So close...

Well, our kitchen is nearing completion.

It has been two years in the making. In the Fall of 2004, Kevin Taulman and I began the process when we removed the drop-ceiling the previous owners installed.

I took the first step in becoming a man by purchasing a sawzall from Home Depot. I removed the hanging cabinets over the peninsula and its soffit with my new sawzall.

Then it sat for a year.

We bought lights and went to three different remodeling companies. Finally, we decided on Benson Stone. We worked with Kelly to design our new kitchen -- picked out cabinets and granite.

Hired a contractor.

Bought a faucet.

Hired an electrician.

Hired a second contractor.

Fired our first contractor.

Bought hardware for the doors.

Everything should be completed next week. THANK GOD!

We are so tired of the dust, everything on our dining room tables collecting dust, and cooking only with a microwave -- something my mother has mastered. Did I mention that we have to wash our dishes in the bathroom sink?

That just isn't right.

To view the photos, click HERE to view the slideshow.