long delayed kitchen pics

Nath, wonderful Nath showed me how to download pics so though this is quite a bit late, here are my before and during and after kitchen pictures.

Before










As you can see, very 70 ish, very dated and very ugly!!









During




























Again - as you can see and isn't it nice to say that - things were very dark and then they became very blue. And there is a new floor



After


There is still more I didn't include like the dining room table and leather chairs that Destructo Cat demolished - but you get the *wink* picture of what it looks like.

Further Bad Kitchen Adventures - Update

subtitled

I'm Mad As Hell And I'm Not Going to Take It Any More

OK - I'm riled. I'm really riled and it takes a lot to get me really riled.
For those following along with the kitchen adventures, at last report I had a bad experience with them delivering my fridge. It turned out even worse as later in the day when I was on my way out I noticed that they had scraped paint of my brand new freshly painted walls of my brand new renovated kitchen.
I headed to the furniture store to see about getting a new fridge and complain about the Really Bad delivery service. They told me they couldn't do anything but to call a number of Monday. I did so. And the number to call for house damage was in Toronto. I called that number too but the guy to talk to was out for the day.
I went to this particular store because a coworkers husband worked there. I told her about what had happened and she called her husband. He was ticked too at what happened and I thought things would be resolved.
Not so.
I got a call from the store sometime during the week and the person on the other end wanted to know what had happened and I explained it. And then he said a new stove was in and would be delivered on Saturday and the table and chairs would be coming soon.
The next day the salesman called and said that the company no longer made that particular table and chairs and I would have to pick something else out - could I come in Friday night.
No I couldn't. I had an appointment to get my hair cut.
There was also a voice mail left saying they would be delivering the stove today (Saturday) sometime between 7 and 8 am. So again - for the second Saturday in a row, I set my alarm clock to get up early.
Now I'm an early riser during the week so one of the best things for me about weekends is being lazy in the mornings. I usually get up around 9 and get dressed sometime before 11. Not today. I was up and dressed by 7:30.
No one is showing up.
It's now just past 9:30 and I just called the store to see where they are. The woman on the phone said they had changed routes and the stove would be delivered sometime between 1 and 3. This will NOT work because (sister) Lisa and I have plans. She's coming into the city and she's looking to get a car so we were going to make a day of it, go out for lunch, visit the furniture store so I can look at different fridges etc.
SO I WILL NOT BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON. THEY TOLD ME BETWEEN 7:00 AND 8:00 AM.
On top of this, they needed someone to work on the weekend as the person who was supposed to work canceled out and I said I would do it tomorrow - knowing I had plans for today.
So I have to be up and out early tomorrow morning too.
And I will be visiting the furniture store - oh yes I will. Krisite will be there canceling the whole fuckin' order and demanding they come and take the too big fridge back and the demanding my money back!
I have absolutely had it! They have lied to me. They have damaged my new kitchen and they've screwed me around enough thank you very much.





*****ETA*****

I went back to the furniture store and I'm not sure if I won or not. Keep in mind it's difficult for me to keep a mad on.
I went to the customer service desk and stated I wanted my entire order canceled and the fridge I already had returned; that I was tired of the run-around I was getting and wanted nothing more to do with this store. She called the manager and (sister) Lisa and I went into his office. I explained - without yelling and without using cuss words what had happened and what I wanted. He listened patiently and then sympathized that I had received bad treatment. I got a total refund on the table, chairs and bar stools I ordered. In addition he said they would deliver the stove - at my convience - and I should add I really did like the stove and got a great price. Then we went and looked at all the fridges and we discussed the fact that they were all made deeper these days and if I wanted one to line up with the counter, then it would be wider and more expensive. Since I can't go any wider than the one I have now, I'm stuck with a sticky out fridge. There was one on the floor that had the same kind of mark and he showed me how to get rid of it. Then we went back to his office and he said he would also knock of the price they charge to remove old appliances. And he told me that when they do deliver the fridge, he would have them switch the handle to the other side for free,something else they charge for, and to show the delivery guy the damage they did to the wall.
I guess only time will tell whether I crumpled like a wet kleenix or I will finally get what I want.

