I did not go to architecture, urban planning or design school, and my Pinterest boards are all pictures of cake, so I feel entirely unqualified to take part in this kitchen renovation, even though it is my kitchen.

In the past week, I’ve had to choose a height for the outlets (42 inches, but should it have been 39?), weigh in on toe kick styles (WTF is a toe kick?), and talk at length about dry wall, and why nobody can come to work tomorrow while it, um, dries.

This is not my thing, folks. Not my thing AT ALL.

But on the bright side, not having a working kitchen does have some benefits, and I will share them with you now.

#1 There are markedly fewer chores for Mom than before, since I can’t do dishes or cook anything from scratch.

#2 I feel totally fine about using environmentally unfriendly but extremely convenient paper plates and plastic forks because it’s only temporary, and I think that can be used as a real defense in a court of law.

#3 I also feel totally fine about buying the super expensive pre-cut fruit because my knives and cutting boards are packed in boxes and wow it’s nice not have to do the prep work.

#4 All the pizza.

#5 When I bring home groceries, I no longer have to carry them upstairs since our makeshift dining area is in the garage.

#6 And the kids can ride their scooters right up to the table.

#7 When the kids requested homemade French toast, I just laughed at them and pointed to a box of cereal.

#8 But I assume they’re getting tons of cavity-preventing fluoride from all that yummy unfiltered tap water we’re drinking.

#9 We’ve been enjoying more dinners with friends, as I shamelessly drop “invite us over” hints and then gratefully accept.

#10 Did I mention how there are fewer chores for me? Because this cannot be emphasized enough.

Makes you almost want to renovate your kitchen, doesn’t it?

Until next time, XOXO.

READ DIARY OF A KITCHEN RENOVATION PART 1

READ DIARY OF A KITCHEN RENOVATION PART 2

READ DIARY OF KITCHEN RENOVATION PART 4