More Tile

Once again Emma and I had a weekend of tiling on our schedule! We started Saturday morning with tiling the back splash for the granite counter that we finished last weekend. That went pretty quickly which was nice.

Then came the travertine tile for the floor. We bought 18X18 tiles and planned on cutting them in half to install them in a nicer pattern. Since our floor was pretty small it would have looked odd having such large tiles.

Our wet tile saw was on the small size so I had to build a jig to support and cut the tiles in half. It worked ok but wasn't perfect which meant that the tiles were pretty close to being the same size but still a tiny bit off which made it all the more fun for Emma to install.

Before we installed the tile we had to seal it so the mortar would not stain it during install. It took a while to dry so we had to wait to start the install for the day. Emma managed to get about 4 rows of the 9 installed on Saturday night before we decided to call it a day.


Sunday morning we got up first thing and started with the work again. It went somewhat smoothly but of course had its issues. All in all it went well and we actually managed to get done early in the day and take a long lunch break to eat and relax a bit.




We spent the rest of the day cleaning and recycling all the cardboard from the cabinets and returned all the stuff we bought that we ended up not needing which was nice since we had a good amount to install.

Earlier in the week I worked on installing the high counter on the cabinets that are outside the kitchen. It also went well but took time measuring and re-measuring to make sure I didn't make a wrong cut with the circular saw. I knew I couldn't mess up since I only had one shot at it. The results turned out nice and is really a nice addition to the kitchen.

Granite Tile Installed!!

This past weekend Emma and I installed the granite tile on the counter top. We had planned on doing both the counter and the floor but that of course didn't happen. We started our day with a wonderful breakfast!! Ok it wasn't a huge meal but it was a "cooked" meal. We got the camping stove out and Emma cooked some egg sandwiches! Man they were yummy. Eating cereal and oatmeal everyday can get to you!


We started with getting the counter ready on Saturday by putting a layer of mortar down and then the Hardiboard. The front of it was a bit tricky with cutting thin pieces and attaching them to the plywood. It turned out that we had to wait a day for the mortar underneath and the joints to dry as well. So that meant we didn't get to install the tile until Sunday morning. We started out by heading back to Lowes to get a special sized hole saw to cut the hole for the faucet. Once that was done we jumped in to tiling.

I was the cut man and Emma was the installer. It was a bit tricky cutting the tiles and keeping them from chipping. Didn't act like the ceramic tiles we used in the bathroom. It worked out though. Emma did a great job with the tile. It was very tricky putting down the tiles because the plywood we used had a bit of a bump in it. We thought it would work out but would have been easier to lay them out with a completely level surface. Emma worked from around 9 am till 10 pm making sure each tile was level with the next. We chose a penny size grout line which made it even harder to get them level. We decided early on that we would take the time to get each one right and level which took longer but was worth it!!

Also, a few days before the tile install I cut the new oak counter that we purchased from Ikea and installed it. Was really cool to go from no counter to finished in one movement. Of course now I see how nice it is for people who put in a slab piece of granite instead of tiles. But then again we weren't about to pay $2500!!!

We still have the back splash to finish but that will hopefully only take a little longer to complete. Also once the tile grout is done we can install the sink and dishwasher!! (It's no installed in the picture...just sitting on the tile).

Here are some recent pictures from the installs.

Kitchen Remodel

So it's been a while since I posted anything to the blog but we have been a bit busy with the kitchen remodel. I managed to get some time to upload some pictures to Flickr yesterday and the day before. I had planned on posting pictures and comments while it happened but I just didn't take the time to do so. So you get it all at once.

As soon as mom and dad arrived they got straight to work. Dad was a workhorse getting the plumbing and electrical set up and installed while I was at work for a few days.

Mom was great with helping to keep things clean and organized while installation was going on. Was also very helpful in pointing out steps we missed or measurements that needed to change so that step 5 would come out ok.

We managed to cut the opening and secure the ceiling with a new header and all went according to plan. It was a bit scary at one moment when cutting a 2X4 and the blade that was cutting it was pinched by the lowering of the wood, but that turned out to be fine and the ceiling was still secure. We were just cautious.

Once all the plumbing and electrical and insulation was set and ready to go, dad insulated the walls and filled any gaps to keep the cold out. Then came the drywall for the final step in preparation for the new cabinets and appliances.

The wall cabinets went in fairly easy and then came the lower cabinets which were a bit tricky but worked out well.

So this last picture is the most updated look at the new kitchen. The tile floors and granite tile countertops still need to go in but that will have to wait till next weekend when Emma and I are both off and can work on it.

