Inching Along
The Cross House. See the “big sweep” of the curve to the right of the front porch? Decades ago, the sweep lost its lattice and balustrade.
The lost rails of the “sweep” balustrade were recreated by Dr. Doug way back in 2014. Now they are painted, at last.
And Kenny recently gifted the house with the recreated porch spindles all painted!!!!!!!! The mission, thus, this upcoming week is to resurrect the Big Sweep balustrade! I’m quite breathless with excitement. The lattice will be next!
And the outer doors are now glossy again!
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How exciting! It will make a huge difference to how the porch looks.
Remarkable!!!
Yes, this is exciting.
I know how you feel, on a different, smaller scale. In commencing my own minor Project 2025-28 I am coming acros things that were meant to be installed or replaced but where set aside because of time or something and I am now finding them and getting it done. The south gate has been broken since 2018 when thieves broke it to gain entrance to the back yard and into my house through the kitchen door. I am just now starting the repair. Dug out the post hole yesterday and have supplies in my car I picked up on Wednesday. It is the long weekend and I’m locking the gate for two days to get it done.
I’ve got some German family souvenirs to hang in the hallway. Stepstool, hammer and nails already there waiting.
My big goal is to have all of the bins full every week for collection, trash in the black, yard clippings in the green and recycling in the blue, which is every other week. Full every time there is a collection. That’s my goal until eveything is pristine.
My friend and I have decided to add to our projects some considerable downsizing, her her doll collection and me my artist supplies, holiday jewelry and Steiff collection. That will be ongoing and take a few years.
You have really inspired a movement of getting stuff done. Very excited to see the installation of the railings, balustrades and lattice. My gate has lattice like that on the top and I build it myself as you can’t buy it premade.
I am SO happy for you’
How exciting!!
Dearest Ross you are amazing!
Looking great!
Thrilling!!!
Projects with high visual impact and payoff are going to be the most rewarding over the next handful of years, similarly to what you experienced and explained discovering in 2017. I’m excited to see this finally come to life.
I have a hunch that a lot of behind-the-scenes tedium may end up taking a back seat to pretty projects, as a survival mechanism.
Go nuts – put up that peacock wallpaper in the powder room or get the dining room ready to decorate or something.
I’ve already started hauling out and taking inventory of my most challenging/high reward projects that will, with any luck, keep my mind and hands focused on tasks at hand rather than scrolling into oblivion.
I hadn’t really thought of that but it’s absolutely spot on. Without thinking of it I’ve shifted to this approach as well. High visibility and big return is the way to go.
I can see the tree coming down, the backyard being opened up and hope to soon make use of the kitchen island being finished and productive. Likewise the last two raised beds in the front yard and the side gate finally fixed and in use. Really visible stuff. Not only visible but also put into daily use. Going to finish tiling the pantry and patching that wall by next week, as soon as my Home Depot order arrives. Then every time I open that door, I will enjoy it.
Today I just bought three First Stone tiles for my soon to be replaced section of fence next to the soon to be repaired gate. Has to be done because the post has to be replaced to fix the gate. Excited for when I can put all of the tiles back on that section of fence with the three new ones. Will require rearranging and I will see and enjoy them from the dining room window every time I walk by.
And yes, I want to see the Peacock bathroom wallpaper and the walls patched in the dining room and at least primed.
But first, the railing and spindles on the porch as that will be seen every time you go in the front door. Maybe even a small cafe table and chairs in that spot to draw attention and compliment the completion. Kenny! Did you hear that?
Oh! So excited for the big sweep to come back. I need to plan another visit. Your restoration skills are amazing and each inch of progress inspires me to make the world a better, more beautiful place as you are doing in Emporia. Grateful for you, your vision, and relentless hard work on the Cross House. Happy Thanksgiving, dear Ross!
bjh! You and I share the same initials. Before I married, those were my initials too. After I married, I added an “s” — and now every computer program makes my initials “bs,” which is annoying. BJH is much more elegant.
First time Commenter LONG LONG LONG time viewer, Well wisher, sharing laughs, and so much love for that magnificent big Gorgeous house. I hear you in my head and heart. Like so many long time treasures of … I think “Members” of the “Magnanimous humorous soul-stirring Ross’ Renovation Journey Club”…..Is that too damn much??? Maybe, but I am keeping it in there anyhow! hahahahahahahaha
I feel the same way about the outcome of this election, second round here we come. And I have not fully recovered from the first time! That being said, There ARE so many good people on the right side of the "Towing Line" More than we ever heard about. Doing good every day and keeping the guard rails working. I believe in them. I am counting on them to do the right thing when the choices come down and they will come down! Some like pebbles and some like full Mountains.
Yeah, I am worried. But I redirected my energy and I am taking "baby steps" Patented by Ross every single day!!!!
I am touching my beloved plants again. It sooths my soul.
I am opening back up the pathway of my inner dialog with myself again. It sooths my soul.
I am picking out plants that would look Magnificent and add to the Beauty that is the Ross Cross House. It sooths my soul.
I am putting all my eggs in the basket that is GOOD People doing the right thing even when it is the HARDEST F***ing thing in the whole F***ing WORLD to do! It sooths my soul.
I am going to keep following, laughing, reading the soul in your words (Ross), and cheering for you every post
I read and you NEED to post with pictures for us ALL, Ross. IT SOOTHS MY SOUL!!!!
You are not alone.
None of us ever are! And if you read all of this today.. I wish you Peace, Happiness, Love, and all the Kindness you can muster. Please share and spread that around to every one you can! WE all need more of that these dark days to come.
Thank YOU.
Thank you to Ross. And every single member…(even the silent ones like me) of THE “Magnanimous humorous soul-stirring Ross' Renovation Journey Club”.
Thank you!!!
Those doors are even prettier in person! All the baby steps are adding up to a beautiful whole.
The curved balustrade (massive!) and gifted spindles will look phenomenal once installed. Excited!!! Hi LauraLea, good to “hear” from you.