Kitchen Remodeling Progress at 3-Week Mark

We started remodeling our kitchen two weeks ago. At the time I posted, we had only taken out one upper and one base cabinet.  (Note the use of the term "we" which I use liberally. I mean it a couple of ways:

1.  "We" are the doing the work ourselves.
2.  "We" always means hubby, and sometimes includes a couple of our sons and me. My main job is to keep 911 on speed dial supervise, sweep up, steady a chair that my long-legged honey uses occasionally, be the go-fer to Home Depot or Lowe's,  and take pictures. If I didn't take pictures, no one would.

Day 1: Saturday, May 9  First set of cabinets are removed. Pictures are here.
Day 2: Saturday, May 16 First set of cabinets are installed.  It took two sons' help to get the upper cabinets and pantry secured.

Some people have asked about the cabinets themselves.

Brand: Thomasville
Wood:  Maple
Color: Fox
Style: Plaza Square
From: Home Depot


Our older son came over for four hours to lend a helping hand. Here you see him patiently holding the cabinet up. (You don't see the wall brace but it's there.) Youngest son decided to get goofy when I told him to put his hand up there to help, too.)

The pantry goes in. So far it's my favorite thing!   (I hate the ceiling that was here when we bought the house in '99.  We are not going to redo it. I don't know who in the 1980s thought that was a good look.)

Anyway, I just love the maple wood pantry and the man putting it in for me.

Ta-da! The walls cabinets and one base cabinet are in. The lighting isn't so good, and the missing drawer is on backorder, but hallelujah, it's a good start.

Day 3: Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25  (We don't work on Sundays; it's our day of rest.)

Second wall of upper cabinets goes up.  This time, when I say "we" did the work, I mean I helped hold the cabinets up with Youngest while my hottie handyman secured them in place.

Third  and final wall of cabinets goes up very easily.

Seeing this picture makes me remember the time when I was about 12 and my younger sister was about 10. She was supposed to be cleaning her room, but an hour into it, it looked worse than when
she started.  Mama asked, "Honey, are you making progress? All I see is a mess. "  To which my sister replied. "Yep! Progress always makes a mess."

A Noisy Hodgepodge

1.  Did you do anything 'memorable' this past weekend?

Yes. I nearly had a nervous breakdown on Saturday as my honey and sons began installing the upper kitchen cabinets.  Being a foreman on a remodeling job is not the kind of stress I can handle. I'm actually NOT the foreman; I'm just the debris manager who never stops wearing the mama hat.  I hold the broom with one hand and the phone with the other, with the 9-1 of 9-1-1 already dialed.

Circular saws, nail guns, heavy cabinets hoisted overhead, shoelaces untied, potential dehydration, sawdust in the eyes...I thought of every occupational hazard.

But, come Monday, when I was the helper, I was more calm. By the end of the weekend, all of the upper cabinets were in place. 

2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."  

Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you're a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy?

Ronald Reagan was one of the best presidents ever. Certainly one of the most eloquent since our founding fathers. I agree with his quote; freedom is not in our bloodstream. The very fact that we as Americans take it for granted like it's running water, says something of the DNA-like attitude toward freedom that we have enjoyed. I grew up with a profound sense of patriotism, but it was not until I visited Russia in 2007 that I understood and truly appreciated the freedoms we have here .As one of my Israeli friends said when I asked her about America, "You can FEEL the freedom here. People are happy, they hold their heads up, they smile, they come and go as they please from state to state."  

As a parent, I've tried to instill patriotism through thankfulness for it, by attending parades, by thanking soldiers in public whenever I can in front of my children. I fly the flag at home.  I've sent care packages to soldiers overseas who are in harm's way, to say, "We're thinking of you, praying for you, grateful for your service."

3. Loudest noise you've ever heard?

A 200-foot tree falling to the ground behind our house. We had it cut down because it was dead and threatening to fall during every storm. 

 I was only prepared for the loud sound of chain saws. But wow! The giant "VOOM!" of that oak hitting the floor shocked me. 

4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered 'junk food'? Did you enjoy it?

Hot McDonald's fries yesterday. Yes, I sure did enjoy them.

