Welcome to Chez Cliff!

First, I’ll get some pics of the ceiling and get them up here tomorrow.

On with the story.

I found someone interested in doing the kitchen floor.  Travertine is what I’m looking at.  My house isn’t valuable enough for marble.  I called the offices of Cabinetman today to get a sample of the wood.  I say "the offices of . . ." because Cabinetman seems always unavailable.

Receptionist:  Offices of Cabinetman.  How may I help you?
Clifford:  Hi, this is Clifford calling.  Cabinetman is doing my kitchen.
Receptionist:  Hi Clifford, how are you?
Clifford:  I’m doing well, thank you for asking.  I’m having the kitchen floor done and I need a sample of the cabinet in order to pick out material.  I’m calling to see what I need to do to get a piece.
Receptionist:  Sure, let me check your file.  (Puts Clifford on hold for few minutes).  Um, Clifford?  We don’t have a record of you even picking out what style of kitchen cabinets you want.
Clifford:  That’s funny considering Cabinetman recommended everything to me.  Plus when I brought my parents over, he showed them what it was that I had ordered.  Can you explain how he was able to do that?
Receptionist:  Um, I’m not sure . . .
Clifford:  And last week, you told me that they had already started working on my cabinets.  If they don’t know the wood or the style, how are they able to start work?
Receptionist:  Um, I’m going to have to talk to Cabinetman.  I’m sure it will be no problem getting you a sample.
Clifford:  For $14,000, I certainly hope I can get a sample.
Receptionist:  I’ll call you back.
Clifford:  If I don’t hear from you today, expect a call tomorrow.

My phone hasn’t rang yet.

I’m getting my sharpening stone out . . .

Does anyone want a million dollar idea?  Here’s one.  Try building recessed lighting that isn’t 6 inches deep.

It’s amazing.  We can build machines that mimic the human heart almost perfectly.  Yet for some reason I can’t have recessed lighting in half my kitchen because the housing is too darn big.

Yes, I said "darn".  This post is now rated PG-13.

Someone explain this logic to me.

Half of my kitchen has a slanted roof.  The original builders, back in the day, made this part of the house come down at a slant.  Because of this slant, I have about 5 inches of space between the ceiling and the roof line.  This isn’t deep enough for the 6 inch housing of the recessed lighting.

No one can explain to me why every single housing for recessed lighting is 6 inches deep.  Why not five?  Or even four?  Yes, yes I understand that a housing is required.  Who wants to have a 4,000 degree light-bulb against insulation?  Not this guy.  But why is every one 6 inches?

I’m about ready to run amok with a meat cleaver!

It’s bad enough that cabinetman is telling me that it will be the first week in June before I see cabinets.  But now I can’t have recessed lighting in my kitchen?

UGH!

I swallowed my hatred and went to Home Depot for some ideas.  Within minutes, I was reaching for my meat cleaver.  "Useless" doesn’t even begin to describe those workers.

Well, I did ask Wonder Woman to install these other types of lights.  I think they’ll look alright in the kitchen.  When they get installed, I’ll post photos.  Any comments/feedback would be appreciated.

It’s photo time!

I grouped my vacation photos by the town or region that I visited.  You can view as you wish.

Enjoy!

It’s no secret that I hate Home Depot.  In France, I saw signs for "Le Brico Depot" which almost made me cry.

That and IKEA.

I went to Lowe’s, to order the appliances.  I remember well the salesman I talked to before.  Impressed with his knowledge, I decided that he was someone I could deal with.  I entered the store and, with luck, he was standing there.

As I approached him, he looked at me and asked "Are you ready for your appliances?"

My mouth could not contain the laughter.  There was no way this guy could have remembered me.  It was well over a month ago that I talked with him.  I responded with "Yes, I’m ready."

His response stunned me.  "Good because we only have two of those refrigerators that you liked left."  He led me over to the fridge that I had selected the last time I was there.

Now how this dude remembered me is beyond my comprehension.  He remembered that I was remodelling my kitchen and that I came in with my parents.  I was stunned!

So for the basic four pieces:  Refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microwave, the price tag came out to $3100.  This includes delivery and installation.  As an additional selling point, I got the extended 5 year warranty service.  This is transferrable if the buyers of the houses decide to keep the appliances.  I’m hoping that they do.  If not, I’ll be forced to keep that wonderful stove all to myself.

Darn the luck!

You know that absolutely nothing has been done when everyone avoids your phones calls.

I spent the better part of an hour, calling everyone who was suppose to have done something on the kitchen during my vacation.  And magically, they all had to call me back in the afternoon.  And magically, they all forgot.

Today, I rattle cages hard.

Other than that, I’m extremely happy with the turnout of the kitchen.  The walls have been finished and look great.

Next step, Cabinetman has to come in and do his thing.  That is after I get him to return my phone call.