Now that's an idea, Botox for old houses! Your household sounds similar to mine, we had a french exchange student last summer for 4 weeks, and I have a roommate on the third floor to help pay expenses. And a friend who was homeless has bounced back here again as well. You should put that young man to work around the house in exchange for living there.
No heat? Brrr, my house has to have heat, its cold up here in New England! I have horsehair plaster as well, and have done the same room by room by room. I tried to reduce the amount of homeowners' insurance on my house, as it is insured for more than the town has it appraised at. The answer I got was that it was insured to rebuild it. As if you could ever rebuild this house with all its gorgeous woodwork to begin with! So I said to the lady at the insurance company, "huh, I'd get more money if it burned to the ground than trying to sell it?" She didn't think that was too funny. They just want more money. Another reason to downsize.
Yes, I started my family at 35, had my second at 39, my third at 41. He's 11 now, so you can do the math! Thought I'd be better off financially if I waited a while, and frankly, the only one I would have married in my twenties didn't work out. Its funny, I look at hubby and think "what happened?" Even without any botox, I'm definitely in better shape than him, even with my gimpy walk... That's why I'm on the "AT LEAST" 10-year plan, I have kids to grow up into responsible adults before I go anywhere.
I'm off to go holler at the 11-year-old who should be in bed, but isn't yet again. And then I'm off to bed myself. Ladies, have a good evening, and talk to you tomorrow!