You might have noticed that it’s been a little quiet around here lately. After 7 months of winter, we have SPRING and I just want to be outside in the sunshine. Little Guy and I are having picnic lunches, we’ve fired up the grill for burgers, and we’re riding our bikes each night. It’s been awesome.
One of the best things is that we are beginning to really enjoy the fruits of our labors. Three years ago we bought an old farm house that had suffered from 25 years of neglect and mismanagement. Garbage, clutter, debris and overgrowth were choking the life out of the place!
Here is a glimpse of where we started:
Hidden behind all the junk is our house. Really, it’s there, you just have to strain to see it. Look in the upper left corner where you can see a little bit of white…? Yup, that’s it! That’s our house!
Awful, huh?!
Needless to say it was an ugly duckling. During the housing boom (when houses were selling like hot cakes), it sat on the market for 18 months. No one was clamoring to buy it. Go figure.
But for us, it worked. We had three criteria and it met them all…
- great schools
- a beautiful setting with land
- we could afford it.
So, armed with some big dumpsters, a pick up truck and a lot of enthusiasm we set out to redeem it.
We purged. We hauled. We cleared. We burned. We dug. We demolished. We dragged. We grew weary. WE WORKED.
And now, we have the chance to appreciate this….
So, I hope you’ll understand my little hiatus. I’ll be back to my writing soon. In the mean time, feel free to stop by around lunch time. We’re having a picnic!
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I KNOW!!! Hurray for spring…we had a picnic today too!
Your house is gorgeous. What a great story. Someday I’ll have to stop in. =)
Well, your hard work paid off big time! Great job! I know how much work that must have been. My hubby and I are thinking of buying a 1919 farmhouse that has good bones but, hasn’t been loved in a long time. And it has acreage which is something we really want. I hope to see more posts like this for inspiration!
Kaley — don’t you feel almost liberated? So nice to have sunshine.
Let me know if you’re coming east — we would love to have you over! We’re good at little boys.
Diann – I would say, go for it!
Of course, it’s only after many, many, many months of living in dust, dirt and upheaval that we can now enjoy it, but I’m glad we did it.
My best advice, take “before” pictures so when you are feeling discouraged you can remind yourself how far you’ve come.
Good Luck!
Coupons in Hometown Oneonta (The free Newspaper):
Free Latte or Macchiato with purchase of any item at the new coffee shop Capresso on Main St. in Oneonta (pg 3)
15% discount on your next visit to Ponderosa (pg 5)
10% off for up to a four person check at China Buffet King in Oneonta. (pg 5)
10% off a purchase at the New Frugal Fashionista high end consignment shop in Cooperstown. (pg 7 in Hometown oneonta, page 3 in Freemans Journal)
Free eggroll at Beijing House in Oneonta with dinner entree (pg 13 ongoing in each issue)
Maintenence Coupon:
42.76 for 5 qt.10w30 citgo oil, filter and lube. Rotate and balance tires, brake and sus. check. top off fluids and check hoses and belts. Vic’s Service in Oenonta. (pg 14)
20% off at Framing by Koury (pg 15 ongoing in each issue)
ALSO: The Freeman’s Journal now has the Great American Ad with the $5.00 off coupon for a $50 purchase. (Pg 3)
10$ off Gary Enck’s Car Store Full-Service oil change. (FJ pg 6)
You deserve the sunshine and relaxation!