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Archive for May, 2013

Several milestones

May 29th, 2013 at 05:35 am

In addition to the 50K Drp stock portfolio, I also passed 200K in the 403B.

For a more intimate milestone, in the past 4 years that I've been picking up change, I'm about to hit $300 in change acquisition. And that's counting silver dimes as dimes, not melt value.

got wireless

May 29th, 2013 at 05:30 am

Broke down and now have wireless Internet. I got a little Karma unit. Its $79 flat, 1 Gb/month free and if I need more, its $14/1Gb extra. We'll see how I do. The flatness of the pricing appeals to me. It would be perfect for my sister, who usually piggybacks from a neighbor's wireless. Unfortunately its not available in Milwaukee.

week 6 and the end

May 12th, 2013 at 07:22 pm

Officially, all that's left to install is: vent hood over the stove, the finish piece covering toe kicks, and the backsplash (which is all me). Vent and toe kicks should be installed next week. I'm working on backsplash - I toyed with glass tile, but dang I don't want to rent a wet saw to make those cuts for the pieces that will go underneath the light switch and electric sockets. Glossy ceramic tiles for me.

Here is the "final" w/flooring and appliances


And here's what I began with - put on those shoulder pads and flip that feathered hair back while you're sauteing...


Still a two wall galley, but smooth near indestructible countertops, all appliances, a nice high ceiling, all the electrical issues that came up in inspection are resolved, everything adjustable (can squish two shelves close together for an impromptu wine rack or far apart to accommodate that tall bottle of fish sauce), the sink is quiet, doors with pullouts, and every door/drawer is soft close. I didn't aim for grandiose and I didn't aim for toy.

The contractors also want to come in take their photos also - they are proud of their work and for good reason.

Cost was 29K for the contractor and 5K from me for appliances and some fixtures. Whatever the contractor could get more cheaply even with their markup they bought (worked that way with cabinets, countertop, sink, faucet, under cabinet lighting, flooring) and whatever I could get more cheaply I bought. Not cheap, but at least I get to enjoy it first. Nothing like improving for somebody else.