I thought I could live without a microwave

For several months, I have contemplated getting rid of the giant microwave that takes up way too much room in my counter space challenged kitchen. For one thing, microwaves scare me a little. I mean how does that thing work? Plus, I don't use it very much. I never reheat or thaw meat in it because I think it gives it a weird texture and taste. We don't even make microwave popcorn anymore. (Have you read the ingredients? They're scary.)

I kept asking myself, "Self, do you really need a 2'x2' box on your counter to cook frozen vegetables?" That seems almost as silly as having your own personal chicken rotisserie or smoothie machine (If any of you have a chicken rotisserie or smoothie machine, I do not mean to offend. I'm sure they are very cool and that you get lots of use out of them. At my house, they would be silly things to have.)

I've come really close to Freecycling it, but since I have a hard time parting with things (read between the lines, I'm a pack rat), it has continued to live on my counter. Until last night.

Last night, as I was heating a bag of frozen corn, there was a flash of light and a loud popping noise and then silence. The microwave died.

Hallelujah, I thought! Now I can throw it out! And I did. It went right out to the trash and I admired my new counter space.

Then, a new day started.

At 8:30, I poured a cold cup of coffee into my mug and turned to the microwave. It was gone. How does one heat their coffee? In a pot on the stove? Considering that the pot from last nights corn is still in the sink, I think not. I drank my second cup of coffee cold.

At 11:30, I began to contemplate lunch. Hmmm...a frozen quesadilla from trader Joe's? Sounds yummy. Dang, I always zap those for 30 seconds so that they don't take 50 minutes to cook in the toaster oven. I ate peanut butter and jelly.

I think I used that microwave more than I realized. I guess she will have to be replaced after all. Maybe by a cute, small, red one.