Although still nauseated about it, we have already applied for an equity line of credit to begin the process of getting architectural plans drawn up and finding out from there how much infrastructure work (and cash) will be required before any actual construction could ever begin. You see, we are on a septic tank and have well water servce - both of which actually work GREAT. OK, well I guess we wouldn't mind the convenience of being hooked up to city sewer service (not have to flush those wierd microbes down the pipe, no calling the "honey truck" to clean the tank every two years, etc.) we would really hate to lose our well. The water is wonderfully pure and delicious. We have it tested for safety's sake and of course, its clean as a whistle - almost like spring water! Of course, my clothes, hair and skin love it becuase its chlorine-free. And our budget loves it because it's water-bill free!

But according to local gov't rules, if we do any construction we have to "modernize" our infrastructure first. Damn!

The worst scenario would be if our municipal body decrees that we must also pave our 75 ft-long gravel driveway (built before municipal code required paving). That would scrap (or greatly delay) any improvement for sure as that would add at least another $12k to the project. Not to mention the possible forced destruction of our existing detached garage (add another $5-6k).

But according to my contractor-neighbor (who gave me this valuable inside-scoop) it is possible that a creative architect could draw up plans that leave enough clearance between existing garage and addition to allow the structure to remain intact AND not create more than 20% additional footprint so as to avoid the forced paving. Ugh. I have a feelng this thing is gonna end up looking like a 3 story closet!

While talking to my neighbor, I also learned of their situation in terms of "additions" and it really put my current situation into perspective. His step-daughter (his wife's 20-something year old daughter, half-sister to their 12 year old daughter) is moving in with them because she just had a baby. Yes, she's single. And unemployed. And, um, I am not even sure if she is a high school graduate.  My neighbors each work multiple jobs, insane hours, each week to keep the household going. They are such hardworking people, and yet they were up all night not only getting a room in the finished attic ready for the stepdaughter and baby but ALSO because stepdaughter has two cats, one of whom ALSO gave birth to 4 kittens in their house over the weekend!