Yeah, quaint, until I have to go to one of those places then I’m stuck in traffic jams that make me want to hop on the next plane back to Florida. Sure, I complain about the snow bird traffic….like I’m not one of them…lol. Or, the more senior than me drivers that require more patience than being a middle school teacher. But, all in all, I’ll take that over this!
And, then, there’s the Olney house vs. the Florida house. I know it’s just not fair to compare new construction to a 50 year old brick rancher. An open floor plan to the old chopped up into little rooms plan. All new furnishings albeit primarily from my go to Costco to a Lazy Boy man cave.
The original plan was for me to sell my house and, eventually, we would sell his house and move into Baltimore. Almost three years into it, I’m realizing that is not going to happen any time soon. The truth of the matter is the Olney house is cost efficient….something that is not wasted on me after almost having to declare bankruptcy if my house didn’t sell. Okay, that is such an exaggeration but who wants to throw away money on an empty house??
Last year, after we got back from Florida, BH threw open the door to the Olney house and almost called Goodwill to take everything away. Why didn’t I jump on that??!! Because he can’t. He’s a sentimental soul and loves his stuff. Instead, the cleaning out of closets and the garage shelves commenced. Because where the hell was I going to put my eight boxes, recliner and bookshelves left over from my former life?
He has principles. Does he ever! The kitchen appliances are left over almond from the 70s. Okay, he did replace the dishwasher a few years ago, I give him that. The gas oven takes 30 minutes to heat up; the refrigerator exterior is covered with rust and the freezer would be a field day for mold removers. But, here’s his point. They still work. Why replace something if it’s still working!? However, he did agree that the kitchen floor needed to be replaced.
I have principles. Why spend money on a house I’m not invested in? I had decided that when we came back I would just suck it up. He loves this place, so just let him enjoy it.
That worked for about a week….until I went online to Home Depot and started researching refrigerators, stoves, microwaves and tile flooring. On Tuesday, we hit the HD gardening center, loading up on annuals for the deck and the yard and, then, I showed him the refrigerator and stove I thought might work for us. Then, we agreed on the ceramic tile flooring.
He insisted on white appliances…not stainless steel that is the current rage. The ‘new’ dishwasher is white. Plus, the kitchen is dark and we need to lighten it up. The added bonus is that white appliances are at least $50 cheaper than the stainless steel models. And, do I really care if it’s stainless steel or white?? Good God, NO!!!
He reminded me on the way home, that this is against his principles. I told him I appreciated his flexibility. Of course, I’ve compromised my principles, too.
Principles, Schminciples! We’re getting a new kitchen! Woohoo!!!
Fantastic read!
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