Attack on the Kitchens!

A week ago Thursday we had tickets to a Dallas Brass concert. These are five very talented musicians who gave a superb two hour performance. Their last performance in Mountain Home was six years ago during a hail storm that literally rattled the building and delayed the performance. Not only are they impressive musicians, but when they visit the local schools they teach, encourage, and mentor the classes. Then during part of the evening’s performance, the school bands play with the Dallas Brass. A most enjoyable evening.

We have finally resolved one of our remodeling dilemmas. A couple of years ago we switched out cupboard handles in one bathroom; we liked them enough that we decided to do the remaining bath and downstairs kitchen (all three had the same cabinetry); unfortunately, we could not find enough to do the bath – until now. Are you ready for the story of the expanding project?
One of Tom's projects was to remove the last eight or nine sheets of paneling downstairs (mostly in the kitchen area) and replace them with drywall to match the remaining part of the downstairs that was done two years ago. As long as we are doing that, why not replace the 30 year old cabinets? And what about making that kitchen into a function kitchen – complete with stove, microwave, frig (we currently don’t have those three aforementioned items there) and new cabinets? See how this project has grown?! Since we will put in ‘knob less’ cupboards, the bathroom will get the knobs from the old cabinets. All for the want of seven knobs and we get a kitchen makeover!

A sister in the ward is an interior designer and was delighted to come look and provide suggestions and assistance. She had some good ideas which we will include in our remodeling. We will work on it when we have the money available; things like the stove and frig may have to wait a couple of months. Tom has already removed the drywall and half the cabinets. The now exposed cinderblock wall will need to be painted with drylock to keep out moisture and new wood supports installed before the drywall can be installed. That shouldn’t take that much time, but…

While we had Leslie look at our kitchen, Sandy also took her over to Adam’s rental house (which is currently empty) for suggestions. She really got excited! There's lots of room for possibilities. The house is 60 years old with probably the original cabinets-- so things can only get better.

So with our downstairs in a state of destruction, Tom spent Saturday removing Adam’s cabinets—and the dead bugs that went along with them. That left about 3 different colors on the walls.

Okay, so maybe things can't only get better. Tom filled holes, sanded and primed the wall. He had to be extra diligent since a potential renter was scheduled to look at it today.

We will purchase premade cabinet sections, stain and install them. Hopefully we can get all this accomplished this week – We have another kitchen needing Tom's attention! Maybe we need to take lessons from Steve S on how to do remodeling from a distance!

Sandy writes: We had some days this week that got up into the 60’s and I took advantage of them to prune back the dead mums. We also severely pruned the great rosebush that arched over a cattle fencing trellis to the east of the house. It was collapsing the thing. So before spring, we need to replace the trellis with one of heavy wood.

I've been trying to be more diligent with her exercising. I've been going to curves and trying to walk around the property on the days I don’t go. I figure around the perimeter is about a mile… and safer than the street. Still with the Harry and David… and the Sees Candy Cynthia and Jim sent… and the candy Kathy and Steve sent… and the goodies Sally sent … and the candy Sue and Steve sent… I'm not winning the battle of the bulge.

On Friday Sandy went to a Relief Society Soup class. There were lots of good ideas for nutritious and tasty soups, and one VERY rich potato soup made with cream. Sigh. Why are all the best tasting ones, not low cal? Friday afternoon we went on a “date.” Out to some houses to look at repair work needed, out to the Home Improvement outlet to look at cabinets, and then to a late lunch.

Today I spoke in church on Pres. Monson’s talk: Finding Joy in the Journey. I think it went well. My mantra this week has been: I CHOOSE Joy! After church, the Rasmussen’s came and brought most of lunch so we could home teach/ visit teach them. Mmm. Good soup.

Our young adult group is growing. We had a young woman with a 2 year old child baptized last week who is YSA age. Another in our ward looks to becoming single again and two of her YSA aged siblings just moved to town. Oh, and one college grad. is home preparing for a mission. We are having a fireside at our house today and hope to have a good group.