Santa, I want a new kitchen

I need a new kitchen. Oprah says if you throw what you need into the universe it will come to you. I NEED A NEW KITCHEN, please.

Okay I'll admit it, this didn't work on the - I WANT TO WIN THE LOTTERY (throw out to the universe,) but I'm hoping my luck is changing.

My kitchen is 25 years old which means it's lasted longer than both of my marriages. Everything still works, sort of. The cabinet doors are starting to fall off their hinges, the stove is acting up, the door of the dishwasher won't stay closed, the floor is totally wrecked compliments of my dog, and everything else is getting very tired looking. I need to renovate.

People who come over marvel that I have written two best selling award winning cookbooks out of my tiny galley style kitchen. Wow, can you imagine what I could whip up in a really great one? OOOHHH, I'm tingling.

The problem is that the idea of living through a renovation isn't all that appealing to me. I have several friends who have been through renovation nightmares and the thought of cooking out of my microwave in the living room while they rip the cupboards off the wall is as appealing to me as a colonoscopy.

As a writer whenever I have a problem I research.

So I've started a kitchen folder. It's full of paint samples, pictures of appliances, sinks, kitchen stuff I love. Every time I see a picture of what I like I add it to the file. There are pictures from the newspapers, old Martha Stewart issues and one from a magazine circa 1989 from my doctor's office.

I've planned a budget and added 15% so when the final costs come in I won't have a coronary.

The problem is, aside from lack of cash, I am so not a do-it-yourselfer.

I need to choose a professional.

Ah, there's the rub? How does anyone find one of those guys?
Based on my research you need to ask around to see if your friends have used someone they love. For example my girlfriend who went through the most recent renovation hell? I'm not using him. Don't know anyone to ask? Check out this great Canadian website Home Stars at http://homestars.com/on/toronto - their slogan is Who to hire, where to buy and who to avoid

Nancy Peterson is co-founder and President of this extremely helpful website. With no membership fees you can read or write reviews based on your own personal experiences with contractors, companies, and services that pertain to your home. It's the Trip Advisor of the home renovation world and worth a visit before you decide who to interview for your job.

I'm hoping that I'll get a really fabulous job, win the lottery, or just save the money before I start renovating, so my new kitchen may take another 25 years or so. In the meantime hopefully my oven won't give up the ghost.