And that's a Wrap!
As many of you know I’ve had the immense pleasure of connecting with almost all (of those active on IG) of the homeowners featured on HGTV’s new show ‘Cheap Old Houses’ on my weekly IGLive series ‘A Quarter ‘Til Wine’. So lovingly described as finding your ‘forever friends’ at sleep away camp I can, with certainty say, this is one of the most valued group of friends I have ever known.
Connected through a mutual appreciation for our old, at times crusty, homes we know a passion that comes with a lot of hard work, sometimes heartache, but always a deep and sincere sense of gratitude no matter the obstacle. Through sharing space and hearing their stories (I have had the pleasure of spending more time than is allotted in a traditional cable show’s format) I have learned that even beyond the home’s themselves, these homeowners understand and take pride that they have taken on a roll of “steward”. Through sleepless nights and endless days the work and perseverance will ensure that these homes will live on long after we have departed their walls and I am just so darn proud and honored to be a part of this group.
If you’ve missed any of the episodes they are saved under @BlackHouseSeven’s IGTv but I’ve done my part of saving some of the best quotes, that I hope will shed some light on the practicality, the emotional investment, and the stick-to-it-ness that makes these dream possible for anyone that wants it.
“I hope people can appreciate the quirks a little more than they used to”
“Live with your spaces and figure out what THEY want you to do to them”
“You can learn, none of this is rocket science”
“Find the building your passionate about and the rest will come”
“If you have patience you can do anything”
“...as soon as I walked in it felt like a warm hug and I said ‘THIS IS MY HOUSE’!”
“I was already in love with this place, but I knew there was more to it”
“What we’re doing is important, and not just something we feel is important”
“I didn’t have a ton to lose, there wasn’t much I could do to make it any worse”
“Everybody’s story is important, it doesn’t just have to be the wealthy man, or the doctor in the town, or the politician...”
Whether you are considering taking the leap of faith or are neck deep in fortifying your own cheap old house I have only one ask, and the one thing I think will carry you through the good times, and the one’s that aren’t so much.
A little known fact about me is that for one year (my senior year) in high school I joined the track team. I was not a runner by any means, but the coach had wore me down over the years and convinced me (an avid tumbler and gymnast) that the high jump would be a perfect event for me. It was, and I did well. At one meet my coach told me I would be running the 4 x 100 relay. WHAT?!? While a 100 yard dash wasn’t that scary I would now be a part of a team (a very good team that held titles stretching back decades). I could accept defeat if it was only about me, but I refused to accept failing when it came to a team. When I grabbed that baton I only had one thing on my mind, running my heart out, and not losing ground. We were in first place when I got the baton and we were damn sure going to be in first when I passed it off. My determination worked and sure enough we won the race!