Week in Review - Vanity countertop and Eames Shell Chairs

A couple of weeks ago Top Master came and took measurements for our new vanity countertop.  Unfortunately I had to go into work and could not stick around.  I was bummed, especially since there were lasers involved.

This past week, they came back with our new countertop!  It was a perfect fit, and they said it was their easiest install all day.

Last year we purchased an undermount sink and a widespread faucet.  However, when we placed them on the new vanity, they didn't fit!  So our loss is your gain, if you could use a Kohler undermount sink or a Delta Lahara widespread faucet (in stainless steel finish) they are currently listed on Craigslist.

We had no choice but to go with the vessel sink ( in pic above), which LD had originally wanted anyways, and a new faucet (in pic below).

I could not talk LD into tiling the backsplash this weekend, so we will have to work on that this week (we get the plumbing hooked up on Friday).

Given that it was a 3-day weekend, and I really wanted to work on something I finally decided to tackle the Eames shell chair refinishing project (which we had purchased over a year ago).

I unscrewed the old legs, removed the old shock mounts, and sanded the remainder of the epoxy that was left on the chair.  Even with an orbital sander, it took a while to get all of the epoxy removed!  I had purchased two sets of shock mounts last year, so I was able to attach those to two of the chairs (I have already placed an order for two additional sets).   Once the epoxy had a chance to cure I attached the legs on for size, they fit well.

Next step is to wet sand the chairs, let them dry, and apply Penetrol.  I am hoping it will not take another year before tackling this next step.  So stay tuned!

Tornadoes!

I was upstairs talking to my mom on Sunday evening and LD's cell phone kept going off (she was downstairs and did not realize it was going off).  When I finally picked it up, I noticed that one of her text messages stated that a tornado had just hit Joplin and destroyed a nursing home.  I immediately took the phone to her and turned on the weather channel.

Normally she has to drive to Columbia and deploys with her team from there, but this time she was told to drive straight to Joplin and meet the team there.  Shortly after she got there, she started working and they worked straight for approximately 36 hours before finally getting some rest and food.

Ever since LD and Katy deployed, I kept scouring the internet and television hoping to get a glimpse of them to know that they were alright (communication was very limited due to so many cell towers being down). I managed to see them here and there, but yesterday I finally got to see them on CNN being interviewed by Anderson Cooper.   Here is the interview:

Anderson Cooper Joplin Coverage

They searched a lot of area: homes, apartments, duplexes, and businesses for live people.  When Katy finds a person, she barks.  Well, Katy had 2 alerts in Joplin!  I am so proud of LD and Katy!  It is not often that disaster dogs get the opportunity to find live victims.  It all depends on the type and magnitude of the disaster.  This disaster incident created many opportunities and hope for people to survive the tornado.

There were fourteen tornado touchdowns in the Kansas City Metro Area today, and I had to spend an hour in the basement at work until the tornado warning expired.  I was afraid that LD and Katy might have to come searching for me!  We were very lucky, but unfortunately the tornadoes caused some damage in Sedalia and other communities.  We can't wait for this bad weather to go away!!!!!!!!