Style: Cufflinks

Note to self:  clean lamp next time

Are there some things in life that just bring you joy?  These are some of those for me.  

I don't wear cufflinks every day, but when I do I make sure they count.  I don't own too many pairs, although that may be a good idea for a future post, but the one's I own I wear.  Several inherited from my grandfather, a pair that was a gift from my father-in-law and a few I've purchased myself.  These beauties fall into the last category.  E-bay.  Great place.

Today we play Wigan, so I'm wearing the lucky links, as we seem to need some help after the theft we had at Manchester City.  I haven't kept track of our won/loss record while wearing these, but no matter.  I'm sure the lads feel empowered with me wearing them.

As I stated previously, I don't wear cufflinks every day.  Not even every other day.  You see, I live in the suburbs.  And work in the suburbs.  I'm happy if my co-worker's are wearing a laundered shirt...and shoes.  But, I choose to try.  So today, at 11:45 am Pacific Standard Time (tune in), I'll be wearing my cuff links.

Inspriation: This is What Heaven Will Look Like

Not, that I'll actually be ending up there, mind you.

both from calvinscanadiancaveofcool.blogspot.com



beautiful-libraries.com

beautiful-libraries.com

beautiful-libraries.com

Inspiration: Kitchen Cabinet Lighting



As previously reported, the next order of business and to complete the undercabinet lights in the kitchen.  Previously, we had these:

They don't give off the most pleasant light it being bright and white.  Plus, they flickered as only flourescents can before coming on.

astleforddesign.com

kitchen-cabinet-bathroom.com

This last one is an example of the bright white light we are trying to avoid.

helpful-kitchen-tips.com

In the meantime, we'll continue our search.

Kitchen: Almost Done!

A while back, we redid the kitchen.  And, of course, it's still not done.  That's how I roll, so to speak.  One of these day's, when feeling like I need to self deprecate, I will post all of the unfinished projects I have.  There are a lot.

Anyway, below is our kitchen as I was in destruction phase.  I'm really good at destruction phase.  I'm also much thinner now then the toad in the picture below.  About 40 pounds thinner.  Mark's Daily Apple.  Go there.  Be inspired.  It works.

I have scoured the computer for before shots prior to that one and can't find any.  This was done pre-blogging, of course.  Not that my picture taking has gotten any better.  Here are a couple more of the "pre" pictures.

I included a picture with my father-in-law, without who's guidance half the stuff I embark upon wouldn't be completed.  As you can see, we took out a bar height wall along with all the cabinets.  We didn't change the footprint of the room, meaning the sink, stove, refrigerator and dishwasher are all in the same place which is a huge cost savings.  We simply updated the contractor grade cabinets and counters with new.  We did add a little bit of storage, as well, replacing the bar which I am dismantling in the top picture.

Here is the nearly completed kitchen.  As a side note, I'm going to begin posting a lot about the inside of the house.  The reason for my lack of posts, is that the garden is taking a back seat to the completion of the house itself.  The way I look at it though, is that I have a big garden that we happened to plunk a house in the middle of.  Therefore, the house is as much of the garden as the outdoors is.  Moving along...

Two things still need to be done.  First, the backsplash is wood wainscoting, needs to be caulked and painted.  Second, we need to replace the under cabinet lights.

As you can see, there are some wires sticking down.  Don't panic, the circuit breaker is off for these.  Anyway, that's the second thing that needs to be done.  More on that later.

Maintenance: Plumbing...Ugh.

And, the reason I say "ugh" is that I have found if you are over six feet tall do not become a plumber.  The places you need to squeeze yourself into are unbelievable.  It took me 90 minutes to swap these out, and I believe 86 of those were spent trying to put myself into a position where I could turn a wrench.

Anyway, in everyone's life the broken must be fixed.  This past weekend it was a leaky shut off valve under the sink's upstairs.  Our house was built in 1994, which as far as houses go is not that old.  Unfortunately, we live in tract housing.  For those of you not familiar with tract housing it consists of large housing developments all built by the same builder, thus there are only a few models to choose from, and all of the houses look pretty much the same.  I believe, too, that the builders take 37 minutes to erect and finish each structure.  They also buy the cheapest fixtures money can find.  When you can save $1 each and are building 3,456,717 houses you can do the math to see how much money is being saved.  But, my builder's diatribe will be for another day.  Back to the task at hand.

Here is the culprit.  A small leak that was wetting my lovely wife's make up bags, q-tips and other required items.  Luckily, these items are relatively easy to fix.  If you're the size of a hobbit.  Or, at least, very limber.

Oldie on the left and newie on the right.  Yes, newie is a word.  Brass and copper replaced by stainless steel.  Hopefully, newie will last significantly longer.

Not too much to it.  Loosen the old and replace with the new.  The oldie was a single piece with the copper water line soldered to the fixture.  Newie is two different pieces.  Much easier.  No soldering.  Less setting things on fire.

One thing to realize, though, when you purchase replacement parts for things.  Many times the replacement part is meant for NEW construction.  Meaning, it comes with parts you don't need.  Thus, the compression fittings and some of the nuts need to be tossed.  Don't worry, here extra parts are ok.

After putting on the new and turning the water to the house back on (I did mention you need to turn that off, yes?) you get the lovely non-leaking version.

Maintenance, baby.  Learn it, live it, love it.

When Spurs Lose, I Booze

Oy, that's a little blurry.  Sorry about that.  Anyway, heartbreaking loss this morning to Manchester City.  We came from two down only for the dirtiest player in the world to score a last minute penalty.  A player who shouldn't even have been on the field after stomping Scott Parker.  Anyway, I felt black and tans were in order.  Especially with my nifty brolly.  That's it in the front.

Anyway, first goes in the Bass followed by the Guinness.  The Guinness gets poured through the brolly that sits on top of the glass.  When done...perfection.

Hope both of you enjoyed the weekend.  I did.  Minus two hours.

Decoration: Let the Bidding Begin

We're always looking for new artwork for Castle Turling.  However, in the spirit of giving, I am willing to let these go.  By the soon to be famous Kiki, these are all originals.  Bidding starts at $10,000 each.  Buy all four, and I'll throw in the easel.