As I lay here in my very comfortable bed typing this, I'm thrilled to write that the kitchen is now finished. I can cook and find everything I need to prepare a meal. This is nothing short of a miracle for me. It is a time I have long waited for.
I am cooking in the kitchen. I won't say I've been making gourmet meals, but the dinners have been much nicer when I have ample space to spread out on. The problem though is after working in here, I can really see the major, and I mean major errors that company made. The most important one to me is the 'natural stone' countertops that they didn't seal. We have oil stains all over them. Added to that, they are poured stone and so when I drop a knife, or a pan too hard, chips come flying off. Our solution: Epoxy! Screw it. The countertops I have now will last maybe 5 years at the outside. With Epoxy we can keep them for perhaps 10. Live and learn.
The other problem? The floating cabinet is around 10 cm too low. Every time I'm bent over and stand up, I bang my head. It's a real pain. One year I'll get used to it.
The good news? There are plenty of electrical outlets in the kitchen. Albeit not in the position I want them in but there are plenty. Sadly, the electrician didn't listen to me when I requested some usb-c outlets so I have to now have him return and install the original order. Meh. Living here has been a learning experience.
In other news, the pantry is now 90% finished. I just have to frame out the refrigerator freezer and have Antonio install some floor level electrical outlets to run the floor cleaners and dehumidifier. One more set of cabinets on top of the fridge, and I am completely finished.
I wrote that 2 months ago and hadn't had time to finish. So much has happened since then. We have had guests come and go. We have been to puzzle parties, we have hosted puzzle parties. The world keeps moving and I don't have time to stop and enjoy it right now.
We attended IPP in Tokyo at the end of September. DCD was the first Sunday in November. AGPI was held in our home in October. My months are as mixed up as my days.
Once again I failed the Italian speaking test. So I plug on at the University for 2 more months. Today we are in Baden-Baden on our way home. The drive from DCD to Panicale is 16 hours and I'm just not interested in taking it all in one day.
Sadly a friend who was visiting with us passed away. Thankfully the comune came to help and the process was much easier than I expected it would be.
IPPXLIII planning is coming along smoothly and all invitations should be going out within the next week or so. This too has taken up a great deal of my time these past few months.
This morning I got terrible news. Our big beautiful home in Boca was destroyed this morning. I'm not sure what will happen in that space now. Probably a large eyesore will go up but it's not my problem. I don't live there. It just makes me very sad to think that such a beautiful well built home has been destroyed. I wish the new building nothing but happiness.
As for that kitchen....I've contacted a new contractor to come fix the major problems. Hopefully they will be able to have it done in the new year.
Everyone cross their fingers for me. I take the next speaking test on the 17th. Third time's a charm? Until then, send up a good word that I have time to blog a bit more frequently.
