Delayed Gratification
Even though I am self-employed, my time is not really my own, at least with regards to the Cross House.
Since buying the house in 2014, two Heritage Trust grants have ruled over What Is To Be Done. And When.
Like, work is focused on the south facade due to deadlines with the 2017 grant. Without such declines (already extended), I would have spent most of the year getting the house ready to move into:
- Finish the cat fence
- Install pond for my fish
- Finish the round bedroom which will be my office
- Get a shower installed
Because all the grant work is exterior related, only during the winter months is my time my own. And this is when the parlor got finished, the niche, and the rewiring of the round bedroom. This winter (January, February) I plan to finish the round bedroom. Unless there is unexpectedly good weather whereas I will need to continue work on the south facade.
While I am eager to finish the south facade as it will be a significant milestone and look AMAZING…I am itching to move in. I am dying too move in. I am desperate to move in. I ache to move in.
But, not yet.
As an Aquarian, I don’t really do delayed gratification.
In addition, I am itching to do several other projects:
Like recolor the “eye” of the gable.
I recolored the gable of the porch, but I still have to do the gable of the dormer window. I also ache to get the porch lattice installed.
Almost two years ago I posted about the partially reconstructed staircase. It looks much better in this image than it really is. A whole length of railing is missing to the left (out of the picture), three newel post need to be removed and rebuilt, and the railing to the right is partly fire damaged. Almost two years ago I felt confident that the whole stair would be in glorious condition in about a year. Sigh. I am itching to get this work done.
The problem with the stair is not so much money. The work will not actually cost that much. No, it is an issue of time (I have no extra time) and brain space to figure everything out (my brain space is already overloaded like 1920s fuse box trying to operate a modern appliance-crammed home).
I also ache to finish the dining room. It is going to be glorious.
Oddly, I ache to finish the four-story servant’s stair tower. It is gutted to the studs and it pains me every time I go up/down.
And how, HOW, is it possible that the main floor powder room still not finished and the peacock mylar wallpaper installed????????
But…sigh.
I do have a plan though!
The Heritage Grant work will, if all goes well including the weather, be finished in the spring. Then, I plan to:
- Finish the cat fence!
- Install a pond for my fish!
- Get a shower installed!
- Finish the round bedroom as my office!
This would allow a miracle: Ross moving in! Then I can recolor the eye! Recolor the west gable! Resume work on the staircase! Make dining room pretty!
So, it may be possible that a year from now I will be typing a new blog post…FROM THE ROUND BEDROOM!
Everybody? Cross your fingers!
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I sure hope so Ross. Busy days ahead!
🤞
There are times when delayed gratification is sooo overrated. Hang in there you are doing beautiful, wonderful, glorious work to preserve this house. The world is a better place for what you do.
Sure wish we were closer. Dolly and I would love to help. She’s the perfect supervisor you know. But as in all things, you’ll get it done with pin point perfection!
It will be wonderful to see you move in. One day I will travel all the way from Australia to come and see the Cross house in Kansas
SQUEE!!!!!!!!
Ross wish and hope and pray all your wishes in regard, to delayed gratification come true! You make the world a more beautiful place!!! Your work on Cross House is impeccable and perfection! There is a plan for you to prosper and to be able to finish the work you were meant to do! You make the world more wonderful because you are in it! It will all happen & I see it!
Thank you, Sandra!
It must be sooo hard for you aching to move into the Cross House, but grant deadlines must be met. Where would you be without the grant money. You have done so much work on the Cross House. Baby steps will get the rest done. It will be heavenly when you finally do move in. Hoping that will be soon.
Cindy, the two grants have truly saved the house. I would never have been able to do so much work without them.
The grants have enabled another century for the house.
Oh yes, it will be so glorious for you and the kitties to live there. The commute time you save will be “gift” minutes for more restoration. Thanks for making the universe so much better, one little baby step at a time! You inspire and delight us.
Thank you, Beverly!
Fingers are crossed as are my toes!
Toes, too, Linda! Thank you!
Fingers crossed! The work you’ve done so far is wonderful and if I recall correctly, you’d rather have it done right the first time. It’s better than having to go back later and redo it.
Fingers, toes, and everything else crossed for you, man! Patience can be a virtue, but it can also be a curse. We are not spring chickens, and you deserve to spend a long, long, happy life in the Cross House. As someone who has lived several years in my own project, it has been helpful that I can climb off the ladder (or fall off, like last night), turn off the lights, and climb into bed. The (sometimes) bad side is that the mess is all still there when I wake up…that’s why your parlor will be your refuge when you get a little overwhelmed or discouraged. As long as we can keep a small piece of sanity, it makes the crazy work!
Yikes, Mike!
You fell of a ladder? OUCH!
Big hug!
Ross, when you get discouraged, just step out to the curb and take in the beauty of the huge, beautiful home you own. You have accomplished so very much. It’s overwhelming to me, but you are making so much progress….try to focus on what you have completed and how each day brings more beauty to your beautiful home. I’m sure I can speak on behalf of many of us that you have taken on a HUGE project that most can only dream about, but at some point, you will have a masterpiece that will be enjoyed for generations to follow. That’s quite a life accomplishment in my opinion. I can only wish I could leave an imprint like that on this earth when I am gone.
In case I don’t get here again soon, I would like to wish you and all of your followers a very Merry Christmas and a very happy, prosperous and productive 2020. May all of your lives be full.
Hi, Randy!
I rarely get discouraged. Rather, the bit-by-bit progress of the house is a never-ending fuel source.
And may you and your family also have a wonderful holiday season!
Fingers crossed! It amazes me the pace at which you manage to complete projects. And always with unflinching care and attention to detail which. Ive been wondering for some time and thought id ask, what is the place you LIVE in like? Ive never seen any mention of it really on your blog and though im sure it cant possibly compete with the cross house, I have a hard time imagining you living in a space that isnt at least moderately fabulous.
I am desperate for you to move in too!
Hey, me again…could you please post (sometime) a picture of the servant’s staircase? I am so nosey and don’t think I have caught a picture of that before? Is it where the cute round windows are on the north side? I need to come for a tour, darn it!! But same as you…no time.😢
Hi, Linda Again!
I did a post on the servant’s stair.
How did I miss that???? Must have been on the moon! Thanks. Makes me think I should go back to the beginning and start over again…but then I get hooked and get nothing done around here!lol
Very much 🤞!!!
If I could do that whilst typing this, I would! We’re all desperate for you to be able to move in too, it seemed so close with the drive for cat-fence funds and it’s been anti-climactic for us for nothing to have come of that so far, I truly can’t imagine how frustrating it must be for you, though you’ve given us a taste with this post.
A year from now though? Oh yeah! I’ve got a feeling it’ll be less than a year, I shall nurture this feeling, nourish it and encourage it to flourish and beam the positive vibes your way.
🥰 🏠 🐈 ✨
Look at the swirls on the spindles… swoon!