12 years later...

image from source

I remember many of the events of 9/11-some memories so vivid I think they are happening in the here and now. Some memories faded, hazy and scratchy like watching an old newsreel.

I was unemployed after being downsized from P&G. I was also recovering from 2 surgeries. I was driving on interstate 275- on my way to Amelia- to help a friend move. They broke news over the radio. People actually stopped on the highway. Some still in the road and others pulled to the side. Emotions clearly visible, faces lined with grief and shock. Some people openly weeping. There was a roaring sound in my head and I could hear my pulse pounding. My chest hurt and I couldn't breathe. My first thought was to my daughter who was at school. She was safe wasn't she? Then to my husband, was he ok? Then my thoughts went to all of my family and friends. My mind was filled with so many tumultuous thoughts. It couldn't be true. My mind would NOT accept this as truth.

I began moving through the traffic weaving in and out. I need to get to a phone (it was the days before I had a cell phone) and I needed to see the news on TV. I was convinced it was all a terrible hoax. I turned off the radio and missed the news of the 2nd impact.

I pulled into my friends  parking lot, went to her apartment and asked if she was watching the news. She turned on the TV and we stood there in shock at the images being played on the screen. I don't recollect much immediately after that. If we actually moved anything or not. My next memory is sitting at my husbands work in the clubhouse watching the news. Where they played the footage over and over. I couldn't go home. I couldn't be alone. I was shocked, numb and scared.

I had tried to get Amanda from school  earlier in the day but they were on lock down. I  finally and slowly made my way home to meet my daughter at home. I had no idea if she knew what was going on. She was in high school and certainly old enough to understand the horror that our county was under attack. I remember traffic was slow. So many people panicked and left work. Frantic to get home, to  see their loved ones and to cocoon in the safety of their homes. To this day those memories play in my mind, grainy and halted like a stopgap movie. There were lines of cars at the gas stations, gas prices had been gouged to $5-$7 a gallon, the grocery stores over run and shelves empty.

I stood at the window, watching for the bus, watching for that familiar figure walking down the street. Any noise and I would jump. When my daughter opened the door, and called  "Mom?" it was the most beautiful sound I ever heard. I remember the strain in her voice, she was just as worried as me as I for her. I remember her dropping her book bag and we just stood hugging each other. Tears rolling down my face and into her hair. Her tears soaking the front of my shirt. I don't recall if the shaking was from her or me. We huddled on the couch, with our dogs and cats, TV off and silence was deafening. It seemed as if the whole world had stopped. When the hubbs pulled in the drive we both gave an audible sigh of relief. After that the days and memories are muddled. I do know we were forever changed that day. Our belief we were safe shattered. I remember...the pain, the loss, the sacrifice.

Some years later (2007) I had an opportunity to be in New York and visited ground zero. In a city that never sleeps the noise seemed to fade away as I approached the WTC platform. There were many people paying their respects, yet it was eerily silent. We knew this was hallowed ground. The wooden signs listed all the names of the people who perished that day.I don't know how long it took me to read the names. It felt like hours and it felt like time had stopped.  My throat tightened and the tears came. Looking around I realized I was not the only one crying. Young, old, woman or man. So many faces all openly weeping. Even as I write this-12 years later-the tears fall freely down my face.

I didn't know anyone personally that perished that day, but I did have an Uncle and Aunt at the pentagon when it was hit. It was 18 hours before we received word they were ok. But everyone I know or have met since knows someone either directly or indirectly that this tragedy impacted. It has been 12 years and our country still grieves. For all the horrible memories, there are good ones too. I remember how family, friends, neighbors and strangers came together in solidarity. Reaching out for comfort and strength. We stood up, gave notice we were strong, we would recover and we would fight back. We were a country united. I remember...the hope, the pride, the determination.

