Plans, Part Deux: Lower Half

So, in this next installment (only a while later.  See, I don't always make you wait :) ), we'll visit the lower half of the house.  Without further ado...

Library

Ahh, the library.  We actually have one--even if most of the books in it are geared towards teenage/preteen girls. It is also the media room.  Like I mentioned in the last post, I hope to move the TV from here to the attic.  This would include all sound-type items and game systems.  I think this may be the best room for my office.  This room just mostly needs new doorknobs for the east door.  There is a bigger crack in the ceiling than most of the cracks in the house.

Back Entry

This was the laundry room.  It is a very awkward, disappointing room.  It's hard to furnish or organize.  Moving the plumbing for the utility tub/washer will help immensely but probably take forever.  We are definitely not plumbers.  The drain needs something; we are not even sure it is a drain, but it is in the middle of the floor anyway.  the dryer vent needs to be patched up.  The wiring or electrical boxes should be moved.  The radiator needs to be bled.  Really, I have a hard time even thinking of this room.  For a long while, it housed laundry that was not done for months and the new dog.  I temporarily moved her upstairs after I bought her a home (read: cage) because I wanted a mudroom and realized I couldn't if she was in it chewing up everything.  However, her home was in the way upstairs in the hall, so back down she went today.  I really don't want the dog to have a room of her own (unless it is in the garage), but for now, she gets it.

Basement

It needs a lot of work and a dehumidifier.  So, very quickly, I want food storage, decoration storage and and excise room down there. Oh, and we need to do something with the cistern.

Kitchen

The room I hate most.  I really do not want to hate it as I would like to use it more.  It is kind of big, but it really is not.  The walls and ceiling need some patching.  The double oven needs to be installed.  In fact, cabinetry on the south wall of the kitchen to house the ovens and fridge would be nice.  As much as I would like to keep the cabinets, I think the lower north/northeast cabinets have to go.  I think under the sink, it is rotten after the leaking sink (which, YAY!, is fixed).  I hope to have a deck or back porch someday, so I hope to replace the little window with a door.  Our help with plumbing never returned, so we need to somehow install the dishwasher.  I would love to not have one, but we do not do dishes well as it is.  The island around it needs to be made.  I want to repaint the built ins and uppers (after moving them up) and put in stained glass at the top.  I also want to have rosemaling on the faces of the cabinets.  We need new flooring.  After tearing up the old last fall, waiting to finish because I thought we would have the winter to work in it (but did not after losing heat four times), thinking we would refinish the sub-floor, we finally put down some linoleum.  It is not pretty but it is not gross like it was before.  I would not even go in that room unless I absolutely had to before the linoleum.  Maybe I would like to install a cooktop as well as the range.  I may save one of them for the outdoor kitchen I hope to have. 

Dining Room

 This room is okay.  The swinging door needs fixing and the flooring needs refinishing. 

Eric's Office

This room was part of the porch at one time.  I would like to put doors out to the porch, but that may make it unusable on the west side.  It needs some insulation and cutening up.  The windows do not remotely match the rest of the house.  Unless I can get him in the attic, library or even outside, I had always hoped this would be my room.  However, it has been proven that we still cannot keep the kids out of it (not that the doors are closed that often anyway).  It also needs a radiator. 

Living Room

The lower half of the turret is part of this room.  The fireplace needs some repairing and a flue.  I would like the turret bench to open for blanket storage.  There is some water damage, but I think it is mostly paint bubbles. 

Bathroom

Man.  The upstairs sewer line runs right down the  middle of the room.  It is big and awkward in regards to the toilet.  We used to say it was a side-saddle toilet, but Eric turned it, so it is easier to use now.  I guess there used to be a shower where some of the cabinets are.  I am really curious about it.  The only thing that holds me back from tearing out the cabinet (which I don't think is in there all that well anyway), is knowing that I will not finish either putting the cabinet back or whatever I decided to do.  If we keep the cabinet, I'd probably move it a bit.  I would like to replace the tub.  If it would be then possible (assuming there is not a load-bearing wall), maybe expand the south wall of the kitchen a bit.  We could, really, make the bathroom down there tiny (since it wasn't original to the house anyway), and expand the kitchen even more to make a eating nook.  Plumbing is just always an issue whether is be installing, removing or dealing with existing pipes. 

Main Entry

Little. The closet needs some work after the upstairs plumbing job that the previous owners did.  The front door needs to be fixed after the glass was broken when we had a break-in.

In our next installment (which may take a while), we then visit outside our home. 

Plans, Part I: Upper Half

I had originally started this post complaining about our ineptness at handiwork.  Then it morphed into what I hope to do to the house.  I think it is better to post as much in a good way as I truly hate this house sometimes.  So, here, though I cannot say it will be a very easy read.  A much lighter (and longer) post than intended, but it sure does make me feel much more hopeful.  I'll do a walkthrough of the home as I order my boards on pinterest (which also holds many ideas that I hope to do).  All of the rooms need decorating and/or painting, so I won't even bother listing those unless there is something specific I want to do.

