The Youthful Couple That Accidentally Purchased A Historical Manor, Began Revamping It Anyway

Incorrect Commitments

Despite this couple not having a drop of Scottish blood between them, Pollokshields, Glasgow was the place where they wanted to purchase an apartment. Having been wrecked by fire, this apartment was wrecked by flames, meaning that they had their work cut out for them.

The pair predicted that they could repair the damages in under half a year’s time, a lengthy commitment that they were dedicated to. While Claire was spending time with her family, Cal attended a particular auction house.

Disaster

Following a successful £30,000 bid, Cal was elated when his was the winning offer. His euphoria would quickly disintegrate when he realized that the property he had just bid on was being sold in three separate lots, rather than one!

To his horror, Cal realized that he had acquired a completely different home, one that turned out to be a formerly grand mansion now fallen to the wear and tear of time over its 120 years of existence. It was also in Dunoon, Scotland.

The Optimistic One

Cal held his head in his hands as the auctioneer announced that the selling process ended. He was terrified of informing his partner of what he had just done, but there was no other way. He dialed her Canadian number and waited nervously as the tone rang.

He was certain that she would not take the news well, to say the least. He had just splashed out nearly $40,000 on a property that they had formerly never known about. Much to Cal’s relief, his girlfriend did not chew him out for his foolish bid.

Better Than Nothing

Despite how much Cal had spent on this mysterious mansion, it was phenomenally little for such a grand property. Claire was somewhat impressed, in fact! She assured Cal that their plans would go on to renovate a property, even such an unusual one.

Claire’s dad happened to have been listening to the conversation, and chimed in that they could certainly make this lofty project work. He told them to be confident in their abilities, and that little could go wrong. With their confidences reaffirmed, the couple was excited to see just what exactly they had gotten themselves into.

DIY

After Cal purchased the home, he learned that its name was Jameswood Villa, and that it was sorely in need of some thorough repairs. From what Cal gathered before he even stepped foot inside the manor house, this was a place that would require a huge effort to flip successfully.

Cal could not help but feel anxious as he looked at a 2010 Google Streetview snap of Jameswood Villa. Apprehensions aside, James was sure that the couple could handle the effort.

Perfect And Imperfect

Cal was born in Britain, while Claire’s hometown was in Canada, and neither knew Scotland very well. They took to Google Maps to establish where Dunoon was, and where their new home lay. Surprisingly, this spot was close to Glasgow.

It just so happened that Claire had her sights set on Glasgow University, where she wished to enroll in the university’s medical school. They had certainly got the positioning of their new property right, which made their fears less intense.

Fake News

It took all their positivity to put a positive spin on this incredible development. Cal decided that it would be best if he set off on an exploratory expedition to have a first look at their Jameswood Villa.

While the photo that Cal had seen off Google Streetview had been taken in 2010, and he was convinced that it would not like that any longer, he could not have anticipated how much it had changed over the years.

Falling Apart

Cal cautiously stepped into the decayed property and immediately saw how light was shining into the otherwise gloomy interior from huge holes in the roof. Clearly, this place had been abandoned for over two decades, with its timber fallen to pieces.

Then there were the utilities like power and water which would obviously need replacing. Cal had not been very hopeful, to begin with, but he had never imagined that he would find the place barely standing.

Worse For Wear

The manor was in dangerously bad shape, but Cal would soon realize that its foundations were positioned in a way that would distract from the fact that its front wall seemed like it was on the verge of tipping over.

To top it all off, Jameswood Villa was being swallowed up by the earth! Cal could only wonder just what he had gotten him and Claire into. This nightmarish place was clearly in need of a comprehensive revival.

Hopeful And Committed

But this couple was not about to give up on their dreams, far from it. After having toured the United Kingdom and seeing so many different rundown properties, they felt that they were experienced enough to handle this one.

Of course, this drippy and haunted-looking spot would be a huge challenge, but they would rise to meet it. It was not long before Cal and Claire began to feel the excitement. This is the kind of couple that loves to take on the world!

