That's good to know. I'm not a leading edge type so it seemed risky. The light they emit is really nice so I thought I'd take a chance.

I looked online for cabinet hardware and didn't really see a much better selection or price so I trucked over to Home Depot and got it all. Easy peasy.

cabinets look great!

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with them.

Rob followed up today on all of the outstanding items. There definitely is a new project manager and Rob was letting him know all that needed to be fixed.

Rob called and wanted me to go check out the templates for the granite. I should have taken pictures. They basically tape the cutouts on the granite. They did a really good job of selecting areas of the greatest color. But, they had some things wrong.

They had the laundry table as the black granite and the powder room as the brown. It is the other way around. We also talked about the bar backsplash. I'm glad he mentioned this because I really want to use the granite instead of the backsplash for the rest of the kitchen.

Everything measured out OK and there will be plenty of stone for everything.

But............... He needed the sinks too and there were no sinks. So I ran over to the place where I bought all the sinks and stuff and picked up what was needed and ran them back.

Javier told the owner that he was going to come out there to deliver the last template so I thought I'd wait for him. The owner and I started talking (well the owner started talking) and, well, more on this in another post.

I waited a long time for Javier but had to meet the carpet guy so I left. To meet the carpet guy. Nice guy and he'll be able to fit me in as soon as the carpet gets here. Sofia said about a week to a week and a half.

The carpet is really the last piece of unfinished business so it should be pretty smooth from here on out. Fingers crossed.

So, while I was waiting for the carpet guy I started talking to the owner. The store was closed by then and I said something like "you are working too hard" jokingly.

OMG. He LITERALLY told me his life story.

He came here with his parents and older brother from Jamaica and they picked oranges to get by. They lived in a tiny shack. He eventually had 8 other brother and sisters.

He said the man they worked for sort of took him in and told him that because of his color things would be more difficult for him but in America anything is possible if you work hard and do the right thing. He told me this was something he would never forget.

He started cleaning restaurants and slowly built a cleaning business. After about 10 years he opened this granite fabrication business, not knowing anything about it. He still runs the cleaning business.

He talked a lot about his employees and how much they have given to him.

He talked a lot about his daughters. He said they both worked with him in the cleaning business while they were growing up. One is working on her masters while helping with the business and the other is working in television.

I asked him where he got his work ethic and he started talking about his mother and how she still works on her farm at 72 years old. He started crying while he was talking about her.

He talked for over an hour. It was extremely touching and uplifting. Here's a man that literally started with nothing and became successful through hard work and dedication. But I don't really think that's the success story here. I suspect this is someone that's touched the lives of everyone around him in ways that can't be measured. It's not a conversation, or a man, I'll soon forget.

I think it's gonna be a bit hectic for a bit. Sofia ordered the carpet today. Rob texted me to tell me they didn't have enough material for a marble backsplash in the laundry room. Doesn't seem like a big deal.

Appliances (sans microwave) being delivered this A.M.

I called the PODs people to get some info about all my "stuff" in storage. It is still in Texas and they need at least a week advance notice. I'll probably get this delivered after I get settled in a bit.

I talked to the guard about the POD. The condo nazis won't allow it to sit there overnight. These guys are hardcore. The last time I was there I backed into a spot so I could unload the mini-fridge. Someone came by in a golfcart and told me the back of my truck was improperly hanging over the sidewalk. Geez.

Rob texted me to let me know there was an issue with the 1/2 bath toilet. It apparently doesn't fit.

From what I could gather the bottom of the toilet is bumping up against the water inlet. Javier originally asked that I go buy one at Home Depot. I nixed that pretty quick. Toto rules and I won't compromise. After playing the telephone game with Javier and the plumbing place I finally got Javier to call them to work out a solution. The options are to order a new base or move the water line. Javier doesn't want to move the water line and the plumbing place thinks they can order a new base pretty easily so I ok'd that option.

I think I mentioned this a while back but the woman that owns this place is a little, um.., off. I think she inherited the place from her husband. Her daughter also works there.

Javier asked me who I talked to and I said "the crazy one" and he laughed and knew exactly who I was talking about.

Stopped by for my weekly check-in.

Grrr....................

Javier and crew were nowhere to be found. It doesn't look like much was done. I'm guessing they are piddling around until the countertops get there but sheesh.

They installed two toilets. Finished up the entertainment center. Prepped for the urinal. Switched the laundry and closet doors (can't open the laundry door, though - jams against floor). That's about it.

None of the plumbing other than the toilets has been installed. All of the stuff I bought (lights, appliances, cabinet hardware) is still sitting in the boxes. The place is still a mess.

