Yeah I think Saturday works well for the block party and starting at 2pm gives everyone time to get settled. We'll set up tables in the cul-de-sac and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. I'll handle the main grill items and provide drinks and ice. The kids can play in the yard while the adults visit. We should send out a reminder a few days before so people don't forget. I'll also check with the city about any permits we might need for closing off the street. Last time we did this it was a lot of fun and everyone said we should do it more often. We'll plan for music and some lawn games like cornhole and ladder toss. If anyone has dietary restrictions we can note that on the signup sheet. I think having a designated area for desserts would be nice too and we can ask a few people to bring sweet treats. We'll also need to coordinate on chairs and coolers so we don't end up with too many of one thing. I'll create a shared document where everyone can sign up for what they're bringing. We should also plan for cleanup duty and make sure everyone takes their own things home at the end of the night. The weather looks promising so fingers crossed for no rain. I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone.

I've been working on the kitchen remodel and finally got the cabinets installed last weekend. We chose shaker-style doors in a soft gray finish and they look really clean and modern. The countertops are going to be quartz in a white marble pattern which should brighten up the space nicely. I still need to order the backsplash tile and decide on the layout for the subway pattern. The flooring is going to be wide plank engineered hardwood in a light oak color. We removed the old linoleum and had to level the subfloor in a few spots which took extra time. The plumbing for the sink is roughed in and we're waiting on the electrician to come back to finish the under-cabinet lighting. Once the counters are in we can install the sink and appliances. I'm hoping to have it all done within the next three weeks before the holidays. It's been a lot of work but it's starting to come together and I'm really happy with how it's turning out. We went with soft-close hinges and drawers which was a nice upgrade and makes the cabinets feel much higher quality. The whole process has taught me a lot about planning and patience with home projects. I would definitely recommend taking your time with the prep work because it makes the final result so much better.