This Old House
We’ve lived in this house for 21 years. One reason that we chose it is because it was move-in ready. With both Lori and I working hard building our careers, we had neither the time nor the money to buy this house and then immediately renovate it. We’ve updated mechanicals, roofing materials, and even refinished the kitchen floor once over the years. We’ve painted some walls and replaced most of the appliances along the way.
It’s time for something more substantial. With the boys mostly off of “the payroll” and the last tuition payment sent out, we now are in a position to start saving for a major renovation to this place. Whatever we do, we want to pay for it with cash rather than financing it. Our mortgage rate is low, and we don’t want to rent money at a higher rate - either in the form of an entirely new mortgage, or a home equity line of credit. So, we’re setting cash aside, and dreaming when we have a few moments to spare.
Zillow says that the house was built in 1835. At some point, the foundation was jacked up and two courses of block laid on top of the original stone foundation, turning the cellar into a basement suited for short people. The house has had multiple additions over the years. There are hand-hewn beams supporting the first floor in the oldest part of the house.
When Freddie went off to college, the thought experiment of “what are the criteria for the ideal living situation” began. We have no idea where our children will end up living, and we’re not inclined to try and follow them around. Instead, let’s make sure we have ready access to a decent airport. The ability to move around without a car is appealing. Plenty of good restaurants, cultural events, outdoor activities…all of these would be pluses. When we run down the list, the status quo looks pretty good.
But the house needs attention, and the whole notion feels like a slippery slope. This project is definitely going to be more than a simple refresh. The windows need to be replaced. And if we’re going to live here another 20+ years, an enhanced 1st floor master, including a laundry is warranted.
Exactly what our plan looks like depends primarily on how big of a war chest we can amass. This depends on how patient we can be, and also on how urgently certain things need to be done around here.
It seems certain that we will have to vacate the premises while the work takes place. Moving out (and putting our belongings into storage) will be a great forcing function for purging the non-essential. When we move back in, we will be lean and mean, in terms of having no unnecessary possessions. The notion of slimming down in this way resonates, given all of the eldercare experiences we have had.
Picking the right partner(s) seems critically important. I can think of no more stressful scenario than being part-way through a project like this and having a contractor flake out, or having some major disagreement arise. If anyone reading this has direct experience with a project like this, I’d love to pick your brain sometime for how you navigated the complexity of it all.
So, it’s exciting to think about how good the end result will be. And scary to think about the twists, turns and challenges that may lie between here and there. This feels like it could be our last big project. I want to get it right - not just because the stakes feel high, but because I’m acutely aware that the future owner of this house will have to live with our decisions.
Sunday Supper
I made these Coq Au Vin Meatballs last night, and they are delicious. This Autumn Lasagna seems warm and cozy, like a Fall sweater. I may have shared this before, but since I’m making this tomorrow I will share this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef recipe. It will percolate all day, which will smell wonderful.
Sunday Music
Here is Australia’s answer to a boy band - the talented Parcels, at the NPR Tiny Desk. Billy Preston & Eric Clapton performing Billy’s Will It Go Round In Circles? I am a huge fan of Margaret Glaspy - here she is covering John Fogarty’s Have You Ever Seen The Rain? And here is Margaret’s uber-talented husband, Julian Lage in a full, hour+ performance in Bristol, England for your Sunday listening pleasure. Enjoy!
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Have a great week ahead! You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,