It sounds good to me, but you might want to check out the thread 'My Flow Through Bins'. I'm not sure how to make a link to it, but it's currently the 6th from the bottom on the first page. This guy had a 55 gallon drum. It's a little harder to set up than what you have in mind, but it will be a LOT easier to harvest the vermicompost. I think that would more than make up the time spent on making it. Part way down I mentioned that you don't have to use metal bars, you can use the thick plastic line that's used in weed wackers (closer together). If my herd ever increases to a size where that would be viable, I'm going to get a large garbage pail with wheels and so the same thing.

I like your suggestions, Worldmom (you must have posted just minutes before I posted my earlier post- I hadn't seen yours before I also suggested "paint the cabinets!") I agree about removing the soffit- if possible. If it is needed for structure or ducting, see if its width can be reduced ( "Push" it toward the dining room side, to help widen the room visually.) I love your kitchen redo crafterbeth- it is a wow. Great job. I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts to Steffie2 (been thinking about your kitchen, since it was the last thing I saw before going to sleep!) I haven't seen your entire kitchen, but could you possibly turn the penninsula into an island by removing a few cabinets at the end of the penninsula next to the range? (Or would there be not enough left to create the island if you did that?)You could then relocate one of those removed cabinets next to the range. (And doors from any cabinets you remove could make great end and back panels for cabinets and islands, by the way.) After all, many of those gorgeous kitchens with long islands are often no wider than a galley kitchen--they just are so open on the island side that you don't realize it! (By the way, once you remove the countertop, cabinets are easy to move around--they are usually just screwed to the wall and to each other.) I had another thought about how you could get new cabinets and stay in budget, besides painting: have you considered RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets? I was looking for bathroom vanities recently and found that there are now many places selling these RTA kitchen cabinets at FANTASTIC prices (even cheaper than IKEA!) They look just as gorgeous, at least online, as regular cabinets. I believe that some of them come from China- which may explain the low price. These RTA cabinets do have face- frame construction (unlike IKEA-which some contractors won't install due to the lake of face frames)and plywood sides (a good RTA cabinet has to have the plywood sides because of the way they are constructed--typical stock cabinets have particleboard sides unless you pay extra) I will post a link below for one RTA company below. (Even though I suggested painting the cabinets--I personally would never have the time or energy for such a large project myself!) One other budget tip if you want to squeeze in money for new cabinets (forgive me if you know all this already): Get estimates from small contractors who specialize in things like cabinet installs, and be your own general contractor (hire each specialist yourself: hire your own cabinet installer,electrician, plumber, countertop fabricator, etc.)this saves quite a bit of money, and the contractors seem to be able to give much better prices if they are only responsible for their own work. (General contractors usually charge 20% for being the general, or so I've been told.) I found a HUGE difference in prices between estimates for the cabinet install between the big box store where I bought the cabinets, bigger construction companies, and the little guys. I was even told that I got a better price because I was having the work done in January, when things were slow--something to keep in mind. Also, find out who does the cabinet installs (usually called the "finish carpenters") for a local home developer. They may be willing to do your install job as an extra side job, and the price will be reflect the fact that it isn't their sole source of income! At least that is what I did recently, and the contractor gave me a fantastic price for a minor remodeling job (I needed a custom corner cabinet built and one relocated.)I was willing to be a little flexible with my timing and he told me that he was happy to have an odd job to send his guys to do if they had an a delay or whatever with the developer, and they would have had nothing else to do otherwise! Just some of my musings--I hope it helps. Here is a link that might be useful: RTA kitchen cabinets

Hi Pie! I am sorry to know that all is not as you had visualized. All I can offer is to say don't be discouraged! I am sure it will be wonderful. We built a significant addition to this house 12 years ago (2 storey 28 x 32) and I remember thinking exactly the same way...oh no...this is not nearly large enough! Well, of course, for us it is. Our home is now 4200 sq ft...for 2 people...that's ok! We are not finished our kitchen reno yet. The cabinet maker lives an hour away from us and does not like to drive in winter weather ...that makes life difficult. However, he is absolutely fabulous at matching new stain to existing cabinets so that is why I have stayed with him. I fired our K.D. in early November...that is a long story and I should have done so weeks previous. We are no farther along than the last posting. Our tile man "Sonny" will be coming the end of the week to do the backsplash. Our cabinet maker should be here also at the end of the week. So, fingers crossed...it will all be done in the next week or so Hooray! I will definitely subit some photos

Not sure the exact 4th was..but around 73/74F and pleasant like you say since I was pruning and only sweated- not soaked! This could turn around for the bay area but most bets are its going to be below average in highs-but as always these days,above average in lows in the bay area summers. Interesting. Europe has been cooler than average and I would guess some relationship in lows and jet streams.