Welcome back!
It’s been a while! The word that best seems to describe it since the big move from Sechelt is “fraught”.
A relatively simple word, yet according to dictionary definitions it may be used to define many types of situations, none of which are particularly peaceful or relaxed.
Words like anxious, stressed, self-query, as in “why did I do this?”
Everything is fraught!
But today is different. The kitchen renovation is completed. I’ve survived two major hurdles in life. Moving from my beloved Sechelt and friends to be closer to family was the right move at the right time.
The kitchen was another matter entirely. I’d almost managed to convince myself that cooking in a room that was like a dark box wasn’t really that bad. You just get used to it. Quite amazing really. That was quite a life lesson.
Image via VickiW
Original kitchen, showing part of the peninsula forming a box, with overhead cabinets that destroyed light and sight.
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| The boxy kitchen |
Image via VickiW
I really couldn’t imagine anything different. A rainy winter. The darkness of the weather seemed to coordinate with the lack of modern lighting in the home, so that it all just didn’t matter any more.
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| The old, sunshine ceiling. Image via VickiW |
Image via VickiW
Lighting it up!
We had decided from the beginning that a newer, lighter kitchen would help things a lot. I had finally decided on a crew to do the work after a good recommendation from our lovely realtor. She had nurtured us through the move and well after.
The first two husky guys known as “demolishers” came by bright and early, at 7.30 am.
Just before that a dazed looking Bob had tottered through to the living room. Obviously something was very wrong. The two young men helped him back into the bed and stayed with him while I called the paramedics.
Anyway, long story, and he was in emergency, then in a hospital ward for a week.
At times like this you realize how important organization is. The project manager proved to be amazing. He presented us with a program detailing what would happen each day, until the end of the project. He estimated the new and improved kitchen would take just over a month to completion. (...polite small snorts of derision from friends about my trusting belief that this would happen on time...) But, it did.
Image via VickiW
Applaudable attention to detail!
They put up huge sheets of plastic like curtains to protect the rest of the house and they vacuumed and cleaned up after themselves each day.Cam, our delightful, conscientious manager, visited about every day to inspect or work on each stage as it completed. He seemed to have an endless list of folks who knew exactly what to do, and when they were to do it.
They removed debris each day too and made sure to keep the toilet clean!
Looking through the plastic film. Floor to ceiling, but the dust still settles on everything.
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| Image via VickiW |
A calm progression...
In spite of all their efforts, the amount of dust that escaped into the rest of the home was just amazing. I had bought an air purifier in Sechelt, when we were surrounded by fires, and now you could see it gnashing it’s virtual teeth as it tried to keep up with interior air pollution.
While all this was going on we had family support in any way they could think of. That move was definitely a good thing, in spite of the fact that I was now a fully fledged caregiver. More about that soon. But it is definitely fraught!
After at first anxiously looking through each day’s progress, I suddenly became calm. There was no feeling of complete chaos, as I’d been warned. It was a joy to watch the competent skill sets that each small team of journeymen applied to their particular part of the project.
I’m proud of our journeymen. No wonder these days kids want to qualify and be one. They are spurning university studies in favour of trade schools. Makes sense if you think about it. So much new housing is needed. Journeymen can get good employment anywhere.
This was no easy fix. All necessary old materials needed to be carefully removed, bagged if necessary, and packed in a big truck for disposal.
Image via VickiW
This was the time when the doorway and an annoying wall that stopped all work flow were removed. See the big beam that now runs across the space where the wall and door were gone..
Now there was a naked ceiling. It was packed with huge depths of pink insulation. On the surface were special acoustic bars that prevent noise transfer between the top and bottom condos. Amazing, the difference between building 40 years ago and now.
Below, is the temporary small sink is going in. It was so good to have, rather than using the bathroom sink!
Image via VickiW
Making due...
I’m not going to pretend renovation is easy. Being able to keep the original fridge/freezer and stove was a bonus.
A microwave turned out to be the only means of cooking, although in summer it would be easy to cook out on the balcony. By the end of the month though, reno-fatigue has set in, no matter how kind everyone is.
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| Image via VickiW |
The finale
Work proceeded just as it was supposed to. Suddenly beautiful results started to appear. after everything had been ripped apart for so long. Flooring, cabinets, sink, appliances were all there. A beautiful big open space with tons of cupboard space, enough lovely floor to dance on, and a beautiful little dining area.
Moving to a new community and new home is not easy. Putting your own stamp on the new place requires an energy that is often hard to find as you age.
The kindest, nicest people around you make the best seasoning for your daily work in home and kitchen. When you’re able to look on the renovation with delight, and use it just the way you hoped you could, it definitely seems worthwhile!
Putting it all together
A creek-side stroll
Our feathered neighbors and other beautiful aspects of life along the creek.
Mama goose, sitting on her eggs. Papa goose, not far away, was hissing at passersby, but he quieted with some gentle acknowledgement.
Images via VickiW
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| Morning reflections... |
Thank you!
I hope you’ve enjoyed your visit, and appreciate your interest in my re-homing adventures, from Canada’s Sunshine Coast to the mainland. Although challenging, many good things are coming from it.
VickiW
