The Kitchen Reveal!

Let's take a look back at where we started when we bought our home back in June 2009... yuck, yuck, YUCK!

AND... drum roll please... THE NOW!!!

 

And here we are today! I'll admit, we still have to add baseboards, but we are pretty damn happy with the results thus far! Our budget wasn't exactly tracked perfectly, but we know the entire project stayed below $3,500 and was TOTALLY worth it. I just love it all. More details to follow soon!

Long Awaited: The Kitchen Reno!

So, if you know me, you know I LOVE to spend time in the kitchen... not only to bake cookies or cook dinner, but more often than not, I'm in there to eat. So, it's no wonder why this project topped the charts for my "Most Wanted Renovations"-- yes, even higher than our master bath that has carpet and a doggie-door sized hole in the door... 

But ladies (and gentlemen), you have to understand my reasoning. You see, the kitchen is my home, my gathering place for friends, and, despite how gross the bathroom is, let's face it, people don't hang out in there! So, on New Year's Eve we started demolishing our icky kitchen that I've put up with for over two and a half years! 

This will not be missed:

We began by tearing up the counters-- which actually began when I dropped the blender out of the cabinet one night and shattered a whopping SIX tiles! But, as it would turn out, we had more trouble tearing them out when we actually got started... All in all, it took about seven hours to tear out the tile and remove the concrete to make way for our new IKEA counter tops.

 

In my head I envisioned a creamy white cabinet, a walnut stained counter, dark floors, recessed lighting, and white subway tile backsplash. But, I soon realized cream cabinets that matched our other painted cabinets (in the living room and entryway) would clash with subway tiles, so the search for a new blacksplash was on! 

image via Pinterest via Simply Seleta

image via Pinterest via BHG.com

I played with the idea of adding some fun mosaics, or even making my own mosaics from glass beads, but when we started tearing off the existing backsplash it became clear we would be replacing A LOT of drywall if we went with tile. So, I started looking through Pinterest.com (click here to see my boards!) for ideas and it suddenly clicked that EVERY kitchen I loved had a beadboard backsplash. Off to Lowe's we went! 

Plus, as an added bonus, beadboard is very affordable, easily installed, and I could paint it in any color. 

Brandon installed the beadboard and I was in charge of putty. I also was the lucky one that got to sand ALL the cabinets and doors ("Yay, I get to sand cabinets!"--said no one ever...).  

 

Meanwhile, Brandon cut and fit our IKEA Numerar counters that his mom had delivered for us from down south. Without having to pay shipping, our counter-tops came to $450 and were gorgeous! Which is awesome if you ask me. He also installed our new stainless-steel sink. 

 

I stained them in  Miniwax "English Walnut" after some light sanding (I'll post more details later). 

Anyway... here is the most recent photo! I ABSOLUTELY love it. Now I just cant wait to tear down that light, paint the walls, add trim, and get rid of those SUPER ICKY cherry-wood floors!

 In case you wanted a flash-back-- ew.

I guess I should stop here to apologize and explain this post is a SUPER-fast summary of our work over the last 21 days without many photos because, to be honest, I've only snapped photos here and there on my iPhone rather than taking genuine, "professional quality" photos to share. There will eventually be more to come, but I'm just trying to stay up to date on the blog :-)

So, here are a couple other random tidbits...

Behind one of the cabinets I found this note left for the previous owner's hubby AKA "Bumble Bee"... if only we didn't know that he used to grow marijuana in this house and that he beat the same wife that wrote this note... bastard (pardon my French).

 

Moe really likes to help too... so much in fact that we think he's attracted to loud noises!

Oh yeah, and we got another cat... Meet Lily-- once again, I'll explain later ;-)

The last sixteen days.

So, part of my plan for this year is to start writing on this blog more... and, as you can see, things are moving slow. But, the truth is, out here in the real world things are moving fast! 

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This year has started off with a couple of bumps, but I'm trying to take it in stride.