Attic

Currently, the attic is unfinished.  It covers the entire house but does have sloped ceilings.  There are three smallish windows on each side but the east.  I hope to turn the attic into two more bedrooms for Simon and Gabriel--one on the north and one on the south.  I believe I would like the TV up in the east side instead of the library.  The stairs come up on the west side.  Short.  Sweet.  A lot of work.

Kids' Bedrooms/Playrooms

Ideally, I would like to have a playroom.  I can be almost positive that will never happen.  However, I will not need a playroom if I can give each child his/her own room.  They will have enough space.  They do not necessarily need the space (especially because it will be that much harder to keep clean), but I did like the space I had throughout my childhood.  I am lucky to potentially be able to do the same for my children.

Aislynn

I want to paint her closet blue and paint some zebra stripes on the wall.  Her ceiling in the room and closet need to be repaired after water damage.  She has a decent-sized closet with some built in cabinets.  They need a little fixing.  Knobs would do wonders. 

Boys' Room

They currently have a pirate or ship theme.  I need to re-stain the crown moulding and re-install it.  Though the linoleum fits the theme (it looks like planks) I want in their room, they need some hardwood.  The west window needs to be put back together.  I also have issues with their tiny closet; it is so very awkward.  It may not be as much of an issue could I get just one child per room.  I think I want this one to turn into Roland's room. 

Littles' Room

Their bedroom is all white (primed white-not painted).  It is located in the turret.  It was the master as I did not want them to break the windows, but it was completely awkward for a master room.  It works as a one child room (or one little girl and one toddler).  It needs new flooring and a fixed radiator.  Oh the cute things I want to put in it.  However, most of it is SO girly.  Roland will not care, but I have other ideas for him. 

Master Room

This is the living-room-turned bedroom with no doors.  The flooring needs to be fixed or patched.  It has a nice arched entry into the once-kitchenette-turned-closet-turned-office-turned laundry/closet. 

Laundry Room/Jenn's Closet

Yay!  The sink did actually make its way out of this room.  I liked it, but it just was not practical.  Since plumbing was already there and a laundry in a closet is a genius idea, we moved the appliances upstairs.  However, the plumbing is in the way and needs to be moved.  I would like to turn the window into a door out to the little roof.  I have created a laundry line up there (with hopes to improve it), and it would be nice to have easier access to it.  Eventually, I would like a new washer/dryer with in front controls.  Then, I could make a folding table on top of them and have them on the same side.  Or I may like two sets of stacking appliances (though I hope to get our clothes situation under control by decluttering rather than constantly washing).  My mangle and sewing machine could go on the south side.  The cabinets need replacing or updating but work for now.  Everything in here is really dependent on where the plumbing is located.

Upstairs (Jenn's) Bathroom

I claim the bathroom because of the clawfoot tub.  The popcorn needs to come off.  The subway and flooring tiles need replacing (and I thankfully found some in the attic).  The big cabinet needs fixing or repairing.  I do not know what I want at the moment.  The old sink should go back in.  The old plumbing in the cabinet needs to be taken out.  The tub/plumbing again needs to be fixed.  The window needs repairing.  The door needs to be able to close.  I just found a doorknob in the basement yesterday, so we are getting closer with that find.  I wonder if maybe we could not put an elevated cistern toilet in here at some point.   

Sunroom (School/Jenn's Office)

Currently, this room holds my desk, crafts, and the homework room.  I would like to be able to grow plants here during the winter months.  I also want my office moved.  The door to the roof needs a good latch on it.  The windows need to be repaired, so they can more easily open.  I would move the kids' desks to where mine is to make things easier.   

Hallway/Stairs

The staircase is the original from the main entry (moved when the addition of the old laundry room was put in).  The railing is not as anchored as it once was.  It is unfortunate as it used to be one of the most solid features in the house.  Eric fell down the stairs one day and broke it.  I am glad that it was not him but sad that it was that, of all the house things excluding the windows, that got hurt.  The windows need fixing.  Crown moulding needs to be replaced in the hallway upstairs.  Unfortunately, the roof leaked before we bought it, and Aislynn's room and the hallway were the biggest casualties. 

That takes us through the upper half of the house.  Stay tuned for the the second installment of this episode.

The Littles' Closet Turned Mine

Once the Littles' Room, this room has been cleaned a couple of times since March. I really did at least clean it by the end of the challenge!  I never got any pictures. I also never did with it what I desired. Today, the Littles' Room is now the master bedroom. Really. With no door. However, the room we were in just did not work for us. So, as I get organized and cleaned, I will update.  For now, here is the closet turned office/closet. 

realtor photo

South

tiny shoe tree

North.  Will probably have the sink in here forever and ever.  Sigh.

