Sunday 29 December 2013

2013 Challenge: Completed!

As you may recall, Husband and I issued a challenge at the beginning of the year to see which would be accomplished first; getting pregnant or finishing painting the kitchen cabinets. I'm not sure how to score this. Technically, I did become pregnant while the final doors were still in progress, but I was no longer pregnant when I completed my last clear coat. I'm going to declare it as a draw, as there were times when I doubted either event would be completed before the year's end. Here's a look back at the progress leading to the final product.

Message to our embryos: You could be coming home to a kick-ass kitchen! This is a Price Is Right showcase showdown kitchen completely tricked out with a microwave drawer, retractable exhaust fan and a wine fridge (remind me to get a lock for that). I've applied two coats of sealant to the cabinets anticipating projectile puking. I have all the original paints, so if you draw on the walls, we'll just get out the rollers and brushes. I may be a little more tolerant that other mothers -try not to take advantage of that. Maybe a kitchen doesn't mean that much for you, but your parents are pretty skilled. Think about the possibilities for a tree fort, or a bunk bed loft... all you have to do is defrost, implant and grow...

Before...



Demo begins...


Installing the hard wood floor
The Island is erected! 

Granite installation


Finished at last! (forgive the poor light)



Finally,  Amanda from Beloved Burnt Toast posted earlier this month about her decision not to put up and decorate a Christmas tree this year. Several other bloggers commented that they were also forgoing a tree, myself included. A few others notes that they had stopped exchanging gifts with their spouses and some family and friends in order to save money for infertility treatments. I'm included in that category as well. It angers me as I feel that this is just one more thing that infertility takes from you. However, I received a beautiful humming bird ornament from Teresa at Where the *Bleep* is our Stork? Teresa also arranged an ornament exchange, and I received a Disney themed ornament from Heather S. at I should B.... I like to think that whatever happens in the future, I can unpack these ornaments each year and remember all the amazing people I met during this journey; and with this simple action, I can feel like I'm taking something back. 


14 comments:

  1. Your kitchen looks amazing! You guys have skills!!

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  2. BEAUTIFUL kitchen!! Awesome job!

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  3. Your kitchen looks fantastic! I really, really hope that 2014 is the year that you get to clean baby projectile vomit off the cabinets.

    I agree, it sucks that infertility takes so much already, and then the holidays on top of it.

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  4. It's just amazing how paint can change a room. The granite makes a huge difference too, but redoing the cabinets just totally transformed that whole space. I bet you just want to stand there and stare at it! Looks awesome!

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  5. Wow the kitchen looks great!!! Great job!!

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  6. Uh, hi, I am SUPER jealous of your kitchen. looks amazing!

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  7. Love your message to your embryos and great job with the kitchen!

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  8. I am drooling over your gas stove and wine fridge. That's an absolutely beautiful reno, you guys did a great job. I see you cooking breakfast in there for an ungrateful toddler (while cursing about fingerprints on the stainless steel appliances) in the not-too-distant future. Did I mention I'm psychic? True fact.

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  9. Wow. What an amazing transformation. The kitchen looks great. I think I would even be inspired to cook if I had that kitchen.

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  10. A wine fridge!!! I want. It looks amazing-- you did a great job!

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  11. I love the cats in the pictures. Well done with the kitchen! It must feel so good. I have been thinking of you so much over Christmas. I believe in you. Happy New Year, my friend!

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  12. Wow, your kitchen is absolutely stunning! Can I hire you to do our kitchen next? ;) I love the shots of your cat--what a great idea about putting the "kitty station" with food and water under the side table.

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  13. Wow, that's a beautiful kitchen. What an accomplishment! Happy New Years!

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  14. I love the new hard wood floor, and of course everything else looks great too. What a gift to have the talent to do all tha yourself! Thank you so much for the Christmas card. I had the best intentions of sending it cards myself, but ended up spending Christmas in the hospital. Can't complain about that as I got the best Christmas gift of all though! I agree with you, the friendships we have made as a result of some in not so pleasant, has at least given us something positive :)

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