Sadly, at seventeen years old, we had to finally say goodbye to our little poodle, Ginger. 

 

My parents made the decision after over ten years of wonderful times with her. She was my mom's "baby" and went to work with her every day. We first met Ginger outside of a craft show when I was in seventh grade. The SPCA had all the adoptable dogs out on display and she waited until we walked up to put her nose through and it was all over. We adopted Ginger  with the plan to give her to my great grandmother to keep her company, but we wanted to get her spayed and cleaned up first, so we took her home. She was already and adult, estimated around three or four years, but after going to the vet, we found out she was closer to six or seven years. We soon became attached and realized she wouldn't be going to Grandma's, she was our dog.

Not long after we rescued Ginger my grandma had a severe stroke that left her in assisted living. We constantly brought Ginger to the home to visit where all the elderly women would fuss over her and tell us stories of their pets. They especially loved how Ginger would "dance" (quite exquisitely) for treats. Ginger was friendly to everyone and even tolerated being dragged around by her ears by my nephew and experienced life with two lab puppies and my little Izzy tormenting her as well. There was no doubt that Ginger was a saint. 

A few years back a tumor appeared on her gums. The vet gave us a guess of about two months before we would have to make a decision. But, thankfully, we were blessed with three more years together. However, dogs can't last forever, which was reinforced with the loss of Indy in April. With the family so devastated from losing Indy so young, my mom told Ginger she had better hold on. 

In September, a visit to the vet for a cough showed a large tumor on Ginger's lung. The vet explained this would lead to her demise. She explained that even if the tumor was operable, at Ginger's age it would not help. Our only option was to keep her comfortable. We were given pain medication and Ginger's ability to be spoiled went way up. The week of Christmas it became clear that it was time to make a decision. Her body was giving out before her spirit, but with the holidays it just became too much. My parents waited, hoping she might pass on her own over the holiday while the vets were closed, but she didn't. It was especially hard on my dad who still struggles with the "what ifs" from losing Indy. But, with Ginger, there were no "what ifs". There was no "getting better". She was around seventeen, the oldest dog the vets sees, and she lived an incredible, happy life. 

On January third they finally made the decision to take her in. They said their goodbyes and buried her beneath the oak tree at their home alongside all the other amazing dogs we have owned. Losing a pet is never easy, but we have been thankful that this goodbye was more easily accepted than with Indy. We couldn't have possibly asked for more time with her and we were so blessed to have had all these amazing years and wonderful memories with our little girl. Ginger, you will be missed.

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A few other things have been a little "off" lately too. My dad's health issues seem to be causing him more and more difficulty and appear to relate to Rheumatoid Arthritis, but we are not entirely sure yet. At fifty, he seems to young to be having the amount of pain and discomfort he is experiencing. 

Also, within the first week of January I got a flat tire and cracked a tooth! This isn't a good way to start this year. However, I don't want you thinking this post is all bad. Despite these "bummers" that keep popping up, I feel alright. I'm trying to just take everything in stride and it is going pretty well. Not one of these "bad things" has been within my control and I have had to accept that. 

While on one hand things were getting rough, the other hand was having fun. This week my work started back up and next week I start my third semester in the master's program and I start seeing families! <--- EEEK!

And, since this is a home blog and not just some diary (which I treat it as anyway)...

We started our kitchen renovation!

On New Year's Eve we started to demolish our kitchen and now we have taken it so much farther! You just wait... these cabinets are no longer stained with that icky-sticky cherry finish and there is already a beautiful back-splash and counter-top installed! 

I promise I will post details soon, but in the meantime, a 52 pound Saint Bernard puppy needs to go get his last round of shots at the vet!

Just had to share...

Welcome 2012

Wow, hands down 2011 has been one of the most stressful years of my entire existence. Like really... how can something go by so fast yet drag on at the same exact time?!

