Well, it’s done. The stove has been taken out, the sink disconnected, every cabinet removed from the walls. My kitchen is nothing more than walls and a concrete floor and it’s totally and completely depressing me. Even though I knew this time would come, I wasn’t fully prepared to be without a fully functioning kitchen for a month.
Typically, a kitchen reno wouldn’t take quite that long because you would have labourers and tradesmen complete the job in half the time. I, however, am going very cheap with my labour and all I have to do is sleep with him. Meet my labour.
My husband likes to do things on his own, which is fantastic, because it saves us heaps of money. He built our house, our garage, our hot-tub, outdoor kitchen and pool. He has done every renovation in this house and where most husbands would balk if their wife said “Can we raise this floor, raise that door, knock down that wall and put a bigger window in?”, my husband smiles and says “No problem.” I’m a lucky girl.
The flip side of this though is time. My husband works long hours during the day and then comes home and works on our house. A man can only take so much. We have to build in down time.
So, we have a set up a kitchen in the basement to get us by. I use the term “kitchen” loosely, as it’s set up amongst my laundry hampers and summer clothes storage. We have a microwave, a toaster and a one burner induction unit. It’s functioning but just so. And it’s driving me BONKERS…and we’re only on day four.
So, I’m trying to come up with a game plan for the next month. And so far, this is what I’ve come up with. My slow-cooker, dining out and eating at other people’s homes. Last night, I ran into my friend Tracey at the grocery store. We haven’t seen each other since June and we immediately said we should get together. To which I also chimed in “Yes, at your house, for dinner.” I’m completely shameless.
Mom? Are you reading this? 🙂
How Early is Too Early for Christmas? (Elves Want to Know)
Insane Mamacita
Oh wow! I wouldn’t know how to get through something like that. And lucky you having a handy husband. Mine is so not. Hehe!
Arnebya
What I wouldn’t give to be able to redo my kitchen. My ultimate dream is to extend the entire back of the house from top to bottom giving us an extra bedroom, a den of sorts, a full size master bath, and more room in the basement. Ah, the dream.
Good luck over the next month. Share updates with us?
judy sampson
anytime! how about Sunday for a roast dinner and all the trimmings? Mom
Kat
I’d invite you for a full on Laotian meal where you could take home the leftovers, but there’s the drive… Good luck and hope you get lots of more local invites!
Candace
Thanks Kat. That damn drive is really getting in the way of what could be a beautiful relationship 🙂 So far, I’m at three invites here.
Candace
Done! See you Sunday. xo
Candace
Absolutely. I’ve got tons to share!
Candace
I very grateful. Seriously, we wouldn’t have done half of the stuff we’ve done in the house without his skills 🙂
AlwaysARedhead
We did our kitchen two years ago, everything out just like yours. Smart hubby took the old double sink and put it in some wood so that it fit in our spare bathroom and this is where the kids did the dishes for two months. I too, slept with my labour and because he works shifts the kitchen took the entire summer, luckily it was barbecue season. Though the mess of having the contents of every cupboard literally all over the house drove me nuts! In the end though, it all worked out and I love my kitchen. Currently planning the demolishing of our downstairs bathroom, so renovations never seem to end in my house. Good luck with yours!
Margarita Ibbott ~ @DownshiftingPRO
You are lucky to have such a handy husband. I wish mine was handy. Oh, well, he’s a pretty good cook so I shouldn’t complain.