Okay, the 15th the actual contractor-guy stuff started.  Carpenters, electricians, and plumbers arrived and began working.
 
Ugly radiator?  Gone.  Nothing left of it but a radiator-shaped area on the wall covered with interlocking plastic tiles.

The pipes for the sink have been moved to the center of the west wall, and the huge window has been removed.  Its opening has been re-framed to accommodate a 30 inch wide window, the bottom of which is high enough to allow a countertop.

The backsplash area, originally covered with hardened tile adhesive has been cut away in order to make it easier for electricians to run wires.

This is the southeast corner, formerly the home of the microwave, dishwasher, and some badly planned cabinets.

As you can see, the window has been removed, framed, and insulated. 

This is what the window on the south wall looks like from the outside

And, the window on the west wall, seen from the patio on the pack of the house.