Weekend Recap: Baseball tickets, Grout & Bowling Fail

We had a nice weekend with minimal kitchen work. I really want to be done though, and we're just not quite there yet. Blah.

On Friday night, Adam went ice fishing after work. He caught some fish, but has decided that lake is a bust for how far away it is (down by Prior Lake). Puppy and I just relaxed together until he got home around 9.

On Saturday morning, we were rudely awakened by my alarm. I had set it for 8:15 because Brewer's tickets went on sale at 9 am. After sitting at the computer and constantly refreshing for 20 minutes, the virtual waiting room was open at 8:41. I got in to buy tickets right away when they went on sale at 9 am. Woohoo! We're going to two games of Brewers vs. Twins in Milwaukee. I'm excited.

As soon as I was done buying those tickets, it was time to stalk the Twins website. Luckily, I had picked up a few games earlier in the week in the pre-sale. We'll be taking my sister to a game on my birthday in July. I also got tickets for a game in April. But I wanted to get some tickets for sitting in the Grandstand. It's probably one of my favorite sections for some reason. I don't think I could ever be a season ticket holder because I would get sick of always sitting in the same seats. I like the different angles and views from around the ballpark.

ANYWAY, the virtual waiting room opened at 9:41. I was the first stick man in line at 9 am in Firefox and third in line in IE (Yes, I had 2 browsers open just in case. Yes, Adam made fun of me for it). I finally got in at 9:40 in Firefox only to have it error out on me when I want to purchase the tickets, and no, the time had not run out. When I went back in to the calendar, it said I had already completed my transaction or there had been an error and I couldn't get any more tickets. It was ridiculous. I was kind of mad, but glad I had left IE open. Five or so minutes later I got in via the IE so I was fine. We didn't get the best Grandstand seats (ie not 1st or 2nd row as I had hoped), but they're not bad. We're seeing the Phillie's in June during the week - Adam's choice.

So once all that baseball ticket buying fun was over, we started on the grout. Which wasn't too bad really (more details below).

Left side has grout, right side does not

 That evening, we ran to the jeweler to get my rings cleaned and inspected, and then swung by PetSmart to get Chester a few toys. I had to get him something with his Valentine's Day money from my parents! He loves his new chew toy and kong so far. No we have 5 kong type items so I can make them on Sunday night for the whole week. Awesome.

Then, we met my friends at the bowling alley. Oh, how I suck at bowling. It was embarrassing. I don't think I've ever been that bad. So so many gutter balls. It was ugly. And humiliating. I'd be happy to never bowl again. But we still had fun, and that's all that really mattered.

Adam has good bowling form. I do not.

Since it wasn't even 10 yet, we all went to The Groveland Tap next. Lucky for us, it was happy hour. Adam enjoyed a few beers and I enjoyed a few deep fried pickle spears. Delicious!

On Sunday, I planned to work on removing the grout haze on the tile, but I had a headache and just didn't feel up to it. Instead, we relaxed, watched a movie, and I read a bunch of my latest read - Fall of Giants.

And of course, here's the full kitchen update.

Day 27 (Thurs)
1. Pick up tile end piece at HD (Adam)

2. Make some special cuts (Adam)

3. Back butter and put up the last tiles

4. Rejoice because all the tiles are up!

Day 28 (Fri)
1. Stop at Ikea "quick" to pick up a bar and hook to hang utensils

2. Get increasingly frustrated because Ikea is also renovating and nothing is where it normally is or where the signs say it will be

3. Finally find it upstairs in the showroom

Day 29 (Saturday)
1. Clear counters & put down the special construction paper so as not to get the counters dirty

2.  Watch a few YouTube videos to refresh how to grout

3. Wipe down the tiles with a sponge to clean

4. Grout (Adam's lucky job)

5. Wipe off grout on tiles with sponge

Chester was especially curious of our bucket of water

6. Rinse & repeat


Day 30 (Sunday)
1. Plan to work on removing grout haze, but skip because of bad headache

2. Waterlox the sink hole more (silicone was drying when I finished the counters so I couldn't then)

Foodie Friday: Coffee Rubbed Pork Roast

I was a little skeptical, but thought this recipe looked really good. Adam was even more skeptical when he got home and looked at it - he thought it was burnt.