Most of all--I remember

And the walls came tumbling down

My stepdad making quick work of the demolition

 The remodel hit the skids pretty much the first day. We encountered crumbling plaster, wood rot, mold and no insulation- HOORAY! The hubbs is upset because it means more work for him.   I am actually not freaked out because I have waited over a decade--13 YEARS-- for this to happen. The timeline and budget tripled because of this-what I am sure will be the first of many- snafu's.Besides like I told the hubbs, "You can slap lipstick on a pig and it will still be a pig and not a beauty queen." Let's do this the right way and deal with the issues while we have the chance. His response, "I should have tossed in a grenade, it would have been easier."  HA!

Problems 1 and 2

The entire area under and behind the sink is rotted. There is also mold on the wall.

Problem 3

When they pulled the panelling down half the plaster came with it

Problem 4

Water damage around the window far left corner (sill plate) and no insulation.

Do you like the previous owner's quality workmanship? REALLY!! This will be housed in a box and attached to a stud...sheesh

Here's the plan for the next couple of weeks (Sorry some steps may be out of order)

• Finish tearing out the plaster and lathe on the North wall
• Cut out the wall boards in the sink area to remove mold. It appears to be contained in a few spots.
• Bleach and Odo-Ban the walls, allow to dry. 
• Possibly Kilz the walls. 
• 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
• 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
• Lay a new subfloor
• Add 1-2 new receptacle(s) to the east wall (window wall)
• Replace, update and attach the outlet to a stud (as shown in above photo)
• Move, update and wire in a wall switch for the ceiling fixture
• Replace the window
• Patch/ repair the remaining 2 walls. Possibly skim coat.
• 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
• Drywall, mud, tape, prime and paint

It is going to be busy, busy, busy around here!

My stepdad looking a little Dexterish

Meal prep during a kitchen renovation

I tried to be organized and plan for this remodel. After all it has been 13 years in the making. But sadly things didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped. I ran out of  space, patience, and time before demolition day. Procrastination should be my middle name. I came across some good articles on how to prepare and survive a kitchen remodel. (Here and Here) I only wish I had found them sooner. Or had the ambition to to be that organized.

I think by far the funniest moment about the kitchen remodel (so far) is when the hubbs said, "With no kitchen I guess we are going eat out every day for a few weeks."  Once I stopped laughing, I told him, "Nice try slick".  The stove is going to the garage temporarily. We have 220 in the garage, so if  the hubbs gets desperate enough he can cook  a frozen pizza while he is out in his man cave. So between the microwave, crock pot, sandwiches and grill (which also has a side burner) the eating out will be kept to a minimum-or so I hope. Which is good not only for our health but our bank account as well.

I did a lot of bulk cooking ahead of time to alleviate the burden of meal preparation. I cooked and portioned 6 lbs of ground beef, that can defrosted for spaghetti, chili, tacos, sloppy joes or whatever other recipe in which it can be used.


I prepped, precooked and have frozen meatloaves. I will either use the grill or we can plug the stove in the garage to heat them to temperature.

And I also made a ginourmous pan of banana bread-there were 2 but my dog decided to help himself to a half pan- sliced and froze for an easy grab-n-go breakfast.

 We have 7 grocery tote bags of canned goods (soups, raviolis, fruits and veggies). I bought individually wrapped chicken breasts for easy preparation and also less contamination since I don't have a kitchen sink. I have a couple of tubs of  frozen pulled pork which can be microwaved and I have lots of veggies pre-chopped and frozen for the crockpot or foil packets on the grill. I cam across a few good pages for crock pot freezer meals and slow cooker recipes (HERE and HERE). Another  web search to find recipes and tips on how to cook almost everything on a grill (HERE )

While I am not a huge fan of prepacked foods (artificial colors, flavors and high sodium content). I have stocked the freezer with a variety of frozen meals. It won't kill us to use these products over the next few months. After what we encountered this is no longer an easy remodel--but more on that later!

 I'm pretty sure I have the meal thing under control but I guess that is due my naivete and optimism of a young renovation. Let's see where I am in 6 weeks from now, haha

Anyone have any other tips for surviving the remodel with no kitchen?