Fine Alaskan having a grand old time...

I removed more tile today while Mr. B and  Little B went to a birthday party.  I want to keep some splash protection until we install the vinyl wallpaper so I left up some tile.   All of the other walls are ready for sanding.  Yahoo!    

Today, I removed the wood frame on the ceiling that the fluorescent lighting diffuser panels were resting in.  First, I removed the diffuser panels then pounded the frame from above, a little at a time at each nail connection.  Soon enough it came down in one piece.  There are still a few nails in the ceiling but they will come out eventually.  It already feel so much bigger and better in this kitchen. I know good things are coming!!! We are going to have to move the existing junction box.  These unexpected surprises are the reason we planned 20% extra in our budget :)   I would love to raise the ceiling and redesign the cabinets  (corners, blind spots, and lazy Susan's...Oh My) but that is not going to happen.   

Our kitchen is terrible. Even after I clean it always feels dirty and cluttered. The laminate countertops are sunken in back of the sink and are developing black mold.  It is an unhealthy kitchen.  Aiming for a cleaner, more polished look that also wows potential home buyers when we sell in 2017.   Here it is now: We need to replace the countertops, update the wall covering, rip out the fluorescent light box above, paint the walls and refinish the cabinets.  It will be a fun project that we hope to keep under $3,000.   Inspiration room: We will see what really happens in the end.  

Yahoo another half-marathon is under my belt.  Not as fast as last year but I was logging a lot more miles then.  I am still proud!  I never did a training run over 8.5 miles so I am quite happy with my time. Especially since I was running on sheer persistence after mile 10.  Already looking forward to next year!  I am not sure if doing a half marathon each summer is the carrot or the stick :)