And it's STILL not done

I'm sitting here with my arms crossed and my grumpy face on. My kitchen still isn't done yet. I thought I'd be coming home to see kitchen guy installing the counter top and sink.
But there is still no counter top and the dishwasher doesn't work and I don't have a sink. Well - I have a sink but it's still sitting in the living room.
The hold-up seems to be the counter top people. The keep back ordering it. This is after they told Kitchen guy the first one I picked out was discontinued - the day before he was going to get it.
Now I know this isn't Kitchen Guy's fault. He's already had his wife call and get very angry with them (he's to soft hearted to do it). And he won't go with them any more. I don't really blame him - but still - it's very very very frustrating. You see - I desperately need a hair cut. But I wasn't going to get a hair cut before I go back to my not so natural auburn coloured hair. But I can't go back to my not so natural coloured hair until I get a kitchen sink. That's because I don't want to rinse the not so natural colour out in the bathroom sink because I'm still using it to wash dishes. On top of that it's porcelain and stains easy - I know this because I have stains around it from the last time I turned my rather grayish hair to it's not so natural auburn colour.
On top of that I want to have my carpets and furniture professionally cleaned to get rid of all the dusty stuff from much earlier - but I have a kitchen sink sitting on the living room floor.
I can cook now - they moved the fridge and stove back yesterday. But I still have to get the water for the kettle from the bath tub - because the kettle is too big to fit under the tap in the kitchen sink.
I'm a very patient person - well some might say I'm not - like Lisa. But for the most part I am. But I've run out of patience. I want my house back to normal.
I'm very grumpy this evening.
So excuse me for a moment......

&^%$%&^ and (*&(*^% all to *((&%^&(* and back. Also *&^(^( ing ()*&)*&^ kitchen.

Kitchen Update

For all those who might be wondering how the kitchen is going.
Well - I still haven't got one!!
The completion has been delayed. I picked out a counter top and the suppliers didn't inform my kitchen guy until two days before he was going to get it that it was discontinued. I picked out another one I really liked and it was supposed to be in last Thursday, but it was back ordered.
*sigh*
Most of the kitchen is done. I still need the counter top and the doors up on the cupboards. And I still don't have the appliances in. And I still don't have the sink in.
They started on January 4 and here it is February 16 and still no kitchen.
I'm getting a bit tired of this. I want to cook damn it!
They had a potluck at work the other day and I couldn't make anything for it.
I want to be able to make a cup of tea in the kitchen, not in the bathroom.
I want to be able to wash dishes in my kitchen sink!
I want to make myself a steak for dinner
I want to bake cookies - OK I don't really want to bake cookies - but I do want to be able to bake cookies if I want to.
I want my dishes back in the cupboards
I want my bedrooms back - not full of appliances and boxes.
I want to go out and buy a new table and chairs and bar stools.
I want my peninsula
I want to make myself a coffee with Baileys but the Baileys is in a box somewhere in the overcrowded bedroom.
I want to buy a rug to go under the sink.
I want to be able to take pictures of my brand new finished kitchen!
I want to put up a few nick nacks - not the huge amount I had before - but just a few.

OK - I'm finished whining for the day.

Oops - no I'm not. I thought of one more!
I want to be able to pluck my eyebrows and (can't believe I'm confessing this) chin hairs again. I have this makeup mirror with a big mirror I used to set on the kitchen table and be able to get real close and pluck. The bathroom mirror is just too far away from my poor weak eyes anymore.

Now I'm done.

Contractor Guy, Kitchen Guy and others - oh my

I don't think I've mentioned some of the more embarrassing aspects of having my kitchen redone. They've just recently decided where I work, that they need longer coverage in my department. So while I used to work strictly 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday, they have changed things so that we have to work weekends and 8:00 to 6:00 on weekdays.
There are three of us (well there was but one woman moved to another department so then there were two but they've hired someone else so there will be three again - and I'm rambling) so we do a lot of switching around.
When it's my turn to work a weekend, I have the Friday before off and the Monday after off. It's not too bad as it's like two short weeks in a row and working weekends is much more relaxing - dressing down, no makeup, no bosses - that kind of thing. Plus for me, weekends can be pretty lonely so if I work on a Saturday, it breaks things up.
For the week days now, we have staggered shifts - one week I'll work 8:00 to 4:00, the next, 9:00 to 5:00 and then 10:00 to 6:00.
Now this will work fine in a while (although I'll never really like the 10 to 6 shift) but right now when I have workmen coming in the house it can be a bit - well - embarrassing.
I don't move as fast on those weeks I have the latest shift. Earlier this week (I was on 10 to 6) I had just gotten out of the shower and only had on my housecoat when I heard a knock at my back door. It was only 8:00. I didn't know who it was as Kitchen Guy had said he wouldn't be over until 10:00 - after I'd left.
It wasn't Kitchen Guy, it was Contractor Guy and his two helpers.
I couldn't not let them in is as they had work they had to finish up. But it was most disconcerting to be caught nearly naked with wet hair and no make-up on. I had to throw on different clothes as I hadn't ironed the clothes I was planning on wearing and they were all downstairs - which would have meant running around not dressed - Yikes!
I learned my lesson well that day though and the next day was up, dressed and ready for work when once again they showed up early. It was rather funny though since it was just Helper Guy this time. He apparently knocked, came in and then backed out and then made a second attempt when I didn't answer the door. When he came back in the second time he was almost as embarrassed as I was the day before. It was rather funny.
And another thing I find rather humorous about the whole thing. I live alone. I'm a woman. But every day now when I come home from work the toilet seat is up.

