Garbage

With all the work tearing apart the kitchen, I managed to fill up all of our garbage cans (one reserved for actual garbage). I'm pretty sure that our garbage man hates me. I might actually get them a card next year. Each one of these are full of crumbled sheetrock. So a good hundred pounds or more... enjoy!

Plumbing 101

Well it has been a busy week of dismantling the kitchen. This week, I've was able to rip down all of the soffits and electric. Next week I will begin to rip down the existing plaster and lathe. 

But first, I need to take out the kitchen sink and temporarily remove the dishwasher. This is the job I decided to tackle today. In order to begin, I needed to turn off the hot/cold water. The hot was easy, unfortunately, the cold not so. After turning many valves in the basement, I determined that there was no direct shut off for the cold water, except for the main shut off to the house. There had been in the past, and presently are, but they have ceased to work. This poised a problem. 

So i determined where I needed shut off valves. I would need 2, one main shut off valve to make the shut off valve to the kitchen sink and one more to even begin this work and to make future work easier. So I went to the local hardware store and they helped me with everything. Problem solved. 

I went home and installed one in the basement and one under the kitchen sink. Which consequently we were given quotes of like $500.00 from Home Depot's contractors to move the shut off valves from the basement to under the sink. Outrageous! It seriously only took me about 15 minutes and cost me a total of $35.00 for all the parts. So now all I have to do is the hot.

Tomorrow is pretty busy, so I guess that leaves Monday to finish taking out the sink. I've also determined that throughout our kitchen remodel, we will be able to use our dishwasher. Major props for that. I might build a platform with wheels for it so we can move it around easier. 

Cooking in the Basement

Well for the past two weekends, we have been doing some work in our basement. With help from Molly and electrical help from Charlie, we now have a kitchen that we can use in the basement.  When we went to the Kraftmaid outlet during in the Autumn, we bought a pallet full of doors and trim. We took down the old cabinets and left the 'bones'. Then we used materials from Kraftmaid to add a finished and clean touch to the cabinets

Here is a before and after picture of our progress. Not too shabby.  

                                                          

Now after work for how ever long it takes we will be focussing on finishing the long over due remodel of the upstairs kitchen. 

A new look for Chevy

Dare i say it, but the new 2011 Chevy Aveo RS actually looks pretty cool. However, why is it that every Chevy car has about the same interior and same front clip. They find it so necessary for brand identity to put the same grille on every car, except of course the corvette and camaro. Here is an update i made to the car. Not bad looking for about 5 minutes of Photoshop.

Look-a-likes

This is obviously a departure from my typical blogs. I've noticed lately that some people from tv look a like. 

Sean Algaier and Susan Boyle

Adam Lambert and Kelly Clarkson

Also, i just noticed Tracy from the biggest loser looks like Molly Shannon.

Winter Beer

From time to time when i visit close friends, I like to bring a 

new beer. This time I brought Indigo Imp Winter Solstice.  

The occasion, doesn't matter. There doesn't have to be a 

reason. Most of the time i try them out. This time I didn't; 

I just knew that it would be a good beer. I've had their beer 

before and I'm all about local beer. The first beer I had 

of theirs was the Blonde Bombshell. I like their signature 

of wax on one of their bottles in a 6 pack. Its nice to see 

something different, something that grabs your attention. 

First its the look, then when you get home, it's the beer.  

I know this time of the season, everyone like to bring 

Great Lakes Christmas Ale, but I wanted something 

different. Sometimes, GLB tastes the same. Same 

base flavor with a twist of something different.

Since I'm on the topic of Winter Beer, I just so happen to be 

enjoying a new one. 12 Dogs of Christmas, by Thirsty Dog, 

Akron Ohio. I was fortunate enough to hear about this beer 

from my friend Derek. We went out Thursday night and 

Friday night. He asked for it at both places we went and 

they didn't have it.He claims that it is the original recipe of 

Great Lakes Christmas Ale from 3 years ago. That is when 

I first had it, and haven't had it as much since, only because 

of the effects after drinking it.

Well after writing this post, I think that Thirsty Dog, has 

matched that batch of GLB from 3 years ago. I have a pretty good buzz.:)

Beer of the Week

Honestly it could probably be beer of the day. I can dream...right? I first had this beer at work. The work environment is pretty laid back. Sometimes beer helps to get the ideas flowing. Anyways, our office manager brought a few of these in, so i tried one. I instantly liked it. It has a clove ..y taste and amber color. Not overpowering though. It is called Pumpkin Ale from Buffalo Bill's Brewery. I found this beer at the Miles Market. I'm sure Heinen's or your local specialty grocery store will have this. Next week's beer of the week is a good one. I had it on Tuesday. It was smooth, delicious, and local.