So, as I've said repeatedly, I'm reclaiming my kitchen to allow for better 'flow' when working in there... so, in order to do this, I must rearrange these giant (7ft tall, 3 ft. deep) pantry cabinets, as well as moving my fridge, stove, and a wall cabinet -- the only part I will force the SO to participate in... since he's like a million miles tall and stuff...
So, today is my 'planning' day -- when I harp to the SO that I want to do this, let him know that I'm going to start on it without him... and then hurt myself repeatedly until he takes over... seriously, that's the way it works...
As I've mentioned before, I have fibromyalgia. This prevents me from doing a lot of things comfortably. This does not mean that I do not try do those things, repeatedly... and I always, always hurt myself. I am stubborn... hard-headed, and when I want something... I want it... now
This is something the SO has come to understand... sort of -- it does not stop him from allowing my stubborn streak to run full bore into the wall that is my physical limitations, admitted or not. Then he will come to the rescue, my knight in shining armor, to pick up the pieces, add an ice pack to the grossly swollen joint 'of the day' -- and finish (sort of) the project I was killing myself to work on. It's the way it works around here... and so far it has worked... for me
I get what I want done, done... He gets I-told-you-so rights... and I spend three days in bed with my computer and watching him play X-box. Not my idea of a fun way to spend three days...
So this time around, I think I'm going to try a different approach. He knows that I want this project done... therefore he should be willing to help prevent me from injuring myself... which means he should actually just say -- "Ok, honey, when do you want to do it?" When I ask him to help me...
What should happen... is rarely what does happen... typically the conversation goes something like this:
Me: Honey, sweetheart, darling... you know I love you, right?
SO: Wait a second... Let me kill this thing -- ok , yes, what did you say?
Me: Ummmm... I have a project I've been wanting to do... but *sigh* because of this stupid fibro crap... I need your help!
SO: So what is this project you want to do?
Me: It's in the kitchen... you know, just moving the pantry cabinets....
SO: I thought you liked them where they are
Me: Well... I do, sort of -- but I have no room for my pots and pans, stuff is falling on the floor, and I'm tired of tripping over lids, and pots, and stuff when I'm trying to cook and take pictures... *sweet liquid eyes -- blink blink*
SO: So... what all are you planning...
Ah! The QUESTION! heheh we're halfway there folks... halfway there...
Me: So - get this, it's going to be cool! I want to take the two pantry cabinets and put them on either side of the stove... then... oh -- we'll need to move the cabinet on the wall to put the pantry there... then we can install (finally) the stove vent over the stove. The cabinet we take down can go up next to the sink to balance it out -- then the one we move out from the other side of the stove can go back to back with the one in the bathroom, and the drawer we won't be able to get to when the pantry is there can go in the bathroom to replace the one we took out...
SO: *sigh* you're kidding... right?
So, yeah this is the way it goes around here... there will be much hemming and hawing on the subject, but eventually I'll win... and in 6 months, I'll want to do it all again!
or if you prefer -- I'm drowning in a sea of domestic duties that I don't want to complete!
As you know from Hopelessly in Love with Food that I love to cook... I like to clean less than I like to cook, but I am good at it. After all, I've had close to 30 years of practice. I am even better at "deep" or detail cleaning. This is because I have a very 'rulesy' personality and I believe in doing the job in it's entirety, including crawling on the floor and scrubbing. However, with this penchant comes a lot of incomplete projects -- things I just haven't gotten done yet. Things I don't know if I'll ever get done... things I really want done, but don't have a lot of motivation to do them.
My dear SO and I are starting a non-profit organization, and in doing so, we must claim a portion of the house for office space, and have the ability to work, and converse on the telephone uninterrupted or disturbed. This means the previously areas of the house dedicated to laundry and storage and such are going to have to be cleared out and repurposed. My office and the SO's office are nearly there -- he claiming a portion of the dining area, and me an unused corner with a window! While not organized the way I want it yet -- it's getting there, and I'm ok with that.
Then there is my kitchen, 2 years in the making of organization. In the two years I've yet to figure out how I want things to be organized in my cabinets or how I want my two pantry cabinets set. This is another thing that really needs to be done, because I am hoping to step up Hopeless to 4 nights a week, and I need the ability to have a clean and safe area in which to prepare, photograph and serve food. A place that is organized and doesn't make me cringe every time I enter. Things like my dishwasher that's attached to the cabinets on 1 side only... yeah - this needs some work!
Another project is the reclamation of my bedroom to useable, enjoyable, relaxing space. Someplace I would be happy to curl up in at the end of the day, with good book and some cocoa! Something comfortable, warm, and inviting... Another project to tackle!
Then there is the living room, the 'hub' of our home, containing a community computer, television, and xbox -- it's where the kiddos go to hang out and where we have family meetings and we never ever allow guests in there!
I want a space that I can be proud to show off and say - -this is our living room, regardless of the out of place dining table, and the falling apart fireplace. Those things can be cute, and quaint in their own way when the room itself doesn't look so horrible.
so there you have it -- a list of things on my To Do roster... seems like a lot, and I think it really is... So - this is spring cleaning a little early and done my way.
I plan to do 'before' and 'after' shots of everything as I go, in hopes that I'm actually improving things, and to show the insurance company if that ladder doesn't hold.
So you may ask "Why do I care about any of this?" You know, I don't know - and I don't care if you care -- I plan to do it anyway... because I have knowledge to share, if only with my children -- and who knows, this may wind up being the next great "household" how-to! Move over Heloise, here comes Magimom's Mom Stuff!