This and That

For a little bit of This

One of the things I look forward to in February is the Annual Reader Poll at All About Romance. I love voting and seeing which books are readers favourites. For the past couple of years they have done it differently and they have an ongoing update of which books are in the running, out of the running, back in the running. I cast my ballot the other day. Be sure to check it out!

And a little bit of That
I don't know how many of you have checked out the new blog The Book Smugglers yet - they are two newbie bloggers, but they scored pretty good with a fascinating interview with Joanne Bourne, author of what already is and I'm sure will remain, one of my favourite books of 2008, The Spymaster's Lady. Be sure to check it out too!

And in non book related news, I can see the end of the tunnel on my kitchenless house! It's getting there. The ceiling, floors, walls, painting are all done and the cupboard frames are all done. It's fascinating coming home at the end of the day to see how much more they've done. I've been taking pictures - before, during and I'll take after so I can post them. I'm so excited! One of the things that bothered me most about the old kitchen was how dark it was. Well it's not dark now! It's nice and bright. Pics to follow!

'till later

What I won't do for The Crusade!

Well, if the maybe crusaders won't come to us, we will go to them *g*.
I knew Cindy had a copy of North and South and a few weeks ago I let Krisite out of her cage long enough to email Cindy with a "Say, I have a great idea" kind of email. She lives about an hour and a half away it's become one of my favourite things to do to go visit her. Right from the start we had an instant bond in our love of romance books. The Chapters near her has a great romance section and I get to drive Real Fast on the highway.
So in my email, I said wouldn't it be a great idea for me to come for a visit and we could watch North and South - never a hardship for me. As well as the pluses I just mentioned, it would get me out of house hell for a while. I'm headed into my fourth week with no kitchen and as well as kitchenless, since they took it back right to the studs, there is now a fine line of dust on EVERYTHING. Add to that my computer woes and it was just about time for me to get away for a while. Cindy also thought it was a grand idea. She even invited me to spend the night - which meant we could feast on the whole of North and South in one go since it's four hours altogether.
She cooked a Wonderful Meal - she must have read my mind that Prime Rib is one of my all time favourites. I even hugged her kitchen counter as it was so nice just seeing one again.
So, after a trip to Chapters (books I bought to follow), a delicious meal, we got into our pj's and settled down for some Prime viewing. I think she's going to post her thoughts on N&S soon. And if early indications are correct, she will be moving from Maybe Crusader to Crusader - but I'll let her let everyone know.
For me though, it was viewing paradise. See, her and Bob have a 52 inch either Plasma or HD television. I'm afraid I don't really know the difference. I meant to ask but forgot. But the point is, what a heck of a difference it made!! I've been watching it on my (what now seems tiny) 27 inch screen. Mind you the surround sound is very nice - all the better to hear his fabulously deep, oh so sexy voice. But to watch the whole thing on a big screen, and that final train scene - total bliss!!!
In order to let her see the total scope of his acting abilities, I also brought Robin Hood where he is the magnificently evil, but totally sexy Guy of Gisbourne and The Vicar of Dibley (courtesy of someone wonderful) for his adorableness.
We watched an episode of Robin Hood but he wasn't in it that much. But hopefully she got a taste. And then today we watched The Vicar of Dibley. I'd seen the first episode - The Handsome Stranger earlier, but I hadn't seen the second one. I must say the British have wicked sense of humour! They were both a riot.
Later we took a quick trip to IKEA where I stocked up on glasses for my hopefully done soon kitchen shelves.
It was a fabulous break from my stress of the moment life. When I got back home though I was once again thrown back into it as the furnace had quit again while I was away and it was a balmy 7 degrees Celsius in the house. That would be roughly44 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrrrr. I called the furnace people and someone showed up to fix it and it's about 15 degrees now.
Now I'm wondering if a trip to England is in order.

Now - for the books I got at Chapters
One of the great things about the reader that I am (and I don't really mean that in a vain kind of way - I mean it more as a fact) is I like all kinds of romance books. I got myself quite a variety this time

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Partner Katiebabs has been raving about this one and even though it's a vampire romance & normally don't read them, her praise has been so high I thought I'd give it a try.









