Over the summer, we have managed to unpack and get settled into the new house. And upon doing so, we’ve discovered the need for some small projects and upgrades. There ought to be a saying: “Buy a house that doesn’t need work, because even a house that doesn’t need work… will need some work!” TheContinue reading “We’re in”
Author Archives: heatherjway
Almost Closing Time
June 20, this (and the rest of the house) will be mine! I am buried in piles and boxes but it all feels so close.
What a difference a year makes …
Hello, Internet friends. It’s funny what time can do, right? A year and two days ago, we were here closing on this house in Bourgogne. Did you notice the blog slowed down recently? You weren’t wrong. Renovations, and thus the blog, ground nearly to a halt this fall when L’époux and I decided to separate.Continue reading “What a difference a year makes …”
Gotta keep ’em isolated
“Winter is Coming”…. (I’ve never seen that show, so that’s all I’ve got.) But this means… L’isolation des combles, or insulating the unused attic. Choices were to spend about 25-30K to fully insulate under the roof and make starter connections for plumbing/electric, basically halfway to a full renovation, or about 3-4K to just insulate forContinue reading “Gotta keep ’em isolated”
Sandy beaches?
Or how I blew the motor on an electric sander… I can only infer from my experience that if the machine is 10-15 years old, it will not much enjoy being used for three hours straight. I had a finger I couldn’t feel for a few hours, too. Lesson learned. Half the paint did comeContinue reading “Sandy beaches?”
Where there’s a Wall, there’s a Way
I would use this slogan if I went into the painting or drywall business. If I had any skills, that is. At this point, I’m the woman who tried to spackle-mud a plaster wall, which, as it turns out, is an elementary-level no-no. It’s still “textured” and will need wallpaper but … I’m grateful forContinue reading “Where there’s a Wall, there’s a Way”
Meanwhile…
There’s only so much wallpaper one can strip. After a visit from the electrician (finding out things aren’t so bad there, and awaiting a little work in September/October), we biked 2-3km from the house to a little village nearby. The cows were very excited to see us, too.
On est arrivés!
We have arrived! We are fully surrounded by more boxes and suitcases than furniture except some ‘retro’ pieces left by the old owners so we wouldn’t have to sit on the floor until we find furniture. In the span of five days I’ve placed three “bricolage” (DIY/home improvement) orders, visited the bricolage shop, recaulked theContinue reading “On est arrivés!”
We did it!
Three months later and many, many euros more up front than originally planned, on Monday, March 14 we closed on the house! I can safely say the only time in my adult life I’ve been so nervous about an official procedure would be getting married. My stomach was in tighter knots than during a trafficContinue reading “We did it!”
Almost there?
As we’ve centimeter-ed closer to becoming owners of the little French farm house, I’ve hesitated to imply that she is going to be ours soon, lest I “jinx” the whole thing! But we are much closer. God willing and the creek don’t rise, we will sign for the final sale on March 14. Getting hereContinue reading “Almost there?”
AWay in France 