I found the recipe here- Coffee Rubbed Pork Roast

It was really easy to make. I made the rub up the night before, and then put it on the pork and put it in the crock pot in the morning. It was on all day. We both really liked the flavor and will be making it again. It caramelized on the pork nicely. My only change would be to baste the top about halfway through. The rub/crust on it got a little dry.

We used a large pork loin we had picked up at one of those Cub BOGO sales (no idea how many pounds). It was plenty of food for dinner and lunch. Then we used the leftovers for tacos for dinner and lunch.

Shredded in tacos

 There's even a little more leftover that I froze for us to use on nachos this weekend.

We finished up the tiling last night, and now have to grout and seal. I'll have some tiling updates on Monday.

Still Tiling & Not so Naughty Puppy

So this tiling business is taking a bit longer than we thought.

Day 25:
Not so much fun. I accidentally broke one of the tiles Adam had meticulously cut. It went downhill from there...

1. Make specialized cuts. Lots of them.

2. Tile above the stove and over to the edge

3. Tile behind sink

4. Teach Stef how to cut with the tile cutter. Start speaking again.

Day 26:
Where we discovered we couldn't finish because the last edge piece was broken. #$%@!!! 

1. More specialized cuts with the tile cutter, wet saw and nippers (done by Adam)

2. Lots of back buttering because of small spaces

3. Discover the last edge piece has the top broken off. Wonderful. Guess we won't be finishing this evening after all.

4. Get stack of items to return & receipts together for Adam's trip to HD tomorrow for a new edge piece.

In Chester related news, he's been a very good boy. I think this whole kitchen project has made him much more independent. Most nights while we're working, he can be found chewing a bone on his bed or sleeping. That's right, he finally figured out that his bed is for relaxing in, not digging. Though occasionally he can still be found trying to dig in it.

Yes, he's laying on one of his bones.

And we're tiling!

Pretty exciting stuff. Seriously.

Adam and I both agreed that this has been our favorite part of the project so far. It's just fun.

Here's a little before shot-

We started at 6:45, and were at it until 10:30. We were on a roll and just. couldn't. stop. "Just a little more" was frequently said.

The only part that wasn't so pleasant was the outlets. Those little guys made it a bit tricky. Adam had to make some pretty hardcore cuts to accommodate them. The wet saw and tile cutter were definitely put to use.

Chester was a good boy and mostly lounged on his bed and chewed his bone.

 Day 24:
1. Start to cut tiles in half for corners with wet saw. Discover that part of the tile is lost due to the nature of how the wet saw cuts. Call Stef to pick up tile cutter on way home. (Adam)

2. Prep counters with painters tape along edge and paper over counters

3. Stop at HD and pick up tile cutter. I've been there way too many times in the past week.

4. Measure and strategize over dinner

5. Cut tiles in half with tile cutter

 6. Back butter (Stef) & place (Adam) tiles for bottom first row on the left side. Place wedges underneath for uniformity.

7. Put adhesive on walls (Adam) and place tiles for next rows (Stef).

8. Make annoying cuts for around outlets with wet saw & tile cutter. Decide we need to get some nippers before continuing.

 9. Start the right side (see #6-7)

No weird cuts needed on this side!

 10. Decide the outlets on the right side are much easier to deal with.

11. Realize we should probably finish tomorrow. Clean-up

Even Chester thought it was time for bed

 I'm not going to lie. After we cleaned up, I spent about 10 minutes just standing there admiring the tile and our progress. I really love it. And it's been so easy (so far).

Fam Visit

We had a busy fun weekend with my fam visiting. It was nice to spend time with them and take a break from the kitchen.

They brought up my completed rocking chair. I'll share photos of it later. It looks so good though.

