While in the Far East, we had some work done on the house. In the kitchen we had the cabinets refaced, a new countertop, a new cooktop, and a new floor.
So before we left, we had to pack up everything and empty the kitchen completely. This, at the same time as packing for a trip. (We also had to empty the family room, but that's for another blog.)
When we came back, the kitchen wasn't quite done (as expected). We were able to use it, but we couldn't stock it yet.
Finally on Thursday the work was done. We cleaned up after the work (mostly sawdust), and now the kitchen is ready for the stuff to come back.
However, we're trying to reduce how much stuff we have. One of the techniques I've used a couple times is to take away a bunch of stuff, and then see what comes back. Whatever's left after a certain time period goes to the thrift store. So instead of unpacking all our stuff back in to the cabinets, the kitchen is full of boxes of as-yet-unused stuff.
To make things more interesting, we decided not to bring the microwave back in to the kitchen. Furthermore, we found out that the dishwasher is kaput, and the new one is still on the way.
This means that all heating of food is on the stove, and all washing is by hand. Is it possible to live in the suburbs in 2005 with neither a dishwasher nor a microwave? Well, we'll find out.
Today was a big day. I got the ginger soda starter & kefir going again. I started a batch of yogurt with a starter I brought from my grandmother. I set up an oatmeal ferment for breakfast tomorrow. And I replaced two power outlets.
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2 comments:
It is certainly possible to live without a microwave and dishwasher, but when you have a bunch of people living in the same place, it makes life a whole lot easier. Think of it like this; one of the reasons why you started to reduce how much stuff you have is to free up time, right? So if you have a microwave, that can save you time on cooking. (Usually when I'm cooking a big meal, there'll be lots of little things that only need to be warmed up slightly, but would otherwise have to wait for a spot on the stove to clear up, if I didn't have a microwave.) And if you have a dishwasher, that can save you time on washing dishes. So the question, I think, is how important is simply not having stuff in comparison to having more free time? It's definitely a thin line to walk, and there's plenty of arguments both for and against. But as I get older, I find that having more time is the most important factor for me.
Has anyone tried living without a clothes dryer? A clothes washer?
In my family I end up doing a load of laundry almost every day. I think it would be a big stretch to do without those machines.
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