And So It Begins...

No new kitten stories at the moment so I have decided to republish a series on our 2003 kitchen renovation.  Here's Part 1...

For those of you who don't know, Gabe and I have begun a major kitchen renovation. Major meaning we are ripping everything out to the studs and starting from scratch (my heart palpitates just thinking about it). We finally sold the condo (thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou) and have some extra money in our pockets. The big debate was whether to use the money to remodel our bedroom or the kitchen, which are the last two rooms in the house to be done. Initially we were leaning towards doing the bedroom. It would be less expensive, easier to do, and we could probably get it done in a short period of them. After much discussion Gabe and I decided to go with the kitchen instead. We thought it would be best to do the kitchen while we had the extra money and while Gabe still had the energy!

 

You know us - all our projects seem to grow as they progress and take on a life of their own. Poor Gabe has to do most of the work, and there will be an enormous amount of it. Originally we were leaving appliances where they were and sticking to the interior of the kitchen. Well, we went to a home show. Boy is that dangerous! At the home show we saw a company that would turn our screen porch into a 3-season porch (our first unanticipated expense). We decided that would be a good idea because some people were suggesting we actually knock out a wall and expand the kitchen to make it bigger. As much as we like a challenge that was more than we were willing to take on so we decided to enclose the porch instead. That way if we were entertaining a very large crowd we could expand out onto the 3-season porch. Of course, changing the porch means I now want French doors between the kitchen and porch instead of sliders (our second unanticipated expense). Also, to make a smooth transition between the rooms Gabe will have to raise the floor of the porch to the same height as the kitchen floor. And while we are at it let's make an exit off the porch so we have to add steps and a landing to the outside of the porch.

Listen to me. I say 'we' like I am going to do any of the carpentry work. The joke around my house is I am not allowed to use any sharp objects that have motors. I am, however, great at destruction and my favorite tool is the wonder bar. You should see me in my work boots, coveralls and filter mask! It is quite a sight! Speaking of destruction, the dumpster arrives Friday, April 12th and demolition begins Saturday morning, April 13th. Please feel free to come by and help us tear the place apart!! Refreshments will be served throughout the day. I don't know where they will be served but I’ll figure out something!