Eric to the rescue...

Now that the cabinets and tile are installed, it was time to run the water line for the refrigerator ice maker. This would entail going through the bottom of two cabinets, behind the stove, through another cabinet and a lazy suzan to the sink cabinet.

I thought I had it all figured out...drill a little hole in the side of each cabinet, low and near the back, and run the line. Fully aware that I was drilling holes in my brand new cabinets, I took care to measure each one and was quite pleased when it all worked....then reality set in.

For whatever reason, I have 1/8 of an inch of clearance for the stove....meaning the opening for the stove is only 1/8 inch wider than the stove. That means 1/16th of an inch on the side...and no room for a water line to snake along either side.

I called my buddy Eric. Eric can do anything. No, let me rephrase that. Eric will not tell you that he can't do something. Either way, he's handy to have around. He gives me confidence and lies to me about my abilities. Everyone should have an Eric. I reach him on the phone and tell him my delima. I was not impressed with his first suggestion.

"Forget it. Just don't have an ice maker."

It should be noted that for years, we have owned a fridge with an ice maker and were unable to connect it in any of the last 3 homes we lived in. The previous fridge would make this grinding sound, attempting to make ice, every 30 minutes or so. I came to view it as mocking me..."Hey goofball - you got no WATERLINE!!!"

I reply: "Eric, I have just completely remodeled my kitchen. I have torn it down to bare studs and pipe. If I can't figure out a water line, I am a major moron."

"Right."

Finally, he cooked up a suggestion - cut an inch channel out of the drywall behind the stove, run the water line out the back of the cabinet, down the chanel, and back into the next cabinet. It worked. They boy's pure genius, I tell you.

Now if I can just get him to quit singing along with my phone ring tone. Chuck, come home!