Money Pit

Money Pit. It’s what we affectionately call our lovely new home. Maybe you can identify. I think especially with older homes (ours is from 1907 I think), they not only need the usual maintenance, but they need actual upgrading/updating/improving. But hey, we knew that going into it and accept it’s part of the deal.

We’ve devised a list of things we want/need to do. Immediate refers to things that need, well, immediate attention (e.g. before baby arrives); Short Term means probably within the next year; Long Term means after the mortgage is paid off and the kids are through University. They don't include fun things like decorating guest rooms, etc.

We (meaning Ole) have already made pretty good progress on a lot of the immediate projects. With Niels coming over next week, I think the two of them will make an even bigger dent in our To Do list. They will be laying the wood floor in the bedrooms and maybe even tackling some of the painting jobs. I’m reserving the gardening projects for my dad when he comes in July (you’ve been forewarned).

Any other volunteers?

Immediate projects:

·         Paint all interior rooms

1.       Repair paper seams

2.       Remove picture nails & fill in holes

3.       Remove old alarm sensors

·         Install lights in bathroom, front door, front porch, dining room

·         Get chimneys swept

·         Fix dishwasher

·         Fix oven

·         Install laundry lines

·         Finish Ercol chair & coffee table projects

·         Finish sewing bunting

·         Paint changing dresser & purchase baskets

·         Lay wood floor in bedrooms

·         Remove curtains in lounge

·         Clean Roman blinds

·         Clean loft room & bathroom

·         Install new latch on shed gate

·         Change coat hooks in entry hall

·         Get a coir mat for entry

Short term projects:

·         Replace windows

·         Paint backyard walls

·         Paint front door, shed door & back gate

·         Paint masonry at front

·         Tidy up front garden

·         Install loft insulation (??)

·         Clean door furniture

·         Replace back door

·         Replace/repair loft bedroom door

·         Build bookshelves/case in living room

Long term projects:

·         Remove hedge & reinstate railings (plus rebuild brick wall)

·         Work to dormer window (replace windows, etc)

·         Refinish floors in attic room

·         Install shutters to front windows

·         Install wood burning stove

·         Paint interior doors

·         Replace some radiators

·         Knock through living room/dining room