My kitchen counter top is installed. As you can see, I myself installed the white molding to cover where the tiles once were.
You see, I wandered around Lowes for hours today, trying to decide what to put here. I finally got the molding, a meter (sorry, I meant miter!) box (what, I had to ask someone, is that?) with saw, and some finishing nails. Cost, with sand paper: $30.
Am I proud of my first time effort at installing molding? Obviously not, or you’d be seeing more of it!
You see, I ran into the now infamous cement wall problem, head on. I smashed that poor molding in so many places, I’m only going to show you a small bit of it.
And the white finishing nails? Not white anymore. I knocked all the color off, in my effort to pry nails out. And then attempt to hammer them back in.
This is the one photo I will show you a close up of. No, I didn’t think about this. And so here it sits. Covered up, and now you know why!
Finally, I resorted to something I knew. My hands were aching with arthritis from previous surgeries. I threw the hammer in the drawer and got out the hot glue gun.
I should have done this in the first place, and my molding wouldn’t look like someone hit it against a fence.
But, live and learn. I’m not going to angst over it.
And if you’re wondering why I haven’t been by to visit anyone in the past few days, let me explain. Yesterday, the electric company came out to see why the cable company put in an order for them to lift their line off the cable company line, which may be why my phone is intermittently working.
The electric company wasn’t too happy about coming out, and promptly told me there was no such line touching. And that I needed to get someone out there to trim all those big branches before we got an ice storm. At my expense, of course.
So I’ve made arrangements to have that done. Let the cable company and the electric company duke the problem out.
Then I came inside and my heat was out for the third time in just over a week. The good news is that my son-in-law did a thorough cleaning of the heater (in the attic), and my asthma symptoms are much better.
The bad news is that that wasn’t the problem of why it was going out. So I called a heater company and they fixed some switch. Oh, sweet relief.
Then, within just about fifteen minutes of that being taken care of, after dark, my second new refrigerator goes out. For the second time.
I call the company that made it and finally we got it working. But hey, this is getting beyond ridiculous. So next week they’re sending someone from the actual company to see about it.
Cross your fingers that I get through the weekend without more spoiled food.
This run of strangely bad luck is about to wear me plumb out.
I’m linking to Sherry’s Home Sweet Home, Honey’s Potpourri Party, and Debra’s Vintage Inspiration Friday.
Sorry Brenda about all your problems. You know old houses. I have one.Lots of stuff going out. That is strange about the fridge though. Love the new counters though and you can always fix the moulding later.
Stunning. What a difference a day makes. You are looking right back at home now. Sorry, to hear about the hiccups coming your way with the new home. Hope they are all figured out and fixed by the holidays.
You have been having a time with your little blue house. I hope it all gets straightened out. You could have used liquid nails on that trim.
oh dear that’s three bad lucks, shouldn’t you be done by now?
I wish I had called you back before the molding I perhaps could have helped. I am going to get in touch, I swear, I am just slammed right now… and I want to settle in for a conversation not just a quickie chat..
The counters look great. I love your kitchen.
xx
z
Just when it looks like everything is coming together, yikes! I do love your counters and molding, I think you did good!
We moved into our old house and had problem after problem for the first few years. It was a fixer upper but we thought just a new roof and windows, but it turned out to be so much more. We had to buy used furniture and I cut coupons and we lived very frugally. It didn’t help that babies were popping out on top of it! ;-D. So…don’t feel alone.
XO,
Jane
Oh, Brenda! So sorry about all of the homeowner aches and pains. Your trim looks fine and your kitchen is adorable! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
I’d be pulling my hair out with all these problems at the same time! I just like things to work like they are supposed to~~!
Sorry you are going through all of this.
Despite all the problems, you kitchen counter top looks great and with the beautiful dishes and objects, the trim work is hidden.
Thank you for sharing the little blue house and kitchen at Potpourri Friday!
