(Strip Number 1308, Original Publication Date, 28 June 1988)
Panel 1: Since
Panel 2: John makes an evil buzzing noise about how impractical that is given that remodeling means that for a while, there's going to be dirt and plaster and mortar everywhere.
Panel 3: Since she'll die being convinced that she can have her cake and eat it too, she whines about their being a little tidier.
Panel 4: A little while later, we're at the back porch watching the workmen struggling with the heavy marble counter top as they try to get it into the house. When one man tells his partner Roy "You heard the lady....WIPE YOUR [BOXCAR] FEET!!!", Elly stands there with a look of blank incomprehension on her face because she can't connect her wanting her house to be tidy with human suffering.
Summary: What an annoying strip to go back to collaboration mode on. We know that Elly is being unrealistic and stupid but we also know that the same people who want to cheer her on when she acts like a raging bitch to her kids also cheer her on when she makes impossible and stupid requests like this. Also, that fridge box leads to Mike being an ass to Lizzie which leads to his being sent to summer camp with leads to his being a really shitty boyfriend to poor ol'Martha.