"To Everything... Turn, Turn, Turn..." Personal Page by NC_Ziggy

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Beginnings and Endings... :-) and :-(

After many years of existence, there came a time to make a difficult decision... A few years ago I consulted with an engineer and architect about restoring the "Old Place". But the result was that because of the way such houses were constructed then with the foundation only a very short distance above the ground, it was not feasible or recommended to try to save it. BooHoo! :-(

So, after looking at seemingly hundreds of house plans and designs, I finally found one that appealed to me and also fit my meager budget! I was able to have this home constructed while continuing to live in the "Old House" which worked out well, but with a few inconveniences...

Look below at the progress of new life being transformed and the last breaths of a dear lady and friend.

I was traveling on business. I'm glad I missed it!

Preparing the site for construction

I used to travel a lot on business, nearly 50% of the time which fed my "travel bug"... I happened to be away when the excavation began and though excited for the new beginning, it would most definitely have been a melancholy moment...

The deck behind the old house, which was the last project my Dad and I worked on together before he became sick, was removed. The shed in which I parked my vehicles for 18 years was demolished and the large trees that you see here were taken out.

The New viewing the Old...

Hello, New Old World!

It's weird seeing familiar sights from a different window... Construction is moving along! It began in May and as you can see the leaves on the trees are turning and autumn is here. The concrete drive was very recently poured and work is progressing inside too!

WorkWorkWorkWorkWork! Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles

Dean the Contractor... on the left

I have so many pictures of the new house construction that it was very hard to choose just a few to include in this section and I wanted to be sure to include a "good-bye" to the old house as well.

Here you see construction underway and if you look closely at the wall on the left where the sun is shining, you may be able to see a few bricks that seem to "stick out" more than the others... I wanted to have some part of the old house included as a memory and reminder, so these bricks are from the old house. There are only 8 or 9 of them but they matched well even though they were hand-made over 100 years ago! My little tribute to the past...

Wiping Away Tears...

Honestly... It's hard to see...

You served many well for 115 years, 18 of which were my own. Not much more to say here... Only Thanks and Fondest Memories...

Preparing to say Good-Bye!

You served many well...

Instead of choosing to have the old house demolished with a bulldozer or wrecking crew, I was approached by a amiable man who asked if he could dismantle the house for whatever salvagable materials he could get from her... It was amazing that some of the materials were still sound and to see the construction methods used long ago! It took him nearly 4 months to completely take her down but I feel that she may still live in some resurected way... Much better than destruction and buried in some landfill.

Bringing the Past and Present Together...

A Closer Look at the Old & New

Nearly 5 years later now, I still enjoy my "new" house and still miss what once was for so many years... I'm not sure which is less and which is more. Perhaps some things are not to be compared in such ways...

The very best idea I had during a time of losing and gaining was to include bricks from the "old house" into the new one. Here you see them prominently displayed as a testament to continued life while on a path to new directions. I think it is important to have a balance of both in all things, as the present is somewhat meaningless without an understanding of the past!

Let the Sun Shine In...

A New View with History Intact!

This brings to mind an old song that was popular when I was a child (don't linger too much on that "old" part, ok?) that went...

"So Let the Sun Shine In...
Face it with a grin...
Smilers never lose,
And frowners never win...

So Let the Sun Shine In...
Face it with a grin...
Open up your Heart and
Let the Sun Shine In!"

ebebebebe... That's All Folks! ;-)

Page Updated Aug 7, 2005
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Comments (378)

Waalewiener Dec 19, 2011 at 11:08 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday tomorrow Steve
DAO Dec 18, 2011 at 11:33 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Steve and many happy returns!!!
Callavetta Dec 18, 2011 at 9:18 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!
MacedonianUK Dec 18, 2011 at 7:00 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday !
Hexepatty Dec 18, 2011 at 6:43 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Steve! ; )
maysue Dec 17, 2011 at 1:41 AM Report Abuse

Happy early Birthday! Taking this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry X'Mas, and Happy 2011 New Year. Best wishes, Maysue
havanaivan Dec 20, 2010 at 5:42 AM Report Abuse

Hope you had a happy birthday. I wish you the best for 2011. Take care. Best Regards, Ivan
keida84 Dec 20, 2010 at 3:47 AM Report Abuse

Steve, Happy Birthday to you my friend I hope you have a lovely day with the ones you love (they are pretty special in their own right) Love from, Kat
Rabbityama Dec 19, 2010 at 12:10 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday!
Donna_in_India Dec 18, 2010 at 6:30 PM Report Abuse

Hi Steve - hope you have a very happy birthday (and congratulations on your marriage!).