"Honey, what is that brown spot?"

I am giving my wife a hug in the kitchen a couple of nights ago and while she's looking over my shoulder spouts out, "What is that brown spot on the ceiling?"  I could feel the hairs on my neck standing up... shivers down my spine.  I know what's above us... and I KNOW what a brown spot on the ceiling means.   I rush up the stairs, run into the bathroom, opening the vanity doors.  Inside, it was wet.  Small puddles...

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Surprise in the Insulation

A couple of days ago, I tasked myself to prepare the basement for the arrival of some special guests.  From the negotiations with the seller, we were able to procure funds to make some structural repairs in the basement.  But, before the contractor arrives, I had to take down the insulation in the areas where they'll be working.  With an old home, you never know what you'll find.  My cousin mentioned to me that he still finds...

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A Lack of Furniture

While we had plenty of "stuff" in our apartment, now we are definitely lacking furniture.  Our 763 SF apartment had one bedroom, a living room, a dining area and of course a kitchen and bathroom.  It was plenty of room for the two of us.  We had a hideous couch that we had to move several times and also across the country.  My wife got it off of craigslist a few years ago paying $20 and we sold it for $200 just...

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What is that smell?

My wife loves to take the hottest showers.  Sometimes, the water is so hot, her skin turns red making her look like a freshly cooked lobster.  Our lovely home did not come with a bathroom vent, aside from the window.  And since the weather in New England is starting to drop, that window "vent" is shut.  So it was likely, I suppose, that I assumed that when a rancid smell in the bathroom became noticeable, that it was due to...

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Welcome!

My wife and I just purchased this beautiful center chimney colonial.  Our move-in date was October 1st and I've only now had the chance to start this blog.  My intention is to document our struggles, sweat, tears, blood and joy with this home while not only being a novice in antique homes but also first time home buyers. We started our search after taking a tour through a local historic museum.  We just fell in love with the...

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