Goodbye 2013 and Hello 2014

What an interesting year! Although I really do feel as if it flew right by me.

Love

Because all things should begin and end with love. It makes for a much kinder and gentler world!

2013 was 24 years of togetherness for me and the hubbs. However, Valentine's Day was 21 years of marriage. It is hard to believe it has been that long, except on the days I am annoyed with him and then it feels MUCH longer, haha

Life

Life was relatively on even keel this year and given the upheaval in 2012, I am grateful to have had time to recuperate. 

I spent the majority of my time focused on school. I have been amazed at at how much more difficult it has been to learn new material. Whoever wrote the adage, "With age comes wisdom", has not had to return to college in their late 40's!

Although I did manage to make the dean's list 2 out of 3 semesters for 2013. Close but no cigar!

Home
2013 saw both small and big changes around My Cozy Little Farmhouse.

The simple task of painting a door and stencilling the window provided a much needed face lift and instant visual appeal.

The monumental project of completely gutting the kitchen, facing countless challenges and slowly transforming it from the kitchen of my nightmares to the kitchen of my dreams.

Garden

The garden was a challenge in 2013. Things most definitely did not go the way I had envisioned.

The weather was...weird. Add to this my lack of focus due to school, the tear out of the kitchen and the invasion of every bug known to man (ok maybe NOT ever bug--it just felt like it--bleh)  the results were dismal compared to years' past.Overall yields were interesting! 

Asparagus  6 oz

Beans  1 lb 9 oz

Brussel Sprouts 2 lbs 3 oz

Cantaloupe 9 lbs 2 oz

Corn 2 lbs 13 oz

Cucumbers 37 lbs 7 oz

Peppers (hot) 4 lbs 11 oz

Radishes 1 lb 8 oz

Squash (butternut) 18 lbs 7 oz

Squash (spaghetti) 7 lbs 13 oz

Squash (yellow) 26 lbs 8 oz

Squash (Zucchini) 41 lbs 9 oz

Strawberries 2 lbs 4 oz

Tomatoes 67 lbs 9 oz

The big winners were the cucurbits! After last year's harvest of 150 of tomatoes I was slightly disappointed in 2013 yield. Not to mention at least half of the tomatoes were due to my neighbor letting me pick her garden so I had adequate quantities to process. The disappointment is slight when viewed in the overall picture that we were lucky and blessed to have food for our bellies. For this I am very thankful!

Canning

Speaking of processing, I did quite a bit of canning and freezing.  More freezer storage than normal because I ran out of jars. I also tried to some new/ weird recipes.

Cinnamon Pickles

Which everyone has RAVED about these!

Cowboy Candy

Spicy, sweet and lotsa heat!

Family

2013 saw many changes in our family as my youngest brother and 1 of my nephews flew the nest to live on their own for the first time.  It was also a reminder to make me feel old! How are they are old enough to live on their own?! 

2013 saw my mom through multiple hospitalizations and several nursing homes. She is now living with my sister as she fights through the end stages of COPD. It also saw my step-Dad through health issues as well. All of these reminders to let go of old hurts, to appreciate your family because life is fleeting. Make the most of what time you have.

And 2013  brought the joyous occasion of my daughter and son-in-law buying their first home which is absolutely adorable!

Reflections

2013 was a challenging year in the sense it pushed me beyond my comfort zone. It was a year of introspection. It was a year of decluttering both in an emotional sense of letting go negativity and physical as I unburdened my house of accumulated things.  Amazingly both emotional and physical purges brought about peace of mind.

2013 was a good year in the aspect that I forged new connections and repaired or strengthened old ones. I found a balance between focusing inward and outward. I realized no wo(man) is an island.  It is okay to let people in and you don't need carry your burdens alone.  Sharing something of yourself doesn't make you weak. (Ummm...I am still working on this)

2013 was a charitable year. I gave more of myself in terms of time, money and gifts than ever before. And it felt good! Even better was when I gave these gifts without  acknowledgement or fanfare, it was the realization of my happy little secret. Whether it was the rescue of a lost pet, lunch with a sick friend, financial assistance to someone in need, or small tokens of gratitude (just because) it made my heart happy and warmed my soul.

