You Win With People! Family Edition

In a previous post, I channeled my inner-Woody Hayes to offer shout outs to the contractors who are helping make our Akron almost-mansion a habitable reality. Now, I want to give shout outs to the family who have been with us every step of the way too.

A pair of siblings are seated on a functioning radiator in an otherwise empty room, save a portable table saw. They are smiling and appear happy.

Before we embarked on this journey we held a "family meeting" where I laid out our plan (such as it was. LOL.) and described what we were going to need to make this project happen. Specifically, I made clear that my wife and I couldn't do this without their help. We lived (and still live) 110 miles away from the house we're trying to rehabilitate. I shared their would be times folks might be called upon to meet contractors, accept deliveries, take out trash, and otherwise represent our interests in matters related to the house.

A group of people are pictured raking an unreasonable amount of leaves towards the street in anticipation of leaf pick up day.

Well, they've done all that and more! An incomplete and non-exhaustive list of things the family has done in our absence includes:

Raking leaves
Cutting grass
Shoveling snow
Watering plants
Planting plants
Painting ceilings
Patching plaster
Programming garage doors
Making dinner
Buying dinner
Bringing food
Bringing tools
Lending tools
Shopping
Running errands
Hanging trim
Purchasing tools
And so much more

Two adults and a child are pictured raking leaves onto a tarp so they can be taken to the street for pickup.

More importantly, they provided support, levity, perspective, consultations, distractions, and company. They've been on board and on call in ways that have gone above and beyond. It's not enough to say we couldn't have done all this without them, because the fact is we wouldn't have done it without them. Being closer to family was the main driver behind this project. We haven't even moved in yet, and that's already happening!

So thanks fam! I can't wait to spend even more time with all you!

A group of adults pose for a selfie in the snow during a visit to the Hale Farm Lantern Tour

And if you're curious about how a snowy sunset looks from the backyard of the Akron almost-mansion, we can thank a family member for this gorgeous picture.

The sun setting across the Cuyahoga Valley is pictured through trees on a snowy day.

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On Summit

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