Despite all the problems, you kitchen counter top looks great and with the beautiful dishes and objects, the trim work is hidden.
Thank you for sharing the little blue house and kitchen at Potpourri Friday!
what a day … you need a hot bath & some relaxation. wow!! i sure hope it will all work ok. no clue how you kept your cool. (:
I am sorry to hear about all these little wrinkles, but most new homeowners go through stuff like this….I think it is the house trying to get used to the new energy! You’re waking it up! xo
What a total nightmare – glad you thought of the glue gun, but gosh the heat and the fridge, etc. who needs all this stress?! Hope things get resolved soon and stay resolved.
Mary
So sorry that you’ve been having so many problems with your house since moving in. I know that’s got to be difficult especially during this time of year. I like your new counters and beadboard backsplash though. You know what would’ve worked for you? Liquid nails. Try that next time you need to put something up on the cement walls. It is permanent though. Hopefully, you’ll get everything worked out by the end of the year and you can start 2012 carefree.
Sometimes home ownership is just to much. Too much money. Our yellow house is our little dream but the trees are killing us. They are dying and having to pay for having them removed is like paying very very large car payments. All that to say I completely get your sense of feeling worn out. Every time I look up and see more dead tree limbs I am dismayed. Your kitchen sans cabinet doors is wonderful.
You’re our hero. We wouldn’t know anything was amiss w/that trim if you hadn’t showed us! I know the repairs have to be exhausting for you. I too think a hot bath is a must for you tonight.
Your counters are terrific! I know you have been anxiously awaiting their arrival. Some times you just have to let respective agencies work out the problems. I had a similar problem between the phone company and an an alarm company. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Brenda ~ keep your chin up ~ you know the November I went through ~ it will get BETTER, I promise. I’m finally settling down a bit ~ Try and enjoy your weekend. Besides ~ what’s a bit of molding? Your kitchen looks great~!
That’s just what I was thinking about when I recommended some sort of molding or trim. You did it! Good for you. Miter box or Mitre box – that’s what its called – and I’m jealous that you have one and I don’t.
xoxo
Claudia
Oh dear…this sounds like my house lately…one thing after the next! It’s so frustrating, BUT, your kitchen looks so good, love your open shelving, and way to go with the moulding!!
No, don’t angst over it. I think your counter looks fine! You know what they say…when it rains, it pours! These problems will work themselves out. I think you have some nice son in laws!~Hugs, Patti
Brenda,
So sorry for things happening all at once. Life seems to do that to us at times. Things will work out just keep your chin up. You have a lot of prayer warriors sending up SOS’s to the man above. I love your new countertop – wished my old countertops in my old house looked that good.
Sending you (((((((((((hugs))))))))) and positive thoughts.
Hugs,
Connie
Indiana/Florida
Girl, you’ve had your share of problems, but you are showing all of us that we can do things ourselves if we just try. We all should learn how to do the repair jobs that always pop up when we least expect them. As for the hot glue gun, it works wonders for everything!
look at it this way … now you have somehting to improve on and learn to do better.
WIth two fridges doing that, I would start to wonder about the electrical outlet/fuse it’s plugged into. That’s just me though. I’m sorry to hear about all the little annoying things adding up. Oh the benefits of older homes!
Keep your chin up! The house seems to be coming along wonderfully, and everything looks great!
You’ve got to have your HEAT – so glad that is working again. . .Hope this string of problems is all soon history. I KNOW 2012 is going to be a much better year!
Brenda so many things going wrong make me crazy also. I do think that the glue gun idea was great! I hope the electric problems get resolved. Hang in there! hugs, Linda
Love your kitchen! It looks great and just think of the imperfections as part of the charm of an older home. My brother, SIL and I say that a lot at my mom’s house. Glad to hear your asthma is better – I work hard to keep it under control and replaced the original duct work in the house as it was deteriorating and blowing it out all over the place.
Oh my, one always wonders how so many things can go wrong in such a short time. I’m always amazed when it happens to me. Grrrrrrr!
