Best of luck with the request, NYB! As if renovations and repairs aren't enough hassle...and then you have to deal with third parties. Ugh.

I LOVE my little house, despite the niggling issues that persist. All that rain last week, for example, revealed a leak in my roof. The "revelation" was too late to prevent water damage to my livingroom ceiling, though. I hope I can get the roof repaired; that it doesn't need to be replaced right away.

My woodstove is installed as of Monday, and I'm really wanting to start it up. But it's too warm and the chimney won't draw right until it's colder outside. So for the first time in a long time, I'm hoping for cold weather so I won't have to use my heat pump!

I can actually see the time when there won't be any big jobs to do. I still have the roof and the fence, and the electrical upgrades in the bathroom. And I still want to knock out one wall and put in French doors. And then there's the cottage out back that I will use for my office once I get the drywall repaired and a floor installed, as well as fix the electrical. Except for the roof, it's all pretty minor. I'll do the cottage work myself, using it as a DIY laboratory to learn how to do stuff.

But overall, I've really been enjoying my house. I find myself sitting on my sofa, reading a book, and feeling very comfortable. I adore cooking in my kitchen, and have done alot more cooking than in any other house or apartment I have lived in. After Thanksgiving, I'm having some neighbors over for a little soiree...

So NYB--once it's done, it's so worth it!