Metamorphosis – the Beginning

December 14

It all began when the Super and I decided it was time to downsize our lives.  So, this summer – we moved.  From a 3,500 sq. ft. log home on beautiful Lake Darling to a 1,500 sq. ft. condo/duplex on No Name Pond – an Uber ride 2 miles away.  Said condo, however, was 28 years old and certain upgrades would be required.  Beginning here with the kitchen, and built in bookcase and desk (the bathrooms we’ll do next summer) . . .

November 14

[We hired a crack construction crew from Shevlin, Minnesota, to come down and remove part of a free standing wall in the kitchen . . . ]

[But we still had to get electricity to the island, so electrical wires still had to be carried over the top.  The house was built on a slab, so there was no other way . . . ]

[Before the end of the day, the demolition had been completed, the wires cut awaiting re-installation, and we lived without power to the kitchen ceiling lights (and refrigerator which we temporarily moved to another wall) for a month.  You get skilled help when you can get it . . . ]

[Now we had a unobstructed view between the living room and kitchen . . . ]

December 13

[We wanted to upgrade the sink, countertops, and cabinet doors (the Super loved the original cabinets themselves).  Jami and Danny came down again and disconnected the sink . . . ]

[We thought the cabinet door hardware dated and the wood too dark . . . ]

[The Super had already begun a kitchen paint job.  “Baked Bean,” which seems appropriate for a kitchen, here in the refrigerator nook.  This was the only place for a refrigerator in the original house design, so there’s no way to hook up water.  Thus, instead of having an icemaker, we have to tough it out the old way – with ice cube trays!]

[Here our wires are hanging for ultimate reconnection to the island . . . ]

[As was . . . ]

[Arrival of the workers and their stuff.  In the background you can see they have removed the old countertops . . . ]

[Our blank wall in the dining room would become wall-to-wall bookcase . . . ]

[It was a wintery looking day, though we have little snow . . . ]

[The bookcase is filling in nicely . . . ]

[The cabinet guys have one truck; the countertop guys the other . . . ]

[It’s nice to have an electrician for a son-in-law.  Here you can see the design for getting electricity back to the island – a wood overpass then through a hole in the granite countertop.  This brought full power back to the kitchen.  The new cabinet doors and hardware visible behind Danny . . . ]

[The countertop guys could not initially fit the new sink.  We had to get a plumber over immediately to re-route some pipes.  Fortunately, they stayed around until it was done.  Nothing happens without glitches . . . ]

[Said sinkhole (and new cabinet doors and hardware) . . . ]

[What used to be called “guy stuff” . . . ]

[A better view of the overpass – with bookcase in the background . . . ]

December 14

[Time to photograph the mostly completed work . . . ]

[The bookcase brings warmth to the house . . . ]

[Season’s Greetings!!]

[A plumber came in the morning and hooked up the new sink . . . ]

[We’re not done yet.  Still more to be painted, install a backsplash and more trim, and eventually put in a new floor . . . ]

[So far we like the new look . . . ]

[And we have a much nicer view through the house to outside . . . ]

[My new desk (Ruthie’s is on the porch) at the back of the living room . . . ]

[And now the book project – long packed away in boxes in the laundry room.  Likely a multi-day procedure . . . ]

It always seems impossible until it’s done.  ~  Nelson Mandela