Two Weeks Worth of Kitchen Madness

Okay - meant to get this out last week, so I'll put any new news in italics  This was begun last week.

News about kitchen.  We're . . . between old and new.   Our house is a mess. (but it's going down) We have boxes in the dining room, guest room.  We're waiting on the countertops to be put in next week, plumbing.  Meanwhile, our stack of paper plates, which have their own new drawer,  is going down. Actually not.  I'm filling it up with other sizes.  We'll have quite a collection when we stop using them.  They're always good to use. So I'm not worried.  

 I suppose it'll be worth the wait and  I'm really finding better places for things.  My spices are alphabetized on the new pull-out shelving section for spices next to the oven- top - A-L, middle - M-Z bottom tall shelf extra sized items. This is great. These all had been on 12" rotaries most of which I couldn't reach unless on a step stool.

 (Monday, the 15th) We were waiting with baited breath for the truck to come with the countertops BUT they called to say they'd be delayed until tomorrow morning between 8-9:00.  They weren't finished yet.  So very disappointing. 

We did get some rotaries (3) that are 18".  I love Amazon! They've been added to cabinets that are deep or hard to reach.  It's great for canned goods.  I'm so pleased.  We're getting a lot put away. 
 
                                                               *****

Paul and I have been skyping with Brenda every Tuesday at 9:00 our time.  It gives us a chance to catch up on what's going on out there and let her know what we've been up to.  We didn't talk to her last week because of the show rehearsals, but we should be back on schedule tomorrow night. 

  For several years now, Brenda's been singing with an opera company.   When Emma was home, she also sang, as did their German exchange student, Lena. It involves a lot of rehearsal  time; she loves it. This year they're doing Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber, music by Stephen Sondheim.  It'll be next weekend.

  It was a nice coincidence that Sweeney Todd was being put on by Venice Theatre this past weekend SO we were able to get tickets to see it.  We wanted  to see what Brenda was doing   It would have been nice if we could have gone to California to see Brenda performing in it, but this was the next best thing even if it was entirely different setting:  We did see Brenda's Sweeney Todd on Facebook this week, and the set is very much more expansive than the one we saw. Plus some pictures of the cast.

  Ours was performed in a small theater in the round with a three-piece orchestra. Piano, cello, flute.  It seated 90 people.  Paul has been to see at least one of Brenda's shows and he says, they're in a big theater with hundreds of people in the audience.  It was fun though imagining her singing.  The music wasn't anything you could hum, a lot of discord,  but it did fill my mind when we left the theater. They must've been challenging rehearsals. 

                                                                  *****

We haven't had good weather this winter.  It's been cold (er). cloudy and rainy so I've been wearing my raincoat with long pants  a lot of the time.  

I'm going to Bone Health at the Club House three days a week - 8:30-9:45.  We have from 6 to 18 or more ladies attend.  (I have a feeling I may have mentioned this before, but any way - )  It has made me feel a lot better.  It's taken a while, but it does work.  Plus I go to the exercise room.

I have reservations to go to Chicago the 19-22 for Walter's third birthday.  I couldn't believe the price.  $147 round trip.  Naturally, it didn't include luggage, etc.  So I imagine it'll increase the price substantially.  The weather forecast is pretty good.  Cold but sunny.

We had a chance to talk with Lue the other night.  She's doing fine.  She visited her great grandchildren in Tampa earlier this season for a few days.  They'll be moving soon to California.  We talked with her again last night and she's planning to visit Gayle and Art in Sanibel later on this season for a few more days.  I'm glad she's getting down.

Carol O stopped by with Pam, a friend from Bath.   They wanted to see the kitchen.  Afterwards, we sat on the lanai and had a nice visit.  Carol - we'll be sure to call you for a fish fry when Bob gets here.  He's due next week some time.  It'll be good to see him!

Valentine's Day:  Paul took me to a favorite restaurant, Farlow's on the Water, in Englewood.
You'd think we'd be tired of eating out practically every night since Feb. 1st.  Yes.  We were.  This was nice though.  Very pretty setting and good food.  We ate inside even though they have a beautiful outside area.  We had a nice large booth and it was very relaxing.

We've been eating at some surprisingly good places  that  weren't that expensive.  We've been to a diner, a Chinese restaurant, a pizza place, a British Pub, the Moose Club, a barbeque place, a sports bar.  It's been fun. Tonight we went back to the diner.  Really good again. 

No long trips this year. We need to be here for the kitchen.  It'll surely look great when done. Paul can't wait to get started on the backsplash. He can't do it until the counter is in.   We picked up all the tiles needed tonight from Home Depot.

So I guess that's all for now.  I hope the weather cooperates for all you northerners, and for you southerners where it's been colder than normal.  Enjoy. 

I feel sad for our old cabinets.

I feel sad for our old cabinets.  They're a part of  House's history.

 Our first guy is short, stocky. Hard worker.  I can hear him drilling, moving, making work noises.  There's quiet, then noise from the drill.  He asked for a broom.  Good sign.  He and Paul commiserate about electric wires.  Found out he's Paul also.  Paul and Paul.  My Paul and "the guy."

Gracie is lying on the futon. .  . She's more curious than anxious.   Noises don't bother her much - except for smoke alarms.   She's up. Her ears are twitching back and forth. Our little radar.   Her tail is up as she goes confidently in to check on what's making the noise.  She's back, lying at my feet looking toward the kitchen with her head between her paws, listening to what she knows now is happening.  Does it hurt her butterfly ears? Loud hammering, drilling?  I hold my hands over her ears.

I thought our island would be safe.  Nope.  Stuff is pushed against stuff.  Dishes, glasses, mugs are on the table.  Where will we eat? Where's the Keurig?  Dishwasher is empty.  Good. I don't know why it's good.  Oh.  Can't use the microwave.  It's down.  What made me think we could?

So far the only problem the guy foresees, is if the 220 line to the stove.  He said sometimes the line can be too short if there's a fake ceiling.  We'll find out; it's coming down.  You can see the insulation above.  Some crummy old work. Hello electrician.

I'm losing the sad for our cabinets.  The new ones have arrived. House will be happy.  They're in the garage waiting for placement.   Two men came a truck and placement  like a puzzle - piece by piece - taking up the least space possible, but quite a bit.  Old cabinets out - going with them.  Out with the old!  In with the new.

The guy finished the day at 2:15.Wow.I have a kitchen without a sink, microwave, stove. High open ceiling.I like the height, not the openness. 

Lunch was on TV trays in the computer room (here.) Dishes washed in the guest bathroom.How come I didn't use paper plates? That'll be rectified. So -  what about dinner?  I vote for going out.  

Paul's in the kitchen using the drill.  We're headed for Home Depot to get something the guy suggested.