5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt 'packed in like sardines'?

On May 15th our school's annual music and art show drew quite the crowd. The art is displayed on the hall walls, and the halls are narrow--or at least feel that way when you're elbow-to-elbow with other gawking parents and grandparents and a gazillion kids.

6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes?

I'm organized, but I don't make a list weeks in advance. Maybe two days in advance. I am neither a conservative packer nor a shoestore packer. I guess I'm moderate. My honey would disagree. When we pack together in one big suitcase, you see the 80/20 split on full display. 

7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care?

An Orioles game a few years ago when my brother-in-law was in Baltimore.  I don't remember whether we won or lost, but it sure was fun having the gang together  and hearing the roar of 30,000 fans on a beautiful night in Camden Yards. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Please add a 38-year-old woman named Alice to your prayer list. I just found out about her in Bible study yesterday. She has Stage 4 breast cancer which has gone to her brain and  is in her lungs.  Her only family in the States are her husband, eight-year-old daughter and three-year-old son.  She is dying, her husband is in denial, and her children have limited understanding of what's happening to their mommy. 

They are Christians so she has hope of eternal life with Jesus, but she absolutely does not want to leave her children. She needs a miracle. 

Our Bible study ladies are rallying g to make food that this Nigerian family would enjoy. Alice, as self-conscious as she is about being bald and too sick to be much of a hostess, has agreed to let me come deliver the food on Friday. Please pray for a miracle. 

A Simple Yet Complicated Hodgepodge

On first glance, this week's questions look easy, but they took me a little time to think about. 

Thanks, Joyce, for not letting my thinker get too dull between Hump Days.

1.  Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional?

I did make someone laugh yesterday--my friend Sally  (hi, Sally!)--and it was in an email. (Judging from her "hahahaha" I'm thinking she laughed for real.)  I was telling her how our kitchen remodel has started but that chaos was reigning. I said something about looking for my keys between a circular saw and a box of Cheez-its. 

It was intentional in that I have to keep my sense of humor in the midst of the remodel or my mind will go AWOL. 



2. What's a simple question with a complicated answer?  

"What's for dinner?"  Sometimes thinking about it is just way too complicated.  What meat? What side? What veggie? What time is it? Oh, it's 5:25  already? What's Domino's number? Do I feel like putting on my shoes to go pick up the pizza,  or do I want to pay the tip to have it delivered? How lazy/tired/unprepared/out of sorts/fill-in-the-blank  am I right now that I haven't thought about dinner till this second and honestly I would just be okay with oatmeal, wouldn't you, honey? Oh, you were thinking meatloaf and mashed potatoes? Hmm, well, that poses a bit of a problem, namely that I have neither meat nor potatoes, just the loaf pan.  I know it's a simple meal, but simple is the new complicated.   


3. Rhododendrons or azaleas...you have to choose. Are either currently blooming in your yard?

Rhodos.    Here is one of two that are blooming in my yard. This one reminds me of my oldest son's engagement day on May 21, four years ago. After he proposed at a quiet spot next to a nearby river, they came back to the house and her twin sister took pictures of her dazzling diamond ring on a petal of this rhododendron in front of the house. 

4. May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job?

Yes. My first real job was waiting tables at Woolworth's. I also waited tables in restaurants and hotels during college.  I gained invaluable experience learning how to deal with a finicky, demanding public, how to economize your steps ,how to make some pretty garnishes, how to serve wedding banquets, how to suck up to bosses, how to deal with false accusations, how deceitful people can be, how to serve a big family and keep the littles happy which keeps the bigs happy, and so on. Best part of the job? Generous tips.  Worst part? Bustin' my can for picky guests who then leave a quarter for a tip. Or a table of four ladies who EACH leave a quarter. 



5. What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men?

For women: leggings as pants.  I don't care if you are wearing a long tunic over them, they are big girl tights, not pants. If you over the age of six, it's time for pants, honey. 

For men--I really despise big bushy beards.  They just look nasty. And I just heard there was a study done on the bacteria in men's beards. Guess what is found more often than any other contaminant? Fecal matter! 


Now, how do I segue into the next question?


