Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Day One

I'm a control freak.  A teacher by trade, I like to have a firm grip on most aspects of things going on in my life. I like to have plans, even if they're flimsy tentative.  I need to feel like I can predict what may or may not happen next.  Don't get me wrong; I can cope if things don't go my way, but I do like to be able to feel like I know what will come next.  I enjoy order and organization (though it isn't always apparent in life).  Which brings us to the topic at hand...

Today was the first official day of my kitchen renovation.  Today was the day that I forfeited almost all control I have over my kitchen.  It is now under the jurisdiction of my contractor, along with one of the bathrooms--a story for another post.  I can't make popcorn at my whim; I can't boil water; I can't do much in the space that was my old kitchen and will be my new kitchen (cook--no; interpretive dance--only with shoes on).  It will be new and it will be amazing, but until then, I will be stressed and anxious.  And I would like to channel that energy into something positive.  I would like to pass on what I have learned through research and experience to others that are venturing into this fantastically chaotic territory that is a kitchen renovation.  I am also hoping that spending a bit of my time to vent my frustrations or share my joy with others will help me to keep my sanity (or rather, what's left of it), and maybe even help others keep theirs in the future.

Tip #1:  Control what you can.

That sounds really cliche, right?  But it's one of my mantras.  I try to not freak out over things that are out of my control.  I have plenty of practice with this from teaching, what with all of the standardized tests that students take, and how they affect my evaluations and such.

I have known for months that I was going to go some time without my kitchen.  I have worried for months about what I was going to do.  "We can grill.  We have a slow cooker.  I guess we can try all of those restaurants that we've been meaning to go to."  All these things have rattled around in my head since everything became very real in April.  That's when we signed the contract, put up some funds, and ordered appliances.

So, being the "problem solver" that I am (eh, it's sort of my thing...one of my mediocre powers), I problem solved.  My dining room is now my kitchen station.  I am standing in the kitchen doorway, looking into my newly organized kitchen station/dining room.

I don't have all of the luxuries of a proper kitchen, but I have somewhere to keep my food cold (the gentleman who bought our appliances is graciously letting me keep my fridge while I need it, which is totally cool of him), I have a place for some dry goods (to the right, in the white cabinet thing), a tote full of possible cooking tools (under the table--it's hard to see, but it's there), and a table on which to prep food and make coffee (this is especially important, as school is starting soon, and I can't do the whole sentence putting together thing without this amazing molecule).  So far, we have had breakfast here.  Not a true, prep-necessary meal, but I'm counting it.  

Here are some photos of today, after I lost control:


These are looking into the kitchen station/dining room.  

I really like the one of the wall gutted.  Keep scrolling, it gets better.  <SPOILER ALERT> That wall comes totally down!



These show the other two major walls in the kitchen.  Like that wallpaper??


Here it is, up-close and personal.  It's actually not that bad.  It was long gone before we moved in, but it is trending again, and I kind of like it.  The husband has been peeling wallpaper in the bathroom, and won't let me put up more.  Alas, I'll survive.    

Like that vintage-y stuff?  Here's the old "tile". 


I believe this is what they called "linoleum" and I'm sure it's from the late 50's or early 60's.  That wasn't so bad either.  I may have been born in the wrong decade.  

The next two photos are from the end of the day.  
look at all the room for activities!
I'm standing in the dining room.  The wall is gone.  The. Wall. Is. Gone!

Just for your reference, here are the befores:


You love the green counters right?  See the little Dough Boy??  He's in the top left photo, next to the sink...


Saved him.  I'll figure out what to do with this little bugger later.  


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