More baby steps, but moving forward.
The money was stashed away into a savings account where I will not be using it for anything other than the contractor. I have already commissioned him to start work in late Oct./early Nov. as I am waiting for my son to return home so he can help clean out and move a lot of stuff in the upstairs bedrooms. Next projects will be the floors and painting of the upstairs bedrooms.
Today we worked in the garage (yet again!!!). My office is closed the week between Xmas and New Year's, so once again we will rent a dumpster; this year with the goal of throwing as much as possible away (and selling or giving away everything else). Surprisingly, Mitch was even willing to get rid of stuff I predicted he would insist on keeping! Perhaps he's also starting to see the dream getting closer!