Kitchen Reno - Day 83. Getting Cranky

 

In the reno process, what I've come to hate the most

Is not knowing, day to day, if you'll be playing host

To someone who says they're coming and - then - doesn't show,

Leaving you to wonder if you should or shouldn't go...

Wouldn't want to miss them if they're only running late;

If you do, who knows how long you're gonna have to wait

'til they get around to you again.  So there you sit

On a perfect Autumn day... But, you are missing it.

You could be out playing golf, or at a country fair,

If they'd only let you know, for sure, you wouldn't care.

Just a call or text to say if they'll be in to work

So you're not left sitting, waiting, feeling like a jerk.

Kitchen Renovation - Day 70

Hallelujah! Thank you God (and Bob)...  I have a sink.

Fridge is making ice and filtered water we can drink.

I've been washing all the dirty dishes we've accrued,

Testing out the under-mounted seal that Top Line glued.

I've used paper plates so much I must've killed a grove.

Next, although it's greedy, I am praying for a stove.

Cooking on an outdoor grill's begun to lose its charm;

 I've now reached the stage where I'm prepared to trade an arm

Just to cook a meal indoors and not out in the rain...

Sorry.  I am also sick of hearing me complain.

I will just be happy that my sink has been installed -

And try to be patient 'til the electrician's called.

Dear HGTV... I'm Not Buying It

Just heard from our builder who's agreed that, late next week,

He'll begin the process of the havoc that he'll wreak

On the kitchen I have used for over 20 years...

Now I find I'm overwhelmed with renovation fears.

Everything's chaotic 'cause the schedule's been changed

As contractors try to get vacation plans arranged.

I still haven't bought a sink or faucet or the tile.

Don't know what I'm doing (and I haven't for a while.)

It's been months and months but we have yet to see the start.

I'm a wreck before they've even torn the place apart.

HGTV makes it look so easy but it's not...

3 days for a kitchen renovation? Not a shot.

Kitchen Reno Update - What Were We Thinking?

Kitchen cabinets are coming in in mid-July

But we still have no idea how much the flooring guy

Plans to charge for hardwood we are hoping to install.

Angie's List gives him an A...  I can't agree, at all.

Weeks ago he promised us that he'd submit a quote.

Since then he has disappeared - no phone call... Not a note.

I am losing confidence in my contractor's subs;

Chewed my fingernails so much I've worn them down to nubs.

Nothing else can start until the flooring guy is through.

After him there's still a million things we've got to do.

Kitchen renovations can produce a lot of stress...

Whether it is worth the pain is anybody's guess.

Kitchen Renovation Update

Kitchen renovation isn't moving very fast.

Since the time we started planning (4 months in the past)

Forward progress in the process has slowed to a crawl...

Now the flooring guy we're using won't return my call.

I still need wood samples from him so we can decide

What we want installed but I can't get them (though I've tried.)

I did get some back-splash, sample tiles I found on-line.

Good thing that I did; computer screens (at least on mine)

Make it hard to judge a shade of color that will match.

Always get a sample before buying a whole batch.

Have to make a plan to go and look at slabs of quartz;

"Highly recommended" by the Consumer Reports.

Cabinets are ordered; don't know when they're coming in.

Builder hasn't given me a date when he'll begin.

I am on my mark and set...  But still no starting gun.

It could be the end of summer by the time we're done.

Unsolicited Kitchen Renovation Advice

When you start remodeling your kitchen, keep in mind

If your home is "open concept" you will quickly find

Can't buy hardwood for one room...  You have to do them all.

Then you need new tile for the guest bathroom and front hall.

If you're pulling bathroom fixtures, putting new tile in,

Should you change those out as well? Once reno plans begin

You will find the "scope of work" increases by the day

And most builders do not mind...  As long as you can pay.

I hope my guy feels the same 'cause, lately, he's a wreck

And I've yet to tell him that we want a screened-in deck;

Plus, I have been noticing - our bedroom needs some work.

Wait until I tell him that.  He'll think that I'm a jerk.

He would have a valid point because, for 20 years,

We have not  done anything but paint and hang some sheers.

Now it's catching up to us and there's so much to do...

Think you have your budget worked out?  Multiply by 2.

Kitchen Reno - One Giant Leap

On the day I wrote I thought my builder 'd disappeared

He stopped by to meet with me.  It wasn't what I'd feared;

What with all the winter damage everyone has had

He's been working night and day. The poor guy's looking bad.

But, we got a lot accomplished; called the flooring guy.

Now I have a counter-top and tile I've gotta buy.

I went to A Touch of Tile in Westford where I found

What may be the best selection of fine tiles around.

Bought my new appliances at Hunter's down the road.

Howie worked the numbers and he's saving me a load.

If you live near Littleton it could be worth your while;

Hunter's carried all appliances in every style.

(I owe an apology to those who read my rhymes

As a Seussilitis version of The New York Times;

Here expecting news yet some reviews are all they find.

Sorry...  I don't choose the rhyming voices in my mind.)

Kitchen Renovation Crazy

Shopping for appliances, a faucet, kitchen sink;

I've done so much research that it's getting hard to think.

Signed up for Consumer Reports.  Read on-line reviews.

Checked the prices everywhere...  It's still too hard to choose.

Builder hasn't called me back, although he said he would.

(Neither has his flooring guy so we can't pick our wood.)

I'm afraid I've scared him off - he finds me hard to please -

'cause I wanted him to switch our lights to LEDs.

Thank God my designer's great or I might lose my mind.

Lisa Green's Design Group, Concord, Mass., has been a find.

I would highly recommend her services except

I've got other rooms for her.  The secret's better kept.

Kitchen Renovation - Baby Steps

 

"First step in the reno process," Dave the builder said

"Meet with a designer" who will take what's in my head

Put it down on paper, help me order what we'll need...

Turn my kitchen from a thought I've had in to a deed.

Wish me luck; my kitchen renovation's underway.

Looking forward to what Green Design Group has to say.

My mom's coming with me because I don't trust my taste.

She will be here shortly so I've no more time to waste.