Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy birthday, dear house!

Six years ago today we moved into a very unfinished house. Our mobile home had been sold, and it was going to be moved away, so we had to get out. We live in a very lenient county. They said we didn't need an occupancy permit, but our insurance company wanted one, so what did the county ask us to do before they would provide it? We needed a working kitchen, a working bathroom, and a bedroom. And that was about all we had!

The floors were bare gypcrete, which is this lightweight concrete that covers in-floor heating, and it gave off this horrible dust that settled on everything. We put three beds in one of the bedrooms like a dormitory, and that's where we all lived for more weeks than I want to remember. Silly me said that the one working bathroom should be on the first floor, although the bedroom was on the second floor. I'm just lucky I didn't fall down the stairs in the middle of the night going to the bathroom. Those were some crazy days.

As the days, weeks, and months passed, and more work was finished, the more we slowed down. We are still not finished. Windows still need trim. Walls still need baseboards. The stairs are still completely unfinished. Our summers are consumed with farm work, so Mike generally works on the house for two weeks a year -- now during his winter break between semesters. And that's when I give y'all an update. Not much has happened in the last two years. This year, he's been spending his Christmas break working on the barn office, trying to get the insulation installed, as well as a new sink. Everyone told us not to move in until the house was finished, and they were right.

6 comments:

LindaG said...

That sounds a lot like our retirement property. We get 2 two week periods to do any work on the property (that's all the vacation my hubby gets).

We want the kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom to be livable, though we have our travel trailer parked there to live in while we work on the property.

Happy Birthday to your house! :-)

Nancy K. said...

Ah, but it works! Just look at everything you have accomplished in the past six years. From what I've heard others say, I suspect that your situation is pretty much 'par for the course' when it comes to moving in prior to finishing construction. From most of your posts I gather that the working kitchen is pretty much the most vital room in your house.

Chef E said...

Happy be-lated Holidays to you, Happy Birthday to the house, and Happy New Year to you all!

I have been going through these posts to play catch up since I was at my son's in MO for over two weeks, and I have to say the piece on chicken coups is interesting! Hey I just realized they called them that when I was growing up, rather than 'houses' or pens...kind of sad to some degree, because they were couped up!

I used to say I would be happy with just a small place, but the past five years in a 'small place' has me going crazy, no place to put stuff, and piles laying around. I would have to say a good kitchen would make me happy though...hope it all gets going as you want it!

Tiggeriffic said...

You have made many memories which I'm sure you can look back and remember. Moving in while under constrution is the way to go..Makes more memories this way.
It looks great.
Happy Birthday house~!
Have a great New YEar be safe and be careful..
Happy 2011...ta ta for now from Iowa

Velva said...

Wow, your home is beautiful. I have no doubt worth all the work and effort.

Happy New Year.
Velva

SkippyMom said...

Who needs baseboards and moldings to make a house a home anyway? I bet it is beautiful just the way it is, but please be careful on those stairs. :)

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