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Matt Ryan

A journey lugging aspirations and experiences, tools and ideals.

This Old House

July 13 Last Trip Out

July 13 Last Trip Out

by EmAre · Jul 13, 2019

Today was a strange day too. At just about 6p I drove away from This Old House (TOH) for the last time. Today I had cleaned the kitchen and removed the last few items from the house. There was still a pile of trash that had to go to the dump.

When I finally loaded up my truck with the last things, I stopped to grab these last 2 pics of the truck in the empty garage. It had NEVER been this clean, or empty. Even when we purchased the house 12+ years ago, the garage was left full of stuff for us to deal with.

No more. Clean as the proverbial whistle.

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Enjoy, and if you are so inclined, check out the full set of pics I grabbed today using this link to Amazon Photos.

Filed Under: This Old House Tagged With: Ryno-Net

July 11 TOH is Empty

by EmAre · Jul 11, 2019

After cleaning the kitchen for the last time and moving everything else out I strolled through the house and grabbed some last pictures of it. Funny, I had never seen it this empty. Even when we bought the house, the previous owners had left a lot of stuff in it. Something in every room. So, to see TOH completely empty was quite an experience.

She looked good for a 160 year old.

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My favorite part of the house was the main stairway. I loved to rub my hands over the banister as I walked up or down the stairs. I often thought about the number of hands that had done the same thing going all the way back to 1863 when she came to be.

this old house railing
Hand rubbed to perfection.
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Filed Under: This Old House Tagged With: Ryno-Net

Window Views

Window Views

by EmAre · Jul 11, 2019

We had some of the most beautiful views out of our windows in TOH. On the last day living here, I grabbed a handful just so I never forget just how beautiful they were. I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did.

North from guest room down driveway. My fav.
West toward St. James parking lot from hall bath
East from craft room to neighboring apartments
South from master bedroom overlooking E Lancaster Ave
East from north craft room window to neighboring apartments
South from eastern guest bedroom window overlooking E Lancaster Ave
South from western guest room window across E Lancaster Ave
West toward St. James parking lot from Connor's room
Through the front french door onto E. Lancaster Ave
West out of kitchen door over driveway gardens
North out of dining room windows over patio
West out of kitchen window over driveway and St. James' parking
West out of office window overlooking driveway garden
North out of my western office window overlooking deck and rear gardens

Filed Under: This Old House Tagged With: Ryno-Net

Taylor and Abby Relocate

Taylor and Abby Relocate

by Em Are · Jun 9, 2019

We helped Taylor and Abby move into their new home today. Other than the labor, we contributed our patio set to their new home. Our wish is that they enjoy as many wonderful meals outside on it as we did. It truly was our outdoor gathering place for family and friends.

They have a nice paved space right outside the family room and dining area and our set will fit just fine.

It did take Carol and I about 2 hours to dismantle it and get it loaded into the truck on Saturday evening.

So long good friend.

Filed Under: This Old House Tagged With: Ryno-Net, tabby

June 1 – Yard Sale

June 1 – Yard Sale

by Em Are · Jun 1, 2019

Our almost annual 1st weekend of June yard sale was today. Not as big a crowd as we have seen in the past, but steady none-the-less. We were able to part with all of our larger items (old bike, armoires, holiday china dishes), and most of the smaller stuff.

We chatted up a few neighbors, saw some old friends, and made some new ones.

I do like this town and we will miss Downingtown.

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Filed Under: This Old House Tagged With: downsize, Ryno-Net

Remaining Mowings

Remaining Mowings

by Em Are · May 24, 2019

Yeah, this is a thing for me. I am tired of cutting grass and I can’t wait to get into our new house. The HOA that will take care of the lawn work for me.

I fully admit I’m at that point in my life where this is what makes me happy.

Yipee!

Photo Credit: Daniel Watson on Unsplash

Filed Under: This Old House Tagged With: lawn work, Ryno-Net

This Old House is Under Contract

This Old House is Under Contract

by Em Are · May 13, 2019

It happened so fast. After 2 weeks of crazy updates, de-cluttering, repairs, and general freshening, the open house had arrived. Originally scheduled for Sunday, May 19, our realtor recommended that we move the date forward to Saturday, May 11 — the day before Mother’s Day.

Why? Well there was SO much interest in the house leading up to the open. We were not going to show it to anyone until the day of the open house. That added just a bit more pressure to get everything done in time.

A professional real estate photographer came in, spent all of 20 minutes here and came out with a glorious collection of images. Our house had never looked so good.

Take a look at this gallery of shots. Gorgeous.

Concrete forms everywhere.
The forms from the front of the house.
That's OUR hole in the ground.
Our neighbor Kim moves in.
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Suspicious red marking on basement floor fill. Looks wet!
Egress window ready for alcove shell.
Basement looking good.
Looking east across basement to neighbor's house.
Garage floor filled.
Across front of house. Garage to left.
Looking from east side south towards garage and my future office.
Looking west across property.
The rear of the house footings.
One more exciting view.
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Carol and I enjoyed a late morning movie, Avengers: End Game, at the local Movie Tavern, while our realtor held the open house. By the end of the day, we had a firm, full price contract with only a termite inspection required. Perfect. Carol and I signed the agreement at the end of the weekend and we are on our way.

We breathed a sigh of relief. All our hard work had paid off. Now we are able to focus solely on getting packed up to move into the new house.

We spent 12 wonderful years here.

Onward and upward to the next chapter.

Filed Under: This Old House Tagged With: Ryno-Net, selling

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