My dream kitchen was built during the winter of 2008, which means a whole year before the rug was pulled out from under me. I went into the hospital for five weeks during the winter of 2009.
Larry was my builder. He has done most of my renovations.....my two bathrooms, my screened in back porch and numerous other changes to my house.
He is a terrific person. I feel like he has been in my life forever. You know what I mean, the way you feel about your microwave. How the hell did you ever survive without it? That's how I feel about Larry. He's just an all-around great guy.
He has a wonderful wife, Maxine and three adorable rugrats. They have come to my pool party a few times. Actually, Larry came to my first Christmas party, eleven years ago. That was just after I had met him. He had helped to install my new windows throughout the house.
I know I'm digressing, as I tend to do a lot. But, I need to tell you this story about Larry.
When I was in my second or third week in the hospital, I was feeling very verklempt. Because of my partial vulvectomy, I had to lay flat. I had a Foley catheter in me the whole time.
Larry and Maxine made a surprise visit. This is not something you expect from your everyday contractor.
I was a little teary because I had not had a real shampoo since before I had been admitted to the hospital.
My hair has always been my crown and glory. I never liked to have it look disheveled, let alone dirty and yucky. But, here I was, with my builder and his wife, feeling as low as I could. And do you know what they did without hesitation and with only a little bit of protest from me? They washed my hair. Yes, it took a while, but with my head held over the edge of the bed, Maxine shampooed my hair twice and then rinsed it while Larry held a bucket under my head to catch the water. The whole process took a fairly long time. This was not an easy feat.
I was crying with joy ! They had no idea what that shampoo did for my psyche. I was a new patient. I was shiny spanking clean. Alleluhia !!!
I will always remember their kindness to me that evening.
Now, let me show you the before and after pictures of my kitchen.
This is Larry standing in the center of my old kitchen. You can see that it was last renovated probably in the late 70's or early 80's. It had a peninsula with bar stools. It was very boxy. It served it's purpose, but I needed a change.
This is a view from my dining area/family room into the old kitchen.
Here are pictures of the renovated kitchen.
This is the island that overlooks my family room. I wanted the second sink and dishwasher in the island so that I could clean up and chat with my company at the same time. I love having it there.
Larry came up with the idea of having a long granite buffet for parties. It really comes in handy on Thanksgiving.
I am extremely happy with my kitchen. I appreciate Larry for listening to what I wanted and for coming up with great innovative ideas himself.
If anyone needs a smart, creative contractor and lives in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area, let me know. You won't be sorry. Just remember, I found him first.
Happy almost Spring !!!