Making Our Freedman Liveable

You know how you think something is going to be easier than it really is?  Somehow on large projects like this one, it always is that way for me.  Greg, the more realistic one of the two of us, moves fast and works hard, but even for him this task became more and more daunting.  We had to clean out the debris and fix up the front room, and you'll see the room was in the best condition to make a place for us to stay.  We did not want to complicate our construction budget paying an expensive Charleston rent.  Not only the expense, but we wanted to be able to be available to take on projects after work.  By adding a commute, it would add time and many nights the thought of making a 10 to 15 minute drive is daunting.  As we peeled back the layers, we were discouraged, overwhelmed...just what had we gotten ourselves into when we took this step.

Initially, we had to make several runs to the landfill with linoleum, carpets and some of the built-ins.

 And once the worse was out of the way, we could work on setting up a dorm room that was clean and secure enough to feel comfortable.  Living in the new neighborhood and getting to know our neighbors I counted as important as well.

We bought a cheap, flat white latex paint to seal the walls.  After washing everything down with ammonia to disinfect and deodorize, we sprayed nearly four gallons of paint on the walls and ceiling.  The house drank the paint in like it had been a thirst for years!  Some of the drywall still appeared rough, but I began to believe we could make it here.  The bathroom situation while not pictured was the most difficult adjustment.  I had been a camp counselor and I kept telling myself it no worse than those bathrooms.  Somehow, at 21 we are not so set in our ways!  It was by no means a "new" home, but it was new to us and it was all ours for the good and for the not so good which we will be sharing in posts to come!