Cross your fingers and send positive thoughts out into the universe, because it starts today, the first big push on the rebuilding of the farmhouse. Two and a half days ago, Beth was in a funk because it looked like the cement guy wouldn't be able to start digging and pouring until February or March. Nothing else could really happen until the basement was finished Then, out of the blue, he calls back and says "I had a cancellation, I can come on Friday if you are ready."
We looked at each other for a moment in disbelief and then said "Ok, let's do it!"
Thing is, we weren't ready. The chimney still had to come down, the bricks had to be cleared and the old furnace and water heater still had to come out.
So, on Wednesday, I gathered my hammer drill, dad's old heavy hammer and my fortitude and climbed into the attic and started in on the chimney, scattering bricks like hay seed and by mid day yesterday, Beth and I (with the help of Andrea and Jeff, my sister and brother in law,) dragged out the final bricks and detritus from the basement. Ironically, today (Friday) is the day that we had chosen to celebrate Thanksgiving, so it seems like perfect timing.
Unfortunately, it has pushed my writing of this to 4:30 a.m. today, the day that we try to publish our blog, so this post will, perforce, be short. I'll try to get some good pictures to make up for the brevity, but please enjoy and celebrate this (hopefully) good turn of events.
Slanté!