November 15 –Thanksgiving
I just want a stove. We grill our turkey outside and are pros at indoor camping. Doing holiday dishes in the bathroom sink is no fun. We are waiting to get help to hang cabinets.

November 30-December 1
Contractor and David hang cabinets. Unexpected things—a heat vent covered by the pantry is rerouted; a gap in the cabinets is filled. Contractor measures for countertops.

December 3-7
Pantry is hung and portions of countertop installed. Order sink and faucet from the wholesaler recommended by our designer—yet another advantage of working with a well-connected designer.

December 10-16
A pro finishes the wood floor because we didn’t like our own work in the past. Thankfully, we can stay with my sister while the stain and sealer dry. Remaining part of countertop is brought in and attached.

Christmas break
Put up molding, install knobs, shop for tile, more painting. While we’re away, the sink and faucet arrive and are installed. Can’t wait to do the dishes!

January 4-15
Still waiting on appliances. Island base arrives. It’s brighter orange than I thought. (But the longer we have it, the more we love it.) Tile is on back order. Sigh. Island top arrives—it will be a true gathering spot.

March 15-17
Microwave is on back order for three weeks. How frustrating! Appliances arrive just one day before baby Wyatt is born.