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.