Only If I Get a Cool Popcorn Maker Like the One at the Movies

I hate my family room carpet. In fact, I hate all the carpet in our whole house and I want to rip it all up and put in something that can be "swiffered" or mopped It was great 10 years ago when it was first put in but between three dogs, three boys and all their friends, it has really gotten gross over the years. I really wanted to pull it all up and stain the cement that is underneath. A couple of throw rugs and runners and it can be just as cozy as any other family room. I get the heebie-jeebies when I think of what is under the family room carpet. I even got a bid for someone to come and do it. As Jim and I talked about it we (and when I say we, I mean Jim) decided that we should finish off the basement so we could move the big screen TV and sectional couch down there while we work on the family room. The second I consented, it turned into something I never expected.

I am starting to think the male brain is more motivated by what I like to call the "Cool Factor". The cooler something is, the more focus they have on that particular subject. Well, putting the 10 year old 54" big screen down in the basement just wasn't cool enough. It would be much cooler to have a HD Projector. And the sectional couch wasn't cool enough either. We had to have stadium seating. Then I started hearing terms like THX, 7.1 surround, 1080p, 92" screen, HDMI... well, you get the picture. It has turned into the project to top all projects. I guess I can't complain too much. The "Cool Factor" is so great that Jim has been focused and working on it almost every day. We now have doors on the closets and storage room. All the audio and video equipment has arrived and is ready to be installed.

Here are a few pictures of some of Jim's handy work:

Josh helping his dad make the platform that will have the leather couch on it. We plan to have enough room behind the couch for a couple of bar tables and bar stools for food and drinks for those days when there is a big game on.

More of Josh helping his dad

The finished Platform. It will be carpeted (yes, I did say carpet) with the same carpet as the rest of the room.

The newly installed doors. Notice that they aren't there in the previous pictures.

The platform has turned into a makeshift workshop while Jim builds the cabinetry that will hold the front left, right and center speakers.

The holes in those columns will hold the right and left speakers. The projection screen will be right in the middle of that wall. We will be painting that area black and all the other walls a deep sage green. The trim will be one shade darker.

I have to admit, I am pretty excited to be able to go down there and relax in front of a cool movie in the comfort of my own home with jammies on. But, it is starting to gett to the point now that when Jim asks for my opinion on something, I am starting to tell him, "I don't care. Either way would be great. Just choose one and do it!" The only thing I really want is movie popcorn to go with a great movie. And, oh, yes, I still have all my old carpet and the old big screen and sectional couch are staying up in the family room.