I'm also pretty scornful of folks who think that they NEED an island, especially when it's to the point that they will accept a crappy layout to get one. Your description of your space, however, sounds like an island would actually be helpful.

Islands are a solution to a problem: Either your kitchen is too big, and without an island the hike between the range and sink would be a major expedition (even birds migrating across the Pacific stop at the occasional atoll), or you have an open floor plan and the island stands in for a missing wall. If you don't have those problems, and island is really not needed.

In your case, it sounds like the peninsula is already standing in for a wall. And, if you've still got an 8 foot opening to the kitchen, then the distances are pretty long. So check and check. An island probably does make sense.

And yes, hot flashes suck but I hadn't heard that they caused hallucinations.

If you get a rolling Island, are you going to just roll it in one particular area such that you could move the pendant lights to over that area?

The floor, I cannot help you on, it is one of the reasons people don't make changes. Do you by chance have some leftover flooring in the garage that could be pieced in there?

Countertop is a funny thing, for years I got by with a pullout cutting board from a counter 19" deep counter. Just changing that countertop to the normal 24 inch depth, more than doubled my workspace. But I was so set on having countertop I had designed the remainder of the kitchen with acres of countertop (costly to have so much) but the truth is you prep around certain areas and nowhere else. Once you know and understand those areas, you really only need 18"-2' on either side of the exact area you like to use if you can get it. The rest of the countertop ends up only being used when you have company, laying out the dishes and getting everything ready, etc., not for prepping or cooking food.

You can convert the pendants into recessed spot lights? or super flush to the ceiling lights? I wouldn't get rid of the extra light but make it not in the way and go with your house.

Rejuvenation and school house electric always as drool worthy lights if it fits your house style (and then you can bargain hunt for similar things elsewhere).

Cawaps, truly. Hallucinations? yes. I swear. I staved off Menopause for an extra 17 years or so by forcing my gyno to keep me on The Pill. Finally, at 57 she put her foot down and said, "No MORE!" I'm trying this new stuff, but frankly I have a hard time seeing through the sweat dripping in my eyes. Hence the hallucinations? At least this year my energy bills should be lower.

Practigal, not that much extra flooring. I just finished laying reclaimed pine which I love. I don't mind the change in flooring so much. I haven't stained anything yet, but think I might be able to use some of my flooring's stain on the pine to tie it together some. Not yet thinking about that.

As far as moving the island around? Probably. I move my base cabinets around when I need space or tops to work on. I am not confined to certain areas, but rather tasks have their area where they're preformed. I can't see an island with the peninsula, but without it seems to make more flow sense. The opening between peninsula and opposing cabinets is 36" already, but without the peninsula I'd have the 8'.

Lensai, I have a lovely school house, close-to-ceiling light over my sink. I love it. I'm thinking if I could raise the pendants. I love them, too, so I'll have to think about this.

I have to tell you, I've almost convinced myself to take out the peninsula. I have the cabinetry, so having to buy some isn't even an issue.

If I could get some of the crap out of the way (read: everything on the counters) I'd take a picture. But right now I'm very, very lazy.

I don't have anything to add. But hot flashes. Yeah, them. You know I turned 50 earlier this month, right? And yoga teachers (no, I don't do "hot" yoga) seem to like it ungodly hot. Damn them. I just ordered a mini fan to take to class with me.

Oh man, I think I'm just starting to join this crazy hormone club myself. I used to be freezing and now I'm sweating, and look like a big red tomato face all day and night....Ugh!

Pendants: Depending on the style and size of the pendants you have, what about just removing the one closest to the wall and leaving the one closer to the center of kitchen? Would it be somewhat centered? And look okay if raised? If that wouldn't be enough light could you switch to a larger light fixture? Craigslist find perhaps? :-)

That wouldn't work, rebunky, but I'm thinking I can actually "store" the island under the peninsula pendants. I actually have 4 pot lights around the perimeter of the kitchen section, and these pendants are on the "wall" side, as cawaps described.

I am becoming more and more determined that this is what I'm going to do! I think once you say something out loud, it makes it real. Doesn't it?!?