And what’s up with you have to cut the limbs. In our neck of the woods, the power company is always coming about and trimming the branches … sometimes too much! But at least we don’t have to pay for that service!
Sending good vibes your way!
Hi Brenda! Oh, I’m so sorry about all of your troubles! But it’s going to get straightened out, I’m sure of it! As you were telling your molding story, I was thinking, why don’t they make double sided duct tape!
The glue gun is good. They do make liquid nails but I think you have to hold it in place until it dries. I like the idea of the glue gun!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Your kitchen is so cute. Sorry about your fridge problems. What a hassle. As for the molding, I probably would of grabbed my glue gun too. LOL
Danielle
OMGOSH Brenda! I am thinking that if weren’t for BAD LUCK this week you wouldn’t have had ANY luck! Well, thank goodness the week is almost over and maybe next week will be a better one! xo Diana
You know the hammering for a while and then glueing sounds just like something I would do
Hope your problems get fixed and you get some rest! Power, heat, phone, refrigerator, that’s a lot. I would be a mess.
Hugs, Lisa
Oh I am so sorry for all of your electrical troubles…that is a huge bummer. I can’t believe your SECOND new refrigerator has gone out…crazy. I hope the third one is a charm!
Ok, on another note. LOVE your sweet kitchen. The open shelving is wonderful and I think the trim is the perfect thing to fill the space where the tile was. You can’t see all the little marks that you spoke of and if you hadn’t told us..we would have never known. It is all coming together.
Bless your heart. Working so hard for everything to just work right. I think the molding looks good, especially for your first time. The glue was an inspiration! It’ll all work out, you’ll see. Seems like it always takes some time to get all the bugs worked out. Hang in there girlfriend, it’s all gonna be ok.
You are awesome, you know that?
PS, your new counter looks awesome!! Something I’m gonna do for 2012. New counter and sink for my kitchen. I need to paint first. Unfortunately procrastination is my middle name!
First off the counters look perfect in your little blue house and do it yourself is always a learning experience. If you redo the bead board you might try liquid nails but I’m with you…when all else fails plug in the glue gun! Older homes will always need something done. We had a pipe break underneath are cement slab less than a year after we moved in. The whole front of the house was flooded. The wind sets off fans in the attic that we have no idea how to turn off…and flickering lights are a normal occurence. It’s just part of the “charm” of an older home. I think the back splash looks charming. Hang in there, Patty
Oh my goodness, that sounds like quite the week. Between the fridge, the phone and the heater, I think I would just about go crazy. Hopefully, next week will be better for you
Oh boy, you really have been getting it lately Brenda. SO sorry! I think your countertop looks great! I am in love with your open shelves too. You have some beautiful dishes. Love them!
hugs from here…
Your counters are wonderful. Love the open shelving in your kitchen. Your plans are coming together. I just decorate around things that don’t look the way I planned, if I can’t fix it I hide it. I also use clear caulking along my sink counter, still looks like a ‘space/crack’ but it doesn’t leak.
Is it cold enough to put food on the back porch again?
- Joy
Wow you have had a time of it haven’t you? That’s the way it goes for me too, one thing goes wrong then it turns into one thing after another. Good thing about it is, once you get over that hump things tend to go smooth for a good while. I guess that’s the way life is, thankfully there seems to be solutions for you. Hang in there, it will get better. Your counter top is gorgeous, what color is it? Black? I love it. And the molding hey no one will know the ooopsies are then except you and you’ll forget all about them after a while. Take care and glad your breathing problems have subsided.
Hello Brenda!
I’m sorry to read about your new fridge quitting twice…I hope they get that fixed right away for you. Too bad they don’t compensate you for the spoilage. You did a WONDERFUL job of your trim board for a first time effort and I love your counters…you made a great choice there! I hope your weekend is a good one and hopefully nothing else breaks down on you. Take care.
