We bought an 1814 Farm house about 8 years ago. We took off the Victorian era porch and added on a garage and studio, and living space. We knocked a hole in the ceiling of my son's bedroom and finished part of the attic that he could access via a ladder. We knocked a hole in the ceiling of the mud-room and put in staircase that turned twice with a rail that turned four times unbroken. We designed a fireplace mantel, and raised the floor of the new eating area so that the family room would appear to be a step down. And my dad said there were too many step-ups and step-downs. Can't please everyone.
We've been packing for weeks and weeks. Filled a dumpster and a box of 72 large black garbage bags. Tossed old computers and monitors. Brought about 50 bags of books to the library and made trips to goodwill. The movers wouldn't move 'liquids' so my car-trunk is full of liquor and cleaning supplies, and we stored the propane tank at my folks temporarily. Along with about 2 dozen lampshades, a chandelier and some prize-winning lego towers.
I was in Atlanta the week we moved. My wife took on the 8 movers and their four trucks. And I came home to the new house on Friday. The new house needs work, which we will do. It has a barn which will become a studio. And the land is amazing. This week while I was in Columbus, the painters came and painted about half the interior - - working around all the boxes and furniture - - and it looks great.
Kind of feels like homesteading. Now if I can only convince the kids of that!