You know the song, don't you? By Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young? Our House...is a very, very fine house...with two cats in the yard, life used to be so hard, now everything is easy 'cause of you. We sang this song a lot since we first bought this house since so much of our conversation to anyone who would listen was about this new adventure in restoration. When we first bought our Queen Anne Victorian home five years ago, we were struck with the potential in the house. Structurally, the house was sound. It had good bones. Most of the beautiful wood was intact and most of the rooms' trim work was unpainted. The upstairs floors, besides having been painted a garage floor battleship gray color (really, why would anyone do that?!), were in perfect shape once we refinished them. The downstairs floors will need to be replaced, but not right away. So, yes, we do have a fine house. We even have the two cats, not outside in the yard, but at least wishing they were oustide in the yard. And life, well, it's actually a lot harder now with this house, but yes, we do have a fine house.
This song continually plays over in my head like a top ten hit on a bad pop music station even now, 5 years and much work later. Why? Everytime someone refers to my house, it is always in reference to its potential. What it will be. Not what it is. What it will be. And while I love to hear this praise for my home, the awe with which many of my friends discuss this historic gem, sometimes I wish their praise would be not what the house will become, but what it is. Unfortunately, what it is right now is unfinished. Lots of projects going on all at once, but nothing really completed. I tell myself that this is the nature of an old home, or any home for that matter. That there is always something to be done. I don't need a showpiece home, but it would be nice for people to say, "Oh, Renovation Girl's house is beautiful!" Present tense, not future.
For now, though, our house is a fine house-to us. One day, it will be grand again and I look forward to the day when people talk about my house in the present tense.
You're gonna laugh - It's been 9 years of marriage and we still haven't bought furniture for the living room. I'm waiting for something. Don't know why.
~Rita
Posted by: Rita | February 13, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Rita-That really is funny! Now I don't feel as bad!!
Posted by: Renovation Girl | February 13, 2008 at 09:58 PM
As someone who has been in your house, I can say with 100% certainty that you DO have a very very fine house and that it is absolutely beautiful thanks to all the hard work you and RM have put into it.
It never looked more beautiful than when it was decorated for BB's birthday. Not that I'm taking any responsibility for that or anything. . .
Nice post RG.
Posted by: Black Belt Mama | February 13, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Ok - - so I'm thinking here - - how about posting a pic of your very favorite spot in your house? I have no doubt that we will exclaim with you about how very fine your house is RIGHT NOW when we see it! :0)
Posted by: Topsy-Techie | February 15, 2008 at 10:25 AM
OMG are you kidding?? your house is amazing It is my ideal to have a house like that!! As a child that is the kind of house i wanted to live and i spent hours drawing up lists of things id put in it and drawing it over and over (including the cat outside - dont laugh!!)
I found you through Snickollett i think, and when i saw the name i had to read your blog maybe your a kindered spirit?? My frinds call me the renovation girl! lol
Posted by: Mizasiwa | March 03, 2008 at 07:18 AM