Maura
Mercury Retrograde. I’m just sayin’.
Oh Brenda, you need a lucky horse shoe over your door, a 4-leaf clover and dare I say rabbit’s foot? Just kidding of course, I doubt any of us believe the silly things we once did as kids. So sorry about your troubles, when it rains it pours for sure. We built our house, I know all about molding, usually they drill holes where the nails will be and the cement wall needs a masonry drill bit with some sort of special fillers to hold the nails or screws in when you attach that molding. (I know, where was Miss Smarty pants when you needed her?). Considering your solution, I think you were quite resourceful coming up with the glue gun (a woman’s answer to a man’s duct tape, lol), the wires thing, outside, everyone wants to pass the buck and sure enough it lands back in your lap to deal with again….that fridge, could you be having a power surge that could be causing the burn out? Just a thought, after all, what do we women know anyways, right?
Hi Brenda, You sure have had your share of things to deal with this year.. You are a real trooper and just keep handling things as they come your way.
You are fortunate to have a son-in-law who knows how to fix some of the things that need fixing..
I love your stainless steel sink.. I have one just like it. I’d love to have new counter top like yours too. Your idea of the molding is a good one.. I don’t know what I’d do without hot glue and duct tape. The liquid nails “stuff” is a great idea too, although I’ve never used it.
I’m glad your asthma is better.. As long as we have our health we can handle most anything that comes along.
Your trencher with the red ornaments looks very festive in your kitchen.. Red has always been my favorite color and it looks so cheery in your home.. Have you ever considered painting your “little blue house” a vintage shade of red ?
Stay tough dear girl. Have a fun, relaxing weekend.
Charlotte in Va.
Brenda,
It will all even out for you soon. Things just happen in bunches for some reason? Anyway, you did great on the counter! Looks really nice.
I love, love, love the idea of the hot glue gun!! And why not? It’s a perfect solution!! Just goes to show YOU can do anything, Brenda… And those other things are just a test to see if you can handle everything…which we all believe you can!!! You go girl!! You’re doing great!! Your little blue house looks fabulous…and were those Christmas ball I saw?? You’re farther ahead than I am! Have a great weekend!!
I think it looks great and your idea with the glue gun is genius. I like the little crystals dripping off the glass containers, quite unexpected and fun.
I think you’re doing a fabulous job yourself…if anyone can do it, you can Brenda!!
I love your cozy little kitchen. Have I told you that we’re going to be moving next summer and will probably have an even smaller kitchen? You have given me so much inspiration in your decor. The open cabinets are a great idea.
Also, it’s amazing how much better the new counter tops look! LOVE it.
Christmas blessings to you!
~Leslie
What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?! And you go, girl, learning to do all that stuff– and with a glue gun! Why in the world use nails when there’s the glue gun? I love your counter.
Good grief! Hope these problems stop soon Brenda and you’re able to get on with holiday plans. Your new counter tops are gorgeous. You did a better job on that molding than I could have done, that’s for sure. Neat thing about corners, they can be hidden!
You amaze me with your gift of making your home look like you’ve been there forever–in such a short time–AND with all the challenges you’ve been having! Thank you so much for sharing–and take some time to enjoy all the wonderful, beautiful things you have accomplished–you are truly an amazing, talented, beautiful woman.
wow…it seems like you’ve been bitten by a WHOLE basketful of snakes.
Hoping all this settles down soon..I don’t want you bald headed from pulling your hair out.
What I see of the molding looks just great…the rest, covered up, and your kitchen open shelves look FANTASTIC.
Sorry about all your misfortunes lately.
I bought a brand new fridge and after taking the doors off to get it in the house, the one door would not go back on. I had to call for a repair service to come and put it on.
I think your molding looks wonderful! With all the lovely things you have sitting around no one needs to pay attention to the fact it isn’t perfect.
You might want to check into ‘Liquid Nails’ tho
It’s odd how you have to banish the ghosts in a new place. I’ve had this kind of “problem rash” in a new place more than once. I admire your rising to the task.
