I've studied, got tape measure in hand, sign legal docs tomorrow!

8 years ago

I'm nothing if not a great student. Which is lucky since I've been in college since 2007. So I've read, re-read, and read again the following: How do I ask for layout help; Looking for layout help; How do I plan for storage; Aisle widths, walkways, etc.; and Kitchen work zones. I'd like to thank buehl, marcolo, and gwtamara for their generosity in writing all this up! I just have a few questions:

1. So, it should go: refrigerator, range, dishwasher (put MW on counter above DW), and I can get by with the sink in the bathroom down the hall, right?

2. Can I keep my stolen shopping cart full of cat food up in the attic where I keep grandma?

3. There is not one single thing I'm willing to change about my kitchen. Can I post my layout anyway and just ask you all to compliment it excessively?

4. Who are all these people crossing into my work zones, helping themselves to my refrigerator while I'm prepping, and jumping in front of me every time I take something out of my oven, and when can I expect them to show up? I've been very lonely.

OK, OK, just kidding! All the information was very helpful! And that is no joke. I definitely am going to write down exactly what I have and what kind of drawer or cupboard it should be in, and in which zones. AND go through buehl's pantry list, which is exhaustive, and see which items I actually use and figure out where they should go.

Additionally, I'm going out to the house next Wednesday, measuring tape and graph paper in hand, and I'm going to measure EVERYTHING. Not just in the kitchen, in the whole house. I'm very poor at drawing floor plans, but I promise to do my best. We had to draw floor plans of our houses in 7th grade geography and I actually flunked the exercise. But I'll try. One girl in my class, Delores, wasn't allowed by her parents to draw a floor plan of her house because it might fall into the hands of the Communists (1971). She got a better grade than I did. (That is actually a true story!) But I'm confident that if I apply myself to the task at hand, I will be able to deliver a fairly accurate floor plan in about a week and a half. I'm also going to take about a billion pictures. That's for me, because I can "see" better how something would look or would work if I can look at pictures of what it is now.

But the best news is that tomorrow the seller and I are going down to the courthouse to get the title transferred over to me! Yay! All the legal stuff will be well underway; I'll just have to file some forms with the county and state. Yay! I'm about to be a homeowner! I'm so excited! I'm renting back to the sellers through May, and I will move in mid-June or so, after the "extreme cleaners" go in and do their bit, and the carpet cleaners too.

And seriously, thank you so much, all you gurus, for helping out us newbies. The advice I've read on this forum, and the advice you've given me personally, has already made a huge difference! You guys are great! :-)

Featured Answer

CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a

8 years ago

First, absolutely congrats on becoming the home owner! It's a huge, great step. No longer putting money down the drain in rent. Good job!

Second, are you channeling me? Those are the questions similar to mine, when someone posts a question answered TEN THOUSAND TIMES.

Which shade of white goes here...? (huh? Have you LOOKED at monitors?)
How do I paint my kitchen cabinets? (I can't think about how many times and boards have addressed this question.)
Do stacked cabinets look good on a 7' ceiling?
What do you think about these curtains I'm hanging next to my gas stove?

Ok. Stop me. I was laughing at your questions. It was a good way to start the morning.

Congrats again!

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Comments (16)

User
8 years ago
I think you'll get through all this remodel stuff just fine. Congratulations on your new home!

You do know about the clowns, right? Only let one in your kitchen. Maybe two, but I don't think your kitchen is big enough for two.
Debbie B. thanked User
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mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
And whatever anyone else tells you, remember--there is no One True Kitchen! Oops, I was channeling marcolo there. ;)

Congratulations, Debbie, you have a great attitude. If you provide specific measurements for walls, windows, and doors, we can help with translating those to graph drawings. I don't have a 3-D app, but if it can be done in Paint, I'm happy to help.
Debbie B. thanked mama goose_gw zn6OH
happy2b…gw
8 years ago
Debbie, I have enjoyed your posts. You convey tremendous optimism and insight. Congratulations on being a homeowner. I look forward to accompanying on your remodeling journey.
Debbie B. thanked happy2b…gw
Buehl
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I needed a good chuckle today - thanks!