The Rude Awakening

There was just one big problem. The couple found out that their finances were not beefy enough to cover this flipping mission. If they were going to pay their way through the repairs they would need to be creative.

Cal and Claire looked at all their financial commitments and decided that there were some payments that they could skip, such as their mortgage and rent. They also trimmed out some of their luxuries and comforts.

Road Home

This couple would need to change their lifestyle completely if they were truly committed to rebuilding this home. It was time to tighten their belts and get down to it. There was no other way around it.

Now that they were on the streets, it was time to find a cheap and modest place for them to live. A caravan seemed like the ideal shelter that they could conveniently place within the manor’s expansive garden.

Taking It Slow

This caravan was not the height of luxury by any means, not featuring running water or electricity, but it would do until Cal and Claire finally conquered the Villa. They were no strangers to traveling light, and this was no different.

Candles would be their sole light source other than torches, and the Jameswood Villa neighbors would kindly permit them to bath and cook. This couple was living rough, but that was their means to an end.

Youth

Cal and Claire are the kind of couple that thrives off adventure. No matter where they are in the world, they insist that they travel all over the place making memories. Well, this might not have been the most conventional adventure that they had signed themselves up for, but which epic journey is?

They were also big believers in destiny, and that their relationship had been fated from the beginning. But what was so grand about their meeting that made them think this way?

Drawn Together

You are probably bursting to find out how these two international youngsters ended up together in the first place? According to them, the French Alps was their setting for love, and it was their mutual love for skiing that introduced them to one another.

Their romance blossomed instantaneously, and they decided to begin their fantastic European road-trip which ended in the Canadian summer. That was just the beginning of their long and fruitful relationship together, however.

Posting On Their Site

The pair would also get busy establishing themselves digitally, with their own blog popping up along with a thriving Instagram account. While they had shared many incredible experiences and adventures with the world, this home renovation project would prove to be incredibly lucrative.

As challenging as this project was for the two, photographing and recording each other while they worked, relaxed, and fooled around made it all that much more enjoyable. You can bet that their followers greatly appreciated this colorful journey.

Our Life

This couple needed a slogan for its whimsical project, of course, and they decided on “What Have We Dunoon?” This was a clever combination of their erroneous purchasing of the Jameswood Villa, as well as the town in which it was located.

We love how positively this couple took this challenge on, and it was their winning sense of humor that carried them through much of the stress and chaos of this incredible project’s demands.

The Mass Following

Cal and Claire would not just post now and then, when they felt like something noteworthy happened. They wanted their followers to be with them on every step of the journey. Whether they were setting up the electrical grid or installing some new plumbing.

Seeing as this couple was living in the United Kingdom, they made sure to subscribe to the local culture. This meant that tea breaks were common, and that they held an adorable shoot for their followers after winning 100,000 followers.

Busy, Busy!

We have mentioned how this couple was not in any position to get outside help. All that they could do was rely on each other, for the most part, but they would end up getting some kinds of favors from the world around them.

They would begin this project from the outside, working their way into the core of the Villa itself. To do this, they would need to get rid of the muck caking the sidewalks, which a friend gladly helped them do.

The Way Forward

It seemed like their tasks were endless, and they truly did appreciate anyone’s help. After all, this was the kind of project that would better be suited for a construction team, rather than two youngsters. Well, they seemed to be managing fine with a little help from their friends.

But the pair would not solely be working on the house flat out, as they also had to make a living. While Claire would be totally committed to the project, Cal would occasionally fulfill various carpentry jobs in the area.

The Uphill Battle

This project was no walk in the park, clearly. The couple had been dealing with all manner of challenges from the moment that they got things started, all the way back in November 2018.

Every time that the couple felt like they had achieved something, a brand-new set of problems would present itself. It was like the hydra of houses – every time Cal and Claire fixed something, another three issues would spring up like dark magic.

Independent Contractors

They were quite a proactive pair, as it turned out, as when their utility van continually became trapped within the mud, they realized that it was time to construct a driveway. It was time to make an easy entrance and exit from their home.