Without my parents helping with everything that they did, we would never be able to finish it as soon as we wanted or would have been able to accomplish the moving of appliances and everything that we had dreamed of doing to our tiny kitchen. Thanks again mom and dad. We love you very much and can't express how much we appreciate your help!!!

Too Funny!

Saw this video this morning and thought it was pretty funny.



Will have to find a video with a dog in it!

Our Kitchen in Boxes!

The Truck Loaded Down!!

Everything But the Kitchen Sink!!

Well we had quite the adventure over the weekend. We decided to buy almost everything that we wanted to buy for the kitchen remodel. Ok I guess we are missing a few things but we did buy all the cabinets and a few other items. Of course we went to Ikea! It was a little nutty buying everything in pieces but we knew that going in. All the planning that we did ahead of time paid off but we still had to change a good amount of design and buy items we hadn’t planned on getting that we needed.

On Saturday we went to Lowes to get the dishwasher and microwave that we wanted. Took it home and stored it in the garage. The next day when we went to Ikea we noticed a sticker on one of the dishwashers that said, if you buy at least $500 in cabinets or other kitchen goodies as well as two major appliances then you would get a 10% back gift card at the register!! Perfect we thought!! We can do that!! So we looked at the appliances and decided to buy everything for that we needed for the kitchen including another dishwasher and microwave oven! It turned out to only add about $70 to our total compared to what we paid at Lowes. So since we were getting a gift card back we intentionally left out the sink, faucet, door pulls, and whatever else we had decided to get. So now we will use our wonderful gift card to buy those items when we go back!! How great is that!!!

So after purchasing everything and getting our gift card it was time to wait till they loaded it up on carts for us. We had thought that we were supposed to get it all our self since they have those huge aisles of boxes upon boxes but they said they would load it all up for us!! It took about 2 hours when they said it would take 1 but that was ok. The weight of everything that we bought came to about 1600 pounds!! We managed to get almost everything but the microwave and dishwasher in the truck in one load. They were not too happy and a bit confused that we were going to have to come back on a second trip but we convinced them that we would be back…plus the truck was really loaded down.

The loading area was pretty crazy. Lots and lots of people coming and going with one or two boxes...and here is our load of 1600 pounds of boxes and parts! They must have thought we were nuts….but hey….we have our kitchen in there!!!!

I will post a picture later tonight of our load!

My Best Client!

Got a new flash for the camera the other day and of course my one and only subject that just loves to pose for me is Puma. I can't get enough of our wonderful pup!

Time for a Change!

The weather has changed and so has the "growing" season. Yesterday was the first time in a long time that I have had to mow the lawn!! It just started a few days ago to sprout up again but it was really all of a sudden. It also means that its the time of year when trees and flowers start to bloom and change colors! I for one am really looking forward to this and hopefully will get some nice pictures to add to my picture portfolio!

But I also have to keep in mind that it also means allergies! I don't have it too bad and never have but sometimes it can get to you!

Vodka Party!

Ok here are a few pictures from the party. More can be found on Flickr!

The Weekend

Well the weekend is over and time to get back to work. Blah. At least the weather is starting to get better by the day. And the days are getting longer with more sunlight in the evening which is always nice.

On Saturday, Emma had some certification training for work and I went to another meet-up with some local photographers. It was fun and I learned some new tidbits of information about taking pictures for portraits and working with models. I will post some pictures when I get a chance.

We also went to a fun cocktail party at a friends house with a big group of people from her work. This time the drink of choice was vodka and they enjoyed all sorts of different drinks and concoctions. I usually stay away from any of the hard stuff so I stuck with beer! I also of course brought the camera and snapped a few pictures (of which I will post later this evening).

Here are a few pictures from our weekend and one of our house on a wonderful sunny day with the new lens.

Puma, Always Willing to Smile!

So once again I had some time on my hands to play with the camera a bit. And since it was not raining I thought I would take Puma outside to play with his ball and snap a few shots while playing.




Then I decided to see how the wide angle lens did inside with him resting from his running outside.

Sick Money!!

Click on the link and check out the video. Crazy rich people are nutty!


$22 Million Tucson Home

Clean Again!!

It's always nice to see the car clean again. With the weather finally warming up a bit..took the time to clean it inside and out!

Indiana Jones Trailer!!!

Really looking forward to this!!

Bigger better video! http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/indianajones.html?showVideo=1

Tuffy The Toilet

Recently I have noticed something a little odd. Maybe its only strange to me but I thought I would share.

