Kitchen Progress

So from time to time folks ask what’s up with my kitchen. We started renovating it last spring just before my nephew got sick and my mom had a stroke, and didn’t get as far along as we’d hoped before summer hit.

(Aside: Steve made a complete recovery. My mom spent three months in the hospital and then was transfered to a nursing home’s temporary bed. She just got permanent placement and will move on Tuesday to the other nursing home across town. She’s in *moderate* condition, and I’m looking forward to seeing her again next weekend.)

So. The kitchen.

What’s done? All the base cabinets are in and have been since spring. Also in spring were my new lino, countertops on two sections of cabinetry, sink and stove moved/ hooked up.

This fall hubby has: installed the dishwasher and built-in microwave/convection oven (both included running electrical wiring.) Half the upper cabinets are in–the ones that are against a wall instead of dangling from the ceiling over peninsulas and such. The kitchen ceiling has been torn down (a mousy mess, I assure you) to make way for more electrical work, in this case pot lights. Everything wiring is a big deal in this house as most of the walls are concrete block.

To accomplish before the kids come home for Christmas holidays: install the under-cabinet light under the run of uppers that’s up, install the range hood (I’d not say no to a plug-in or two…), build and tile the peninsula countertop, tile the backsplash. The tiling is my job, not hubby’s, but he has to build and prep the countertop.

After Christmas: install remainder of upper cabinets (and their under-mount lights), put up a new ceiling, complete electrical work (remainder of plug-ins), kick boards, light rails. We’ve lowered the ceiling enough–required for the pot lights–that there won’t be any crown molding space above. I’d rather have decent lighting! Then a couple minor things will remain: tilt-outs at the sink, racks on some cabinet doors, etc.

When we get done with the kitchen, there’s plenty left to do to the rest of the house. I think the front entry/ porch is next on the list, though I’m really wishing for a second bathroom. I’d like one for Christmas as we will be seven people for about a week. Ain’t happening!

So this week the mess was the ceiling coming down. Everything in the kitchen/ dining room/ living room (basically that is all one 16×24 room) was covered in dust and stuff. Lots of mouse turds in the ceiling. I was totally grossed out. I know we have trouble with mice and every once in awhile the great white hunter cat earns his keep and kills one. But to see the evidence of 30 years was…disgusting. So when hubby drove back up to the mines I had one job and one job only–to disinfect and tidy and CLEAN that space. Two and a half days later I’m not afraid to touch things anymore. However, I did find one very small dessicated mouse behind the couch and (even worse) a flat dessicated mouse under a couch cushion. (Yep, laundered and bleached the slipcovers…)

This space is now pretty darn clean, if I do say so myself. I’ve even done a wee bit of Christmas decorating. But I have to say I’m paying for it with sore neck and shoulders tonight.

In other excitement this week the water pump on the car went. There is no end of ways to spend money on vehicles. Parts are on order and hubby will fix next days off. Which takes time from the kitchen again. Oh well. Life goes on.

And on.