More Windows!

When I purchased the Cross House in 2014, one of the first things I did was install wood blocks to keep the glass in the huge library window from falling out. And this is how things stood…

 

…until now. The window is RESTORED!!!!!!!!

 

As are the sashes to each side!!!!!!!! The stained-glass transom windows are also restored but are currently obscured by outer glass panels (soon to be removed).

 

And the three sewing room windows are now restored! Their stained-glass transom windows are also restored. The white sheet was to keep the sun off the library window while it was being painted.

 

The restored sewing room sashes. Squee!!!!!!!!

 

In 2014, the idea of restoring the 2,576 windows in the house (OK, maybe not that many) seemed an impossible task. Yet,  somehow, there are now only five clear-glass windows which need restoring. Only five! And these will be done by the end of the year. Zounds!

What has enabled this astonishing progress is my patented Baby Step™ method: slow, incremental work. Every week, no matter what, some work has to take place regarding a window sash. Each sash is taken to the basement workroom, and each week a bit of work is accomplished on said sash. It doesn’t matter if one day just five minutes is spent on a sash. Or 15 minutes. Or two hours. Nope. All that matters is some effort is expended every week. And thus, somehow, like magic, 2,576 windows have been whittled down to five windows.

‘Tis be a miracle.

The restoration of the library and sewing room clear-glass windows are part of the 2017 Heritage Trust Fund grant. As were the sewing room stained-glass windows. The stained-glass for the library was part of the 2015 Heritage Trust Fund grant.

 

13 Comments

  1. Sandra Lee on October 7, 2018 at 9:56 pm

    What wondrous news! Amazingly you have made amazing mesmerizing progress!
    Yay Ross! What an amazing sense of accomplishment that must be 4 you! Bravo!

  2. Anthony Bianchini on October 7, 2018 at 10:13 pm

    Glad to see the southern exposure receive some attention!

  3. Annette on October 7, 2018 at 11:03 pm

    Gosh, you really are making progress. Slowly but surely is a good strategy. It must feel very satisfying.

  4. Leigh on October 8, 2018 at 12:30 am

    Huzzah! You have accomplished a lot. The outer façade alone is almost done. Impressive Ross. The house, the architect, the artisans, the former inhabitants, the town, the State, the readers, the kittycats, your admirers and many more that are not mentioned here… we thank you for such quality and loving restoration. More blessings to you. *Group hug.*

  5. Barb Sanford on October 8, 2018 at 8:22 am

    Wow! The house is looking beautiful. I was in Emporia this weekend for my high school class reunion, and I drove by the house on my way out of town. It wasn’t dark yet, but I did get to see the dining room chandelier lit and sparkling through the beautiful windows on the north.

    Next time I’m back, I’ll be sure to stop and look at the windows on the south side. Bit by bit, the house is coming back to life, and it’s looking better and better. You are doing amazing work.

  6. Stewart McLean on October 8, 2018 at 8:32 am

    -You really are such an inspiration. In completing impossibly huge overwhelming tasks, your methods, which in my own projects I call coping mechanisms for my ADD, help me SO MUCH. This Baby Step TM, (don’t no how to put the TM above like you did), is as good as your, No. No. No, no, NO! Posted on July 7, 2018.
    -My real problem with this post is that I am tempted to either, count all of the windows from pictures of the various faces of the house, or go back through all of your earlier posts to see if you have previously disclosed it, to figure out the real number. I don’t have the time to do it, but if you were to deign to tell me, and everyone else, I would be grateful.
    -Thanks for all that you do! It really enriches my life.

  7. Jenine on October 8, 2018 at 8:56 am

    Are any of those clear glass windows original to the house?

    • Ross on October 8, 2018 at 8:58 am

      Hi, Jenine!

      All the sashes are, as is most of the glass.

  8. Cody H on October 8, 2018 at 11:22 am

    Did you get overexcited in your glee, and break the glass out of the tacky storm door under the porte cochere?

  9. Lynn on October 8, 2018 at 11:40 am

    Ross I love your baby step method and have also employed this method in my life for many years now.(I thought I came up with this)LOL. Many years ago a coworker asked me how I was able to get so much done on my house, even though we were working crazy hours, and this is exactly what I told her! Just a few minutes or a few hours a day I get something done on my house, but I have to do something every day. It really does work. Been a fan of yours since before the Cross House. Been following OHD (Goddess Kelly) since almost its beginning and have always loved reading your comments. I am so happy that the Cross House found you, for I don’t think anyone else could give her the justice she deserves. Thank you so much for sticking with her!

  10. Bethany Otto on October 8, 2018 at 11:58 am

    I use your babysteps method daily, but unfortunately not for old house restoration, just for life. It started when I had my first new baby and keeping up with the laundry, housework, shopping, and cooking seemed an insurmountable task. I told myself if I could just do even one tiny thing each day like swish one toilet or vacuum one room, whatever needed attention the most, it would be enough, and 20 years later I still operate this way as a part-time teacher and mom of four with a big house, a sloppy husband, and a big old dog.

  11. Dan Goodall-Williams on October 8, 2018 at 5:25 pm

    Ross, you are an inspiration, period.
    Watching you save this magnificent old grande home keeps me going. It’s something I wish that I could do. Instead, I’m living it through you. Thank you!!

  12. JCF on October 9, 2018 at 2:08 am

    “2,576 windows”

    Wha??? Surely, this is hyperbole, no?

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