Not What I Expected

Yesterday when I went to the house, a feeling of pessimism started to take over. It looks like the crew has completed the project of jacking up the house and securing the foundation. I was disappointed to find they only raised the house a little over an inch. Even though it may have solved the structural issue, in my mind it did nothing to help the appearance of the house. Today we will try to find out if anything more can be done.


What happened here?

Lemons To Lemonade

The past few days have been filled with both excitement and disappointment. Our plans for this little home have had to change yet again.
Problems with trusses have caused us to lose a room that we had planned.
However, I believe with every dark cloud comes a silver lining and disappointments are really just opportunities in disguise.
So...I quickly re-thought my plans and decided, since we couldn't build the second story room addition, I would open up the ceiling in the new kitchen addition with exposed beams, making the kitchen even more spectacular.

It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait!!!!


Clean up continued today and the old cistern was filled in.


I believe we're ready to begin construction of the new addition.

Demolition Day

What a difference a day makes. In just a few hours the house is almost back to the size it began more than a century ago...a tiny four room house.

The Work Begins

Today was an exciting day. The destruction of the back of the house began and plans were completed for the new construction. (Now if we could just get the bank to move a little quicker, we could really get this project moving.) Even so, the workers were anxious to get started and we appreciated their enthusiasm.



Even the kids lent a helping hand. How's that for "sweat equity"?

Already Exhausted :)

Last week was filled with appointments!!! Financing, insurance, appraisers and bids. I can't tell you how different each person's perspective is. Funny, the one thing they all have in common is what a HUGE project this is. We've already been forced to make changes in our original plan. However, I'm still excited and can't wait to get all this out of the way so we can get started making this a beautiful home.



By the way, the last time I visited the house, I took some pictures in the basement/cellar room. Since there isn't any power in the house yet, I couldn't really see anything. I just took some random pictures.

Is it just me, or does anyone else see the old man's face??? :)

Historic home in Alton, IL needs TLC!

This is it...our newest project.

I know most of you are wondering... what are they thinking?
But here it is, this little house that is speaking to me.

When I look at it, I see a beautiful little cottage just waiting to be uncovered.

Stay tuned...