A house near us that was recently bought and sold has decided to sell a portion of the land to build a new "row" home right next to it. The property is only 25 feet wide so you can imagine how skinny the house is. Anyway, this isn't the interesting part. When they started to work on both homes, one being remodeled and the other one being built from the ground up, they installed a portable toilet for the workers to use. Nothing out of the ordinary of course but then again this IS St. John's and the ordinary quickly changes to strange!

What I have noticed on almost a daily basis is the fact that this toilet gets used very often by the public. I have seen people walking by use it. The mailman has used it more then once. Even people driving by stop to use the facilities. Now I can understand it maybe happening once or twice but this thing has almost turned into a public restroom!

So since I was bored and was messing with my camera I decided to take a picture to explain it a little bit better.

My TV Has No Reception!!!

The weekend is once again over and back to the working world. It was a good weekend. We managed to get a good amount of cleaning in and had some nice enough weather to get outside to work on the front yard. Nothing big just cleaning up some of the leftover leaves and bit of grass growing where it shouldn't.

We also invited some of Emma's co-workers over for dinner on Saturday night. Emma made some really great Turkey Enchiladas with salad and then some wonderful Sopaipilla's!! Man were they good (and pictures with recipe's to come soon on her blog). But of course the dinner wouldn't be a normal event in our "hood" unless one of our crazy neighbors decided to knock on the door to give us a bit of information. Ok I guess it's not "normal" for our neighbor to come over and knock on our front door but I guess you could say it would be expected! But of course what he had to say was the really nutty part. He said, "hey sorry to bother you but do you have anything to do with that truck parked out there across from my place?" And I said...."well yes our friends are over for dinner and that's their truck." For a split second I thought that maybe something was wrong but then I realized who it was that was asking the question. He is the crazy guy that lives across from us that we see occasionally yelling at other people who are parking in front of his place. And at one time last year he got sooooo upset while mowing his lawn that he was trying with every bit of hate to get as many grass clippings he could on top of the car. Mowing back and forth and back and forth shaking his head the entire time....occasionally turning back to look down the street to flip off one of my other neighbors! It turned out that car had broken down and the neighbor down the street knew who's vehicle it was. And of course we always enjoy a little drama to watch out our front window!!! Anyway back to the crazy guy at the front door. So after I tell him that the vehicle belongs to our friends he says "do you think it would be possible to have them move it because I can't get any reception on my tv!!" He continues, "I am not sure why but when ever someone parks their car in front of my place I get no reception on my tv for some reason." So I think to myself.....ok......and tell him that we will move it to our driveway instead....but of course making sure that was "ok" with him.

So I suppose the mystery has been solved of why he was so upset and makes total sense now.....NOT!!!!!!!!! Maybe he is the reason for the demise of our wonderful and very informative NEON SIGN last year.

Oh and a bit of info.....he lives in the house across the street....which he actually doesn't own and has been condemned by the city for some reason.

GOOD TIMES!!!

Forecast

Here is the actual forecast from the National Weather Service.
This Afternoon: Periods of rain and snow. High near 38. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Here is what we have right now!!



So far this year we have had predictions of snow snow snow. Some days it has fallen and others it has done nothing but rain. So today with the forecast of rain rain and more rain we get this.

Also a video from this mornings local forecast on the news. Stating that no snow is going to stick below 500 ft. and may stick above 1200!!

I NEED A NEW JOB!!

Good Morning Campers!!!

Today is Groundhog Day!! This is the day when Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow. If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole.

If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadow less, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground for the good weather to come.

Lets hope for a cloudy day.

For more information go to http://www.groundhog.org/

And for a great clip from Grounghog Day the movie click the link below.

Good Morning!!

Winter Relaxation

I was looking at old pictures tonight and came across this picture that really shows what the winter weather does to you on the weekends when its cold and rainy outside and all you want to do is relax with a blanket and of course a warm pup!

Snow Again in Portland

Woke up to snow this morning for the drive to work. Of course it was supposed to snow over the weekend and of course it never did. Just was cold and rainy. This morning was a different story. The roads were covered and ice was in spots closer to home and to work. Was fine the entire time I was on the highway but then the side streets turned to a bit of ice but wasn't too bad.

Our weekend went well. We managed to veg out and watch some movies and some episodes of Arrested Development which were great. Emma borrowed the DVD from a friend at her work....Thanks Sadie!!

I went to another Flickr meetup with some local photographers in the area. It was all about flashes...which of course I do not have but will some day soon. It was great talking to everyone and picking their brains on what they use and like. Great experience. I only had time to upload one picture from the shoot to Flickr but might do more later on. There were 4 models about 20 or so photographers taking all sorts of shots. You can check out my shot here. And the rest of the pictures are in this group.