A Side Note:

I would be remiss in my recollection of all things house-related if I did not provide the following warning: DO NOT GET A HOME LOAN THROUGH BANK OF AMERICA. Due to misplaced paperwork, rampant miscommunication, and a particularly bad speller by the name of Ahalia, the original Nov 4 closing date (from our Aug 27 contract) was extended a total of five times. As each closing date passed, we'd submit another extension to the selling bank and keep our fingers crossed that they wouldn't rip up our contract and wait for a higher bid.

Finally, after four months and enough work to qualify me as a mortgage broker, we closed on December 23, mere minutes before we began our long drive to Florida for Christmas break. We wouldn't see the house again until 2010... but I'd taken some pictures to remind us of the work ahead.

Blue roofing shingles do not good doorsteps make.

Dining room ceiling water damage

One of the better windows in the house

Kitchen and super-lovely back door

Scary basement shower

Even scarier basement mildew (inspection found no problems with the foundation, but our fingers are still crossed that the mold doesn't become a recurring problem)

...and last but certainly not least, our creepy "downstairs kitchen," complete with old nasty fridge partially blocking the only point of egress. (We get to spend double money - haul away and demo of this mess + reconstruction as a laundry room.)