Problems: First Level, Kitchen

I've had some trouble writing these problem posts since getting more of an idea of my "big picture" plan for this house. Everything seems like it should be able to wait, as a good chunk of it would be redone as plans unfold. But the show must go on. First, the Kitchen:

• I've already added three base cabinets to the appliance side, along with some really nice looking laminate countertop. Total cost: ~520
• We got a fridge and a stove to replace the no fridge and original, leaking stove. Total cost: ~950
• Electric - There are two circuits for the kitchen, and neither are very useful. One is an original circuit that services only the (two) outlets and the hideous flourescent light, with no grounding. The other is an add-on circuit that services the fridge (and stove now), but also is the main circuit in the basement, powering the washer and dryer. I'd like to bring this up to code, but don't want to do that until I do a remodel, as placing outlets twice seems like a hassle. As a stopgap, I want to redo the appliance line completely, and extend it out to the stove correctly (instead of using the thickest extension cord I could find). I also want to replace the crappy shop light flourescent with something a little less of an eyesore, but I haven't figured out what yet. I'm hoping the floors are thick enough to accomodate some recessed lighting and a nice fixture.
  
• HVAC - The only ductwork in the kitchen is right in the middle of the space I put the cabinets into. This is obviously a problem, but I don't want to rerun ductwork until I know exactly where I'm putting the kitchen in the end. Right now, I think I'll use the bottom of the cabinet as my ductwork, and put a small grate in the kickplate of those cabinets. 
• Walls - The walls were originally paneling, from what I can tell. They haven't settled well at all, buckling out at almost every point. These will be replaced, preferably after I figure out where everything in the kitchen is going and can run the electric in bare walls. Unless I need to get into them for some other reason, in which case I'll replace the board piece by piece.
• Venting - Right now, there is none. It's on the list, right under the range hood.
  
• There's a big expanse of wall that I'm not sure what to do with. I want to put a shelf and some wall cabinets on it, but I don't want to spend too much money on it, as the "big picture" has that wall coming out. 
• The original cabinets suck. They were definitely thrown together by the previous owner.
• The wall behind the sink is falling apart. I don't want to replace it, as that's another wall slated to be taken down. I may just cover it up for now.
  

Problems: Basement Level

Post one of four detailing the problems found that I want to fix, before I can get to anything on my wishlists. In the basement, I need to:

• Replace the Bilco doors - Right now the outside bilco door is made out of a plank of wood with a handle. Not so secure, and the water it lets in gives me nightmares. I have a feeling the broken steps and the crumbling liner are also due to the water involved. This one needs to be done before I leave for LV, so I'm currently looking at contractors to do this piece.
• Replace the inner door behind the Bilco - It's rotting out at the bottom (see the water above), and has a secure but not easily accessible from the outside lock. I'd like to replace this with a nice sealed, weatherized door before the LV trip, but the realistic side says that's not going to happen.
  
• Replace the sump, liner, and cover - Stupid standing sump in the middle of the floor. Also, a battery backup would be nice, with the water that the basement accumulates.
  
• Electric - The basement is split between two circuits: the dining room and the kitchen outlets. The kitchen circuit has the stove, fridge, washer and dryer on it, and a stand freezer in the future. The plan is to have one circuit for the basement, and get rid of the outlets for the first level rooms.
• Dehumidify - Yay, bought a dehumidifier. I'm going to declare this one done once I clean out the dryer venting. Comfort-Aire BHD-651D - I'm liking it so far, but it we'll see how it does over a humid summer.
  
• Clean clean clean - About half of the basement is vacuumed, and not behind anything. Also, there's going to be a washing day for the foundation walls with some mold removal soap in my future.
  
• Weatherizing - With the direct vent furnace, I can seal off the basement and crawl space. Block the vents in the crawlspace, cover with a vapor barrier, insulate the addition. In the main basement, only a little small sealing once the door gets done, and sealing and insulating the forced air system.
  
• Water Heater - Yeah, we need a new one. I'm looking forward to the switchover to gas, and actual hot water.
• I think there may be a piece of asbestos over the furnace. I have to get it checked out before I can really do anything to it...

Just the basics, really. Right?

Hello World?

If you happen to stumble across this little blog in the near future, you will soon find a diary of sorts, detailing my first DIY experience. The subject is a small 1947 Cape with a large nose of an addition. There's a lot of good about this house. It's set back in the lot, away from the street, surrounded by trees. It's private, with a hedges everywhere and a deck you can barely see from the road. However, it's got some problems, and that's what the next few posts are going to be about.