This year had some rough patches--

1. I was CRAZY busy--- like forget your name, on more than one occasion, kind of busy.
2. Both of my parents have had some pretty unusual health issues resulting in emergency room visits and surgeries-- stressful to say the least.
3. We had to say goodbye to my dad's baby, our six year old Labrador, Indy, after she came down with Valley Fever. She was the best bad-dog we ever had and despite our best efforts we couldn't save her. The whole family was devastated. If you need a good cry, the whole story is here.
4. I experienced major burnout, and maybe even a little depression mixed in here and there from all the pressure and stress of planning a wedding, working sometimes 70 hours in a week between work and school, and taking on more than I should while dealing with all the other drama going on. 
5. We said goodbye to our favorite roomie, Garrett as he left for graduate school down south-- but opened our door to a new roomie for a 3-month long stay.
6. We had to deal with splits, divorce, and moves in the family.
7. I'm still surprised our seventeen-year old poodle mix is still hanging on after being put on doggie-hospice back in September after finding a tumor on her lungs.
8. I realized my goal for having less stress was completely thrown out the window haha.
9. I didn't meet some of my 2011 resolutions (click here to see them)-- like eating healthier, working out more, and getting organized-- all thanks to having my plate a wee-bit too full...
10. Basically, I think Brandon said it best when he said, "We had enough drama this year for a mid-afternoon soap opera". 

But, overall, I'd like to think the year was filled with a lot of really amazing things as well and that the good truly does outweigh the bad--

1. I really did accomplish a VERY good amount of resolutions from 2011, like reading more (it may only be 2-3 books a year, but I read them, and I enjoyed it!
2. I managed to put away some rainy-day fund money, but this year I really want to start saving more.
3. We finished our downstairs bathroom renovation.
4. Brandon left his old job for a new one that he really, really is happy with.
5. I became a substitute teacher-- while being a waitress-- and being in a master's program... 
6. Our friends Blake and Victoria had a gorgeous backyard wedding. 
7. My favorite cousin announced she and her hubby got married in dumb and dumber shirts in May after deciding an elopement was way better than planning a wedding just to please the family! --it was epic!
8.  I hosted a bridal shower for my (now) sister-in-law, Erica.
9. Josh and Erica were married at Brandon's parent's home (and I was the photographer!)
10. We celebrated owning our home for two years!
11. I found a REAL diamond ring buried in our backyard!
12. I saw Luke Bryan and Tim Mcgraw in concert-- country girls should always shake it for Luke. 
13. We took four separate sets of engagement photos to create a 4-season themed guest book.
14. My childhood friend, Allene, got married.
15. I started getting more comfortable asking for time off from work as a waitress so I could enjoy weekends.
16. I don't really know where the summer went--- but I think I enjoyed it.
17. I accepted a full-time long term substitute teaching position that allowed me to quit serving (thank GOD!) and has given me such an amazing opportunity to really test the waters of what it is like to teach-- and has me thinking I'll stick with counseling...
18.  I discovered Pinterest.com -- and yes, it's been life-changing-- I've found a way to be even less productive!
19. Brandon and I had more weekends together to go camping and enjoy our time together.
20. I started, and finished, my first year in the M.S. Counseling program for Marriage and Family Therapy-- only a year and a half to go!
21. Our friends Lacey and Ricky had a wedding ceremony after he returned home from being stationed in Japan during the earthquake. 
22. I spent a morning with my close friends and family to celebrate my bridal shower

23. I had a kick-ass bachelorette party in Vegas where my mom had one of my close friends flown in from South Carolina by surprise and I was "violated" by an Elvis impersonator during a photo opportunity (not joking!).  I really should start sharing more on this blog...

24. I was married to the man I have loved since I was fifteen (or younger if you count the years I denied having a crush on him). The wedding couldn't have been more perfect!

25. We brought home our dream-dog, Moe! He's now 13 weeks old and 41 pounds of Saint Bernard cuteness. Seriously, he's better than we ever imagined!

