Having the upstairs buttoned up was our original goal.

People on the street can now see our intentions.

The roof is securely covered and we’ve gained more than 400 square feet of usable floor space. (Let’s see, with new home construction averaging $153 a square foot, according to a recent New York Times story, that would cost a bit over $40,000. Renovation, as we’re finding, can run well beyond that. I won’t say how much.)

We’re far from finished, I hate to confess. The front interior still needs to be framed, wired, and spray-foam insulated. Dry wall needs to go up and be painted, the new bathroom and laundry room plumbing fixtures installed, and something done with the flooring. We’re willing to keep the last item on the funky side as a historical touch. We’re still not sure about heating the space, either, though we’ve already found it has been comfortably warmed from downstairs, and perhaps we’ll hold off on a washer and dryer.

As for gutters? There’s more.

Downstairs, we’re looking at replacing the windows – 13 or 14, depending – and the front and back doors. Bigger is a kitchen redo, plus the tiny bathroom. And that leaves the back parlor to be tweaked into a combination dining and crafts room.

As for my remaining life’s savings? We have some difficult discussions ahead.