Seeing as they did not have a running water supply, the couple would need to source their own – something that would prove to be quite the mission. Then there was getting power into the property, a mission which lasted almost half a year!

The Conundrum

As for the roof that looked like it had been bombed, the couple would be approached by one author named Joseph Heller. He would not only write about their fascinating project, but provide some of his tried and tested methods for repairing old homes.

The roof would just be one of many issues that the dedicated couple would face. No matter how hard they worked, and how positive they remained, it seemed like Jameswood Villa was committed to making their lives as difficult as possible.

Helping Hands

There were plenty of people that they could lean on, however, and over time they would find that more townsfolk cared about their mission than they had initially anticipated. The compassion of the citizens and their buddies combined was a winning aid.

While their immediate neighbors did allow them to use their bathroom and kitchen, this was just one home that would open its doors to the industrious couple. These neighbors were incredibly committed to the mission!

Impending Collapse

We now return to the previously mentioned walls, which you might remember were on the verge of toppling over like a house of cards. These walls were in dire need of replacing, and fast.

But even if they did manage to repair the walls, the holes in the roof would allow the rain in that would spoil the new foundations. It seemed like there was no way around this entire mess with the rickety foundations.

Paying Their Way

Cal was incredibly touched by how supportive to Dunoon population had been. Without them, they may not have progressed as fast as they had hoped, or had much in the way of comforts if it had not been for these kind townsfolk.

But even this support would not be enough. The couple would need as much money as they could get if this project was going to get up and running respectably. To this extent they got a GoFundMe page going.

Unlikely Support

Plenty of individuals from across the world have provided all manner of tips and leads for the couple through their blog. Having an online community of experienced and expert fellow DIYers was bracing.

Truth be told, Cal and Claire enjoyed a lot of help from a large collection of friends and strangers alike. Throughout the whole project’s duration, a group of several pals would help them out every day. They were on their way to greatness with the best friends anyone could ask for.

Environmentally Concerned

Beyond the physical demands of their mission, the couple also had an environmental dedication in mind, too. They wanted to build a place that would do no harm to the surrounding area. The building process and the final result would all entail an eco-friendly approach.

Reclaimed building materials would be their preferred construction resources, going for recycled floorboards, timber, and even kitchen units. It seemed like they were happy to take anything unused but useful off their friends’ hands.

The Trial

This was an experience that was going to push the couple far beyond the normal DIY lessons. It was an assured way of testing whether they were meant to be together or not!

Given that they were working like slaves and living in the least luxurious accommodations imaginable, this was the ideal way to check whether they could make it through the toughest situations together, or not. At least that is what Claire was looking for. She was trying to put a positive spin on a tough situation.

The Prize

This couple was not slogging away for nothing, however. They had plenty of incredible objectives set up with this house flipping quest, and if they came to be, then they would reap some fantastic rewards.

There was no way that they would be breaking their backs and sacrificing all their comforts and basic services for nothing, after all. Cal and Claire were intelligent enough to have outlined all their goals solidly. There was nothing that could convince them that this was not worth it.

The Ambitious Future

Cal and Claire were under the impression that their unconventional home would look totally incredible once the last nail had been hammered in. Further, it would no longer be a singular home, but three separate apartments.

This lucrative couple will keep one apartment and sell the rest. With this cash they will satisfy their creditors in full, making the single apartment their new home. Do you think that all these goals are worth the incredible amount of work that Cal and Claire put in?

Positivity Pays Off

Every situation, no matter how grim it appears, can be salvaged in some way. Sometimes, your biggest mistakes can be turned into the most profitable ventures. It all depends on how you look at your place in life. Cal and Claire could have just despaired immediately when Cal bid on the wrong property.

Certainly, Cal had made a blunder at the time of the auction, but it was only a blunder so long as he saw it that way. Instead, the couple labeled this event a “happy accident”. They couldn’t just cancel their purchase, and so they worked with what they had.

