New counter tops

I spent that last couple of weeks doing a little remodeling project.  I removed 6" glass tiles from my counter top and replaced them with 12" ceramic tiles. I also removed the glass tiles that were on the back splash and added a new backer board (3/16 tri ply), and then installed a combination glass and stone tiles with a mesh backing. I used a sticky back installation kit for part of it just so I would know how. I grouted the rest in. The Simple Mat product is from Home Depot and makes the job much easier but a little more expensive. With the addition of a few new appliances the kitchen is nearly finished. All that is left is to install the dishwasher and connect the Refrigerator to the water system. That I will do at the same time I install the dishwasher. But for now this is how it looks.

Note the front narrow strip has only been completed between the Fridge and Range, the rest will be completed once the dishwasher is in place. (Have to remodel the lower cabinet to the left of the sink to fit it in.) The ceramic tile has been sealed to protect it from staining.

I have one other project where I will be laying down Ceramic tiles I will try to be more in depth as to how the process works.

Until next time...

Below are a few pictures of how it turned out. Since this was my first attempt at doing this sort of project I think it turned out fairly well.

Vikings Trump Lawmakers

Hello again Vikings fans and once again we play the waiting game. This time however the Mn Vikings have started playing their trump cards. The first card, "there is no next year" when it comes to the stadium issue. Check out this article for full details. It surely sets the tone for things to come. The next card could be the move card it just depends on how long Ziggy and company are willing to wait.

Despite all the negative energy coming from the Capital the Vikings continue to sign players and work on providing the best team possible. It seems to me they are keeping their end of this bargain. Now the NFL Draft is coming up quickly. It would be nice to have this stadium issue behind us going into the draft.

Until next time...

Vikings Stadium Dead??

Well we finally have our decision from the Minnesota Lawmakers.  They have voted against the stadium bill. Now the Vikings are left without a place to play. The lease on the Metrodome ran out in February this year, they passed on signing a plan to move the team, all because Ziggy wanted to keep the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota where they belong.  They are committed to playing in the Dome for this season. If a stadium bill is not approved soon, we will not only loose the team, but the revenue it produces, and all the potential jobs that could have been created by building a new stadium. As for the lost revenue read this. Here are a few other tidbits about the Vikings and the revenue they bring in. There is also the family factor. How many of us gather each and every Sunday no matter if the Vikings win or loose to cheer them on and make it a family event. That one day a week when we all come together. These are memories that will never fail us, however if the lawmakers in our state don't vote yes for a new stadium we will all have to choose some other team to call our home team.

until next time....

Vikings Newcomers

Throughout this free agency market the MN-VIKINGS have been steadily picking up players they feel will plug the holes in their team. They cut several players early on making their salary cap numbers a little greater to work with. Then set their plan to improve this team into motion. One of the best moves this year so far is by-passing on Randy Moss. Yes he is a deep threat however he has this "I will play when I want to attitude" that will not fit with this team. They avoided any quarterback controversy by stating who would be number one and two then locked up QB Sage Rosenfels as a solid third.  The swooped in and picked up former Seahawk -TE John Carlson. The Chris Cook verdict meant a possibility of him being reinstated. A few days later the Vikings did just that, CB Chris Cook is now back with the team. The debate as to who the Vikings will take with their #3 pick still rages on. Will it be Kalil, Clairborne or Blackmon? It's anybodies guess. DT Letroy Guion signed along with RB Jerome Felton as competition to fill the holes continues to heat up. Next we have DT Fred Evans re-signing and RB Lex Hillard joining the team.  Another player leaves the team when the contract with NT Remi Ayodele is terminated. Yet another hole that will need to be filled. Another veteran joins the team with the signing of OL Geoff Schwartz. Then we have CB Zack Bowman joining the team and LB Erin Henderson re-signing with the team. This team is getting younger and stronger at the same time with the WR Devin Aromashodu re-signing.  RB Adrian Peterson is recovering quickly from his major knee surgery and is looking good for the first or second week of the season. WR Percy Harvin has had minor surgery on his shoulder but should be ready for OTA's on May 29. He had to have some bone spurs taken care of.

While it is true that some or all of these player are just returning from an injury of one sort or another it can also be said they played very little over the past year. Let's hope this off time has allowed them to recover completely so they can play to their fullest potential. With all of them being vets I believe they will all come out ready for battle. This should be fun. I am looking forward to watching them play.

This shows how busy the front office has been over the past month. Along with signing all the players listed above they have been making strategy for the upcoming 2012 Draft where they will have 10 pick this year. The most coveted being the #3 pick in the first round.  The have been dealing trying to get the building of a new stadium approved so they have a field to play on for the future. This year they will play either in Mall of America Field or TCF Bank Stadium on the U of M College Campus.

With not having a lockout to deal with the team should be able to come together much better than last year.
The Vikes pre-season schedule has been announced and it is the toughest in the NFC North. Here we go, tested right out of the gate. What a great way to see what we are made of. GO VIKES GO!!

Until next time...

Vikings Stadium

Vikings Stadium: The new stadium bill is slowly pushing its way through the legislative process. They are currently out on an official break over the Easter Holiday and will return to work on the 16th of April and if my information is correct they will have only 11 days to finish pushing this bill through. The Governor has said he wants this bill passed this session. I guess we will see if it happens. Hopefully it will get the up vote it needs so that some 7500 plus jobs can be created over the next three years. One of the main stumbling points has been the backup plan for state funding if the electronic pull tabs doesn't provide enough funds. The White Earth Tribal Council has offered to write the state a check for $400 Million that would cover the entire state portion of the stadium package. Will it happen and is it legal? We will have to watch and see what happens.

The The Minnesota Vikings would have a place to play for the next 30 years and it would enhance the possibility of a Major League Soccer team coming to Minnesota in the next five years. This would increase the profits from the new stadium greatly.

Find out who your Representative is and let him or her know you want this stadium deal.

Until next time...