Kitchen Renovation!!!

So this weekend we started the REAL kitchen renovation. We have done things here and there, the behind the wall stuff...the super important, renovation obstacles that HAVE to be done for the kitchen to WORK. Now we're onto the fun stuff that really doesn't look worse before it gets better. This is the stuff that you can actually see and feel is CHANGING your kitchen for the better. This weekend we completed step ONE! The cabinets. Next weekend is the counter tops, and then the following weekend is the floors (hardwood/laminate).

We painted and drilled the cabinets. Hung them, and installed some new appliances. For the first time in 4 years, I will have a DISHWASHER!!! G and I have been washing our dishes by hand since we got married, and I cannot believe that we won't have to do that anymore! No more dishes drying in racks and on towels by the tens. No more counter space wasted! I cannot believe that this is actually happening. We've been waiting to make all these changes since we moved in 2.5 years ago. We also have an over-the-range microwave now...freeing up yet more counter space, and eliminating the need for a fan in the kitchen. Bye-bye old-school kitchen ceiling fan! We can put a nice light fixture in there, to bring the room together. So exciting (even after going to Lowes a million times, and watching at my bank account dwindle).

Oh, and I have to give a shout out to the 'rents for donating their extra fridge that just happened to be black (the color of all our appliances) and a few inches narrower and taller than our current one. Without that, we would have had to purchase a new "smaller" fridge to accommodate the dishwasher. The bonus? We were going to swap fridges; but, my parent's were really interested in a brand new, double doored, stainless steal fridge that their friends were selling for only $200, because the house they just bought down the street from them, came with one. So, they bought it, and now we have an extra fridge in the garage! Yay!

The down side of these renos is that even though I helped a lot, G did most of the work w/my dad's help. So, guess what I got to do today??? MOW THE LAWNS!!! Lemme tell ya, it was my first time too! I know that's hard to believe; but, I had an older brother who had that as a chore b/c I was little and couldn't start the mower. Once he was out of the house, we moved and rented a place where the yard work was all done for us. In college and before getting married, I always rented...then in our home, G was a FT student w/no job and lots of free time. He also likes to do the lawn care. So, today was my 1st time doing more than tending the gardens and flowers beds (which I do, exclusively). I have to say, I did a pretty good job (but, I left the wipper snipper work for G, he he he).

I can't wait to take pictures in a few weeks when it's all done, and throw up the before and afters! Then, we'll be on to the rest of the home decorating. I just couldn't paint, or decorate or anything until the heart of the home was in order. Soon it will be, and soon our house that looks as though a bachelor lives here, will finally look as though a loving couple lives here!