Out With The Old...

What better time to take on large DIY projects than long, dreary winter weekends? That's exactly what we did last weekend. Finally, after four years of looking at our old, builder-grade, white formica kitchen countertops (completely sterile, bland)... it was time for a change. A big change!

About mid January, we started brainstorming kitchen upgrade ideas. Our house isn't that large, so even small changes have a big impact on the feel of our 1,400 sq. foot home. One thing we've always loved about our cozy home is it's cottage-feel. Surrounded by towering oak trees, a couple backyard hens, a rambling brook just a couple meters from our back door... we love the energy, and warmth of our home. We wanted the heart of our home, the kitchen, to give off that same warm, cottage-type feel.

One thing we both wanted were granite countertops. So we visited a designer in Cary who helped lead us in the right direction as far as granite goes. She was very knowledgeable in color and design, which really helped us narrow down our granite choices (thanks for the recommendation, Alice!) Then about a month goes by, and we set an appointment to visited the granite fabricator. We see all the slabs of granite and pick out the color and style we feel would best fit (both our style and budget).


About two weeks later, on a Friday afternoon, the installation began! I took the day off so the granite people could stop by in the afternoon. I sat on the couch as I heard banging, and drilling in the kitchen. Then I saw the two construction workers walk in front of me, and out the front door with the entire, sterile, white countertop in their hands and I about shrieked with glee! The one thing I hated most in this house, was finally leaving. No more yucky, leaky sink, no more ugly white counters... bigger and better things were on their way (can you tell how I loathed my kitchen countertops?)

The new countertops immediately made a huge impact on the look and feel of the room. That evening Kyle and I went straight to LOWES and bought our supplies for the next day. We already purchased our backsplash tiles... and our neighbor leant us his tile cutting saw... so we were set to go.  

Bright and early Saturday morning we started laying the backsplash. After countless YouTube.com videos... I had it under my belt. We were ready to go. Our neighbors stopped in to see how we were doing. They gave us some tips and suggestions. Luckily we have a Contractor, and an Electrician who live two houses down :) Like snails, we inched along laying tiles, cutting tiles... then cutting more tiles... finally by 1:00am that next morning we finished with laying the tiles. After a warm shower, we hit the bed. 

The next day, Sunday, we had one thing on our mind, and that was "grout." We went out for breakfast to get the day started off right. Once home (after a brief trip to LOWES for extra supplies) we put our nose the the tile-stone and got back to work. Grout is gross. It's dirty, sticky and grimy. I don't know if it will ever come off my nails. Kyle did most of the grout work, and I came behind him with a wet spunge and cleaned the tiles off. We went through buckets and buckets of water cleaning off the grout. Talk about a workout!

It sounds easy... but it took the entire weekend. We entered the work week more exhausted then we when we left it! But all in all, it was well worth it. Especially if we up'ed re-sale value... CHA CHING!  Kyle and I make a pretty darn good team, but I don't think we're going to start "flipping" houses anytime soon :)

Welcome to the family Miles!

One month ago we added a special member to our family. We adopted Miles. A 5-month-old, brindle and white, American Staffordshire Terrier mix. Yes! Kyle and I have become first-time pit bull owners! Let me tell you, I have never had a dog that cuddled as much as this little guy. This dog is really something special (of course, I say all my pets have that "something special").

What were we THINKING? A puppy? Kyle and I promised we never get a puppy. We knew that one had to be a gluten for punishment to "want" a puppy. But something struck me about this guy. I see hundreds of pets move through the halls of the SPCA; but there was special something about this one. Hitch (Miles' name while at the shelter) was a transfer to our SPCA from the local county shelter. Our AMAZING animal care staff pulled Miles out of the isolation room. He was being treated for a cough. I can't tell you *just how lucky he was* to make it out of that room alive! After the whirlwind trip the county shelter has been on lately, we are so lucky the SPCA's animal care staff brought him to the safe confines of the our shelter. 

Once Hitch recovered from his neuter surgery, it was time for him to go up for adoption. He was in the SPCA's adoption program for a couple days when... dun dun DUUUUNN: He had to go to bite quarantine. The 5-month-old puppy was being just that, a puppy. His sharp puppy teeth broke the skin of a volunteer, and policy calls that Hitch go on bite hold for 10 days. His "hard time" was served in the back room of the SPCA. This is where I fell in love with him. During that week, whenever I needed to take a break from my computer, I went back to get cuddles in the hold room. One thing led to another, and Hitch started coming home with me at night. Then he'd go back to work with me in the morning. That lead to him serving out "his sentence" in my cubicle. Then going home with me at night again. We had one "trial" week with him before he was released from bite hold with "Time Served." It was now that we had to make decision. He was going to be available for adoption to the public the next day. Kyle and I fell in love with this cuddly pup; he got along great with Duncan, and enjoyed hanging out with our two cats! 

We had talked about adopting another dog for over a year (off and on, Kyle would say). I felt in my heart it was time. We are an active family, and wanted an active dog to go running, hiking and traveling with us! Hitch seemed to fit the bill. Big D (AKA Duncan) is our cold-weather cuddle bug... but in the NC heat, we feel guilty taking him out with us sometimes. Plus Duncan (who's wears a constant poker face) didn't seem to care about the possibility of a new addition. When we discussed it with him he burped, turned his head and starred at the closet door. He sat starring at it as if pondering, how long it has been there... (that pretty much sums up Big D to a "T").

So one Friday night we put Hitch in the crate, and we seriously discussed his adoption over borritos at our favorite Mexican joint. We both had a come-to-Jesus about puppy ownership. Was this something we really wanted to take on?

Then a sign: I checked my email that evening. An adoption counselor who knew I was interested in adopting emailed me that it was 3 years to-the-day, we adopted our precious cat Riff Raff. Kyle put his hand on my lap, and we knew it was meant to be. 

Hitch, now Miles, became ours that next morning! So far Miles has learned: Sit, Stay, Beg, and Leave It commands. Psssst... did I mention he's house trained? Say what!!! It's true. But we are still working on his "complaining" when we leave him alone. Good thing is, his complaints aren't anything a yummy, juicy KONG can't fix. Beyond his "Oh, I'm a poor, little puppy and don't want to be left alone" complaints, he's a good office dog at work. 

Miles' adoption may explain why I've neglected this blog the last couple weeks. Now that our new puppy routine is solidified (somewhat) I'm excited to jump back in the blogosphere!