I am about to share something with you all that is probably going to convince those of you who weren’t sure yet, that I am in fact totally insane.
It has been my dream for years to buy and old home and restore it. (Old homes in Texas are not the same as old homes on the East Coast. 75 years old is an old home.) I always thought we would buy a historic home (100 year old) and bring it back to life when we retired, but providence (or Providence Acres) had other plans. It looks like we are going to end up on 15 beautiful acres that we love with a 1980 ranch home to mess around with.
The yearning to own and restore and old home has remained even though I love our spot on JJ Lane. My buddy, The Social Planner, knew my dream and came over with news when we arrived Friday night. She had seen an old home that needs to be moved not too far from us. Saturday morning she and I headed out to check the place out.
The land around the house is being cleared. It appears the home was buried in the woods around it for a while. I was smitten with the front porch. My guess is that this home was built in the 1940’s.
Beadboard barrel ceiling with side lights.
The inside…well, let’s just say it would probably scare most folk off. (The sane ones, anyway)
The Sheetrock has been removed and only the shiplap is showing.
The front bedroom above is a nice size the windows and the hardwood flooring is still there. All the rest of the room and the bath down the little hall have been gutted. I saw potential.
The kitchen is a mess.
At some point the kitchen was remodeled and a tile kitchen counter was added.
The sun room on the back has beautiful beadboard and a bank of Windows across the back.
Someone has removed the wall between the two rooms in the front of the house and I am not sure how long that temporary support is going to hold. There is also a brick chimney on top of the house that would have to go. The pipe in the wall leads to the chimney.
The back bedroom has some shiplap that is 18 inches wide. Termites ate the Sheetrock paper but didn’t seem to touch the wood. The lines you see are termite tunnels.
Someone has removed every door and the frames are stacked in the front room.
The front door is still there, which I love.
All that sheet rock removal helps to see the structure of the house which is solid. The old girl is even still level with no sloping rooms.
I have no idea if moving this house is possible, if it is feasible, if it is financially possible, or even if this house is worth saving, but it has sparked a renewed desire to have a home to restore. We have a lot of checking to do before we even make an offer. My heart will not break if it doesn’t work out.
This may be an opportunity for us. We live near where the new Houston Area Boy Scout camp is getting built. They are anticipating 1000 boys a weekend yearly up here with at least that many for weeks during the summer. That means lots of parents driving up. We think that a bed and breakfast VRBO or Air BnB type home will be in demand when the Boy Scouts desend.
Right now we are prayerfully considering adding a cottage along with The Guest Shed for guests. This may not work out and it probably would be cheaper to build new, but I can dream. Between us and The Social Planner and her hubby I think we could manage. Especially once I retire. My buddy has a stash of supplies as big as mine and would enjoy the process as me.
Either way, I will let you know what we decide.
On a happy note Mr. Math got his tractor Saturday. He found an 8 year old tractor online with 102 hours on the engine for a great deal and he is thrilled. 
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
I love hearing from you.
Blessings,
Karen