Girly stuff and my few knick knacks.

Paper towel holder?  Why, yes.  You can corral my bags.

View from the room.

Aislynn's Room

Aislynn's room has been transformed a number of times.  Here is before purchase:

southeast, realtor picture

closet door, realtor picture

It seems as if it may have been the master bedroom at one time.  Aislynn had to share a room with Melissa when she was here, so the layout and decor has changed a number of times. 

Before Aislynn left to spend time with her daddy in June, we redecorated it.  Aislynn did not think that she would like it.  I had picked all the decorations.  Turns out mama is not so bad at it after all since she does not hate it.

north.  Now to get some pictures in those frames.

east

east/southeast

southeast

My fave.

view from door to south...plus some real cuties looking in the mirror

southwest

strictly decor here

pretties!

and some black roses+

The Organization beginning of the Sun/Craft/Homework Room

[Originally published 3/4/13]

As I stated two days ago (edit:  it was deleted and re posted today--grr), I joined Org Junkie's 31 Day Organization Challenge.

My main focus is the Littles' Room.  However, I really must also so the Sun/Craft/Homework Room.  I'm sure it won't get decorated, but the organization needs to again happen.  This room has been done several times.  However, I haven't been enforcing homework like a good mama should, so we aren't in this area as much as we should be.

This is an addition to the original house.  Previous owners moved the main staircase to the east side.  They did a good job of it according to my dad.  In a way, I wish they hadn't.  We gained closet space in the hall, but a staircase right in front of the entry would be grand.  Maybe someday, we'll be able to reproduce one--especially since one day will be long enough we won't need those extra closets.  I really would like this room for plants in the winter.  However, we need space for homework, and I'm unwilling to give up my Dining Room (the only room that would work well) for this.  I'm already starting to move sewing machines in there, so the sunroom "lockers" will only be craft storage.  Our laundry room is fairly small/awkward, so I want the coat/backpack drop for this kids up here.  Here is its current state:

seating area at the top of the stairs

left of the seating area

larger left of the seating area and doors to the hall (plus the little little brother) and the craft "lockers"

left side of doors--scheduling/picture area

homework area

view from the hall (plus a doggy-cousin)

This also isn't as bad as it normally gets unfortunately.  Ideally, but later on, this space will be nicely decorated, too.  This will help us want to work here.   The craft lockers aren't too bad.  They're not exactly organized as I'd like, but they aren't in the state of disarray as the rest of the house.  I had actually gotten to those recently.  However, all the stuff that didn't fit, it out on the desks or on the floor of the room yet.  Really, I think that's most of the clutter in this room at this point. 

I'd love to paint and hang curtains.  I'll just have to do with getting their desks and homework totes organized.  I will have to get the chore charts made, so we can keep up with what I will have accomplished at the end of this.  Riiight.

Organizing the Hall

[Originally published 3/4/13]
So, to continue with the challenge:

 

 

I unfortunately have to do the hall first.  Our hall becomes a catch all for some reason even though we have to walk through it to get to our rooms or the upstairs bathroom.  At this moment, some of it is dirty laundry.  Most of it is stuff from any room I was cleaning but had stuff that didn't belong there.  And still some is outgrown clothing to go to the attic bins, but it's too cold to go up there much.  All those together, plus clearing out the middlest girls room since she didn't clean it equals THIS:

view to west

view to east

Again, horrible.  it's gotten to this state more often than I'd like to admit.  I'd like to think that if all the bedrooms were organized, there'd be a place for all the stuff I pulled out of the wrong rooms.  There isn't much to organize in the main part here.  There are two closets off to the south that need help.  However, I can take pictures of them yet.   They also will be done after the bedroom and sunroom.  However, pictures will have to be hung in this room to aid in the organization of the sunroom.  The snowballing of the organization and maintenance of the house may kill me.  If it doesn't, and we actually accomplish something, the house will again be a beauty.  So, until later this week, here I finally go!

A Push in Organizing the House

[Originally published 3/4/13--what started it all]
Another kid, another house, another city, another hobby, another job, another club/activity, more things taking our time.  Time sure keeps moving.  I wish I was able to write decently like He does, but alas, I fail miserably.  We moved to a town for the house.  It is a big house but awkward and does not completely fit us as I'd like.  It's been miserable often.  We were supposed to be able to work on it slowly before moving in, and then move in "right."  Didn't happen.  Best laid plans and all.  So, I've been struggling with organization in this house since before Day One.  We had no heat for months, moved out once, I broke my arm, and the list goes on.  For Lent, I gave up my pride and have now been diagnosed with responsive depression.  No real surprise.  I cannot seem to get out of this.