Die For Me by Karen Rose
Ames really loves her books. I just finished Count to Ten and quite enjoyed it so I was looking for more from this author. Unfortunately this was the only other one they had.










Destiny's Warrior by Heather Walters
I've never heard of this author and I don't think this book is in the Chapters near me. Since I'm always willing to try new authors and the premise sounded interesting, I thought I'd give this one a try.









His and Hers by Dawn Calvert
Same kind of reasoning with this one as Destiny's Warrior. Plus the price is pretty good. This one is a time travel and I'm always willing to read one of them.









Tumbling Through Time by Gwyn Cready
For the third time, this is a new author, haven't seen it my local Chapters and it sounded interesting. It's also a time travel. And the shallow me thinks the shoes the model is wearing are very nice and I wish I wore heels.









His Favourite Mistress by Tracy Anne Warren.
The first book in this series got very good reviews - I think - and while I have it, I haven't read it. As good a reason as any to get a book. Besides, Cindy had six books so *chuckle* I had to get six.









And because I have sound back again and this means YouTube is back in my life again, I will leave this for all the Crusaders



'til later

Recent Reads

Hot by Julia Harper

Why this one: I read and reviewed (I think) all of Elizabeth Hoyt’s books. I know I did two of them. But nevertheless, I found out in Dallas that she had a contemporary book coming out in the new year under the name of Julia Harper and as I love the Prince trilogy, I was really looking forward to seeing what she could do with a contemp

Level of Steam: Nice and hot

Amazon Blurb: For four years, play-by-the-rules bank teller Turner Hastings has brooded over her uncle's wrongful imprisonment. But when two bumbling crooks stumble into her branch (barely disguised in Yoda and Sponge Bob masks) and hold up the place, she sees a chance to do something she's never thought possible: get revenge. She takes advantage of the melee to pull a heist of her own, seizing info from a security box that will exonerate her uncle. Sent to investigate a bank robbery in small town Wisconsin, Special Agent John MacKinnon discovers the robbers were two not-quite-so-bright thugs and one woman. Now, Turner is on the run. With SA MacKinnon on her trail, she's breaking into the bank president Calvin's house, kidnapping his Great Dane, and for the first time in her life, setting out to break a few rules. But when Calvin hires a hit-man, MacKinnon will have to decide between his career--and saving Turner.

My thoughts: Not to worry – she does just fine! I really enjoyed this book. I had just finished The Spymaster’s Lady and was a bit worried about that ‘after good book’ blues. Very Happily this was just the perfect book to read after. It started off with a hoot and kept it up pretty much all the way. Turner was a Most Excellent Heroine. It was a riot to see her outsmart a Gman time and time again. There was a wonderful lightness to this book even while not so good things were happening.

Although it was a while before Turner and John actually meet, their telephone banter is quirky and hilarious. If I were ever wanted by the FBI, I hope someone like John MacKinnon would be on my trail.

And normally I don’t mention supporting characters, but the two bumbling would be bank robbers had me laughing out loud in a number of places.

And this is only the second book I’ve read where I loved the dog in this story – not being a dog person myself. But the big Great Dane was another welcome fun character.

And it was interesting too because the authors ‘voice’ is entirely different in her contemporary than in her historical. Unless one knew in advance they were the same person, one would never guess.

Big kudo’s to Julia Harper for writing something fun enough and enjoyable enough to distract me from my kitchen woes! I hope this isn’t the last we have heard from this authors incarnation.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

Touch of Texas by Tracy Garrett

Why this one: It’s a good price, it’s a western, it’s a new author all of which = autobuy in my books

Level of Steam: Kept me toasty warm in the cold winter

Zebra blurb: A blizzard blows Texas Ranger Jake McCain to Rachel Hudson’s cabin and trouble is right behind him. He’s badly wounded. Taking care of him is the right thing to do, but she knows the local gossips won’t see it that way. Suddenly, everything Rachel’s fought for is at stake—and the past she’d hoped to escape looms over her future. Still and all, when Jake turns his dark gaze on her, all she wants is his strong, seductive touch…

A Woman To Call His Own …

Jake McCain has never stayed in one place. A home and a family aren’t for the likes of a man accustomed to the rough life of the trail. But when he sees the trouble she’s in, he can’t leave her behind. Not when her innocent kisses burn straight into his soul, and the sight of her smile is the only bounty he cares to collect…

My Thoughts: Overall I was quite impressed with this one. There were a couple of things a bit off which I’ll get to in a minute, but it was offset by the fact that it was so nice to read a good Western.

The heroine of this book, Rachel Hudson was one I really liked. She was young and poor but she had a high set of morals that I really liked. She did what was the right thing to do and I admired that about her.

