At the starting gate...

It's been slow going...but the kitchen project is about to start. Demolition on the 3 rooms that are being gutted and remodeled starts tomorrow. It was more than 1 year ago that I posted the original plans (and 4 years since we started planning) and said this was really happening so if you are a skeptic, I understand. However, I can guarantee you that the boxes are coming down from the attic and that we'll probably be pulling a late night getting stuff out of the way.

The scope is bigger than the kitchen, so maybe I'll start calling it Remodel Phase 1. Phase 2 is scheduled to start in the year 2025.


Here's a recap of the scope:

1. Tear down the wall between our kitchen and living room and leave a island (or peninsula) in its place. Essentially, this makes 2 rooms into one space and will open up half the house.
2. Tear down all wood paneling in the kitchen, living room and laundry room and float sheet rock.
3. New cabinets.
4. New kitchen floor.
5. New counter top.
6. Tray ceiling in the living room.
7. New stove top and oven.
   
8. Redo the laundry closet - add laundry sink, new walls, new cabinets.
9. New lighting all around.
10. New molding, painting and lots of odd jobs throughout.
    
11. New AC unit and moving our it to the attic to decrease the noise from it.
12. Set up interior and exterior sound system.
    

Premature Celebration

This has many parallels to a NFL player celebrating before he gets to the end zone and then missing the touchdown. Amazing.

via Objectivo

Cajun Signs: Thank You

A few signs from Johnson's that are pure local:

1. Thank you for the boudin
2. Today I had the best plate lunch ever...

And oh, by the way, that heart to the right reads:

3. My heart belongs to beef jerky

Near death experience...

Went for a family walk in Girard Park this morning with my wife's parents. Jozy got so hot she eventually jumped in the pond and I had to pull her out due to the raised walls that circle it. That was Jozy's first near death experience...

Dogobie

Current background on my phone - that is one happy dog with her frisbee.

Clubfeet - Six Days

Clubfeet's Six Days is on repeat this week as I drive into the office. It's not often that electronic music hits my play list as frequently as this tune. Very chill.

Clubfeet - Six Days found on Electronic

Here's another one called Count Your Lovers. The video is a little racy but SFW. This song took me a couple of listens to warm up to. As soon as I hit the chorus at around 1:49 I was pretty much hooked. Another good tune from this Australian band.

I've been here before...

Last time I was at this table, this waiter asked me if I was sure I wanted to watch the MLS. This time, the TV switched over to the Mexico vs Columbia game without me even needing to ask. I'm currently trying to figure out if this is a strange coincidence or if this guy deserves a big tip.

I'm pretty sure I am easy to recognize here...I'm the only guy who sits by himself eating dinner, reading his Kindle and asking to watch soccer. As a result, I'm leaning towards big tip.