Summer!

We haven't had much to blog about lately but today, on this first day of Summer, the sweet smell of progress is in the air!

All of the kitchen cabinets have been put together and, rather than using the plastic legs that came with them, Sam and Chris built wooden bases.

The tile was laid in the three full bathrooms and is waiting to be grouted. We chose grout colors that correspond to the tile colors and 1/8" joint sizes to make the finished floor look as seamless as possible.

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The front and side doors have been installed.  Because we couldn't find a single exterior door that we liked, we decided to get a solid door and modify it using a Crestview Doors custom kit.  This will be much more cost effective than having a door custom made.  We had Lowes give us a quote on our ideal door and it was $5,000- 6,000 and would take 6-8 weeks. Really? A door? What I find hilarious is that almost every home in my parents' midwestern neighborhood has had a mid-century modern style door at one time. Many homes, including theirs, are still sporting one. But, for us to find one has been a real struggle. 

The side door and the front door, installed. 

Here are some of the options that we are considering:

Prime Time

Ikea delivered our cabinets and some appliances on Saturday and now we have even more boxes. Add that to our boxes of tile and to our hardwood floors, still waiting in storage. Sam and I aren't the only things patiently awaiting their move in date. 

We should be able to start assembling the cabinets once we finish priming and painting the kitchen so, get those allen wrenches ready.  I am making a promise to myself (and, mostly, to Sam) that I will read each and every line of the directions... and take my time. I think this will be the key to stress-free assembly and a stress-free husband.

The good news is that were able to start priming on Monday and hope to be finished by the end of the week.

While Team Gibbons recorded some minor victories this week, the spotlight belongs to the Baltimore Orioles who, on Sunday, managed to win their 16th game and end a 10-game losing streak.  Despite hosting a strugging team, Camden Yards is a great place to watch a baseball game. We have been to a handful of games already this season; Here are a few pics:

Camden Yards was the first of the "retro" style major league ballparks to be built.  It opened on April 6, 1992 when the Orioles hosted the Cleveland Indians (Go Tribe!). Cleveland fans, how about this fun fact: The Baltimore Orioles moved from St. Louis in 1954, where they were originally called the St. Louis Browns. Baltimore: you just can't help yourself, can you? 

Our part in Orioles History:

On April 12, 2010, we were among the 9,129 fans in attendance at this record setting game. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-04-14 

Not a ticket stub I think I need to hold on to.