Wednesday, February 24, 2010

And did I mention, "I love our house?!?!"


I love our house. I am just going to keep saying that over and over again and maybe...just maybe...it will quit surprising us with unexpected little catastrophes. And maybe if I keep repeating that phrase, I will remind myself of all the excitement I first felt at owning a historic home with all its character and charm. I love our house. I love our house...


The story of being a historic homeowner began for my husband in 2001. I joined the team upon our marriage in 2005. And then began the growing list of...well...projects to be done. I'm serious. We had pipes breaking and flooding rooms, floors creaking and shaking when we walked on them. New roof. New boards on outside of house to replace those that were rotted. Foundation stabilization. The root seller that fills up with water every time it rains. Raccoons down the chimney, skunks between the floors. Mice. Ugly wallpaper. Uneven corners. Cracks in the walls. Hail damage. Another new roof. Burned ceiling beams from a century ago. No water pressure. Dry rotted carpet. And now we have added to the latest little snag in our growing list of mini disasters.


Apparently at some point in the history of our house, someone decided to remove an old chimney from the first floor of the house. What they DID NOT do was remove the rest of it on the second floor of the house. You know, we wondered why the floor was beginning to sag in the oldest section of the house. Little did we know it was because said floor was holding up century-and-a-half old chimney bricks with very little help.


Oh yeah. They found it today.


I love our house. I love our house. I love our house.


We are very fortunate that chimney above-mentioned sagging floor did not crash through on top of our heads. I mean, we already lost our minds when we bought this place...we don't need any more brain damage...right?!


The cost of the latest project is climbing. We are now having the chimney removed, the roof patched where chimney comes out of roof, and in the Spring....an entire new roof will be put on the house. Oh, the roof is needed due to the recent hail and wind damage, not due to the chimney. At least we discovered them at the same time.


I have a migraine.


And did I mention...I love our house?


Pictures of said mini disaster forthcoming as soon as I locate my photo memory card. And my sanity.

Top Photo credit: Scene from "The Money Pit."

10 comments:

Jamie said...

Oh My Paula!!!!! I am so glad they found it before it found you! You made me laugh:) Money Pit is one of my favorites of all time. It will get better. Just don't call a plumber! LOL!! Love, Jamie

Decor To Adore said...

Oh you dear sweet preserver of antique craftsmanship.
May you cling to the knowledge you are saving something special. And tearing out things that are not. :)

Kim said...

I love this post, Paula. Does sound like the money pit...but think of all our repairs if we were nearly 200 years old! Have you ever watched Holmes on Homes on HGTV...he has to majorly fix new homes that have horrible problems. Anyway...you love your house and we love it too.

Anne Lorys said...

You know what? I think I would love it, too. :-)
Old houses just have such a life to them, they are so worth all the tears and frustrations.

Have a wonderful Thursday!
Anne

My Shabby Streamside Studio said...

Just don't get the insurance company involved! (No changing policies, no appraisers, nothing).

May your contractor not bail on you.

Wishing you the best from someone who's been there twice,

Sandy Foster
My Shabby Streamside Studio
http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/

The Rustic Victorian said...

Hi Paula! You have been through alot and you will get through this one too. What stories you will have to tell in the years to come! In the end you will have a home that is solid and loved and a thing of beauty and pride. Hang in there.
Love
Marcie
I love that movie. We just moved out of a 1920 bungalo..another money pit...now working on a 1960's rancher,,,we will see...sigh...

blueberry hill said...

Hello from England...
just discovered your lovely blog - have read right back to the bit about boiled peanuts - very intriguing! Hadn't heard of that before!
The house will be fabulous and worth all the headaches - keep smiling!
Annie

Cheryl Carey Bass said...

LOL, Paula. Hi, I just found your blog via Jamie at Art-e-ology. Your house (that you love) looks like the cover of that movie, "The Money Pit". I'm so sorry to hear about all the troubles y'all are having with it, but am so excited for the renovation! Keep us posted!

Barbara said...

So much work in restoring a house but worth it in the end I am sure and I know yu 'love your house'

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