Doin' the Kitchen Redo - Oh vo-de-o-do!

Last month John said, "I think it's time to remodel the kitchen. I'm thinking new counter tops and cabinet doors."
 
Well, that sounded simple enough.
 
He called a few contractors and got bids. We fell in love with Jenny Housey of Golan Remodeling: a Sabra. Soft-spoken, but easy to picture with an Uzi if circumstances warranted. 
Fortunately, she was on our side all the way.

Everything in the kitchen had to go somewhere else. In our house, the only somewhere else is the living room or the bedroom and the bedroom is full of bed.

The next thing I knew, the rest of the kitchen went oopsdefloop

out the garage door into a dumpster. Not as easy as it sounds.

A temp kitchen materialized on the dining room table.

Fine for cooking.

Washing up? 
Where else?

Miss Puss, who considers the bath her private domain, was not amused.
"Much safer up here."

Custom-built cabinets arrive 

and are installed apace.

The new stove stands by in the garage.

Once it's installed, John is a very happy camper.

So much for "just new counter tops and cabinet doors." Hell, it's his kitchen. He did all the negotiating and contracting.

I did hold out for a broom closet where the old hot heater was. 
We got one of those eco-friendly on-demand units. Takes a little longer to get hot water at the kitchen sink, but I'm getting used to washing up with cold water. At the new sink, washing up with anything is a joy.

The overseer makes a final inspection...

...and approves. 

The scissors are just a play for sympathy.

Josh Alan Friedman

There's so much to Josh Alan Friedman, I don't know where to start.

Musican, composer, raconteur: I groveled before his quiet, unassuming, personage at a book signing/reading fest organized by the ever-resourceful Wyat Doyle last year. 

I was so overwhelmed by Mr. Friedman's MUSIC, I almost forgot to get him to sign my copy of Black Cracker - almost. I've read that book three times. Not because it's hard to understand. Au contraire. Because it's just that damn entertaining, even while it's provoking hell out of one's thoughts.

When Wyat emailed me that Josh was going to be in town this week, I started trying to find a way to make it to one of the only two (alas) appearances he will make. Much depends on what state our house is in by then. Oh yes. We are in the throes of FINALLY getting John's kitchen built. I promised him the sales of The Devil Made Me Do It were gonna pay for a new kitchen for him who loves to cook and is so very good at it. 

Well, it's taken a few years, but we're finally getting it done!

It's been such fun camping out in the living room 

with our makeshift kitchen in the dining room. We've blown the circuit breaker four times, so far. But, we haven't missed a meal.

The newest member of the household, Miss Puss, is less than enthusiastic about the whole thing.


Do go hear Josh. He's amazing.