***First impressions***

Yesterday the contractors installed the first pieces of the new kitchen. Wow. The stained walnut looks not only solid but is solid. And the reddish tinge adds a certain class. Though we noticed a few interesting...holes...here and there, we understood that the work was still in progress.

We grabbed a bite to eat afterwards. As is our habit, we walked our heavy meal off at the local Barnes & Nobles bookstore. This is our first visit of the year. Yeah! Unfortunately, I found nothing new to purchase.

Went to be surprisingly early (before midnight) which barely blunted the fatigue caused by our new wake-up time (0530). Ugh. Where's the coffee?