Finally attacking the kitchen...

...and it's been a challenge.

Remember the "before" kitchen?

There was wallpaper everywhere.  While removing the paper wasn't bad, I had to strip the remaining glue before I could paint.  So, I had bare, rough walls for over a year.  I've spent the better part of the last 3 days stripping the glue, and I can finally say that it's finished!

However...here's my kitchen currently:

Yep, that's my stove in the middle of the kitchen.  Actually, the fridge is in the middle of the room right now too.  Oh, and the old microwave has been removed.  Unfortunately, we had to remove the cabinet above the microwave to remove the microwave...so that part actually looks like this right now:

A new microwave, that matches the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher is hopefully arriving today.  

Today, I'm planning on patching nail holes, and priming the walls.  The man in the paint department at Menards suggested a primer that neutralizes any remaining wallpaper glue in case I happened to miss any spots. After I get the wall behind the microwave/stove painted, I can put the stove back and install the new microwave.  Phew.  

I'm also thinking about doing a tile backsplash...

  

Now, just so you don't think that life is all work, here's photographic proof that I've also been having a little fun on my vacation...

Jeep hair, don't care. 

We celebrated Independence Day at my sister's house, and had the top down on the Jeep all day.  It was a fun, relaxing afternoon with friends and family!  Now, back to work...