Making Your Life Yours

One of the reasons why this couple managed to put such a positive spin on the situation is that they were incredibly adventurous. They saw Jameswood Villa as an unlikely quest, one that would hopefully bring them to incredible treasures in the end!

Most people might have thrown their hands in the air in hysteria if they found out that they had purchased a derelict manor house by mistake, but not this young couple! Whatever life presented this couple with, they would always greet it with a smile.

Damage Assessment

One always needs to make sure that they know what they are getting themselves into, and whether their costs will yield a substantial profit or not. This couple could be sure that whatever they would work on in this project, it would be highly demanding.

Much of their life’s savings had gone into the auction that Cal had fumbled, and they were certain that the rebuilding process would take even more cash. The two felt like they were gambling their livelihoods on this project. Whether it would pay off was anyone’s guess.

Debt-Free Living

Whatever came of their finished product, there were only good outcomes on the couple’s minds. This was an invaluable course in home flipping that they were largely learning on their own, and their bond was being strengthened with every small win.

But perhaps the most exciting prospect was that of being actual homeowners, free of any kind of mortgage or arrangement with a bank. They were still in their twenties, and this was a fantastic achievement for ones so young.

Unambiguous

To better frame Cal and Claire’s combined attitude, let us consider the late and great Theodore Roosevelt, who just happens to be the most heroic and wonderful POTUS ever to have lived. It really is not up for debate.

This was a gentleman whose indomitable spirit overcame all manner of setbacks. Despite having asthma, he still championed the Spanish-American War. Being the hero of a great war with such debilitating breathing difficulties is nothing short of magical.

Legendary Inspiration

This couple would have greatly impressed the legendary president if he was still around. He would have told the positive but nervous pair that they had conquered the “gray twilight that that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

Cal and Claire truly embodied the American spirit of determination and the bold pursuit of happiness. There was little standing in their way that they could not handle, at least that was the attitude that kept them going.

The Fortunate Ones

While we cannot tell exactly what life has in store for us, we can certainly help with the unveiling when we work hard and deserve good things. Cal and Claire had taken their destinies into their own hands, to an extent. After all, they had been brought together by it.

Scotland was the third destination for the adventurous duo, and this was where they hoped to settle down, at least for a while. They could never have dreamed that they would be at Jameswood Villa, though! This is their new life, and they have accepted that.

Break Through

They may have plenty of work left to slog their way through, but there really is nothing that they cannot overcome if they work together smartly and get the right help when needed. This “happy accident” may yet prove to be the most rewarding twist of fate for the couple.

While we might have been a bit anxious for this couple when we first learned about their case, their powerful and capable personalities and labors have made our doubts very small now. They cannot be disheartened, and we love that about them.

Winning Smiles

You can be sure that Cal and Claire stumbled into all manner of setbacks, accidents, and general frustrations while working on this enormous manor house. They must end each day exhausted and happy to be in bed.

If you look at all the photos and posts that they share online, Cal and Claire do seem to still be in good spirits. They describe each new day as challenging but manageable. So long as they keep on top of all their goals, they will not be overwhelmed.

Rainy Days

There were plenty of scary moments in Cal and Claire’s journey, such as when a truck delivering bricks to their home collapsed under the enormous weight of these construction materials.

When a person is presented with an enormous labor, they are incredibly lucky to be supported by a loving partner that wants nothing more than for both of you to see it all through to the end. Cal and Claire’s love and devotion were rolling on steadily.

Moving On

Jameswood Villa is an incredibly old property, one that began crumbling long before Cal and Claire arrived. It was brimming with trash and all manner of debris and clutter. They then had to journey between the property and the dump many times to get rid of mounds of filthy waste.

To make the most out of each dump destination, the couple would stuff the back of their truck with as much trash as possible before setting off. As resourceful as Cal and Claire were, they simply could not find any way of salvaging the contents of this old property.