6. Name a writer who inspires you....now tell us why.

My dad. Because he is genuine, thoughtful, funny, eloquent--and has never had a beard!


7. What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?

The devil is in the details. 


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We got some good news and bad news this week.  The good news is, we bought a house! The bank accepted our offer and agreed to our settlement date. 

The bad news is, my mom found out from a CT scan that two-thirds of her liver is dead, and she also has an inoperable hernia at this time.  The good news is, there is medication to help reduce the fluid build-up in her abdomen caused by liver damage, and the other good news is that the doctor confirmed what I advised them on Sunday: do not go through with your move. It's too stressful. I'd appreciate your prayers for my sweet mama  and my daddy. 

House A, House B, and Day 1 of Kitchen Remodel Begins

Warning: long post, picture-heavy. Refill your coffee mug or iced tea now. 

Just an update on the house-hunting situation. (Remember this is for a rental property,  so we aren't under pressure to sell, but one of our sons and his wife will be our first tenants and they must be out of their current place on June 30.)

So far we found two real contenders: House A and House B.   (Not to be confused with the Mexican fireman's twin sons, Jose' and Hose B.)

For my own reference (because it will be good for me to look back on this time of new adventure someday and remember the details that God orchestrated), here is a timeline thus far:

April 18:  Decided House A is the one to pursue. Get excited.   But don't want to rush in to this too quickly.

April 22: Find out House A is under contract. We're disappointed but okay with the news.  I sensed God saying to me,  "Don't worry. This one will come back to you."

Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's God speaking or your own optimism.  Sometimes in my life, His voice has been unmistakable and practically audible. This was not one of those times, but there was a peaceful, hopeful sense that I got that something would fall through with the other buyer's contract. (That sounds bad on paper, but I truly meant them no ill will.)  Things happen. "This isn't our first merry-go-round," said a sweet daughter who sometimes gets her cliches humorously mixed up.

May 6th: Put in contract on House B after falling in love with it and being told there's no other interest in it.  (Ironically, House B really was listed by a guy named Jose'.  I'm totally serious.  I'm not pulling your nose. )

May 7th:  Find out there are multiple offers on it. Whaaaat? We thought you said there'd been no other interest.  Were you pulling my arm? My leg? Something?

May 8th:  Put in counter-offer .  Sit back, pray .Pray hard all weekend .

May 11, 12 Wait, wait.

May 13--Receive cabinets. Boy, oh, boy, I thought it was going to be my undoing administratively, but the delivery guys (two young brothers, strong as oxen) made it easy. Each box number matches a line number on the Packing List. Great labeling. Getting the pantry and lazy Susan through the front door reminded me of working a 2-ton Rubik's cube. But they did it.

I have the proof all over three rooms of my house:

                                              I had to open one to make sure they had the right 
                                                                                style and color. Yup!

                                               

              

May 14:  9:15 AM.  I go to the lake to pray and worship and listen to God. Ask Him to give an answer today, and I choose to be content with a "no" even though I want a "yes" on House B  listed by Jose'.  Come home and start dejunking the cabinet that will get removed first in our remodel. Work while you wait. Whistle while you work.


 May 14, 10:43 AM   Answer  comes about  House B: our contract was rejected.   I am disappointed yet thankful for an answer.

May 14:  11:30AM  Find out House A is back on the market! Same day, same hour? Yes!  Something made the buyer's contract fall through. I am so tickled (for us).   I would say hubby is tickled, too, but that doesn't sound very manly.

May 15:  2:00 PM  See House A again .   At 4:30, submit our offer.  Then more waiting, more praying.

May 16:    7:00 PM  Son and I go to school music  and art show (son is not performing and there is so very little artwork because of all the snow days in the first semester ) so no need for hubby to attend)
I did snap a couple photos of my favorite artwork by second graders.  People, these Dr. Seuss drawings were done with Sharpies by second graders!

While we were at the show,  my Hottie Handyman, aka Hardworking Hubby,  took out the first two cabinets!

It's not pretty, but can I say, this start has made me one happy girl! 

I've been dreaming of a kitchen remodel for 16 years and it's finally happening. 

Woo-hoo!