It's sorta funny the evolution that naturally occurs when doing a major renovation on a building that's pretty much a shell. Michael and I were talking/reminiscing about the steps we've taken as we continue to work on the new-old building for the shop - here we are 18 months into it and although we've come a long way, there's still a LOT to do...
Basically, we've done stuff in order of what naturally seemed the most important:
1. shelter: get the thing stabilized and make sure it doesn't fall on our heads. start by manually pumping off the 30,000 gallons of water on the roof. check.
2. water: be able to successfully flush... which may or may not require (in our case, it did) the additional assistance of a very resourceful friend who's simply not afraid to get dirty... I'm talkin' sewer pipe dirty here and that's a whooooole different breed of dirty... check.
3. electricity: although not totally essential to survival, being able to plug in a cell phone charger, laptop and eventually credit card machine do come in quite handy when trying to operate a legit biz. West End Electric - check plus.
4. climate control: HOLY. FREAKING. COW. I LOVE YOU.
Since September 13th, 2008 we haven't had climate control. I know a lot of folks have been in the same boat so I certainly can't complain - in fact, I will readily admit that it truly hasn't been that bad. I mean our former East End house was built well before climate control of any kind existed - shoot it was built before water ran through any pipes. So really it was designed with balmy Gulf Coast summers in mind - lots of windows, shaded porches, and hallways that shot straight through the center of the house so air circulation was a cinch.
But, since we sold the house (small amount of sadness, but we know she's in good hands with the new owners) and have continued work at the new shop sans such fancy advancements like "windows that open" or "climate control", many people have looked at us like we're crazy. And I now realize they were right. All of them.
On Wednesday, our office took a giant leap into the 19th century and became air conditioned. Check, check and check. Man, is it glorious. It's our one little personal piece of heaven now - aside from our fave watering hole next door, of course. But they insist on you wearing pants over there, so it's not completely the same. (I don't think Will was privy to that memo...)
All I can say is that we are truly blessed. And man is my husband handy...
Yay Culpeppers! Now put your pants back on.
And by the way... I'm pretty sure good ol' AC is a fine creation of the 20th Century. 19th Century = 1800's. Not calling you out. Just saying. :)