We had a similar molding problem in our daughters kitchen in her apartment, it is in our basement. We used “Liquid Nails” so we only had to use a few nails. Home Depot sells it (I guess for next time). Everyone has little areas of their house that have flaws, don’t worry about it, I think your kitchen looks fabulous!
Brenda everything is looking great. But the next time you want to put up molding, bead board, or whatever go to Lowes and get Liquid Nails and problem solved. Liquid Nails works great.
Blessings Lynda,
Well, it sounds like this “new” house is keeping you busy.
If you ever have to do more molding I highly recommend Power Grab. It comes in a tube like caulk and is amazing. Smear some on your molding, put molding on wall, put painters tape to hold until dry, I recommend at least 24 hours. I had to do this for my chair rail in my bathroom as the 1800′s plaster kept bending the finish nails, even with a nail gun. So off to the basement for the Power grab and that chair rail hasn’t moved since. 
Good luck. Love seeing what you are doing with your house. Envious of some of your treasures as well.
If that trim pops off, get some construction adhesive. It comes in a tube like caulk. It looks great!
Oh my goodness, Brenda, you have had a ROUGH day! BTW, buy some Gorilla Glue; the stuff is fantastic!
Hugs,
Pam
Your counters look great! I’d be using a glue gun too. I think you did wonderful to get it up there period. What trouble you’ve had! I hope all these kinks get worked out soon!
I had to stop by and look at your new countertops. They look fabulous! Hope that your plumbing issues are resolved soon! In the meantime, give yourself a pat on the back for installing molding. I think the glue gun was an excellent idea!!
Hi Brenda,
Oh I think your counters looks sooooo awesome, so charming. Enough is enough of the problems right? Time to move onto enjoying that cozy little house, I sure do enjoy your blog.
Smiles & Sunshine,
Debbie
Oh my ~just one thing after another! Make yourself a cup of tea and affirm that the dark clouds have passed and they will. Your kitchen is just as warm and friendly as you are!!!
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Your new counter top looks good, and the beading was an inspiration. You just need some silicon along the area where the beadingjoins the counter top at the back of your sink, to waterproof it so any water splashed up doesn’t get behind the beading and down behind the counter top, it will rot otherwise.
Your kitchen counter tops look so nice. And, I’m glad you’re not beating yourself up over the molding – I’ve never installed it myself either, but my husband has, and let’s put it this way…it certainly doesn’t look like a professional did it!
Sorry to hear about all the problems you’ve been having in your house. Unfortunately, home ownership isn’t easy. Seems like it is always something. You’re certainly not alone in this!
Brenda, rather than smush your trim next time, try using “Liquid Nails” instead of the real thing. It would probably hold the counter trim in place quite well. We’ve actually used it outdoors to “glue” two patio blocks back together that had broken in half. Years later, the “Liquid Nails” have held it in place, even in ice and snow.
I love your choice of the trim style BTW!!
Diane
Hi Brenda,
I have Two words for you… Liquid Nails! That is like a calking glue that works great. They use it on the underside of paneling (in the middle areas) where you don’t wan’t to use finishing nails and mar the surface. Sorry if this was already mentioned… you have SO many comments
Love the overall look of everything. So YOU!
xoxo Bunny Jean
Good morning, Well not so good if you are living in a money pit. Hang in there things will get better some days. We have been in one for 4 years. Still hanging in here. High hopes. I told my husband maybe we need to move because of all the bad luck. Previouly owners may not want us here, they are now all deceased. You have to laugh so you won’t cry. It will get better. Molding looks fine. Connie
What a fantastic kitchen. It looks super functional without looking industrial or sterile. The counter tops are amazing and I love the cabinet paint color. Great job!
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Do a search online for kitchen countertops you should get a number of hits. Then check out the options and see which site offers the best price on the counter top you are looking for.