Jean B. wrote:

> I am in the process of house-hunting, and, with any luck, I will end up
> in a non-gutted antique house with its character intact. Of course, it
> will have plumbing and electricity. Part of my motive is that I grew up
> in an antique house and have always wanted to live in one again. In
> fact, it has become a burning desire--and the only thing that would
> prevent that is my daughter's needs.
>
> The other motive is that I am just sickened by folks buying the really
> old houses and gutting them. I want to contribute some more decades to
> an antique house's life without being gutted--and I suspect my daughter
> would take it many more decades beyond what I could do.

This is not for everyone, but I believe it is a wonderful goal, if you
have the knowledge, the desire and the money. It sounds like you would
really enjoy doing this.

My sister worked for a couple of years on an antique house, only to give
it to her ex-DIL who moved back, needed a place to live and wanted to
mother her children again. My sister was worn out from taking care of
the children, so she let her have the house.

Wednesday morning, I am taking my sister's granddaughter to the hair
salon. She is 15, so she is getting highlights, a haircut, a manicure
and a pedicure. She will be surprised, she thinks she is just getting a
haircut, but my sister told me that she would love highlights and it is
ok with her Mom. I am the youngest in the family and I do not have any
grandchildren, so I get to spoil my sisters.

Becca