minor change of plan

Today I went to Home Depot to pick out recessed lighting for our kitchen ceiling. When I got home I tore out a large portion of the ceiling plaster and discovered that the lights I picked aren't going to fit. Our bathroom is directly above the kitchen, and the bathroom floor has a mortar bed floor, which extends several inches into the space between the joists. So instead of 7 1/2 inches of clearance I only have 4 inches. I'm going to have to choose low profile halogen lights or some kind of surface mount lights.

The lighter colored boards on the left side in the picture are the planks supporting the mortar bed. You can see the cleats that support the planks nailed onto the joists.

Slow march forward

Today my parents brought us home after spending Thanksgiving in Oil City PA. My Dad helped me move our fridge into the dining room so I could work on the walls and ceiling around it. Since garbage will be collected tomorrow, I wanted to get some more demo done tonight. I got 5 bags full of plaster and lathe torn down, but ran out of contractor grade garbage bags so I had to stop there.

Our dining room is becoming more disrupted as the kitchen is gradually moved there piece by piece.

Eight more bags

Each week I put out eight bags (give or take) of plaster and lathe for the garbage man. I don't want to tick him off, so I try to keep them managable. I need him on my side.
So here's what I have to show for it.

small steps

I'm afraid there are no exciting pictures to post, just a little bit more plaster ripped down.
We have officially picked out cabinets: they are Shaker style, maple with square recessed panels with a very light stain. We were able to get them from a discount place for about 20% less than normal price. Rosti didn't have the wall cabinets we wanted, but said he would keep an eye out for them, and should be able to get them in the next month. We also had the window people out this morning to take final measurements before they order the windows. Unfortunately they won't be able to install them until December. But I have plenty to do in the mean time: continue tearing down plaster, then start on the rewiring.