Flashback - Part II

Freakin computers. Just when I was ready to write the second installment, we had to do a full-cavity search on this computer. It was behaving more oddly than usual. Hopefully we've eradicated the varmint.

OK, where was I?  Oh, yes... the kitchen floor destruction had commenced.

So, up til then, we had tossed around the idea of a portable dishwasher -- the kind that would have required no demolition. Just plunk it in the kitchen and wheel it over to the sink as needed. But the floor was SO old and disgusting; I had a hormonal meltdown when I thought of my baby crawling around on it. Maybe some of you can relate? Well, once I heard the power tools ripping up the floor, I knew we were full steam ahead. No turning back. This would be the full treatment.

Full steam ahead we were. And it was mid-January. A very snowy month... and oh, my husband has a few snow-plowing commitments. Every handyman has to have a pickup truck, you know, and his used truck came with a plow attached. Hence, he does some plowing. January 2004 was a very snowy month and hubby was out plowing a LOT, while I was home pacing the torn up kitchen, wondering how the heck it was going to come together.

I don't remember the exact chronology of events. I think I have blocked out some of the experience for my own survival. My husband would know the precise order of things (honey, if you're reading this I'm so excited!! I may be a little off on the order here, but they'll get the overall story). But...

There was the purchase of the new microwave. I thought I'd just swing by WalMart on my way home from work and pick up the microwave I wanted. We were setting up a make-shift cooking area in the dining room, and now was as good a time as ever to replace the mini microwave we had been using from my single days. Any fool knows that you don't just whip in and out of a super WalMart at 6:00pm, so while I easily found the microwave I wanted (& another customer to help me hoist it atop a shopping cart), actually purchasing it and getting it out of the store was another matter. I stood in a ridiculous line behind people with mountains of junk. And I do mean mountains, and I do mean junk. I never studied others' purchases so closely - not that it was any of my business! but what else was I going to do? When I finally got to check out, I asked the clerk for help getting it to my car. The box wasn't exactly secure on top of the cart, and the parking lot was covered with slippery cookie-dough-like snow. Not a good combination with a hugely pregant nutcase. Sure! She said... no problem. So I waited and waited. ... bleep! ... bleep! (that annoying cash register sound) bleep!...  I thought I'd have a total meltdown, right there at the front of the store. They were SO busy... like anyone was going to answer my cashier's page for help. NOT. So a nice couple in line after me took pity on me and offered to help; the man carried the microwave to my car, and I was OUT OF THERE! When I got home, if my husband had any doubts whether I had a speck of sanity left, I think this outing took care of that.

Then there was the subfloor. Did you know that underneath your floor there is a subfloor? Well, I didn't know that, but frankly that seemed like a heckofa lot more work than the actual floor. First, the kitchen floor had been very creaky, so my husband did a lot of nailing to eliminate the creaks. Then there was the placement of these big boards (called something that I don't remember) to make the subfloor. Once that was down, I thought we were in business & that we'd have a floor soon. No. The seams between the pieces of subfloor had to be filled with goop (the technical term), then the goop had to dry & be sanded. Ugh. That was a royal mess. Fortunately we have a door between the kitchen and dining room, so we were able to somewhat contain the flying debris. I remember my husband coming in to the living room coated with gray dust - face, hair, clothes. The father of my child... working his ass off.

There were lots of frozen dinners cooked in that new microwave. The freezer (in the dining room) was piled high with delightful choices. There was takeout food. There were even a few home-cooked meals. Once the gas stove was moved into the living room, we were out of luck, but the little burner thing I picked up when I got the microwave was a help. Have you ever grilled burgers in your living room? Made a spaghetti dinner? It's all possible. Most importantly, that burner provided me with a good cup o' tea every day. I have to boil the water; microwaved water just isn't the same.

There were many nights when I took my Maaolox around 9:30 and headed to bed, while the power tools continued to whir in the kitchen below.

Oh, and the cabinets. After the removal of the floor, I got an e-mail from my husband while I was at work. He had ordered the new cabinets we wanted. Great!  And they'd be delivered in 3-6 weeks. Excuse me? The floor was removed 6 weeks before my due date... we didn't have a moment to spare. You mean 3-6 days, right? No, 3-6 weeks. I was freaking out. Yes. My co-workers tried to calm me -- well, there's nothing like a deadline? right? Um, yeah, right. Tell me about it. My little deadline was getting huger by the second, and I had bruises on my sides from laying on them. I was tired and nervous. My husband seemed calm and confident. I kept reminding him... I'm not going to be much help you know. Yes, yes, he was well aware of that. Don't worry, there's plenty of time.

Things had to be done in a certain order too. The floor had to happen first, then the cabinets, then the countertop, then the sink and finally, the dishwasher. Did I mention there was a delay on the flooring? It wasn't in stock... had to be ordered. Yep.

In between, my husband added electrical outlets and circuits to beat the band. This area is a specialty for him, so let me say we are well wired!! We might have 5 times the number of outlets we once had. Beauty. I knew that someday we'd be able to plug in the stove, fridge, microwave... and ultimately, the dishwasher - the inspiration for this entire project.

Meanwhile, it continued to snow... he had to go take care of plowing... I paced for 3 deliveries: the floor, the cabinets, and a baby.

Stay tuned... for tomorrow's stunning conclusion! :-)

Comments

[Karen]

This is great... I can't wait to hear the ending and see the results!

[Catt]

Wow! You're going to post pictures of the results right?

I'm so jealous - I married more of a Tim the Toolman than Bob Vila. ;)

[Bluegrass Mama]

Aargh! More waiting. You know, there's a reason I don't watch soap operas...

[Michele]

Just stopping by to say hello. Yesterday, I asked a few of my readers to suggest a blog that they think should be the site of the day and deserves to be discovered simply because it is wonderful. Jennifer suggested your site and this proves that Jennifer has GREAT taste.

Of course I already knew about your blog, but I am glad that many others also know how wonderful you are

[Marie]

Karen,
Glad you're enjoying this! Who needs fiction, huh? Reality is just out there sometimes, especially around my house.

Catt,
Yes, I'll post pictures of the results. I'm hoping my husband gets his own tv show, so they can remodel the whole house & the advertisers can pay for it!

BGM,
I see you've fallen into my web! At least I'm not leaving you hanging over the weekend.

Michele,
Hello there! So nice of you to stop by! I would consider it an honor to have my site chosen some day as your site of the day! I don't know how you do it... keeping up with so many people!

[Muppet]

Noooo! I won't have internet tomorrow. I'm waiting with baited breath, and I won't even be able to read the conclusion to your story!

[Marie]

So sorry Muppet! It'll be here waiting for you when you're hooked up again! Safe travels...

You know, work, sleep & family really get in the way when you're blogging! ;-)