26. We drove down to Carmel for our honeymoon and realized we did not take a SINGLE picture... but maybe that's a good thing-- if ya' know what I mean...
27. Our friend's Daniel and Allie bought their first home!
28. Josh and Erica announced they are pregnant! (Due June 2012!)
29.Two weeks later my favorite cousin announced she was pregnant too! (Due August 2012!)
30.We found out our wedding will be featured on DIY Bride!
31.We survived Christmas and I'm currently enjoying the hell out of having three weeks off work and four weeks out of school before the new year starts up!
32.And, oh yeah, we start our kitchen renovation TONIGHT!

All in all, I think this year was full of so many BIG changes. With every change there is stress, whether good, or bad, it is felt. We both hope this next year goes a little more smoothly, and hell, we even hope it is a little boring, but I guess that is the joy of life. We don't know what is going to happen. We know somewhere in there we can find balance, or even imbalance as we hope for more good than bad, but we just have to take life one day at a time. People with depression often dwell in the past, those with anxiety worry of the future, and those that are happy stay in the present focusing on what they have at the moment. I want to be happier this year-- more focused on where I stand at the moment-- enjoying my twenty-third year in life. 

But of course, I love thinking about what is to come. Thinking about what I look forward to... This next year will bring babies, and my Saint Bernard will grow to be over 150lbs, and I will say goodbye to my sixth graders whom I have become quite fond of, and we will have a brand new kitchen to enjoy! Good things are coming, I just know it. 

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In 2012 I have some simple resolutions:

1. To spend more time with my husband being a supportive and happy wife (the kind you actually want to spend time with-- rather than the hair-falling-out mess I've been).
2. Do more projects-- yes, these can be stressful, but I LOVE the creative outlet it gives me.
3. Get rid of stuff-- clutter=stress.
4. Put less energy into work (I think I've been giving too much) and putting more energy into school-- the classes I am taking mean more to my future than a "temporary" job even though I really enjoy it.
5. Start obedience training/socialization with Moe so that one day he can be a therapy dog.
6. Walk all three dogs more and spend time with my man at the same time.
7. Be more accepting of the changes we experience in life.
8. Be thankful more for what I have. We are so blessed. 
9. As always, exercise more, eat healthier, and do more things that are just for me-- and yes, reading lame love-stories and bubble baths totally count!
10. Make an effort to do my hair and makeup-- sometimes as stress takes over I don't get dressed up-- I'm only twenty-three once... I should be enjoying the hell out of it while it lasts. 
11. As Kenny says, "Unplug, unwind, and step out in the sunshine"... "live a little, love a lot".

So, how's the new year looking for you? Planning on having it go better than 2011? Or was this year an awesome one for you?

Our Wedding

On October 8th, 2011 Brandon and I finally had our wedding day! We started dating when I was fifteen and he was sixteen and through the years we saw this day coming, but having it come to life was more than words can describe. Now, after recently celebrating our eighth year together, we are thankful to have a relationship based on a strong friendship that started way back in seventh grade. 

We wrote our own vows and made each other both laugh and tear up. Originally Brandon did not want to write our own vows because he is so shy, but with so much going on, I felt like that would make everything slow down for a minute and let us really reflect on why we are in love in the first place. I wrote my vows the night before, and he wrote his the morning of, but they both were so short, sweet, and so us. After nearly eight years together, it is amazing how one little paragraph can still get to you so much... 

My nephew, Conner, AKA Con-man, was our ring bearer and was escorted in his car down the aisle by Brandon's little sister, Alize. I imagined him freaking out going down the aisle (even though that TOTALLY isn't his style), but that little guy did just the opposite. He was a total ham, giggling and laughing as he drove his car past 180 people. Then, throughout the wedding he pushed his car and walked around being a total silly goof-ball... we just loved it!

