This is a honeydew day. That is when you get a day off and the wife says, "Honey, do this," and "Honey, do that" around the house. - Jim Lemon

Honey-Do Lists by Kayte Sommer

I think "the other half" and I are like most married couples. I think. We have "Honey-Do List" projects that are never-ending. And as one project gets done, another gets added to the list. I have "The List" strategically placed on the fridge for easy viewing (although it may not be appreciated by some in the house) Some items are little things to get done. Other items are major projects.

Well, some projects have gotten finished. Others are half done, to say the least. I have cleaned and organized MOST closets in the house. I have landscaped our yard around the fire pit area. "The other Half" built the new pool steps. Other projects have not faired so well-yet. I have not donated our unused stuff. The shed is not organized. My catch-all room is still a mess. And there is more landscaping work to be done in the back yard.

But the biggest unfinished project is - wait for it. Now a drum roll…….My New Kitchen! This project has been in the works for YEARS. Yes, you read that right. Years. Not weeks. Not months. But years! The rest of the house has been remodeled or revamped or redecorated in some way or another. And then you walk into the kitchen. It is a step back in time.. While it is presentable, it is very old. And it has no floor to speak of. Picture 1950's pine cabinets and 1950's Formica countertops. And the fridge sits by itself on a faraway wall. Well, you probably get the picture.

Now, mind you, "the other half" has attempted to start and finish this one big project many times over. But then add in life's challenges-a parent passing away, my health issues, his health issues, a job change, blah, blah, blah. And the years slowly passed by. So, against the wishes of "the other half", a few years ago, I began searching Craigslist for an inexpensive island or breakfast bar. I wanted an island NOW and I was going to have it. New kitchen or not! Yes, I found a breakfast bar with 2 barstools for a very good price. "The other half" said "Why are you buying that? The kitchen will be done and we will have a new island in a few months. Then what will you do with that one? Well, needless to say, I bought that breakfast bar with 2 barstools, plus found a few other barstools on Craigslist. And we are still using that breakfast bar today as our kitchen island.

Then, about a year ago, I put up a new economical DIY backsplash, just to hold us over until my new kitchen was done and I got a real backsplash. "The other half" said "Don't waste your money on that. The kitchen will be done soon. I am starting on it next week." That was over a year ago. And the backsplash still looks very nice, I might add.

So, that brings me to this past fall. The kitchen floor needed to be leveled (joys of an older home) before any major work could be done. "The other half" was in "project mode" again and called someone to help put in a new floor. Just a subfloor. Not my main floor, but a step in the right direction all the same. Then I was told to find our cabinet configuration plans because over his extended Christmas break "the other half" was going to get the drywall up in the kitchen and we would soon be ready to install cabinets. Woohoo! My dream was closer to reality. Or so I thought.

I soon found out that to work on the kitchen, "the other half" needed space in HIS garage. He was going to have staining and cutting to do and had to have room to work. The garage is another project on the list that was put on the back burner. Let's just say we can't park cars in the garage because of "stuff". Soooo, Christmas break was spent cleaning and organizing HIS garage. De-cluttering HIS garage. Things thrown away or packed away. Insulation was put up and wall board hung. And shelves were installed on the back wall too. There is now more space in the garage. "The other half" now has most of HIS garage organized and tidy. His stereo is now up on a shelf so he can "jam out" when puttering around in HIS garage.

I am so happy for "the other half" (sarcasm intended)

As for "My Kitchen". Yep, you guessed it. No work has been done on the kitchen. And so a new year begins.

But as least I can park in the garage if I want to.

Ahhhh, Wedded Bliss…………..Or So They Say