So, have I mentioned that we’ve decided to go forward with the kitchen remodel? We have.
Everyone should have a wife like me though, I’m telling you. I’m such a good wife. I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money. Seriously, I only wanted to strip (the cabinets… not myself) and refinish the existing cupboards. But it seems that the original finish is so dark, that it has impregnated the wood. (Really. That’s the word that was used to describe it. Impregnated. I’m a third grader at heart and couldn’t help laughing.) I was perfectly content to just do the work myself, keep the existing lay-out and counter tops and black splash and floor. “No, honey. Let’s not spend a ton of money. Let’s be frugal. Let’s be do-it-yerself-ers!”
But then, we had a cabinet-maker come over and take a look at my little kitchen…just to see. Just to get an idea. It doesn’t mean we have to go forward with a whole remodel. Let’s just hear what he has to say.
Okay. Fine. I’ll listen, but I don’t have to like it.
But I did like it…
Scott had some great ideas for giving us more storage space while at the same time, opening up the room. It’s such a crowded little space now. And when his quote came in, I was very pleasantly surprised at the price. So the project is a go. Twist my arm. Yes, please. I’ll take the new cupboards, counter tops, kitchen sink and faucet and tiled back-splash, thank you very much. And a side of new stove and refrigerator? That would be lovely, yes.
So last night found me at the local appliance store, getting all kinds of ga-ga over stoves and refrigerators. My stove is 21 years old. The refrigerator? I don’t know. For sure it’s more than 10 years old. And they are very basic appliances. I’ve really had no complaints about how they work. I’ve only complained, every single day for the past I-don’t-know-how-many years about the stupid meat-keeper drawer in the refrigerator that is cheap and broke years ago, so doesn’t quite roll out like it should. And the mysterious water leak that’s been going on for over a year. I might have complained about that a bit too. The water pools up under the crispers and has forced me to periodically announce (in my “Don’t say I didn’t warn you” voice) to anyone who will listen, “One of these days, this fridge is going to just bite the dust and we’ll be forced to run out and buy the first thing that serves the purpose!” But other than that, I’ve had no complaints.
We spent quite a bit of time in the store, perusing our options and talking with Gary, our appliance expert. He was very knowledgeable and answered every single question we had. And we had a lot of them. Mark kept saying things like, “Can you get us some literature on these models so Terri can decide what features she likes best?” And then I would chime in, “Or so Mark can decide what features he likes best because Terri isn’t going to be the only one using these things!” And then Mark would say, “Yeah, but you’re a much better cook than I am. It’s really more important for you to have what you like because you’ll probably use these so much more than I will.” And then I would say, “Your thinly veiled attempt at flattery will get you nowhere. Don’t even think that I’ll be so excited about new kitchen appliances that I’m going to let you off the hook with your share of the cooking.” And then Gary would nervously say, “Should I come back a little later on…?” And then we promised him we wouldn’t kill each other right there in the middle of the Warner’s Stellian Appliance store and if there were to be a murder, we’d give him the courtesy of taking it elsewhere.
So, again, I must say that my husband should be very grateful for me, because at the appliance store, I insisted I didn’t need appliances with all the bells and whistles. I’m very happy to go middle-of-the-road with this stuff. I have never needed a convection oven in my life. Why pay extra now for a range that offers it? And if I get a range that has all kinds of fancy features, I’m going to feel like my cooking needs to rise to the occasion and that’s just not very likely. I’m a decent cook, but I’m going to venture a guess that I’ve maxed out my capabilities and am not likely to be opening my own restaurant or writing my own cook book anytime soon.
I do have to say, though, that I really, really want the refrigerator with the filtered water dispenser on the inside! I refuse to even consider one with the dispenser on the outside of the door. Because if that water dispenser on the outside of the door ever decides to leak, it’s going to ruin the new wood floor that, might I remind you, I insisted I didn’t want or need, but we’re getting anyway. Oh, and did I mention? It’s going to be one of those models with the freezer on the bottom and French doors on the refrigerator! SQUEEEEEEEE!
I’m feeling a level of excitement about these appliances that is usually reserved for something like the annual vacation to The Apostle Islands or at least a new camera lens!
I might even start to really enjoy cooking again! Livin’ la vida loca here, people!
