The Beginning

 A Blog about the Volk Remodel Project

“Do you have a blog?”

“We want to see pictures.”

“Why aren't you writing a blog?”

"Have they started yet?"

I never thought I’d be blogging about this but I think there is an unwritten rule that you are suppose to blog about your first great family vacation and your first big home remodel project.  And I'm no rule breaker, so here it goes...

I'm the first to admit that until about a year ago I didn't know the difference between a "blog" and a "blawg" (honestly, I thought they were interchangeable).  But now I am fairly certain that this will be a blog.  And I’m writing it so that I don’t ever forget what it took to make this happen.  I’d certainly rather be writing about food and wine, or travel, or restaurants and entertaining… but this seems to be an interesting way to document an interesting adventure.

I have to say, Ben is WAY more excited about this project than me.  He's artistic, handy, creative, hopeful, and much more able to enjoy the process of spending money.  He’s also very busy.  I’m a planner, a scheduler, a details person, an organizational guru, a micro-manager.  So that basically leaves me in charge of, well, just about everything at this point.   Nah, not really, just the (less) fun stuff like the construction loan, the builder’s contract, and the budget.

Builder’s contract signed, check (and actually, a surprisingly pleasant experience compared to what people have told us to expect.  Thank you, Blue Water Construction.)  Budget planning, check.  Construction loan… oh sh*t.  Apparently, a construction loan needs a “mortgage advisor,” a “processor,” a “pre-underwriter,” an actual “underwriter,” a “construction review team,” numerous "managers" (to expedite the process when needed), and the list goes on and on, and that doesn’t include escrow assistants, title officers, traveling Notaries.  As far as I can tell, we’re headed down the home stretch, but who knows… we’re pretty sure “they” don’t even know how to get to home plate.  It’s a work in progress and it’s been painful.

One thing that has helped: wine.  Lots of it (including a nice bottle of Leonetti with dear friends).  

We've had a lot of good times in this home.  But it's time to say good-bye, for now.