To you this will probably just be another house, but to me, this is a result.
I'd been looking for this house for a long time. I'd seen it in the Real Estate Agency's window but I couldn't find it in the village. One day, however, someone talked to us about a house on sale. They didn't describe it, but we went to see it nevertheless, driven by our curiosity. When we got there, I was amazed to see the house I'd been looking for during the past months.
The surveyor declared it in ruins, and I think he was actually being generous there. It was a heartbreaking sight; the roof had caved in in several places, the walls were black from the dampness, spiders everywhere (eeeeew)... But this didn't deter us. After many fights with licences, councils and banks, we bought it and spent the next five years wondering if we were crazy. We did most of the work inside, but luckily we hired someone to do the roof and plumbing. However, I've devoted many hours to plaster walls, churn cement, fill in holes, paint walls... and I had never, ever touched a builder's tool (no puns please). There is still lots to do, but we converted a derelict pile of stones into a habitable home.
Now, I look at my house and feel pride. It's the result of all our efforts, money and tears, but it was worth our while.
Nice. I'd love to know that feeling of buying and beautifying my own home, but I have a while to go before that happens. xD
ReplyDeleteAmanda, we were lucky, we bought it just before the Real Estate boom and then it was in ruins, so it made it cheaper.
ReplyDeleteEs muy bonita y lo mejor, en ella habita una familia fantástica. MUAK
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you really loved this house and had a connection long before it was even purchased. You knew it was the right one and you went for it. That is truly an amazing feeling I'm sure. Much like with when writing, you take a leap of faith hoping out in the end it is everything you had hoped it would be and more.
ReplyDeleteYou are living proof that with hard work, dedication and love you can produce something that can't even amount to words of how much blood, sweat and tears went into it. That appreciation doesn't come easy.
Congratulations on your success of having a beautiful home, well deserved with the vision and the execution.
Thanks Jen, I felt there was a connection. It took a whole year to find it, but it was still waiting to be sold when we eventually did.
ReplyDeleteHope I can apply the same to my writing one day, as you say.
Blimey, you weren't living in it at the time, were you? The work on my house is making me a little bit insane and I'm not even doing it!
ReplyDeleteNo, not during the big works, like when they took the whole roof off and put a new one on. But we'd stay in a caravan in the garden at the weekends once we had water in the house. And I must say, I like the comforts of 5-star hotels (if I could afford them), so caravan wasn't as romantic as it sounds to me. But it was fun and something to remember.
ReplyDeleteThat's incredible, Sarah. I'm always in awe when I see those property shows where people toil away for years on their homes. Such dedication - but I can imagine how proud of it you must be.
ReplyDeleteDo they cry a lot on the programme too?
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a gorgeous house Sarah, would love to see more pictures please x
ReplyDeleteThanks montyandrosie and Alex!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll look up a few more photos.
What a lovely house and an amazing story. You must be so proud.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca. Yes, I think I appreciate it more, knowing all the effort we put into it.
ReplyDeleteLovely!!!! I've always enjoyed looking at your profile pic because I could see the earthy plaster in the background and knew it had to be your "sweat & tears & happy" home.
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