Lives On The Line

This project was no walk in the park, and there was a fair level of hazard involved in the repair process. Cal and Claire might have been optimistic, but they were not stupid. They would make sure that their bodies were well protected while they worked

Any house flipper will be able to tell you about the threats that exist within a dilapidated home with unsound and crumbling foundations. All manner of things can go wrong when you get stuck into the renovation mission.

Awareness

The correct protective equipment is essential for any person entering a construction site of any kind, even a home renovation. You simply should not be in an unstable environment like this without all the proper personal gear.

A face mask is a good start, seeing as all kinds of chemicals, mold particles, dust, and soot could be floating around. A good face mask helps to filter out all these potentially hazardous substances that could damage your lungs and body as a whole if they enter through the mouth or nose.

Filthy Endeavors

Now, this might be an obvious tip, but people like Cal and Claire must be willing to enter the dirtiest environments imaginable. Here they will certainly find themselves caked in all manner of filth. This dirty work is essential for a winning renovation!

A solid pair of thick and durable construction gloves are essential for a project like this. You will be doing all manner of heavy lifting and your hands need to be protected from wounds and filth.

Upload Time

Only those that have worked in construction or on DIY projects will know the excitement of getting new protective equipment, as shared by the couple when they uploaded a special new pair of strong gloves that they received.

Hilariously, they confessed that these gloves were not likely to make it through even just an hour’s worth of work. That is the kind of intensity that the couple was working at, where even durable protective equipment can break easily from the strain and pressure.

Time Out

Despite the pair feeling dwarfed by the magnitude of the mission that lay in front of them, this David Versus Goliath of the house flipping world would not deter the couple from transforming this grizzly spot into a fabulous and desirable home.

Of course, even a couple as energetic as this one needs some time off every now and then. They could not simply work like machines without any kind of therapeutic rest and relaxation. We are happy that they managed to enjoy their stay in Dunoon.

Taking It Easy

Whenever Cal and Claire can justify taking a bit of time off from the project, you can be sure that they do not waste any of it. Getting to know the area around them better proved to be a highly enjoyable process, given how beautiful Dundoon is.

Every time that they manage to squeeze in a bit of fun, they return to the project rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. Well, their world at least, given how encompassing Jameswood Villa was for the two.

Buzzing

It was during the beginning of March that the dedicated couple were able to eventually get Jameswood Villa back on the grid. This was no small feat for a couple that did not possess any formal electrician training, and you can be sure that the professionals in the field would have marveled at their achievements.

As you can imagine, having power made the couple’s lives so much easier. They had advanced from the medieval times to the modern age! They could wave goodbye to the hundreds of candles that they had used. Their productivity was about to take a huge leap forward.

Shining Future

They could now work well beyond sunset without the dim reach of candles hindering their effectiveness. Stumbling around in the dark was an assured way to break something, and they could finally busy themselves in the former darkness.

They were now far more independent, being able to power their tools without the neighbors’ help. When the summer heat came knocking, they could ward it off with electric fans. Hopefully, they would get some cooking appliances running soon, too!

What Lies Beneath

If you weren’t convinced that Jameswood Villa was structurally on the verge of collapse, this next picture might convince you. The floors in the living room were particularly horrifying in their decay. Brace yourself, this is not going to be pretty.

Yes, Claire is looking into thin air below the foundations! These floorboards had decayed so thoroughly that anyone could have easily dropped through them if they stepped in the wrong place. We have to commend this couple for risking their lives like this to get the job done.

Protection Mandate

We do not need to elaborate on how potentially lethal this rot was. Claire would be the one to go ahead with their complete removal. While this would all require a lot more funding and some back-breaking labor, there was no way that they could avoid this tribulation.

They could not live with themselves if a guest had to drop through the floor simply because they had tried to cut corners. Claire would not need any help with this particular task, however, and she smashed and removed the ruined floorboards all on her own!

Her Comfort Zone

Claire would upload this snap along with a comment that revealed her fear of heights. She would have her feet solidly stuck into the floor while lubricating the attached scaffolding parts. Yuji and Cal would then busty themselves with tower construction.

