Granite Problems

Who knew picking out slabs of Granite could be so hard?!

We're going on week 4 and still haven't claimed a slab. Yes, I'm indecisive, but picking granite is a BIG deal (espeically when you've waited for this for almost 4 years)!

The good news is, it's not completely my fault. So here's an update on where we are in the process....

Week #1 - Granite installer comes, brings some samples (2 pictured below, both variations of Santa Cecilia), measures and gives an estimate, tells us where to pick out slabs, sink and backsplash.

Keep in mind that we currently have white counter tops, white tile flooring and light woodwork in our kitchen (hello 1995!).

The to-be picked out list:

2 slabs of 3cm, Level 1 Granite

Granite Edge Selection

35 sqft Backsplash

1 Sink

1 Faucet

Inspiration Pictures:

 

Weekend #1 - "You can look, but none of these slabs will be yours"

Visit Granite Supplier #1, they're out of 3cm Santa Cecilia slabs, but was able to browse their 2cm selections.

  

Also found Santa Rita in 3cm but only had 1 slab available and wouldn't have anymore in stock for at least a month.

  

Week #2 - "Place it on hold and check to see if your installer can pull it off"

*Granite Supplier #1 (GS #1) is still out of 3cm Santa Cecilia and Santa Rita

Granite Supplier #2 (GS #2) has slabs in the colors I like in the thickness we want, but those particular cuts are U-G-L-Y. This slab of Santa Cecilia looks like a hairy man's back with some rust spots - no one wants to cook on that!

  

However, I did find another granite color I like, Napoli....

  

BUT there are two big, BIG blobs in the slab. The associate called them "blue accents that would give character", I called them "blobs that I don't want in my kitchen". The only way around the blobs is literally to hope the installer could cut around the blobs. So, I left with pictures to send our installer to see if he could pull it off.

  

Now that there is a 3rd color in the mix, I called GS #1 to see if they had any 3cm Napoli in stock, because if they do, maybe their slabs would be blob-less! As luck would have it, they did have Napoli in stock, but in a place where there isn't access to look during the weekends. I was told to "Try next week during the week".

  

*Granite installer says he "could probably cut around the blobs". No offense to the installer, but I'm not really comfortable with the word, "PROBABLY" when it comes to my forever granite decision.

Week #3 -  "Too muddy to look"

I called GS #1 to check the status of Santa Cecilia & Santa Rita slabs and to see if I could go out to look at their Napoli slabs. They're still out and it's too muddy to see Napoli..... Fail.

Week #4 - crossing our fingers that Saturday B and I can both go look at slabs. Thus far, I'm the only one who's been slab shopping.... can't wait for him to see how overwhelming it can be :).

Wish us luck on our continued Granite Slab Search this week; I will keep you posted on our progress!

Monday, May 20th

Monday, May 20^th, 2013 was a day I already had my nerves stirred up for. Part of my big-girl job includes the role as the internship program coordinator and yesterday was the summer 2013 intern class’ first day. With orientation (including introducing the CEO & COO, yikes!), training and a meet & greet event scheduled for the day – my nerves get stirred up, hoping everything goes as planned.

We made it through orientation and training without a hitch. At about 2:30pm, when the view outside my window started looking eerie and thunder claps sounded more like bombs - I started receiving emails from intern supervisors worried about the weather and how it would affect our intern meet & greet scheduled for 4:30pm. At 2:41pm with the tornado sirens blaring, I called the downtown OKC bowling alley to see if we could reschedule our event. At 3:04pm shortly after the 2^nd round of tornado sirens I sent the cancellation for the event. By 4:15pm and after the 3^rd round of tornado sirens, devastation had hit just a few miles south of my office.

At 5:15pm I took this picture from my south-facing, downtown Oklahoma City office window. It looked calm, but all I could think about was the area just at the end of my view – Moore, OK.

I left the office feeling proud of my company as they immediately jumped into action; attempting to make contact with employees who live in the area to offer resources and support.

Going home to Edmond, north of the disaster area, I was finally able to watch the news. Of course feeling helpless, all I could do was get out the paint brush. Seems sometimes that painting is the best expression.

Praying for the Moore, OK Community. But also so proud of the state I live in and their response to the disaster – it’s amazing what those around this city have done to help already.

PS – I heard that Kevin Durant, OKC Thunder’s star has made a $1 Million donation to RedCross …. (love him, want to put him in my pocket!)

Project List? Whoops!

I realized that all of the sudden I have acquired quite the project list. Whoops. 

Here's what I've got going....


Bargain Mirrors:
I went to Dallas for my dear friend's wedding a week ago and came home with two, huge mirrors. My Mom spotted the steal of a deal in the Saturday paper - Weir's Furniture was advertising $549 mirrors for just $29. Because my Mom knows my style, when she went for the one found another and got a second one.

I have a few ideas up my sleeve for these mirrors, but will take me some time to put them to use. At 54" each,  it takes the perfect place to fit one of these bad boys in our small home.

Kitchen Update:
We're also looking to upgrade our kitchen from Formica to Granite!! This is a long awaited project, but looks like we're actually going to make it happen in the near future. Here's a seek peak of what we're working with.

Once we have everything picked out and installed, I will do a big before and after reveal!

The impulse purchase:
I went to a garage sale late Friday and made an impulse purchase. I scored this chest of drawers with a little bit of character for just $25. I really just couldn't say no. B wasn't impressed with my purchase, but at $25 I didn't want to regret not buying it. 

Sorry I'm not sorry about the project list. Be sure to check back for updates on my progress!