New Microwave

My big job this weekend was to install the above-the-range microwave. This has been pending for some time, but it forced my hand that Annie is taking our countertop microwave to college.

We had a recirculating vent hood (top picture) in place, left over from some previous kitchen incarnation and not a match for any of the current appliances. First step was to remove this, then put in a receptacle for the microwave plug. Then I had to build a little filler box for the space between the microwave and soffit, and when that was done I was able to hang the microwave itself.

I thought our old microwave was an okay size, but holy cow - compared to that the new one is the size of an aircraft hangar inside.

Pool Pics

A big project for us this summer has been getting the old Gunite pool in the backyard going. When we bought the house the pool was full of leaves and looked pretty bad. We have been busy draining and shoveling it out, then scrubbing and painting the surface, and finally calling the pool service guys to fix the pump and get things running again. Now that's all done, and I just finished my first swim. Sure, it's a little dirty (we still have to buy one of those pool vac gizmos to pick stuff off the bottom), but....it was still great. My own pool! Maybe I'll even share it with Lee Ann and Annie.