If Claire was going to complete this project, then she would need to conquer her phobia of high places. The outside part of the home and its attached scaffolding could not be repaired unless Claire swallowed her fears.

She Shall Overcome

Claire could not simply sit around while her partner and their buddies go to work erecting the scaffolding. She put her big girl pants on and began her ascent! This was a terrifying but liberating experience that resulted in her fear of heights becoming a thing of the past.

Of course, she was not about to dangle from a great height without the proper safety harness attached, and so she attached herself to a harness. As you can see from the pictures, they did a fantastic job.

Stability

But why did the couple have to set up such a detailed and expansive scaffolding in the first place? We have spoken about Jameswood Villa’s stability issues at length by now, but look at the picture below for a proper example.

A strong wind could blow this front wall down, don’t you think? This bay window in particular was in desperate need of loving. There was no time to waste, or expense to spare, as the entire wall could come crashing down any day.

Demolished

Then there was the sandstone wall that seemed like it could crumble just by being looked at. This was no laughing matter for the couple that could so easily have found themselves buried in rubble if the house decided to give out. Luckily, they were blessed with a motley crew of friendly helpers!

You might also remember how we mentioned that Cal and Claire thought that the property was sinking into the ground? This theory would be proved wrong when they realized how much force the timbers had been exerting on the foundations.

Back To Basics

But for all the great developments and essential lessons that this couple would enjoy almost on a daily basis, it did not take much to remind them just how far they still had to go. This was going to be the effort of a lifetime!

The pair were elated when they finally managed to acquire a washing machine. They could now actually power the appliance thanks to their DIY electrician skills, and not need to depend on anyone else to wash their clothes. Too bad that the gritty mud that caked all their clothing would prove too much for the washing machine!

Infinite Potential

If a washing machine could not handle the thick dirt that collected on their garbs, then Claire decided that they would need a more primitive solution. This was the preferred way of cleaning clothes before the advent of the washing machine.

We are speaking of washing your clothes in a stream, of course, which is exactly what Claire would cleverly do. Once they had been scrubbed sufficiently, the items could be left to dry with the sun.

Inspiration

But Claire is not the only ingenious member of this couple. Cal turned his attention to their cooking problem. As Jameswood Villa’s kitchen was in no state to provide meals, Cal had to look elsewhere for a square meal.

The caravan did not have a very impressive kitchen, either, and so Cal went about erecting a gazebo with some spare scaffolding and a tarp. His impressive kitchen was then built within it! He could easily cook a delicious and wholesome meal now.

Things Change

Now that the couple had opened up a new way into their home, they could begin moving the caravan with a bit of help from their neighbor. It was now placed in a more convenient spot on the opposite end of the property.

From that point onward they heaved it to the highest point of the outside area, which gave them a pleasant view of the animals grazing in the surrounding fields. This was a truly pleasant place to put a caravan.

Appropriate Lodgings

Cal and Claire also managed to secure some kitchen units where they placed all their essential cooking items in. Despite this being a highly irregular set up, it worked for them. They did whatever needed to get by!

There is only so long a person can camp for, even if they are as resilient as Cal and Claire. You can bet that this couple was finished with being exposed to the elements while trying to make a sandwich.

The Superior Vistas

Their trusty caravan was originally placed near the entrance of the Jameswood Villa, mostly due to convenience and a lack of other useful spots to use. This was a rather clunky and obstructive shelter, after all.

While there were several negative points to its original placing, the worst must have been how badly the caravan shook whenever a truck drove past on the property. Then there was also a certain crumbling front wall looming over their little home.

Spooked Birds

We have yet to mention the animal visitors that our couple in question encountered. Given how long the property had been abandoned, they were not too surprised to find that an assortment of wildlife had made itself at home.

From a variety of yucky insects, to a large murder of crows, Cal and Claire had their hands full when it came to evicting the non-human squatters. The crows in particular were the main animal-caused headache for the couple.

