout Floor.
Polyurethane the counters.
Seal floor after grout sets.
Goof-Off the stain that leaked around the windows.
Touch up all stain.
Clean windows and doors.
Stain closet door.
Touch up paint.
Hang pictures, and horses.
Move everything back into the kitchen, and organize.
Oh wait... I should do some shopping since Thanksgiving is at my house, too. 




Pictures don't really do this room justice. It's really awesome. 

Oh... and my stereo will be hooked up on Monday. The deck will be in progress outside next week. And that hood over my cook-top is not really blue. It just has a plastic covering.

I have three days to get everything done before my youngest daughter and husband bring my grandson, Carter, home for the holiday. Today will be a half day of work. 4 pm to 4 am, because Ellis and Miles will still be with me. Speaking of which, Ellis will be waking up in two hours if she stays on schedule, so I need to go take my morning nap.

This work is really great fun. And rewarding when you finish. I will post some do-it-yourself tips soon. Seriously...if I can do this, anyone can. 

Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene

8 comments:

  1. Oscar. Mike. Golf. You're kitchen this far looks amazing!!!! I can't wait to see what it looks like filled with family over for Thanksgiving!! Keep up the great work and keep us updated!!

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    1. Thank you so much! I can hardly wait for you to see it in person!

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  2. This came come along brilliantly! Privileged to have seen the progress in person. Now I have a reason to come back and see the completed project. Well done, Karlene, you have created a masterpiece.

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    1. Thank you so much! Yes... you were there on the most challenging part. And...since you left, I dropped and broke my new camera! Yes... please come back and see it. And me. Ah... my masterpiece.:) Thank you!

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  3. This kitchen will be so nice once completely finished, I'm sure! All the hard work will finally pay off when you can enjoy it every day!

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    1. Thank you so much. I know it will. And, will be complete when you come to visit in February.

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  4. OMG, it looks, AMAZING! But dang woman, you are in serious need of a vacation!

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    1. Thank you! I know. I really do. That was part of my sneak away to Yoga retreat. I was working so hard and knew this would happen too. I rejuvenated before I started. It took me until 330 to finish grouting. Now, the hard part is done. I also have pictures up, trim restained. I'm all ready to seal the floors tomorrow at 4, and finish the counter-tops... perhaps tonight. So excited for you and Ed to visit again.

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