Are the evicted appliances being donated so someone else can put them to use? And are the cupboards demolished or going to a re-use site? (Not all cupboards are worth recycling). My sister has been living with no kitchen for months: the old garage at the back was demolished, a new foundation was extended and everything has shifted to the side to enlarge the existing kitchen and a couple of other rooms on the back. It sounds like she could build a new house in the time and resources going into this work. In my "if money were no object" imagination I think about putting a partial second story over the back of the house to have a room with a view over the creek and woods, but what a mess and fuss. Maybe build a treehouse in the hackberry in the back yard?

I learned a lot at paint stores today. ACE Hardware carries Benjamin Moore, but they have a fraction of what the actual paint (only) BM stores carry. And depending on how much the painter buys, he will have a few places with accounts to buy at a contractor rate. The paint guy at ACE thought I was getting ahead of myself, that I should ask the painter where he gets paint, but I have a reason for acquainting myself with these companies. It doesn't hurt to know at least some of the answers before asking the questions. Tomorrow I'll finish the research and call to see if the painter can do the work or recommend someone.

Despite my decluttering work around here the horizontal surfaces are once again covered. At least the fridge and kitchen are better than usual.