Just an old lump of coal | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Just an old lump of coal | Previous Challenge Entry
By Betty Overstreet
08/31/17
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I have no imagination! When I see an old, ramshackled building I just think, why is it still standing? Then my next thought would be, “Why would anyone want to buy that?
On the other hand, when my sister saw that one hundred and seven year old house standing there with a For Sale sign on the front lawn—she just reached out for her hammer and nails!
The house was a dark-yellow brick, two-story with a huge attic and basement. A whole lot of house, in bad need of some TLC.
The first day after the final papers were signed, Deb slipped into her bibbed overalls, pulled on her pink work boots, began searching for hammer, screwdriver and wrecking-bar and went to work.
She learned to scrape off bad areas of wood and sand until it was perfect and ready for stain or paint. She kept busy each day while her husband was at his day job, preparing for each repair they would take care of together in the evening or on the weekend.
Sheetrock was placed over some plaster walls and she learned to prepare the spaces between the sheets of sheetrock so the painting could be done.
They discovered that the fireplace mantles in most rooms had been removed—yes, there is a fireplace in each room-- so in her spare time she searched old antique stores for anything that could be used as mantles to complete the rooms.
And she cleaned…..everyday there was more black soot settled in various rooms as the home had been vacant for a few years. Did I mention this house is in Pennsylvania where, I understand, there is coal dust everywhere from the coal-mining industry!
All the original woodwork throughout the home was still in beautiful shape, which she discovered as she cleaned each window and doorframe. Then she proceeded to polish all the wood.
Deb was thrilled to find the original Claw-foot bathtub in the upstairs bathroom. She then searched for pedestal type sink that would work well with the tub. To complete that room they chose black and white tile that was the perfect choice to keep with the age of the home.
When the finishing touches had been completed we were invited to come and see that what began as a big old hunk of coal (dust) turned out to be a perfect Diamond, outshining every other home in the neighborhood!
Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without telling you about the ghost. Yes, a few family members who have visited feel sure they have heard strange rattling noises and various suspicious sounds and perhaps felt someone had whispered a secret message in the late night hours. I thank God I have never heard the ghost!

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