Replacing the handles will require you to plug one or both holes, so if you decide to stay with stain you need to make sure that what you plug the holes with is stainable. Even after allowing for that, you're probably going to see where the repair was. Painting those cabinets won't be difficult since the doors are flat but it will be time consuming. Me, I'd do all the repairs and sand them smooth, then give all the cabinets a good cleaning, prime and paint. Go to a Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Miller, etc. paint store and ask for guidance on a cleaner, primer and paint for cabinets. Find a handyman that can help you remove the cabinet over the sink (before painting) then add a window treatment and a pendant. Below is a link to a thread about painting cabinets. Check out the transformation of Wendy's kitchen. Here is a link that might be useful: Cabinet painting

Very pretty group of blooms! Gold Kissed really stands out, and I like the colors of Kansas Kitten. Lori

Troubling to hear of your back problems, and thankful for both the improvements and that some succour has been found for the hosting worry, terilyn. Amylou, when you referred to not going to think of washing your dirty clothes, I assumed that to be only over the short term, but if it's long term, do you think it would be helpful to hang them in the area where he does chores, to remind him that sometimes our actions have unexpected consequences for others? As much of my activities involve my back being bent, recently when I ask it to "go straight" it complains about being expected to do unusual things, so I think when it starts doing that, I may remind it of your troubles and suggest that it keep such issues in appropriate .perspective. Hope your expected to be happy holiday may be turning out better than you feared. ole joyful

"I liked the grass tapering to the curb" Commenting because it looks like this is not possible. As is often the case when soil is graded to the top of sidewalks/driveways/curbs, combined with soil creep and thatch build-up over time, the grass actually sits way above the adjacent hard surface. You would have to shovel down so the soil is 1" below the top of curb, then relay sod. On the left section sketch is what looks like what was done here for string trimming, with the trimmer head horizontal to the surface. What happens is you chew the edge up, get dieback, and the dirt washes over the curb. On the right section sketch is how you should trim once it overgrows the curb again. Rotate your trimmer head vertical and then turn an additional angle, so you get a clean grass cut and a thin groove next to the curb to retain any washout.