ONLINE JOURNAL
These journal entries track our progress as we undertake our adventure of restoring this very old home. The main reason for keeping this journal on the web is that we have found that there are very few resources (books or websites) that follow all of the trials and tribulations of restoring an old home...from start to finish.
March 3, 2002
Well, we've really done it now. Signed a contract to purchase the adjacent 2.5 acres...outlined by the dotted line in the satellite photo above. We had hoped to eventually buy this lot...but "eventually" came sooner than we had planned when the owner informed me that he was going to list it with an agent this spring. Good news is that this will prevent anybody from building in front of us and also give us control of the approach to Enon Hall. Eventually (there goes that word again) we would like to plant a row of trees (cedars?) down that side of the road. The other side of the road is a farmed field. Would make an impressive approach to the house. This additional parcel brings us up to a little over 6 acres total and gives us a second dock (what in the world are we going to do with that?). It's all good. -- Bill
March 17, 2002
We just got back from a fantastic vacation in Key West. If you're interested, you can check out our trip here. -- Bill
March 24, 2002
We did some spring clean-up outdoors this weekend. We stripped vines off of these three trees as well as pulling more vines from the cedars along the creek bank. Scratched my forehead up while swinging like Tarzan from one particularly large grape vine...swung right into the end of a little branch. Was real smooth.
The tide was extremely low this weekend; lowest we've ever seen. We took advantage of the situation to clean up more broken glass from what William named "Junk Beach." This strip of creek bank about twenty feet long was, unbelievably, used as a dumping ground for broken glass and ceramics. Normally most of it is under water, so this was a great opportunity to get more of it cleaned up. We collected about 40 pounds of broken glass.
We are scheduled to close on the new lot this Thursday and we've already started researching trees. Have discussed Bartlett Pears, Pecan trees, Tulip trees, etc. Will need about 20 of them to line the entire length of the road...approximately 500 feet. We're looking for the right combination of beauty + fast growth + period appropriateness + affordability. Ideas welcome! -- Bill
March 26, 2002
Ugh, my reward for last weekend's work is the season's first case of poison ivy. -- Bill
March 28, 2002
Well, we had planned to celebrate our new lot purchase this evening, but closing has been delayed. Not sure exactly when it will be rescheduled. Disappointing. -- Bill
March 30, 2002
Primed and caulked the downstairs bathroom today, readying it for painting. I think caulk must be my favorite tool for old house renovation. It's amazing how closing up gaps and cracks can improve the look of a room. Not sure what color we'll paint the bathroom, but it won't be the lime green. We'll definitely need to get a new countertop and will probably go on and get a new sink too. The present sink is just a little stainless steel bar sink. Oh, and that lovely light fixture will need to go!
As you can see from the photo on the right, I also removed the bottom window sash. It needs reglazing pretty badly. After my first (and I swore, last) venture into window glazing, I'm not sure how I'll proceed with this.
Presently the floor is just plywood subfloor. We pulled up disgusting wall to wall carpet when we first bought the house. The floor needs leveling from below and then we can decide how to finish it. Like the kitchen, we view this as another temporary fix designed to make the room more liveable in the short-term. I foresee us moving the bathroom from this location in the future.
Spotted this snake sunning itself in the branches of a small bush overhanging the creek. Having trouble identifying it. Baby cottonmouth, maybe? Anybody know? It was probably about 2.5 feet long and not very big around. No visible patterns. Usually we just see black snakes and Eastern Kingsnakes.
My poison ivy continues to spread and is driving me nuts! -- Bill
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