Bumps in the road...again

Shocking,  I know.   No progress has been made.  

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.

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?