Soon after they arrived on Friday night, we left to meet Adam's fam at Osaka in Roseville. Eight was the perfect amount of people, as we fit perfectly around our own hibachi grill. We enjoyed the experience and the food. It's definitely entertaining.

Saturday, Adam took my dad and his dad ice fishing. They didn't have much luck, but it sounds like they had a good time at least.

While they were fishing, mom, Stine and I went to the Mall of America. We got there around 10:20, so it wasn't too crowded yet. The parking lot was a zoo when we left though. Crazy.

First, we went to the Diana: A Celebration exhibit. I'm not a Diana fan by any means, but it was really interesting and well done. We also had the audio tour, which seemed to be worth it. My favorite part was seeing her wedding gown. Wow. It is quite the dress. And really pretty hideous. Those sleeves... yikes.

I also liked seeing some of her jewelry, crown, and a room full of dresses. We were in the exhibit for almost 2 hours.

Mom & Stine outside the exhibit - of course no photos were allowed inside

Then, we had lunch and did some shopping. We also had to check out the new Peeps store. I can't believe there's a store for that.

Christine loves Peeps

On our way out, we went to the make your own frozen yogurt sundae place. It's kind of a rip off ($0.47 per ounce) and you really have no idea how much it will cost until you check out. It was really good though and I'd get it again. The cheesecake frozen yogurt was my favorite. Delicious.

YUM!

 Back at home, we rested a bit. I also made some chocolate covered strawberries for Stine. I wish I would have taken a photo of them. They were so pretty!

Once the guys returned, we headed over to Savoy's for dinner. It was a bit of a wait for a table, but worth it. Yum.

On Sunday morning, Adam and I made breakfast tacos for everyone. Then we headed over to the Minnesota History Center around noon. It was packed! I couldn't believe it. Apparently it was all for the 1968 exhibit, which we waited an hour to see. And it wasn't even remotely worth it. Plus it was so packed inside it, you could barely move let alone see or read much. I think the old house and Greatest Generation exhibits were much more interesting.

Dad and Stine waiting outside the old house exhibit

After the museum, we went to lunch at Cosetta's. Yummy as usual. Then it was time for the fam to head home.

Once they left, Adam and I relaxed and watched a movie - Midnight in Paris. It was a bit odd, but I enjoyed it. Probably because of all the Parisian sights it showed. I cannot wait for our trip there in September.

Next, of course Adam and I did a little kitchen work. I mean, the weekend wouldn't be complete without some.

Day 23:
1. Replace tan electrical outlets with white ones (Adam)
2. Clear off counters
3. Scrape silicone off wall from previous countertops with backsplash
4. Discuss the layout, measure and visualize
5. Measure/level and draw straight line for first layer of tile (Adam)

That's as far as we got though because Walking Dead was on at 8.

Day 20: Counters are usable & original idea board

Last night was a good night. The last coat of Waterlox was dry, so we could finally use the counters again!

The Waterlox - doing it's job, repelling water

 I came home and was pleasantly surprised to discover that Adam had done a lot of work cleaning up. All our project materials that were on the kitchen floor (tools and such) were put away, the floor was swept AND mopped so Chester could actually be in there. He did all the dishes that had been accumulating from the week when we couldn't use our sink. He'd even cleaned the bathroom including the toilet! That was a first (for him in this house at least). I was super impressed and happy!

Day 20
1. Clean up!
2. Put everything back in the drawers (this was half done already, but now it's complete)
3. Put items back on the counters (though they'll have to be taken back off when we start the backsplash next week)

This is what it looks like now. Just imagine a pretty white subway tile backsplash.
Also, this was taken at night so it doesn't truly show how much brighter it is now!

I cannot express how much I love our kitchen so far. Last night, I stood in the doorway for about 5 minutes just admiring how pretty and bright it is now.

