And so it begins...

Months of hard work and aggravation. Are we going to need another water test? Will we make this deadline? Is that signature enough? Is it ever going to happen? We knew that purchasing a house wasn’t simple, but I really didn’t expect such a high stress, unrelentingly infuriating process. Rory may or may not have gotten his first grey hair. And I lost my patience too many times to count.

But last Friday, even though we weren’t certain it would happen until 2pm that day, we closed on the house. Our house. It finally happened. The past weekend was so full of hard work – cleaning, painting and cleaning some more. We couldn’t have gotten everything accomplished without all the help that Jan and Bill provided - their honed cleaning skills, excellent company and delicious potato salad.

It is starting to feel like more of a home already. I don’t walk around saying “Oh gross, Rory look at this!” that often (only once or twice a day). From now on weekends are going to be full of projects to improve this home that we are going to make our own. This weekend – the kitchen sink and bathroom will be put under the scrutiny of Rory’s plumbing skills.

Now for the pictures! Keep in mind this house was built in the 1860s and has lacked the upkeep it needed to live up to its full potential. We are going to give this house the TLC that it so desperately needs. And you can follow the process right here.

From the front

From the back

Kitchen during cleaning

After lots of cleaning

Living Room area - ignore the boxes -
the bedroom is on the opposite side through the doors

I will share pictures of the kitchen and bathroom after this weekend when Rory has worked on the plumbing. By the way the picture in the header is Mt. Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont and about a 10 minute drive to the access road from our house. We are ordering the replacement windows, doors and roof supplies this week. Lots of hard work to come, but we can't wait to jump in. Until next time...