Congratulations and good luck!
Debbie B. thanked Buehl
sjhockeyfan325
8 years ago
I echo what mg said - you have a great attitude (about everything!). Congratulations and and best of luck coming out of it in one piece.
Debbie B. thanked sjhockeyfan325
Erica L
8 years ago
Thanks for the laugh! Congratulations and good luck! I can't wait to follow your adventure.
Debbie B. thanked Erica L
Jillius
8 years ago
Ha! I read your first question seriously and nearly had a heart attack. I figured it out when I got to poor grandma!

Congratulations on the house -- I'm sure you will be especially excited to see the place finally empty and get true sense of what you really bought!

P.S. Communism is ALWAYS funny. I married a Russian, and I'm going to milk the communist jokes till I die!
Debbie B. thanked Jillius
Danielle Gottwig
8 years ago
Look at that, you almost killed Jillius!

I smiled wide, and was in deep danger of laughing out loud in my cubicle - which would reveal what I am actually doing right now.

Congrats on making everything official. That must feel good. I think you will also feel great seeing everything cleaned up! Even if you changed little, that will do wonders.
writersblock (9b/10a)
8 years ago
Good for you, Debbie. I'm so excited for you and can't wait to see how your renovation goes.
Debbie B.
Original Author
8 years ago
Good morning all! Thanks for all the nice and all the funny things you said! CEFreeman, oh I didn't realize I'm supposed to hang curtains next to my gas stove...I'll get right on that! ;-) "How do I paint (gel stain, prime, etc.) my kitchen cabinets?" is probably the most asked question over on the manufactured homes forum as well. Mayflowers, send in the clowns! But only if they're juggling in my cooking station! Mama Goose, I will take you up on that offer! My floor plan might be off, but my measurements will be accurate! Jilllius, the cold war does provide good fodder for humor! When we cleaned out my parents' house, in the shed we found a ton of coffee cans filled with used razor blades (2007). When we asked my dad why, he said if the Russians attack us we'll need steel for the war effort. Lol!

To all of you, thanks. I can't take 100% credit for my sunny attitude because I believe people are born with certain predispositions, genetically. I've always been a happy person. My brother, raised in the same environment, hasn't had a happy day in his life. But, I also believe in something Abraham Lincoln said. He said, "Most folks are about as happy as they want to be." There's a lot of truth in that. I don't let others decide how I'm going to feel. i choose joy. :-)

Have a great day! :-)
Debbie B.
Original Author
8 years ago
Woot! Woot! I'm officially a homeowner! Or possibly a vehicle owner. In Washington, like many states, a manufactured home set on a permanent foundation on the owner's own property is considered real estate, just the same as any other house. A manufactured home not on a permanent foundation, on rental property, is considered a "vehicle" under state law. So, I've got my vehicle registration; my home has a license plate number and a vin number, lol. The title will arrive in eight weeks, which seems like a really long time, but it's the government. Whatever it is, it's mine. :-)
rebunky
8 years ago
Debbie! Oh you are sooo awesome! You had me going for like maybe one second...

I was thinking...no way...I know this girl understands....lol!

I love your posts. You are such a gem! I look forwards to helping anyway I can with your kitchen.
anitamo
8 years ago
Congratulations! How wonderful for you.
mgmum
8 years ago
Yay, Debbie! Can't wait to see you make this place all yours! You won't believe the space you have once the hoarders stuff is gone. ;)
Springroz
8 years ago
Debbie, will the giant Aga fit through the the DOOR?

I've studied, got tape measure in hand, sign legal docs tomorrow!

CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a

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I've studied, got tape measure in hand, sign legal docs tomorrow!

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