Sorry to hear about your DH, and I hope everything turns out OK.

My renovation may be delayed as well, since DH's job is iffy. I figure if we do have to delay, the extra time will be well spent by continuing to learn from others here on GW, and mentally living with my design decisions for a while to make sure my tastes won't change. Or maybe new appliances/products will be introduced.

Delays are not always a bad thing.

I am so sorry you are both having to walk through poor health with your hubby. Your positive attitude is amazing amidst it all.

Based on my problematic final choices that are all working against each other and my vision, here is what I recommend you can do in that year's time if you are so inclined and haven't done so already. Pick your entire palatte: the exact granite, wall and ceiling, paint colors, cabinet species and color, light trims or fixtures, sinks, hardware, backsplash...everything.

If I could do it all over again I would never in a million years start a renovation without everything down to the smallest detail decided before we started. I assumed a general plan and vision was good enough. It wasn't.

For what it is worth, my mother in law has lived for something like 25 years and counting w/ leukemia. It hasn't all been fun, her immune system is weak and she gets low-grade fevers more often than the rest of us, but overall her quality of life has been and is now good. Incidentally, she had her kitchen remodeled about 3 years ago. They moved into the rental house to get away from the construction.

fallingwaters,

First, you are right - DH and his health is more important that a kitchen, and we are all sending positive thoughts and prayers to you for health through this time.

I also had to take a step back last year because of economic circumstances, and was so glad I did. It helped me put some decisions into perspective about which ones are priorities. Because things ended up working out econonomically I was able to save some more money in the intervening time and added new windows and some other things to the project.

It might not be a bad idea to take a step back for a bit and come back with fresh eyes. Do you still *love* the same things? If there are decisions you have agonized over is the answer clearer after some time away?

Maybe there are a few things you can do short of a major remodel - like get one or more of your new appliances now?

Maybe having the remodel to look forward to will be a welcome distraction?

You seem to have a great attitude. Hang in there (*hug*). There will be a blessing here. Be ready to recognize it when it comes.

So sorry to hear about your DH's health concerns. As others have said sometimes waiting has its benefits. You may find out that contractor isn't so good after all, or you may see a new * (something) that catches your eye.

Best wishes,

Debra

(((Hugs))) from the wife of a five year Leukemia survivor. Of course you are scared and worried, but there is a high degree of success with treatment now. I can relate to the issues of raising dust and other problems as we had to avoid anything that might tax or further weaken his immune system. Even turned into a maniac a couple times when someone just didn't get the importance of this.

Post your plans, let us debate them and help keep you busy.

of course you guys are right, now i have the time to nail down those all important details. thought dh wants it over already---he for one is so very tired of discussing the new kitchen!
in a separate thread i did post the size of my kitchen in case anyone wants to play with it--might be fun to see what creative ideas we can all come up with.
i just named the size, though will fill in more details if required.

fallingwaters;
first of all, know that your you and your dh, and his hea lth care prov iders are in my prayers. Your priorities are in the right place, although I know there is some disappointment after getting so much in place for the renovation.

I, too, put off my kitchen for a year. My MIL fractured her hip and was having repeated complications, my husbands workload increased at work and by being the primary healthcare surrogate for his mom. I sensed that just having the stress of ripping out the kitchen -- but also of not HAVING a functional kitchen, was a bit more than our family could deal with. My kitchen is a place of respite, even if in it's current state it isn't perfect.

My experience has been like needssometips and jreuter.

1. I saved up some more $$. I'm not putting that extra into the kitchen, but it is giving us a bit more of a cushion.

2. I've gotten just about every wee decision made, down to the gar bage di sposal, and what I'm lining the drawers with. Except for the darn faucet. Still trying to figure it out.

In the next few months as you go thru this with your husband, there will likely be times when you feel out of control. Looking at pulls and such and making a few decisions unrelated to the health aspects may help you get a feeling of control back.

And in the middle of the night, when you can't sleep, no doubt someone has posted a tittilating post (I know that isn't spelled right) that may take your mind off the stressors for a few minutes.

In case you haven't found the LLS site already, I'll post it here for you.

There is great support community there for sharing stories, blogging, and getting answers to the many questions you are sure to have as you go through the next few years.

Here is a link that might be useful: LLS

Fallingwater,

I have all the good thoughts possible for you.

I wanted to mention that quite a few things can change in a year for the better on a remodel. Perhaps you can hunt out bargains or even just take advantage of the natural decline in some things. Induction cooktops are considerable cheaper this year than they were the last and 2 years ago you couldn't even buy a range! This delay might be just the thing you need!

With that said, I don't think I could handle not being able to go forward with my house. I am SO ready for it to be done that I'm just bursting at the seams.

Think positive and I think you'll be able to get a lot of work done... without opening a wall.

A casual friend had a stem cell transplant from a donation by his brother. He is so tired he can hardly stay awake. The first 100 days are the worst. But everyone is looking to the future. He is getting better. He has a page at Mayo's Caring Bridge where he or his wife post updates. Does your hospital have anything like that? I subscribed to two of them from people I'm aquainted with. I don't always hear the latest news about them so the Caring Bridge update that comes email is most welcome. If you have the opportunity to have that sort of page, please post it here.