indulge yourself but do it by trolling a marshalls or a tjmaxx or such. you can find some great deals there and replace a few important pieces of cookware or serving dishes. you'll be happy to see you big new le creuset in deep blue sitting on your new stove.

PLEASE post pics!!! Sounds wonderful.

Hey where are the pictures? I know how you feel about putting the old in the new; I canâÂÂt believe how much old crap I threw away. Putting the old stuff in was only part of the problem for me though; I was just plain burnt out at the end. The one thing that kept me going was that I refused to show my friends and neighbors the kitchen until it was done so that gave me that last little rush to put things away for the un-veiling. Now I have some serious cleanup in the rest of house and the dumping ground patio looks like a pitâ¦I must get out there todayâ¦I mustâ¦I must

I'll post pics as soon as I get the crown finished and the granite is done. My goal is Nov 22nd as that is the date my son comes home from his first Marine Corps deployment. And I'm hosting Thanksgiving, so lots of great things to look forward to! think I'll go to Marshall's this afternoon....thanks for the tip, ebean!

i want to see the photos with your beautiful new discount roasting pan on the stove! ;) i bet it looks great. welcome home to your son. what a great thanksgiving that will be for you.

Midgetmadre, I'm so happy for you having your son home for Thanksgiving!! Homegoods (a division of TJMaxx) and GoodWill are also places to look. Yes, Goodwill and similar resale stores do get new items donated. I'm looking forward to seeing your kitchen!

First, let me congratulate you on having a son serving in the USMC. While grocery shopping with my WWII 89 year-old father, he donated to the local university Vets Club at a stand they had in the store lobby. When they found out he was a WWII vet, those guys treated my father as if he were a celebrity. So, let me say thank you to your son.

Onto your post. I completely understand about wanting new items for the kitchen. Some things I purchased:

1) new towels and dish cloths - they were much needed!

2) Kitchenaid mixer. I found a great deal on amazon.com. Do not regret that purchase at all.

3) Everyday dishes. I chose a tomato red that we still use daily after 8 1/2 years. These were on closeout at a local shop and I fell in love with them.

When putting away the old, think of the memories that are attached. How many batches of cookies did you bake on those sheets with your family? What about the bowl that may not be so beautiful, but it was given to you by a favorite aunt or friend. My last piece of Corning Ware with the pastel flowers (era 1978) broke and I must admit, I miss that dang thing! I even unboxed some 30 year old items that were classics (I did not know that as a young bride).

Best of luck and I look forward to the pictures.

I took the kitchen reno as an opportunity to really purge. I got rid of a lot of unneeded utensils, pitched old stained towels and got new ones, and really cleared out the pantry. I also labeled all the baking containers and dumped a TON of old plastic containers. It felt great!

I purged too, although I had to keep my old, beat-up baking stuff that I've made so many yummy things with. I now have enough room so I could put out, display, and use the family heirloom crystal and fancy bowls, etc. If you have any nice stuff packed away, now's the time to get it out.

Goodness..what timing...I just got home from costco after buying new cutlery and tried to sneak it into our house (we aren't quite done our renovation but I also felt like you do and wanted something new)...my husband isn't happy!!! I'm so glad of this website....you all make me feel less guilty!

Well, I did buy new stainless and some new dishes and some new towels and some new cookware....not all at once and not everything, but mostly good deals at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, or Bed Bath & Beyond.

Credit Card Reward Points!!!

Kitchen sounds beautiful, can't wait to see the photos. I have been in my kitchen for a couple of months and am on a buying freeze for a bit until my frenzy (and credit cards) recover. I completely understand the urge and am right now keeping a list of what I want and am going to sort it by what is most important to me so I don't go on a buying binge. Although TJ Maxx and others have good pricing, it really does add up.

I have found after the first month I was kind of over it. Just hang in there and see if the urge subsides.