Saturday, April 21, 2012

We're excited, nervous and totally out of our league! We're doing exactly what we swore we would never do!

We're in the process of moving to and renovating an old farmhouse.

You would think that growing up in one in New York would have completely turned me against such an idea. I watched my parents fix up the house year after year. The work was never finished. The floors were always creaky and sloping. The windows were drafty and cold in the winter, but stuck in the summer so you could never draw a breath of fresh air. Mice ran in the walls. Bees made nests outside and inside. Old houses are clearly not for the faint of heart, or the lazy. I swore that I would never live in an old house. It wasn't worth the effort. Why fix up a house when you could buy or build one with amenities, modern conveniences, and every conceivable personalization that you could want? My someday house was going to be cozy, but modern enough that I wouldn't have to worry about outdated light bulb sockets or electrical plugs with only two prong holes.

One day last year, my father-in-law bought property adjacent to his own, and I fell in love. 



I tried not to. I really did. But there was something about it that called to me and begged me to clean it up and give it a new life. So when my FIL told Daniel and I that we could rent the house if we wanted it, I was thrilled. Living in a tiny apartment in Pittsburgh was not exactly a lifelong dream for Daniel or I, nor was a daily commute to and from the city. We knew that we needed a change, but weren't quite ready to give up our jobs just yet. 

We waited and prayed. My job became intensely more frustrating, and I felt that it was time for me to look elsewhere for employment. The idea of moving north and trading in a view of Mattress World for one of green lawn and apple trees grew more appealing as the weeks passed. The farmhouse became a real option for us, and we felt that God was calling us move there.

Doors began to open.

I turned in my resignation.

Daniel was given permission to keep his current job and work from home.

And now it's real! We will be trading in big city life for a farm in the country. My FIL will be working on the house during the week when we can't be there, and we will be spending our weekends there tearing down plaster, running wires, insulating and doing all we can to make the house livable as soon as possible.

So follow us on this blog! We'd like to offer our friends and family a glimpse of what we will be doing over the next lifetime - because anyone who lives in an old house can tell you, the work will never be done! 


4 comments:

  1. So exciting! Glad to hear the big news--finally! I've been keeping "the unknown secret" in prayer. Besides Amy and Aaron, I have a few other friends who are doing the same thing, and while it's hectic, they love it. Have fun and God bless!

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  2. I am so glad you finally gave in! But remember you don't have to do it alone! Aaron and I are within walking distance!

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  3. That is awesome! Glad to hear it. I've always loved old houses in spite of their quirks. Wish you the best, and thank you so much for changing the font on this blog.

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  4. What a challenge for you guys! I know your move is going to be great. It's fun to live in the country. The life’s easier and less repetitive, unlike in the city where it's often stressful and it's like you're always in a hurry for everything. From what you've mentioned about the situation of the farmhouse, looks like you’re gonna have a super renovation. But, with good planning and hard work, you'll be able to accomplish your renovation and have another reason to feel good about. Good luck on bringing that farmhouse back to life!

    Lue Madson

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