My biggest problem is the clutter, I believe.  If I could just organize it, then I could handle everything else.  The amount of clutter just seems to sap all the energy I have, so I cannot clear the clutter.  It's a horribly vicious cycle.  One wouldn't know to look at my house or my work area, but I am rather anal in my own way.  If I cannot clean and/or organize something the exact way that I want it the first go round, why bother--well, really, I just can't handle it.  Something done "wrong" is worse than the clutter.  I cannot function that way.  I could, at least, semi-function with clutter--until recently. 

SO, I have joined

I posted my before pictures so the world could see the crap in which I'm making my family live.  I will slowly post my progress.  Actually, I'm doing three rooms, but this post will talk about the Littles' Room.  This room is the most critical with the 13.5-month-old.  However, it cannot be done without the hall first being mostly done.  One runs into that problem more and more I find.  Uff da!

The Littles' Room used to be a living/sitting room with an attached kitchen.  A schoolteacher lived here as a boarder for years I'm told.  It has no doors, and for that reason, was chosen as the two littlest children's room as they need no privacy at the moment.  I can see many other uses for the area with respects to a Master Bedroom, but, for now and it's the Littles' Room.

View to north from door

Little little (big) sister's side

view to west

little little little brother's side

view to the east

old kitchen/closet

old kitchen/closet

This is actually not too bad, sadly.  These were taken 1 March.  I had gathered most of the toys off the floor the last day of February, but they're all still sitting in that black tote.  Well, all but those that have now been taken out.

My goal in life at this moment, other than to raise good children, is to be a '50s-like housewife.  My husband deserves that.  My children deserve some of that (I do believe they should do some things themselves).  I do apologize to my family for allowing it to get this bad.  It makes me sick daily. 

So this challenge came along, and I felt good enough yesterday to jump on it.  I had linked up my Pinterest boards but have decided I should blog about it.  For accountability's sake, and so that He could easily understand what I'm trying to do.  The good man has been picking up most of my slack, but cannot keep up with the clutter as well.  So, with some help, I will get this room finished.  Not only organized, but I will also finish the majority of decorating/remodeling that was to happen.  I will not finish the ceiling, nor get all the paint off the moulding, nor fix the windows, but the majority of the stuff that I am able to do will get finished.

The kitchen will become a closet.  The tree that I want up will be up.  Shelves and pictures will be hung.  Unless something comes up and we cannot afford it, a rug will be purchased.  However, mostly and more importantly, it will be organized.  I will sort, keeping only mostly appropriately aged toys in the area.  I will once again have the children decide which stuffed animals they keep.  It will not be able to be this ridiculous mess that it usually is.  I hope.

I have a hard time letting go, so wish me well.

Risteheim

This is Risteheim--home of the Risty family. It was known as the Gould house, built in 1903.  He was the banker in town.  More lately, known by the second owners...or by the kids in school, the mansion in Estelline.  It was once the biggest house in town, I suppose, and all sorts of fancy.  It is not the biggest any longer, but it is probably still in the top two or three.  I finally got the mansion that I always wanted when I played MASH. I hope to register it on the National Register of Historic Places once/if I can find enough information on it.  I think it qualifies. 

Corner view, taken by me after purchase

Front view, taken by realtor months (year?) before purchase

Our home.  It sure looks purdy, don't it?  It really can be, depending how critically you look at it.  Since the realtor's pictures and our purchase, the home sat empty for a long time (I have heard from a few months to over a year, so your guess is as good as mine).  Some before pictures make the place look okay yet, but upon viewing, the reality is no longer what it once was.  Very sad.  The former (second) owner has seen the place.  Once, during the open house (whenever that was) and once on the main floor after we moved in.  She wants to cry; I really cannot blame her. 

We did not get to work on this place before we moved nor move in as I would have liked (slowly and orderly).  We have been struggling ever since.  We bought it in March 2012 after months and months and months of trying.  Seriously.  For it being cash payment (no, not rich, just a loan from someone) on a foreclosure (yay for us), it was ridiculous.  That is the government for you.  We first looked at it right after Thanksgiving 2011.  It "sold" the minute Eric heard the kids running around in it (for one who's not really sentimental or the like...*shakes head and smiles*).

We moved our junk in on Father's Day weekend 2012.  So, we've been here well over a year.  The house is probably in worse condition than it was when we moved.  I am hoping the adage of things need to get worse before they can get better is true.  We knew it would be a lot of work, but Uff da!!  One thing after another happens.  But lately, we've been making progress with some projects. 

Little by little, we will make her at least as close to as beautiful as she once was.  We are hoping for better.  It'll take much time and money (Come on, lottery!  Oh wait, I have to buy a ticket first?  Ha!)  Come along for the journey, will you?