February's books

Books read in February: 7
Books listened to in February: 3

Books:
9. "Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl" by Tracy Quan
10. "Stranger" by Megan Hart
11. "Bright Young Things" by Anna Godbersen (Bright Young Things #1)
12. "Anna and the French Kill" by Stephanie Perkins
13. "The Angel Experiment" by James Patterson (Maximum Ride #1)
14. "School's Out – Forever" by James Patterson (Maximum Ride #2)
15. "Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports" by James Patterson (Maximum Ride #3)

Audio Books:
6. "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins
7. "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments #1)
8. "City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments #2)

Favorite Book
"Anna and the French Kiss" was freaking adorable!

We actually have window molding!

Well, our windows in the kitchen have always had molding, but you'd never know that with the extra-wide blinds the previous home owners installed.


While the blinds are very nice real wood...not white + too big = of constant annoyance to yours truly.


So, we finally made the switch in the kitchen (and family room). Being able to see the molding makes all the difference.

Progress report

So close to done...


All that's left is the trim. Hopefully that's a task for this weekend.

Tuesday

I'm excited to say that the building part of the shelves is done. Spackling, painting and adding trim is still on the agenda though.

Today's progress pictures:
And of course, the night I have energy to keep on going, I run out of paint. My goal for tomorrow evening is to have the painting done.

Monday

Brent is still going strong (he took tomorrow off as well), but unlike some people, I have to work tomorrow and my bedtime is near – so I'm calling it quits on Monday. And judging from the choice words coming from the garage, I think Brent's about spent himself.

Since we are doing the built-in in 2 different pieces (bottom and top), we've started repeating Saturday and Sunday's steps. I am loving this repetition because it means there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

While I was at work, Brent attached all the bottom shelving to the base:

And did all the wiring (pre-spackle photo):

Then it was back to Home Depot to have the cuts made for the top:
And while Brent is currently building those shelves, I've started painting the shelf backs:
Definitely a productive day. I'm trying not to read too much into the fact that the day things get done is the day I'm not there.

Sunday

Sunday consisted of a lot of painting and a very late night.


It was an awkward kind of day though, because when either Brent or myself was working, the other was at a standstill. Even though, I regretted it at work today, I'm happy I stayed up to get my painting done. Since Brent had today off, it gave him a good head start.

Saturday

Even with 2 mishaps (both in the mis-measuring department), more progress was made on the built-ins than I expected.

The before:
The blank canvas:

The "demo":

The purchase:
There are some things we just aren't comfortable DIYing, like things that require straight lines. We had Home Depot cut all the shelving. The first 2 cuts are free, and everything after is $.50 a cut. $17 is a small price to pay for straight lines. We dropped off our "order" Saturday morning and it was ready 40 minutes later. Totally worth it.

The base (not sure what's going on with the spots):

Saturday's progress pic:

The big blank area (which is DVD shelving) was done, but I'm mean and had Brent redo it this morning. The bottom shelf was too short (as in, you couldn't put a finger above the DVD to grab it out). He said we could make due, I gave him several mean looks and finally I got my way. While I still don't think he is happy with me, I'm sure he'll be thankful about it in the long run.

Aside from the shelves, we alo dogsat this little cutie:

Definitely a guy thing

I'm excited about the man cave built-in shelves for the look and the dvd storage. Brent, is excited because of this:


Yep, he bought a command center (among other things). I don't really get it, but I do know that my husband is glowing and very excitedly showed me every item in his "box of goodies" that arrived today.

The next project

I know it's been like a year (exaggeration is the best), but I've been resting up for the next project. That's right, it's a big one. And we are starting it this weekend.

The task: built-in shelves to frame in the TV
I'm so excited to start this man cave project. That way we'll finally DVD storage, as well a place to finally display some of Brent's sports memorabilia.

The kitchen (phase 1 done)

Thank the lord, my kitchen cabinets are done.

Before:
After:

I know, it may not look like too much of a difference in the photos, but it lightens up the kitchen so much.

Here's a closer up photo to show you the difference with the new hardware:


So, what's next for the kitchen? Countertops and back splash. I'd love to say that's going to happen soon, but considering my kitchen fund only has $200 in it at the moment – I have a ways to go. I'm aiming for October or November. Or maybe, if we get an awesome refund, sometime sooner. :)

Freelance designs

Aside from tasks around the house – I've been keeping myself busy with freelance projects.


This invite is for the couple's shower Brent and I are hosting in March. I found this design concept somewhere else, fell in love with it and decided I had to create my own. I found a Web site offering free vector chess pieces, and then I went from there.

snOMG 2011

Like many of you, we were hit with snOMG 2011. It was quite the blizzard, but being snowed in for 2 days did give me the opportunity to finish the dreaded kitchen cabinets. And since luck is on my side, I managed to miscount the hardware needed – so I was taunted with not truly being done. Awesome. (My kitchen should be clean tomorrow, so pictures to come soon).

Macintosh definitely enjoyed snOMG, but Chip refused to venture past the area Brent shoveled for him.

Football fever

Brent: What are we having for the Superbowl other than meatballs?

Me: Ummm, I don't know.

Brent: Nothing comes to mind?

Me: I guess we can do some Rotel dip.

Brent: That will work.

Me: Why?

Brent: (pause)

Me: You're wanting to figure out what to put in the football bowl aren't you!

Brent: Of course!


Oh, the football bowl. My parents actually got it for Brent 5 years ago, but it got lost in the shuffle, and I didn't find it until I started the cabinet painting several weeks ago. The fact that he was debating what food could go in it makes me giggle.

January's books

Books read in January: 8
Books listened to in January: 5

Books:
1. "Playing With Fire" by Katie MacAlister (Silver Dragons #1)
2. "Up in Smoke" by Katie MacAlister (Silver Dragons #2)
3. "Me and My Shadow" by Katie MacAlister (Silver Dragons #3)
4. "Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Sex and Science" by Mary Roach
5. "The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Stieg Larsson (Millennium #2)
6. "Happy Ever After" by Nora Roberts (Bride Quartet #4)
7. "Forever" by Judy Blume
8. "Love in the Time of Dragons" by Katie MacAlister (Light Dragons #1)*

Audio Books:
1. "The Summoning" by Kelley Armstrong (Darkest Powers #1)
2. "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan
3. "Heart of the Matter" by Emily Giffin
4. "The Scorch Trials" by James Dashner (The Maze Runner #2)
5. "Mini Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella (Shopaholic #6)


I read so many fabulous books in January, it's kind of difficult to pick a favorite. I am loving all of Katie MacAlister's dragon series and "Loving Frank" was really great, but I think the winner has to be "The Scorch Trials." The Maze Runner series is just amazing, and I recommend it to anyone who loved the Hunger Games. I'm on countdown for the last book in the trilogy to come out now.

* Please note, this is a spin-off series of a spin-off series. The actual first series is The Guardian series followed by the Silver Dragon series.