As always-- I want to Thank You all-- for taking the time to  connect with me by visiting my blog, pinterest, Facebook, and emailing me. I look forward to every comment, like, tag and share. Whenever I have an opportunity to connect with one of my readers, it makes the world seem not quite so vast.

Expectations

2014 has a lot of expectations.

I will finish my last semester, take my national certification exam and find employment in a new field.

It will see me another year older (and hopefully wiser).

It will bring me hope, joy, sorrow and memories. 

I hope 2014 lives up to my expectations. 
Mostly I hope I live up to the potential gifted to me in 2014.

Happy New Year's  to all my family, friends and followers.
 Be safe. 
Be healthy.
Be happy. 
Be prosperous. 
Be true to you!

Month 3 of Kitchen Remodel

Yes, I realize we skipped over a few weeks. Life has been fraught with roadblocks and delays. The hubbs has been working a tremendous  number  of hours--which has definitely cut into the project. My step-Dad has been busy with his job as well as some personal issues, so the remodel came to a screeching halt for a few weeks.

To be honest, I am exhausted. I am tired of living in a construction zone. I am tired of not having a kitchen and cobbling meals together in a space more dysfunctional  than my kitchen ever was considered....sigh

I have been overwhelmed with school and finishing the semester with final exams. Stress has taken it's toll and I did NOT make the dean's list his semester--which is the first time in my academic career (including college 20 yrs ago). I am gearing up for my internship which begins in January. I will be working (for free) and I have 5 classes so I can graduate in May. No pressure! It had been my hope to have the remodel off my plate before Christmas January but that is not the case.

We had Thanksgiving both at my sister's and my daughters house. Two days of feasting and just enjoying the moment. Although my daughter and I did share the kitchen and cook--surprisingly without argument or harm inflicted on the other, haha.

Now for the kitchen...

All the insulation and wiring is complete (with the exception of being hooked to the box). The electrician was supposed to have been out this past Saturday but couldn't. HOPEFULLY next Saturday, fingers crossed. Once he wires everything in, we can assume all is good,  tape up the seams of the insulation and install drywall.

The installation of the recessed lights was a fun exercise in math and patience. We have 5 lights installed. I based the calculations for spacing of manufacturer recommendations and my preference. The center of the lights are spaced to hit the edge of the counter, which is supposed to avoid weird shadows. This was 25 inches from the wall. From the side walls they were supposed to be offset 12-18 inches and 18-24 inches between lights. Weeellllll, that didn't quite work out because the 2nd story joists were not equally spaced. A couple of the cavities required a sander to the housing could fit. Mathematically, the fixtures are not perfect but they are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I doubt once everything is installed and painted, that anyone will notice the imperfections. Oh yeah, my light fixture I ordered had a snafu--I was sent the wrong one. The correct one is en route and should be here in 7 business days.  sheesh

The sub-floor has been installed. And I have to say--It looks like bamboo! If I had known it looked so nice, I would have left it exposed and varnished it. As a matter  of fact the hubbs bet my step-dad that is what I want to do, haha. I guess he knows me! However, since I already had the linoleum we are moving forward with that.  The hubbs and my step-Dad installed rosin paper to protect the sub-floor from the mess of installing drywall.

So no Christmas dinner in the new kitchen. The default plan is to have dinner at the kids house. I know as soon as the drywall goes in the project will pick up speed.  Fingers crossed we can get back on track and finish this  without further delays. I think a finished kitchen would make a GREAT anniversary gift (Valentine's Day) ... ok ST. Paddy's Day?... um ..Easter?

Hopefully next post will see more changes and I can have lots of things crossed off the list!

Week's 7 and 8 of kitchen remodel

I am so happy y'all!! My kitchen is beginning to resemble a room again instead of squatter's squallor.

Buh-bye meat locker and hello coziness as the insulation goes in to warm us up and help reduce the utility bill. 

The hubbs hard at work.

The hubbs made a minor mistake when he placed the outlet box considering a cabinet will be in front of it. So it needs to be moved up for counter height use.

Hey look--a header over the window on a load bearing wall!. No more worrying about the 2nd floor crashing down.