I liked Jake too although after a while I got a little tired of his excuses as to why he couldn’t stay and be happy with Rachel and her younger brother. It was explained a little late in the book – earlier would have been better, but he was a man of honour and he was very protective of this small little family who saved his life. I liked that. Other than that he made quite a fine loner of a hero. Another thing a thought a bit off was a certain story line that could have made all the difference for Rachel just seemed to be dropped for no apparent reason I could figure. I don’t want to say what it was a give it away, but it did have me scratching my head a bit. But overall I don’t have any problems recommending this book in a genre that we see far too few of for this little Western lover. Ms. Garrett has another book coming out and I will be looking for it and buying it.

Grade: 4 out of 5

*Note* I know I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I think Zebra is really thinking outside the box and have a heluvan idea in having debut author’s books on sale at a special price. Unless the book sounds like it’s really something I wouldn’t like, I’ve been buying them all. $3.99 (or $5.99 CDN) for an author’s debut book and $4.99 or ($6.99 CDN) for the second one is a great way to build readership. I wish more publishers would think of doing this!!

And in other news - my world is a little bit brighter today. You see my computer is on it's last legs. I've mentioned before that the sound is gone. Well, I had an optical mouse but had to switch back to the old-fashioned kind recently because my ports keep blowing up. The *&))&)*^ mouse was pretty much toast recently and the frustration of it really curtailed my time on-line. But I was talking to the computer guys at work today about my situation and one of them gave me a USB to Port conducter - or something like that. So now I can use my optical mouse again. And I tell you what a difference it makes!!!!!

I need a new computer desperately but what with the new kitchen, I'm babying this one for as long as I can.

And not only that - I called Contractor Guy today and it turns out the floor I purchased is OK! That means I (Ryan) don't have to haul it back to the store and buy something twice as expensive which is what they said I should do. But he was talking to Floor Guy in Home Depot and Floor Guy said the flooring I purchased is good and would do fine in a kitchen.

Now I'm off to catch up on everything I've missed lately!

'til later

The Perils of Kristie and the Kitchen

I came home to the kitchen in quite a messy state. I expected that though. It seems I made a few booboos though. They gave me a list of stuff (more stuff) to get and off I went to Home Depot. At this point I should say that store scares me! So even walking in I was intimidated. My assignment was to get flooring, lights for the ceiling - possible ceiling fan lights, LED puck lights (?????) a light for over the sink, a new sink and possible faucet and an over the stove microwave/range hood. Luckily Contractor Guy's wife wrote it all down for me. Oh, and they will need Electrical Guy to do some rewiring - total just went up when I heard that news! They didn't have LED puck lights so I failed that task. I forgot all about the over the sink light so I failed that one too. I did get a kitchen sink though and a new faucet. I also got the over the stove microwave/range hood. And I got a couple of ceiling fan lights. But I forgot lightbulbs (the one obviously didn't go over my head) And flooring - I also got flooring.
When I got home, they had knocked out all the bulk heads - and there is lots of dust all over the floor, removed the final cupboards and sink. The fridge, stove and dishwasher were all still there though which puzzled me a bit. Kitchen guy called later on in the evening with the bad news. I bought the wrong kind of flooring. It's all wrong. *sigh* I will have to take it back. And the flooring they recommend is twice as expensive but Kitchen guy is going to do some pricing. So it turns out I failed that one too.
And Electrical guy (who I haven't met) is going to get the puck lights. Turns out halogen will work because while they give off more heat than LED lights, LED lights don't have dimmer switches and the heat the halogen lights give off won't be that much.
Do I sound like I know what I'm talking about? Because I really don't have a clue. All I know is the picture above the flooring was a kitchen and white cupboards - which is what I'm getting and it looked good so I just assumed it would be all right. Now how do I tell Brent who lugged them all out of the car that they have to go back in - all 15 boxes - even though they said I only needed 13.
And the reason they didn't move the appliances? Well, it seems that I should have taken the food of it out, so the fridge was way to heavy to move. You know that just never occurred to me to do that, take the food out I mean. And as sister Lisa can testify, I have a lot of Stuff in my fridge. Stuff I'll never use. Like the huge bottle of Cranberry juice. Or the eight pounds of chicken breast I have in the freezer because it was on sale. Although most of the seven tubs of margerine are empty. And I really don't need to keep the three 2 litre bottles of pop I don't drink but I have for company in the fridge. And I suppose the 12 bottles of beer that I have for my own consumption - and guests too - could have been taken out.
Further adventures of the Perils of Kristie and the Kitchen to come.