I don't think I ever shared my idea board from before we actually started the project. Here it is-

Stef's Kitchen Idea Board:

What do we have left?
1. Subway tile backsplash
2. Switch out old outlets and lightswitches (gross cream to white)
3. Figure out something to put behind stove
4. Last coat of satin Waterlox where undermount sink is (the silicone was wet when I did it everywhere else)
5. Arch above sink (to replace the scalloped valance)
6. Remove the pull on the corner drawer and patch it up (ugh. stupid corner)
7. Paint touch-ups

Not bad though considering where we started! We're looking forward to a break from it all this weekend!

Naughty Puppy: Library Card Chewer (and Day 19)

It's Naughty Puppy Thursday, and very fittingly, Chester was rather naughty this morning. He hasn't been allowed in the kitchen lately because of all our kitchen project gear everywhere. As such, I've been a little lax and my purse has been laying on the floor. This morning, it was not only on the floor, but wide open. After I took his leash and harness off, while I was taking my own coat off and hanging it up, little Chester was sniffing in my purse. I shooed him away, but not before he got something and took off with it.

That something was my new St. Paul Public Library card. The little monster! I got it back because he dropped it and couldn't pick it back up (no traction on the hardwood). Of course it now has a few little teeth marks, but it's still usable. It made me laugh.

The damage (esp in the right corner)
It's much more noticeable in person!

And of course a kitchen update-
Day 19:
1. Start putting some items away in the drawers (Adam while I was at work)

2. Run to Home Depot again to get a new tube of silicone caulk. Luckily they let me just have it because I paid but didn't get have it in my bag when I returned home on Tuesday night.

3. Silicone edge where undermount sink meets wood countertop (Adam)

4. Painstakingly wipe away most of it leaving a small strip where the crack is (so as not to be too noticeable)

5. Brush on the final satin coat of Waterlox (this is coat #4). We may actually have a usable countertop tomorrow night!
The satin coat is because the regular stuff is really shiny. The satin is supposed to tone it down.

Extra shiny before the satin coat of Waterlox

Valentine's Day (and Day 18)

Oh Valentine's Day.

While I was still at work, Adam finished putting on the cup pulls on the lower cabinets. He ran into a problem we hadn't thought of though. There are 2 drawers in the corner. After putting on one of the pulls, he discovered that you can't open the other one if it has anything on the face (knob, pull or cup). Great... I use these two drawers a lot, so just having them look pretty with the pulls but unusable because they can't be opened isn't an option. Not sure what we're going to do yet. Frustrating!

The drawer dilemma

After work, I stopped by Home Depot for a few tiling supplies and silicone to put around our sink. Of course, I get home only to discover that the silicone isn't in the bag. But it was on the receipt. UGH. Super annoying.

I took Chester for his evening stroll around the block, while Adam got a lot of the food prepped for dinner. He grilled steak, shrimp, asparagus and garlic bread. It was delicious. We enjoyed it with some champagne on a picnic in our living room. Chester was not impressed to be put in his pen by the front door.

I should have got out the Canon.

Adam and Chester got me some beautiful roses. My favorite flower ever. It's one of the few that doesn't make me sick from the pollen and scent. They smell so fresh.

 I also got an adorable card my goddaughter Ava made. Complete with lots of glitter!

Then the boys opened their presents. Chester got Adam a nice card that he signed himself (as he tried to eat the pen) and a deck of cards featuring himself.

Who is that handsome pug on there?

 I also got Adam a card, personalized photo mug, and "fishing tackle" candy box. I thought it was cute considering his new favorite hobby.

 Chester got a new nylabone and then a stuffing free squirrel toy from us. He enjoyed shaking and "killing" the poor squirrel. He's obsessed with it, but I'm sure it will be destroyed in a few short days.

We gave him the gifts in the living room, but he raced off with them to his spot by the front door

 Chester also enjoyed the valentine's he got in the mail from my mom, dad and Stine. Addressed to "Chester Lorang" of course.

Once the fun was over, I sanded down the counter a bit, fixed my wood putty mistake at the sink crack (turned out too dark once waterloxed), and put on coat #3 of Waterlox. Hopefully it'll look good once dry and I'll be able to put the satin coat on. We seriously cannot wait to have a usable countertop again!