She Said

Charles and Rob arrive at about 8:45 a.m..

A short while ago, I really didn’t need a coffee in the morning. I could have some other hot beverage, or nothing at all… But for some reason, the absence of my coffee maker makes me desperate for a coffee in the morning. So, I’m not sure if I’ve finally become dependent on caffeine, or if I’m simply suffering from some sort of forbidden fruit syndrome. I can barely wait to leave the house to go and get a coffee…!

At any rate, I have to be back by 10:30. I received a call late yesterday from Habitat for Humanity saying they’d arrive at that time to pick up our old cabinets. By 9:06 I’ve hit the road, working in another small errand, but I should make it back by 10:00.

Why Habitat for Humanity?

We could have taken a photo of our kitchen and tried to sell our cabinets in the Penny Saver…; or, one of our neighbours also inquired about them, as her son and daughter-in-law have just bought a place with an early-80s kitchen they’d like to renovate. But Habitat’s “A hand up, not a hand out” philosophy encourages thousands of low-income families across Canada (and around the globe) to invest themselves in the process of creating the house of their dreams.

Having picked up coffees and snacks for the guys, I arrive home right on time. D’oh! The truck is already there!!

Habitat for Humanity, in my opinion, is very discriminating. They asked, by phone, about the age and condition of the cabinets, as well as the materials from which the doors were made. They wouldn’t pre-book a pick-up, but insisted that I call back once the cabinets were torn out to assure them that they were intact. Once the driver arrived for pick-up, he would assess their level of quality and make the final decision as to whether or not they would be acceptable (i.e., resalable) prior to taking them away. Luckily, these cabinets are not that old and are in extremely good shape — our driver even made a point of saying so! He estimates that it won’t take long for them to get snatched up.

A perk for us? Apparenly, we’ll receive a tax receipt for our donation. The best part, though? A family in need will end up with a high-quality, totally decent-looking, practically new kitchen set-up. And everyone can feel good about that. Our thanks to Mari at the South Keys Home Depot (Ottawa), who educated us on this option, assuring a new life for our old kitchen.

Today’s work: laying the new sub-floor. So far, so good…. Next: Laying the slate tiles! Stay tuned!

~ One of Seven