A Kitchen... Almost

The weekend was spent doing some smaller projects from our "to do" list including getting baseboard for the kitchen (which needed paint before we can install it) and putting in the last hinge on the master bath cabinet.  We both needed a break, so we actually took some time to sit down and watch some of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Dave came today to install the rest of the kitchen cabinets.  We now have an almost fully-functioning kitchen.  I say "almost" because we cannot install the kitchen sink and garbage disposal, nor can we hook up the dishwasher until the countertops come in.  For now, though, I have cupboards into which I can arrange all of my kitchen goods.  I even have an almost complete pantry. Two brackets were still missing from the final count, so we have to wait until Wednesday for those to come in.

Rick spent time over the weekend adding electrical outlets under the non-existent sink so we have electricity for the dishwasher.  Even though the position was not the most comfortable, it was still easier to wire an outlet under the sink without the sinking hanging overhead.  He also did not have to contend with what will be an almost coiled snake-like configuration of plumbing pipes under the sink.  The sink cabinet was moved to the left to accommodate a bank of drawers, and as a result, Rick is facing some interesting and rather difficult plumbing to get everything connected.  Pray, folks.  Lindsay does not call her father Chief Running Water for nothing!

I spent the morning prepping for classes at NWTC this fall, and Rick spent his time painting the above-mentioned baseboard.  As the morning progressed, the clouds started to roll in.  By this time, Rick was painting the first coat on the front doors.   The distant thunder reminded us that we were in Florida, and that this was, indeed, summertime.  As the skies darkened, the thunder roared louder like a lion steadily approaching his prey.  Just as we got the newly painted baseboard inside and Rick finished the first coat on the front doors, the skies opened up.  Thankfully, the front doors are pretty well protected with a two-foot overhang, so although the rain came from the west (the Gulf of Mexico), it was not accompanied by too strong of winds.  The front doors were safe. I will include a picture later after we get the blue painter's tape off the frame and door handles.  For now, though, Gladys is really starting to look pretty spiffy!

Cupboards full of dishes and an installed dishwasher are starting to make
this look like an inviting kitchen.

The missing cupboard (upper left of refrigerator) came in,
so dave was able to install the rest of the cupboards.

A full pantry gives me more space than I will
ever be able to fill with food.

After lunch, Dave finished the cabinets and departed.  I spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out what was going where.  I still have an almost empty lazy-Susan in the lower corner, and at least four upper shelves that hold nothing.  My pull-out spice rack needed to have a shelf removed to realistically store things, but that still leaves me with more room than I have ever had for spices.  We also added a couple of shelves to two cabinets to better maximize the storage space.  The cupboard above the refrigerator is totally empty, and the one above the stove only holds two little plastic microwave dishes. I think I have enough room in this kitchen to last me a very long time.

Naturally, countertops on everything will be great.
The open-top spice rack cabinet next
to the stove makes access to the
salt very easy, however.

We both think that the transformation is incredible. What was once a tiny, inadequate 1960's kitchen that only filled half the room (since the other half was the eat-in part of the kitchen) is now a full kitchen which is open, airy, and very bright thanks to all of the windows.  And since the dining room is literally three steps away from the entry to the kitchen, we have a wonderful place to enjoy our meals without having to look at the stovetop, prep area, or sink.

The granite countertops come a week from today, so that only leaves me with one week before we fly home to enjoy a kitchen sink set in granite, a functioning dishwasher, and a new garbage disposal.  Ah, well, that will give me something to look forward to when we return to Gladys in January.

We haven't seen Sam in a very long time.  Perhaps he was avoiding our front yard since we have had trucks and workers coming and going, or perhaps he really was watching my new kitchen going in.  He may have been waiting until now to see if with a new kitchen I will be serving some delectable, sauteed screwdrivers soon!