The kitchen was the first room we remodeled when we moved into this big old house over 40 years ago. My wife, Diane, recently had a great idea, “Let’s do it again.”
I suggested that if we wait, wood grain Formica laminated cabinets and green Formica counter tops and full back-splashes will be in style again – and we will have the genuine article. But, we decided we will remodel anyway.
We enjoyed our excitement and the anticipation of a new project. We began listing great kitchen ideas. If I do almost everything myself, the money we have budgeted will stretch quite a ways.
I can do the project, when I worked in my dad’s cabinet shop we remodeled kitchens and bathrooms.
It wasn’t long, though, before I realized that I don’t have time to remodel a kitchen. I work full time, every evening is short, and every weekend is full.
Every weekend has unfinished carry over from the previous (a life blessed is a life busy!). I don’t want to pay someone to do it, and I don’t have time to do it now, but…….
I’m reminded by the daily delivery of junk mail that I’m “nearing my normal retirement age.” It will arrive about a year from now and at the rate my clock is ticking, it will be here in no time.
I’m tempted to consider working past retirement age, but cancer may be the deciding factor in that decision.
If we could wait until I retire, I would have nothing but time. The new kitchen could be my new job. But, waiting does have a risk.
If the cancer makes a move before I retire, I won’t be much good at remodeling kitchens for a while; but if it comes back and kills me, Diane should get enough insurance money to pay someone to make a new kitchen.
In March, my three month Multiple Myeloma cancer tests said no change, and I can live with that. At my 6 month visit with my Pulmonologist (my sleep apnea doctor) I mentioned how easily I get out of breath.
I asked if it could be a result of the Chemo treatments, or the radiation treatments, or the cancer, or the fact that I went to high school with Moses?
He recommended I see a heart doctor because of “my age and my condition.” I did, and he listened quite intently with a stethoscope and said he could hear a leaky valve.
He asked if I’ve had radiation treatments. It appears the cause of my shortness of breath could be heart related, could be radiation related, or, I could just be out of shape. He scheduled more tests.
Scott and Diane: Do you need any help with any work?? Contact us, I feel confidant that Mark would like to help in that area ( I haven’t spoken to him, but do feel confidant) and he is off work during the summer. Blessings to you both…
Linda
Linda, thank you for the generous offer. I’ve considered pulling up the kitchen floor or pulling down the ceiling. Those are two things we could do to start the project without crossing the line of no return. But, I think it would be best not to tear into it until we are able to commit the time it will take to get it done, and that will probably be next summer at the soonest.
Your posts always make me smile, Scott. So glad your remission is holding…this is what we pray for :). My kitchen cabinets and Formica are original to my 50 year old house…Jerry and I had considered updates but then………so now I really don’t have the heart (or the money) for it. Tell Diane hi for me.
Thanks for the smile, Tami, and the prayers. It will be a nice project and improvement we’ll enjoy, also making the house more attractive to potential buyers, should the day come that we consider selling. If it doesn’t happen, it’s comforting to know that our Formica still has lots of good miles to go.