On hold

I got the corner cabinets hung. I stacked them after reinforcing the back. I found the stud and got nice long strong screws at the hardware store. I pre drilled the holes since I don't have the strength to push through a long screw without stripping it, which I did several times. Had to use the pliers to pull a couple of stripped screws out. I just remind myself that I am saving $25 to $40 an hour doing as much of this work myself.

The counter top wont be ready until tonight. Our friend is cutting the top on his table saw at his house. He wont let me use the saw myself since everyone considers me unsafe. I swear I am the safest table saw user you have ever seen with helmet, eye wear,  and ear plugs to protect my face from kick backs. Once wounded twice as careful.

Riley has a friend staying while Trevor is at football camp. I had the boys help hold the cabinet towers for me. The first cabinet ended up not being level once installed. The next cabinet went in much straighter. I hung the upper first, using an L bracket for the cabinet to sit on. The bracket will take some of the weight and help secure the cabinet to the wall. I thought it was a brilliant idea for reinforcement. It also helped hold the cabinet while I attached it to the wall. Even so, with my helpers we still managed to be cantiwampus when we were done. I was much more vigilant with the second cabinet. The boys used moving straps to help them hold the cabinet in place. I didn't want to use an L bracket as I was hoping for a tighter fit. There is a slight gap that molding will cover between the upper and lower cabinets. I put them in the sun room, which will be our future butler's pantry.

Finding the stud was difficult with the first cabinet, but luckily the angle of the shelves hide the multiple search holes. Before the  second cabinet went up, I lined the cabinet up with the stud while sitting on the ground and pre drilled the holes in the cabinet. That helped some, but the boys still struggled with holding the cabinet still and level.

I am now on cleaning mode. Tom said he would be home tomorrow, Wednesday. I want to have as much done as possible and have it look as good as possible. I wish I didn't have to wait on the store that is only open Wednesday to Sunday, but they have the best prices and most likely to have what I want without costing a mint.

I spent $10 on screws and the L brackets, and $1 on a firring strip to reinforce the back of the cabinets and give me something to drill through other than the cardboard.  That puts me at $36 so far, but I still need to block in the backs of the exposed cabinets on the island and the base footing and see about two corner posts. Still it is so nice to stand in my open kitchen. I can breath and don't feel all tight and cramped while I am standing in the kitchen.  I could even use a sheet of fake tongue and groove if I really get stuck.

The project is coming along steadily. Just need that counter top back, and the store to open. The boys are in the basement playing violent x box games that I disapprove of, but it is one of the battles I have lost in this family of men. At least they are available when I holler for heavy lifting.