There is absolutely no possible way this gets done before I move in. I'm pretty nervous that it will even be semi-livable by that time.

grr....

Here are some pics.

Guest toilet



Master toilet



Urinal wall



Urinal



Entertainment center (looks great!)



Guest closet cabinets. They appear to be just sitting there, not installed.



Master closet cabinets (look great)

I shot off an email yesterday to everyone to make sure

1) The closet cabinets are installed before the carpet guy gets there next week

2) I have a semi-livable space by June. One fully functional bathroom and a kitchen sink.

No reply yet.

Got a couple of texts from Javier.

1) He wants me to order a different toilet. I'm not sure what that's all about but I suspect he just doesn't want to redo the plumbing. I'm not sure what is going to work but I'm definitely not going to buy a cheapo.

2) He asked when the microwave will arrive (I have no idea).

I wish he would worry more about getting at least one bathroom ready.

Tim (carpet) called to let me know the carpet was here and he could be there tomorrow to install.

I called Javier to let him know. He's still sort of antsy about the microwave so I told him I'd look into it.

Lowe's told me that it hasn't come in and might be a few more days.

So............

Since I needed to leave a check for Tim I decided to head over to Lowe's tonight and just swap the one I ordered for something in stock. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the same guy that sold it to me was there. He told me it would definitely be there in two days but I was there and I wanted a microwave. He hemmed and hawed a lot about different brand, style not as nice, blah blah. I finally wore him down and got a Samsung that had all of the same features and was $100 cheaper. I have no idea why he was so insistent I get that particular one.

It took about 30 minutes to swap them out because the girl at customer service seemed to be hypnotized by the screen. I'm really not sure what she was doing or thinking but by the time I left there was quite an angry line.

Anyway, got the microwave and headed to the condo.

Much progress! continued...................

Countertops have arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They look fantastic. The kitchen looks good but not great. I'm pretty sure once the lighting is in it will transform into great.

Guest bath is super great. The countertops are perfect with the tile.

Master bath looks good but the grey and brown struggle to be together. I think this is fixable with some accessories.

There are still bits and pieces missing. Trim pieces for both bathrooms, backsplash for kitchen. Nothing major. The big pieces are in. They still need to put some reinforcement in for the office.

All in all I'm super happy with them. I just can't capture how good the stone looks with my camera.

They still have a ton of work to do, though. I'm targeting my movein for next weekend but we'll see.

Kitchen







Powder room



Office



Master



Guest



Laundry



Oh, my living room. what a mess!

Rob called (yesterday) to let me know that I bought the wrong assembly stuff for the pendant lights and I need to get a garbage disposal. They let me off early at work so I trucked over to Lowe's to pick up the necessary items.

Javier and crew were humping. Quite a bit has been done.

Most of the electric is finished. All of the lights are in except for the pendants. I had bought a fixture for the hall but they put in a can instead. Much much better since there is little headroom in the hall. Everything looks so much better with lighting. They also put in the smoke alarms. One of the old ones has been chirping (low battery) for months and it was really annoying. No more.

The granite is getting closer. They were working on the two pieces that will be used for backsplash on the bar. The shower pieces are in. They still need to brace the office granite.

Carpet is in and looks great.

Some more work was done on the master closet.

I've been a little worried about the color combinations in the master but I think they look fine. The guest came out super nice.

The kitchen backsplash is in. It looks fantastic. I applaud Sofia on her suggestion.

Pics and stuff

urinal



guest bedroom carpet



Master carpet and closet





guest bath



master bath



Glittery light (hard to tell, though)



Kitchen

Javier and I talked quite a bit about where we are. He told me I could move in next week. He can't work Monday, though and he really needs a couple more days. So I told him to keep trucking next week.

I'm scheduling my movein for next Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's happening!

Fly us down for the housewarming party!

LOL, lodging is free but air fare is up to you.

Moving all set up. My apartment stuff gets moved Monday (6th) and the POD gets here the following Wednesday.

Praise plokj!

Everything looks just great! Happy for you that everything works out well with you moving in.

So jealous of that kitchen

I know you've put up a mighty defense for it, but I still can't stop lol'ing at the urinal.

Thanks guys

Yeah, it's awesome!

I've been thinking that if I ever sell this place I'll just wall it in so nobody knows it is there. Then, if it's a couple I'll whisper in the guy's ear that it is there.

Marking some milestones.......

Today is the last day I have to use this crappy apartment dryer. I can put a small load in for an hour and it still isn't dry. Turns everything inside-out.