bare necessities

When we moved into this old house less than one year ago, we had a list (about a mile long) of "things we'd like to do first." A few of things were so high on the list that we began working on them before we even moved in, like the kitchen faucet, which leaked. A lot. Some things put themselves at the top of the list, like the former tenants. I will NEVER forget the sound of a new swarm of bees right outside my window. Thank God (I'm serious) for bee hobbyists who are willing to take 2 days out of their lives to re-home a hive of grumpy honeybees.

We also tore down a barn, erected a shed, tore out some carpet and replaced a few outlets. The rest of the list falls under the "need more money" category, and will be dealt with....eventually. The house is basically liveable as-is, and the longer we're here the more we tweak "the list " and prioritize.

This winter we moved one particular job to the top of the "need more money" list. So high, in fact, that we might be allocating the vast majority of our tax return to it. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words:

I'm aiming for: a light fixture of some sort and new wiring to that fixture, working toilet, smaller clawfoot tub, new cork floor, repaired and working sink. Perhaps an outlet or two and maybe even a small surprise extra that my dad thinks "just might work." Everything else is great but not critical and will happen, as they say, eventually. Really, I'm just looking forward to being able to bring kids down the hall in the middle of the night in the sub-zero weather to pee as opposed to down the stairs and through the first floor. Here's hoping we actually receive a tax return this year!!