The wedding was PERFECT. Like, I'm serious. I really don't think things could have been better-- unless we could have slowed the whole thing way down of course. The week of the wedding had been warming up after rain and cold the week before, and the day of we were blessed with the most perfect weather around 75 degrees with sunshine and clouds. Everything arrived on time (including family) despite the drive and Brandon and I had decided the easiest way to get everything arranged was to work together in the morning-- so yeah, we saw each other before our first look-- but having that time together in the morning really helped keep the nerves way down. 

The day before we had picked up all the flowers and arranged the centerpieces at home. I was really excited to do this considering my sick obsession with flowers. Like, kid in a candy-store status. I even made my own cake topper in my great-great grandmother's teacup!

To help streamline everything my parents brought their toy hauler to our home and we loaded every last piece of wedding decor into it. It felt really good getting all that stuff out of our spare bedroom (oh yeah--side note-- roomie moved out in September which really freed up some space for wedding decor storage!). I was a little scared the next morning that we would open the trailer and find the flowers smashed or wilted or something (especially after having SEVERAL wedding-gone-wrong dreams), but when we arrived that morning they were perfect!

I hate to sound like I'm tooting my own horn, but I bust my ass on this wedding and it paid off. I worked on details for months and really started getting my ass in gear when I had two weeks off before the wedding thanks to my school's year-round schedule! I really don't think I could have planned it any better than it turned out. We had a ton of help setting up from family and friends, and let me tell you, that made a world of difference. The day just went so smoothly, I wasn't stressed, there were no bride-zilla incidents, and only happy tears. 

Now, not to say everything was as perfect as a movie... some things were a little laughable-- like Brandon getting his hair cut by our friend/stylist outside of the bridal suite because he forgot to get it cut that week and was looking a little shaggy! But seriously, in the book of wedding-gone-wrong stories, I'll take that any day!

Our photographer, Rochelle Mort, is such an amazing and sweet woman. you can check out her blog here, and more photos from our wedding here. But seriously, she is probably one of the sweetest, most artistic women I know. We did a four part engagement shoot that took us through the four seasons leading up to the wedding, so we had a chance to really feel comfortable with her-- and that's a big deal for my once camera shy husband-- I think he's mastered modeling now... doesn't he look handsome?

As for the girls, choosing bridesmaids dresses was a bitch. Pardon my French... but really, matching dresses to a "goldish cream" is a real pain! We settled on four dresses, ALL under $50. My maid of honor, and very best friend, Allison, wore a striped Anthropologie dress that had some vintage lace detail and pulled in all the colors of the other girls dresses. We started with this and just matched the dresses to the colors in her's. The best thing about her dress... it was originally $168, then marked down to $80, then when I went to get a price adjustment down to $80 I was surprised to hear is was marked down to $50. Um, SCORE! The other three dresses are from Marshall's and Forever 21, each costing less than $30. I told the girls they could accessorize however they wished and that we should all wear cowboy boots-- you know, because I'm a tomboy at heart.

 

As I mentioned before, we arranged all the centerpieces ourselves, but my mom convinced me to let the florist do our bouquets to save the hassle the day of. And, of course, I have to hand it to my mom, because O.M.G. (yes, spell it out!) they were to die for. Originally he did not know if he could get Dusty Miller for the foliage, so I was SO excited to see it the day of. We went with cream and pink roses (because peonies were DAMN expensive), white hydrangeas, blue delphinium, and they were wrapped in burlap with some vintage button details. My bouquet had more white and no blue to distinguish it and it was wrapped in a dusty pink vintage lace that was also used of our champagne flutes. I seriously could not get over how much I loved them-- and they did not even wilt until a week after the wedding!

The florist's wife even told my mom when she picked them up that they were her favorite arrangement of all time :-)

Family photos don't get more real than this! I just loved how my nephew decided to pull my dad's ear for it... love him...

I cannot say it enough how wonderful our day was. We drank, we danced, we laughed a lot, we experienced only minor family drama (which was surprising considering leading up the wedding we had some big concerns), and the day was everything we hoped for and more.

P.S. Stay tuned for more photos-- I'm just a little short on time these days!