Renos 101

Before.....
Sarah Richardson, Colin and Justin and Martha Stewart... your newest rival in the home decorating/reno business has just entered the ring. Beware, Mushka renos are on their way! Okay, just kidding, but truly, things are starting to move around the Meadows these last few weeks. I'm been absent from my blog but very present in the Home Depot, Loews, IKEA and Home Sense. I think i might be on the frequent flyer wall at IKEA - three trips in the space of a week qualifies me - each time spent pawing through the as-is section searching for cupboard handles - the Dutchness in me doesn't want to spend top dollar for handles - i'm doing pretty good so far, three packages of handles in three trips - one even for $1.00 - i liked that one muchly well.
I'm nearly on a first-name basis with the girls at Benjamin Moore and Tile-It and they know exactly who i am and what i'm up to now... but i certainly don't mind going there since the sales staff at both places are super nice and helpful... i tend to wander around town with my floor tile sample, my countertop sample and drag them into each successive store asking for advice and help!
Everything was firmed up on Saturday afternoon with Dave K, my contractor and he gave me a long list of work to do - so hence i spent Saturday evening emptying all my kitchen cupboards. Monday i was at work and i was exhausted when i got home, so not much got done... but yesterday, i started early and took all the cupboard doors off, cleaned all the extras out of the kitchen space, ripped a curtain rod off the wall literally (and nearly dislocated my shoulder - maybe i should take out a health insurance policy on myself!) and tried unsuccessfully to remove the metal decorative railings in my dining room - i need more muscle training with the adjustable wrench i suppose.
Anyone up for some bashing and wrecking? I'm home tonight if you're in the mood! Bring your hammer and we'll have a smashing good time!Hmmm... looks like too much fun!
Yep, Lauren, that's a hole - now what? Lauren and I started but got kinda stuck quickly!

Addendum... a few pics to prove we are working! Lauren came over one evening and we did some sisterly bonding over sanding, prepping for painting and trying to get a start on the demo... however, we quickly realized neither were we strong enough - one or two small little dents appeared to taunt us and prove to us that we weren't skilled in this area, nor did we have any clue as to the logical progression of things - i.e. the counter has to come off and the sink has to be disconnected before any lower cabinets can be bashed out - and bashing out sounds good, but it's super difficult since the old fellow who was probably here when they built the place, never did anything by halves... meaning the cabinets are strong enough to go through a world war and still be standing! Aaaah, the joys of an older house?!