Renovations as of 10/13/2011

So the Kitchen/Dining room is coming along. I took pictures during the day and a few at night, the light makes things look so different, but it's all coming together. I just want to make sure that the finishing is done right. One thing I have to say is when you are doing renovations like these and say an electrician, plumber or carpenter doesn't want to or know how to do something you want them to, you have to push them. It's your house it obviously is more important to you, plus also these guys are in a hurry and are trying to get the job done and get paid. Sometimes I had to push harder than others, and I try to be reasonable but I also know that I'm the one that is going to have to live with the work when it's done. So if you can't see yourself living with it, ask them to do what needs to be done so that you can.

Occupy Wall Street March 10/05/11

I participated in the March to support the Occupy Wall Street March, the millionaires need to be taxed appropriately. I agree with Warren Buffet, he should not be paying less in taxes then his secretary. We live in the greatest country in the world, how can the "haves" completely use and abuse the "have nots" when it's the "have nots" that are their teachers, firemen, police, WE are they're customers, they're consumers, they have built their fortunes on our hard earned money. Visit We are the 99% read their stories. See if you don't agree, we are only asking that Millionaires get taxed under the same rates they did under Clinton. We need to balance the budget by increasing tax revenue and ending unnecessary wars, I agree we do need to ensure that money gets spent wisely. But giving tax breaks to the rich is decimating the middle class. And the middle class is what has built our country. Here are some photos of yesterday. Please share.

More pics of kitchen/dining room renovation

To save money we opted to do the painting ourselves, which means myself. This Martha Stewart Light Strokes paint is definitely the fanciest paint I've ever used. We needed something light to counter balance the dark cabinets, and this has some kind of metallic silvery element in it that makes it sparkle. I've been working on this and stripping the paint off the doors in the foyer which isn't fun, it's a LOT of work, but it's getting there. I enjoy painting much better.

My painting tips: Protect everything that needs it with plastic and blue painters' tape. Use a squeegee to make sure the blue painter's tape is sealed tightly to the wall. Paint in bare feet if you can, since you will know right away if you step in paint and will be less likely to track it all around the house. Use a plastic bag as a paint tray liner, this makes for easy clean-up. I learned this trick from John's old company's handyman, Izzy. Put on some good music.