House Update #12 – Dumpster Diving + A Unique Find

If you’ve been following along on this crazy lighting strike/house fire, then you know that the work on the roof has recently begun. They began at the back end of the house because that is where the fire was the worst, therefore, compromising the roof the most.

Since our house is 134 years old, I have stressed (almost daily) to the crews to not throw ANYTHING away…and furthermore, if they find anything old to save it for me! The main guys at the house daily totally get this and actually seem excited to tell me when they find something that I will totally geek out about! (and believe me, I do!) So far they’ve found an old silver spoon, really old homework, a plastic toy figure (think Happy Meal toy from McDonald’s), and uncovered a 2nd chimney!

They even know not to pitch the old wood floors, joists, etc. Yep, I’m a regular ol’ wood hoarder!

Well…getting back to the point, the roof crews must not have been communicated with because the beautiful wooden scallops on the back of our house were sawed through and throw into the dumpster.

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I noticed that that section of the house was down while passing by my house one day after taking the kids to school. I immediately threw the car in park and ran up to the house asking where they were. The moment they told me they were in the dumpster my heart sunk. I’m in several Facebook groups for Victorian homes, home restoration, etc and honestly, I can say I’m not just a weirdo who wants to save crap! These are the types of things you save when tearing apart an old house!

There was no way in hell I was going to let those scallops sit and rot in the dumpster, so when the crews left that night, I took it upon myself to do what was absolutely necessary…I dumpster dove! And I have no shame!

I fished out everything I could.

Lets have a moment of silence for the wooden scallops. 🙁

Before…

Although I’m super sad about these wooden scallops, there was a positive note from the day. One of the guys found this super old and huge nail in the house! It’s the perfect “man” find to compliment my girlie silver spoon!

Fire Updates:

Update #1: House Fire, Struck by Lightning

Update #2:  Update

Update #3: Frustration

Update #4: The Beginning of Demo & A Few Hidden Surprises

Update #5: Demo of the Downstairs

Update #6: 

Update #7: Silver Spoon

Update #8: Trick-Or-Treat; Victorian Style

Update #9: New Joists

Update #10: Roof

Update #11: Roof Demo

Update #12: Roof Demo & Rebuild

Update #13: Beginning of Rebuild

Update #14: Secret Bookcase!

Update #15: We Have Roof Shingles!

Update #16: Heart Hunters & Easter

Update #17: Butler’s Door

Update #18: Hometalk Segment & Video Walk-Through

Update #19: Beginning of Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC

Update #20: Garden & Bunnies

Update #21: Choosing An Exterior House Color

Update #22: Treasures Hidden In The Ceiling

Update #23: Insulation