Hello brand new shiny window with your low-E energy efficient double panes. Not only are you gonna save me money, you are short which allows me to have a whole run of cabinets with countertop in what was previously wasted space.

The new wall has been built for the sink, dishwasher and refrigerator area. The wall was out of plumb by 3 and 3/8 inches and the floor in the area was 2 inches off prior to the repair (see post for weeks 5/6). This wall was pre-built so it is square-maybe the only square thing in the entire house. When installed it was shimmed to be level and plumb. We now have a true surface on which to drywall and hang cabinets. And how cool is this? You can see an outline of the stairs on the plaster and lath boards. (which I highlighted in red). We are going to use some plywood and close off the old back porch door frame.

Budget constraints forced me to go with 6 inch recessed lights. I had originally wanted 4 inch LED's which I talked about HERE. However the cost would have been $339 for 8 recessed lights. Lowe's had a contractor special on 6 inch recessed lights, a case of 6 including trim kit and along with a package 6 of  lights, I was out the door out the door for $88.19. The main light fixture has been ordered and will be here next week.  I went with my original choice of Madison, except I found it for $122.58 (not counting my 5% discount) at ATG stores (which is a Lowe's subsidiary) instead of the $138.96 at Home Depot. Every little bit of savings counts at this point!

I know it doesn't look "pretty" yet  but to me it is such a beautiful sight. If all goes well, we hope to begin drywall next weekend.

Here's my list from my earlier kitchen remodel post with some additions/ modifications

• Finish tearing out the plaster and lathe on the North wall
• Tear out ceiling
• Cut out the wall boards in the sink area to remove mold. It appears to be contained in a few spots. Decided to do a complete tear out
• Patch/ repair the remaining 2 walls. Possibly skim coat. Decided to do a complete tear out
• Build temporary supports for new headers over door and window.
• Bleach and Odo-Ban the walls and allow to dry. 
• Cut out a  2 foot by 8 foot floor section (sink area)
• Sister the joist beams and shim where the floor slopes
• Determine if sill plate needs repaired  Damage is minimal-yay!
• Install a floor jack on North-East corner--where the the sill plate is water damaged
• Move the stove outlet from floor to the wall and update to a new receptacle-IN PROGRESS
• Install necessary outlet for gas hookup (no connection to line, preparing in advance for stove replacement)--Maybe--checking on requirements Decided to scratch this for now
• Build bump out wall (west wall/ kitchen sink side) to accommodate for out of plumb wall.
• Lay a new subfloor
• Install the linoleum
• Replace, update and attach the outlet to a stud on east wall
• Add 1-2 new receptacle(s) to the east wall (window wall)
• Add 1 new receptacle to west wall-IN PROGRESS
• Purchase recessed light housing and trim kits
• Order focal/ center light
• Move center junction box, update and wire in a wall a 2 way switch for the ceiling fixture. IN PROGRESS 
• Install recessed lights perimeter of the kitchen (3 on each wall) and install dimmer switch. IN PROGRESS
• Install/ wire in electric for stove exhaust hood
• Replace the window
• Attach furring strips to the exterior walls (North and East) to bump out the depth
• Insulate and seal. Minimize any possible cracks, leaks or vermin/bug/ draft entry points-IN PROGRESS
• Install furring strips to bump out north wall (entry door wall) so drywall is flush with door frame
• Drywall, mud, tape, prime and paint
• Purchase end  panel for dishwasher installation
• Order remaining counter top (stove side of the kitchen)
• Order and install stove exhaust hood
• Install flooring
• Install new door
• Install cabinets
• Purchase and install cabinet hardware
• Install sink
• Purchase  tile for back splash
• Install tile back splash (sink area), considering back splash installation on stove side
• Purchase and install a dishwasher
• Move the Refrigerator and Stove in fromthe  garage
• Trim work (doors, the window, baseboards, crown molding)
• Decide on window treatment
• Order fabric for window valance/ curtains/ shade
• Paint  mobile island/ cart
• DIY some wall art
• Purchase/ DIY 2 kitchen stools

Finger's crossed I am done by Christmas!  I am still hopeful we will meet this deadline.