Getting closer...

Although the progress isn't visible, it is real.  The slabs for our counter tops have arrived in Baton Rouge!  Jenny and I went to check them out on Friday and choose how we want the counters to be cut from them.  The fabricator was happy, maybe even impressed, with the quality of the slabs.  We are now waiting for the fabricator to cut and finish the stone and then install!  I'm hoping that we can get them installed next week, but I'm probably being overly optimistic. 

Now it's time for a pair of rants and a rave.  

I hate plumbers.  No, really.  I am thoroughly convinced that plumbing is the single biggest rip-off in home renovation.  I got an estimate to run the gas line for our stove.  There are two different lines that can be tapped into that are easily accessible in our attic and don't require any long or complicated runs.  Yes, the line has to be plumbed down the wall.  It is not that big of a deal.  Guess what the estimate was.  Most people have guessed in the $500 range given the tone of my explanation.  $1000!  That's right, a grand for maybe $200 worth of material and probably 2 hours work.  He even readily admitted that this job was pretty straightforward. 

We ordered our sink from Amazon.  Jenny had a couple of gift cards that she had been awarded through work and their prices were reasonable.  We found an enameled cast iron undermount sink that we liked.  It shipped through a freight carrier because it was too big to ship via fed-ex, ups, etc.  I tracked down the carrier to schedule a delivery (long story - amazon was very helpful).  When the sink arrived, I opened it up to inspect it before signing off on the delivery.  Good thing I did, the sink was broken in two places.  That's special guys, you managed to break a cast iron sink, twice.  I sent it back and called Amazon.  Amazon said that since I had refused delivery, they could get another on its way immediately.  I asked if they could expedite the shipment, but because of the delivery method it wasn't an option.  Because they couldn't expedite it, they gave me $75 back (thanks!) and sent me another sink.  Lesson learned - Amazon rocks!

We ordered our hood vent from Homeclick.com.  It said "in stock" and probably still does on their website.  I called customer service because the ship on date came and went.  The guy said he would have to contact a vendor and get back to me.  (Isn't it in stock?)  He didn't get back in touch with me.  The following week I call again.  "The computer says it's in our warehouse.  That means it should ship out tomorrow if it didn't go today. Let me put you on hold while I contact our warehouse."  *hold*  "Uh, they aren't answering their phone.  It probably shipped out today or will tomorrow.  Sorry you didn't get contacted after your last call, the computer must have screwed up."  Doubtful.  Amazon sent me 2 sinks via freight carriers in the time it sent Homeclick to fed-ex me one in-stock item.  Customer Service - unsatisfactory.  I DO NOT RECOMMEND HOMECLICK.

Being without a kitchen sink and counter tops has been a bit annoying, but hopefully the kitchen will be usable soon!  After counter tops, appliances go in and then backsplash and we are done!  

That's when work begins on the nursery... :)