day four

With the fourth day of renovations having come and gone we are seeing great changes to our old house. Below are a number of photos of the work that was done today. 

Air vents for central heat and air upstairs finally - we are freezing! 

Out with the old attic fan and in with the new air/heat system. 

New intake vent. 

Continued progress on the back wall that had to be removed. 

Charlie curled up trying to stay warm again today. Hopefully the worst of the cold weather is moving on and some warmer weather will come through and stay for a while. 

Back of the house completed except for the new window and repainting that will be done next week. 

day three

a montage, if you will, of the work that was done today. since it was 45 degrees here today the process was quite difficult for me and the dogs (you can see the photo below of them bundled up), but we made it through and are excited about the work that was done. 

tis' the season

Our first Christmas in the new house has been greatly memorable. From decorating to entertaining and being able to relish in our Christmas traditions we recognize the fact that we are truly blessed.

This was the first Christmas that Robert and I have been in our home for Christmas since we have been married. We usually travel at this time of year but work and contractor schedules hindered us from making a big trip. However, we were very excited to spend the time together in our new home.

Our plans for Christmas were quite simple, just the way we like it. We hosted Christmas Eve dinner for my dad, stepmom, sister, and her boyfriend. Christmas Day was spent doing absolutely nothing and it was fantastic. Our Christmas morning tradition consists of cinnamon rolls and watching the Christmas classic A Christmas Story and we ended the day by spending the evening at my mom's house for dinner.

Tomorrow is back to work for Robert Alan and the contractors will arrive to complete the biggest part of the renovations - removing an entire wall and Iwill certainly update with pictures as the process unfolds. This week for me will focus on planning for the upcoming semester as I am again teaching three new classes that I have never taught before.

Hoping your Christmas was as special as ours,

The Hawks

first two days

Little by little we are starting to see changes to the exterior and it is really exciting. So far a great deal of sanding has taken place and a number of pieces of siding are beginning to be replaced.

Part of my job during this process is to keep a keen eye on the dogs. As we have a doggie door for them to use I had to close that off and keep them in the house for a majority of the day which for two of our dogs (Charlie would stay inside asleep all day every day if we let him) is driving them crazy. As you can see below, Lucky has found a spot upstairs that allows her the opportunity to look out over the contractors to make sure all is well and Gracie likes to stand near the front door and cock her head sideways as she is trying to figure out every little sound.

Taking a break from the renovations for a few days we are preparing for Christmas Eve dinner at our house followed by a few days of complete relaxation.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

The Hawks

the time has arrived

After speaking with our contractor today the major part of the renovations will be beginning Wednesday. This is exciting for two reasons: one, I will be home to make sure things move along well and two, we have been waiting FOREVER for this process to begin (we have been in the house for two months now).

As our house is about to change quite a bit I wanted to document what we were beginning with. Below are current pictures of the house. As each stage unfolds, I will certainly photograph and update here for you all to see.
Front view
Left side of the house.

Right side of the house.
Back wall that has to be completely removed.
Back part of the left side of the house.

time for a break

As fall semester is now over I am super excited for a two week break from school. Very few people understand the intenseness of the job of a teacher, but those who do understand know why this two week break is so important. Plans for these two weeks include a number of things - continuing to get the house in order, continuing the renovations, and some much needed rest and relaxation.

An exciting about this two week break is that we will be at home for the first time since we have been married. In years past we planned a Christmas trip for ourselves and overlaped spending time with friends and family into those plans, but this year we are spending the holidays at home.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!
The Hawks

new beginnings

I cannot believe that it has been a month and a half since I updated the blog - amazing how time passes you by.

First things first - we closed on the house October 20 and moved in shortly thereafter. Now that we have been in the house for a month, we are beginning to get settled and figure out what we want to do to bring the house back to its original 1902 glory.

First on the agenda is a full renovation of the exterior. The house has clapboard siding which after years of neglect is rotting away. The window frames are in the same condition as is the railing that once graced the front porch. Additionally, a paint job is in order and the front door is being refinished. The most intense exterior project is the removal of a wall (again due to neglect and major rot) which will be replaced and have have added a window seat and built in bookshelves.

Second on the agenda is the moving in of our new dining room table. Robert and I have an appreciation of a very simple style of furniture. As such, a local furniture maker is currently working on our new dining room table.

Third on the agenda is a total renovation of the kitchen. The house had some interior work done a few years ago, but the kitchen was not a priority. As you can see it needs to be updated. This is currently planned as our first 2011 project. New floors, cabinets, and countertops will be the focus.

Fourth, fifth, sixth, etc on the agenda are a number of smaller projects including refinishing the hardwood floors, painting, and builing a new closet in the master bedroom.

As this is to be our family home we realize that the work will take time and we are very excited about being able to bring a 108 year old home back to life.

As the exterior renovations begin soon, I will be sure to keep posted pictures of the process.

Thanks for checking in and hope all is well with you and yours!

The Hawks

good times

Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. Living in southern Alabama anything is better than the blazing heat of August, but this time every year the temperatures begin to dip, the pumpkin patches start to pop up, sweaters are the appropriate attire and a hearty soup with a hot grilled cheese sandwich is the perfect meal.

Some of the recent picks from our garden - sweet potatoes, peppers, okra, oregano and rosemary.

Life is consistent for us right now - Robert is beginning his work as an attorney, I am continuing to focus on my new teaching position and the house buying process is coming to a close...hopefully.

Pictures of Mobile from one of our recent walks.

the next step

Well, again it has been a while since I updated. As with many of you life has kept us extrememly busy these past few weeks. Here are a few of the highlights...

My life has revolved around lesson plans - still - since school started at the beginning of August. Having never taught the three subjects I am currently teaching, I am starting from square one and square one requires a great deal of planning.

We are still in the process of purchasing our dream home. The loan process has been much more detailed and included a number of more hurdles compared to the last house we bought, so we are crossing our fingers that the hurdles will begin to diminish and we can set a closing date.

In absolutely positive news - Mr. Hawk's hard work has paid off - he officially passed the Alabama Bar exam and is now officially an attorney.

While we are still in a transition period, things are becoming much clearer and are moving in the right direction for us.

Hope all is well with you and yours!
The Hawks

It's been a while...

since I have posted anything here - not because I have forgotten but because life has been THAT busy.

While we were in Montgomery for the bar exam, Robert and I made an offer on our dream home in midtown Mobile. Since our offer was accepted Robert has been searching for a contractor to complete the needed renovations - a process that has been far from delightful (as those of you who are friends with him on Facebook have read, I am sure).

My time has been occupied with lesson planning, grading, organizing and a multitude of other tasks that go along with the teaching profession. As this is my first year teaching high school and being a floating teacher (I have no classroom, I move around campus for each class period - not ideal, but making it work) there have been many adjustments to my process, although many things, regardless of the grade level, remain the same.

We are hopeful that this week will hold the good news we want to hear about a contractor for the house, finishing the THIRD week of school and making a trip to Perry and Albany to honor Robert Alan, once again, for his great achievement of graduating from law school.

Thanks for checking in - hope all is well for you and yours!
Heather and Robert