Tuesday, January 19, 2010

And so it begins



I cried the day we took possession of this house nearly six years ago. I'd always wanted an old farm house. But the day we got the keys and entered it as our own, I cried.

It was a mess. It was dirty. Grimy.

And it needed alot of work.





But we pulled up carpet and scrubbed and spit shined. And prioritized the list of projects.





To date we have done much. And on a shoestring budget. But yesterday we finally began the master bedroom and it began with replacing the windows. The old windows were a joke. Single pane glass windows that needed a stick to prop them up when you opened them. Frost on the inside on cold mornings.




I guess there was a bright side to the old windows though. Cause if I ever locked myself out of my house (which I've done a time or two), I could climb up on the air conditioning unit, pop out the bedroom window with nary a muscle exerted, and jump right into the house.

Guess I better hide a spare key now.

-dana

26 comments:

Elissa said...

i'm glad you're getting new windows! we have few of those terrible single paners... several of which are painted shut and all of which leave frost and condensation on the INSIDE... and eventually mold. not fun. but, you know what is the best part of this post? is that i've broken into my own bedroom window upon occasion. always wonder what the neighbors thought as it is in the front of my house! i'm not surprised by these things anymore dear, just amused as i picture us both clambering through our respective windows cursing our keys that are sitting on the kitchen table.

Amy said...

I've had to break into my house too, also through the front, I couldn't do it now though, the bushes got to big :) I can get in my back door with a credit card if I have too now :)

How fun to be able to start your bedroom! We got our house almost six years ago too, isn't it fun to make it your own? Yes, it is alot of work, but worth it. I can't wait to see it finished.

Audrie said...

We need new windows too... our current ones are way too drafty, especially in my studio for some reason.

grendelskin said...

Oh, you lucky girl! We still have the old single-pane windows in our crumbly old farmhouse. The advantage of those drafty windows is that you never need to worry about radon! We have a cat door in the basement window that I've used to break in once or twice!
You will love your bedroom once it is snug, good luck with the renovation!

Needled Mom said...

You'll love it when it is all finished. New windows make such a difference.

Dena said...

Progress can be a good thing. LOL

Enjoy your new windows.

Jenn~ said...

New Windows are just the best...it is usually the first thing that we should buy....but always ends up being the last. But it makes the most difference when we need it...in the cold :)

Enjoy...

sarah, rsm said...

good luck with the renovation! i know you will produce a room full of fun and i can't wait to see it finished!

Anonymous said...

Hi. This is my first time to your blog. I too am an old home owner - 1880s Victorian farmhouse. Lucky you! We are hoping to replace our windows by next winter.

- Deborah

Anonymous said...

OH my.. you have come soo far in such a short period of time. AS you've grown.. your house has become a strong part of you.

AS always, I just love reading about your adventures.

with love,

Olivia

jenny said...

I have the kind of door knob that turns even when it's locked, so more than once I've gone outside and the kids shut the door without checking if I had my keys because I was planning on going back in. I had a toddler on the inside once that couldn't reach the door knob-- ooh! so frustrating to see her cry and cry and I can't get her to open the door for me. Funny how 4 years later, we still haven't replaced the dang door knob but we learned to leave a window unlocked!

Judging by the rest of the photos you've shown us, I know your master bedroom re-do will look lovely.

2miracles/Tove said...

I have been there done that. You will be so happy with the end result. I can tell you happier now then at the start. Thanks for sharing. Have fun on all the projects

sallgood said...

After MANY years with single pane windows, we finally replaced ours...just in time for the renters to enjoy while we're long-term housesitting! But I'm going to enjoy them when we move back home- wrapped in a quilt to be cozy, not because I'm shivering from the drafts! :D

Deb said...

We have a few single paners left too. They feel so flimsy I'm afraid to open them lol! Hoping to get them replaced before this fall...fingers crossed! I miss our old farm house.

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amylouwhosews said...

New windows! what a treat! If we weren't renting that would have been one of the first things to do. Did you have to put coins in the crack between the upper and lower windows to keep them from howling in the wind?

Elizabeth said...

Congratulations on the new windows...isn't it funny to get excited over windows?!! Love the new blog header, too!

Tine said...

Yikes! Single pane windows?! I think I would get frost bite :/
I am so happy for you, now you can enjoy waking up in a frost-free bedroom every day of the year!!

Tine said...

Yikes! Single pane windows?! I think I would get frost bite :/
I am so happy for you, now you can enjoy waking up in a frost-free bedroom every day of the year!!

Kim said...

I so understand how you felt when you realized what you signed up for. I cried for a month ~ I swear I did! A dirty old house that needed everything fixed trauma can do that to a girl, even if she dreamed of buying an old farm house, the reality of dealing with the situation left behind by the former owner can be daunting. Hang in there and remember to celebrate each and every accomplishment!

Nicola said...

awesome. and i so completely get it. i posted recently about our house WIPs which are never ending and take forever because money is limited and life carries on, more importantly using chunks of time.
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Lara said...

Yay! That must be so exciting Dana! x

Stephanie D said...

You're going to SOOOO love the new windows! It'll be worth hiding a spare key for.

sydlovesfrisbee said...

Hi Dana - Congrats on new windows. Love your new header. Amy

brown robin said...

Congratulations! I can really relate. We have ALL single panes. We just bought a new house that will give house hours and hours of ways to make it more ours. The best part is.... a big sunny yard, and you know what that means!

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