Friday, July 17, 2009

I am a maverick!

We have lived in this house for 13 months now. The weekend we unpacked our things last summer and began to try to find homes for all our kitchen gadgets and gizmos we said that soon and very soon we would acquire more cabinets... and a new badly-needed stove. That weekend we were tired from the move. The next weekend we were still tired from the move. The following 2 weekends we were adjusting and maybe even unpacking a few last odds and ends. And after that life started happening. The summer turned to fall and then expenses went up (read: drafty house + high utilities = lower expendable income). And the winter months only decreased our cash-flow.

Then March came and... glory be... the tax return ended up being WAY more than expected!! So, I squirreled away a large sum of money, unbeknownst to my dear husband. (If he knew it was there it would be gone already!) I told myself that "someday" we would replace the downstairs windows, have the foundation repaired, get a new stove, add some cabinets and counter tops to the kitchen, and landscape the yard. I discussed all these improvements with my husband, who time after time would offer me some sorry excuse as to why we couldn't do them quite yet.

Month after month I have become increasingly unhappy with the fact that there are projects which need attention, but never seem to get any. So early this morning, while trying to fall back asleep, I started thinking about what needs to be done around here. Isn't that what all women do when they can't sleep... think of what they need to do?? And I decided I would finally take matters into my own hands.

I jumped out of bed, ran straight for my tape measure, and went to work plotting out my kitchen makeover. After a few sketches and measurements, a plan was in motion. Suddenly I started to feel very powerful. I mean, here I was... the housewife... deciding to redo the kitchen, making a plan of attack, and going for it! All. By. Myself. Oh the thrill!

I hurriedly dressed and fed my son and loaded him into the car prepared to spend the day shopping for the needed items... then coming home and doing battle with my husband over the fact that, yes, we are indeed going through with this, like it or not.

And with a little moral support from my mom and grandma (what maverick doesn't need a cheer-leader or two) I chose a stove and cabinets that both fit our need and our budget. Then my grandpa and dad helped deliver said items to my house. And to my surprise, this evening my husband did not even argue. He simply moved the old stove out, moved the new one in, and hooked it up for me.

I'm still holding out hope that he installs the cabinets tomorrow with out too much of a fight. But if need be, I'm prepared to duke it out. :) My goal in the morning is to go purchase counter tops too. So if all goes well, we'll be looking at a newly made over kitchen by Monday morning.

All this because I took control of the situation. I am proud of myself. There is really something to be said for 4 working burners. :)

1 comment:

Jenni said...

Nothing is better than getting a project like that done! Good for you! I hope you will post pics when it is finished!