Nest Of Darkness

Now Claire and Cal may have been compassionate people who adored animals and nature in general, but even they struggled to appreciate the bothersome crows that would happily watch the strange new human residents as they went about their jobs.

These crows would soon become a major nuisance, however, and would need to be dealt with. Somehow, we are sure that this hilarious ‘scarecrow’ put together by the dad of Claire did little to scare the crows off.

Sunshine Visitors

When summer finally came around, the floodgates were opened as a flood of Claire and Cal’s pals came into Scotland from all over the globe to visit. Hopefully, they would bring some help with them.

This gaggle was not about to idly sit by and watch the industrious couple toil away, however. They were more than happy to get down and dirty with their dear Cal and Claire and lend a hand in any way that they could.

Gratitude

Cal and Claire would make sure that their pals understood how much their help meant to them, and so they came up with one of the most touching tokens of gratitude we have ever seen

The tents that they would provide for their friends would be kitted out as luxuriously as possible, complete with carpets, furniture, and comfortable mattresses, not to mention lights and bedding. We love how cozy and livable this tent looks, and would certainly be pleased to sleep in there if we were one of the couple’s friends.

Stream Of Memories

In a heartwarming blog post, Claire shared the following: “I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, I’m REALLY enjoying the carpentry on this project! I get to learn a LOT of new skills and use powerful tools…”

Claire was also relieved not to be stuck tearing away faded plaster walls or having to dig sloppy trenches. She concluded that while the manor’s renovations had not been entirely pleasing, she had truly appreciated this period.

With Friends Like These…

Claire also mentioned how her international pals had done so much good for their efforts. They were reinforced with so many able and enthusiastic bodies that the workload had lightened incredibly. They finally had the crew that they had always dreamed of thanks to the many powerful connections that they had made during their travels.

They also did their best to improve the living conditions on their property. Despite how much progress they had made, their comforts and utilities could always use a bit of an upgrade every now and then.

Never Give Up

There was one particularly interesting blog post that Claire uploaded in May. In it, Claire described some noteworthy developments that she and Cal had successfully finished. How did the young woman appraise her journey with Jameswood Villa?

While Claire was happy with how much progress they had made, she did not leave any of the nitty-gritty details out. This had not been a pleasurable experience overall. It had taken buckets of their blood, sweat, and tears to get anywhere.

Where We Live

But Claire and Cal did manage to make a somewhat pleasant place for them to live in. While they had spent so much time, money, and effort on this mission, it finally seemed to be paying off.

While they were far from completing their project, the light of sanitary and comfortable living space was finally starting to shine within the manor house. There was still plenty of work to be done, but they were proud of how far they had come.

The Half-Full Glass

A lot of time had passed since Cal and Claire had started working on Jameswood Villa, but they found it difficult to tell how much progress they had made overall. It is easy to lose track of time when you spend most of it toiling away intensely.

This made them rather sad to know that they had no real sense of accomplishment on a relative scale. They would, of course, find a way to measure their developments from start to finish.

Breathe Easy

That was when they considered their blog and social media accounts. They had covered so much of their time in Jameswood Villa that a timeline could easily be made by just putting everything in chronological order.

When they compared the early pictures that they took of the crumbling place, to the impressive recent ones, they saw just how far they had come. They were proud of themselves, despite how far they still had to go.

Huge Strides

They were also enthused when they were visited by a friend who was amazed to see how much good they had done for the place, not to mention getting power flowing through the home again.

Our stalwart couple has many months of work left ahead of them. But they have proven that they have the strength, resilience, and intelligence to get through the work without taking too much strain. We also hope that their pals will visit as much as possible!

Heroes

You never know what life is going to throw at you, or how you are going to react to these new developments. But once you take the time to assess how well you will respond, that is when the true joys and developments of life occur.

Cal and Claire could simply have walked away from Jameswood Villa and wasted all their money and a potential goldmine of a project. Instead, they threw themselves at it completely. You can do the same one day, especially if you ever find yourself in an auction house!