Happy Birthday Dad

[RichZ]

Thanks, Bob!!!

I can't wait to see the end result, either. After working for six weeks, and spending many more thousands of dollars than I expected, we're finally starting the framing!! Karen and I are tired of living in a construction zone, but it's going to be a while before we're done. I'm just glad we're done working in the mud!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Well that's not fair he gets to SEE it! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I will be waiting for those pictures.

 

[RichZ]

Don't worry!! I'll "borrow" our digital camera from work and take pictures when we're done. And maybe I'll take some of the construction. So far, there had been nothing interesting to take picutre of. First just a big hole, then concrete footings and frost walls.

I should have taken pictures of the John Deere excavator and JD bulldozer at work, but I could never get the camera while they were working.

My wife and I don't own a digital camera, or even a computer, since we both have use of them at work. For the money we would spend on that stuff, we could buy more farm equipment, or put more work into the house. Gotta set your priorities!!!

These renovations are costing a fortune. We had re-mortgaged our house when interest rates fell, and we got extra money for these renovations. But now we're worried it won't be enough! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Is there any type of fund available for the renovation of a historical residence? Surely this qualifies!

 

[RichZ]

I don't know of one for private residences. There is one in New York State for historic barns, but it's hard to qualify for.

Bob Ancar did some impressive restoration of his barn and outbuildings, and I don't think he was able to qualify for it.

Interestingly, Bob and I are neighbors, we live about a mile apart, have many mutual friends, and we met through TBN!!!

 

[rancar]

Yes, Cindi and Rich...there is money available for renovating older, historic homes. It's run through Washington County in New York. It's competitive and there are certain criteria that have to be met to receive funding. This is written up every now and then Rich in the local Eagle. The funds though don't come from very deep pockets. It's unlikely anyone receives the tens of thousands needed for a complete renovation of their homes.

Yes, and unfortunately, I did much of my work back in the mid-1980s before these programs were available. But, I tried to economize as best I could by doing much of the work myself. It's still on-going though and it provides a certain sense of pleasure and satisfaction to bring back something from a total state of disrepair and the proverbial wrecking ball.

Rich....do stop around sometime. I've done with my place what you are doing now. I've tried to retain the house's historical character (in and out) as much as I could with minimal modernization. I'd be happy to show you around for a look see.

...Bob

 

[RichZ]

Thanks, Bob!! Karen and I will definitely take you up on that. We're always looking for new ideas. I'll be in touch!!!

 

[s1120]

<font color="red"> I will post pictures of our house when it's done. </font>

Oh come on Rich. You know old houses are never done. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RichZ]

You're right, Paul!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I mean when we're done with this project! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Actually, when this project is done, I never want to do construction again!!! Of course, we're going to need more equipment and livestock barns for the farm, so a-building we will go!! Again!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[rancar]

Hey Rich...

With all the buildings I've got, I still want to build new ones. I've got ideas for a separate building to store the tractor and implements, a building to store firewood, maybe a combo to do both, gazebo, greenhouse, et al. It never stops. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Pocket book now though just doesn't permit it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

...Bob

 

[s1120]

<font color="red"> , I never want to do construction again!!! </font>


I know the feeling. With all I have been through with my house, I never want to do it agen. At least till I build my barn /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dourobob]

RichZ
I once had a home renovation expert tell me he taught a night school course to new homeowners and his golden rule was to start by calculating you budget as accuartely as you can and then mutiply by your phone number /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I tried it once and even then I was only close.

Bob

 

[RichZ]

Yeah, Bob, that sounds about right!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

This project keeps snowballing. We had to rebuild our bridge over one driveway so trucks could get over it. Then we found out the excavator and bulldozer were too heavy for the bridge, and the back driveway was in too bad a shape to handle them, so we had to regrade the driveway, to get the equipment up. (It was a dirt driveway in real bad shape.) So it was a few thousand dollars before we could even start work!! But now we can get to the house easily!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[rancar]

Rich...

Can I ask a real big favor of you? There is a lot of terrific things going on at your place with the way you are describing it and what I observe each time I pass by. I'd like to suggest you start a separate discussion thread on all this work that's happening in the Rural Living forum. It would be real enlightening for the broader TBN community who have not read Cindi's thread. A separate thread could generate some good discussion on a broad host of topics. Just a thought to consider. Thanks.

...Bob

 

[RichZ]

Gee....thanks, Bob!!! I didn't think anyone would be interested in our little project. If you think people will be interested, I'll post something.

Now I feel bad that I haven't taken pictures!

By the way, Bob, come over any time you like to check it out, we'd like to pick your brain for ideas, anytime! We'd like to check out all your work, too.

And isn't this the time of year your wife needs hay for mulch? We've got plenty if you need it.

 

[s1120]

Comeon Rich. Post away. I for one would like to see the progress being made. I love to see old things getting fixed up. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rancar]

OK Rich. When I get some time in the next couple weeks I'll give you a call and I'll stop over. About the hay.....yes this is the time Judy is looking for stuff. But, we still have left over from last year. What she also found by using it was there was a lot of seed in it that started to sprout in the garden and she was pulling weeds that the mulch was intended to curb. She now believes plain, old straw is what she needs. Do you have any of this?

...Bob

 

[RichZ]

Bob, I use rye straw, and I know Judy wouldn't be happy with that!! It's got lots of rye seeds in it. In general, straw has even more seeds than hay, and it's real hard to find this time of year, most everyone (including me) is real low on it now. You use straw for bedding heavily during the winter, when horses (or whatever) spend more time in the barn because it's cold. So everyone has used most of it up, and in our area, straw won't be ready for baling for quite a while. So right now, it's hard to find. I don't grow straw, and my source relunctantly parted with 12 bales to give me last week. When I use those up, I'll be using hay as bedding, until the new crop of straw is in. And hay is just not as absorbant as straw. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[rancar]

OK...thanks Rich. I'll let Judy know.

...Bob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Rich.....I hope you do that....maybe title it 'Rich's House' so that we can find it easily and If you get to where you can the pictures would be great. I can't wait to find out what you find in the old outhouse holes! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif