I reside in a small upstate New York town. Small, but many great people have lived here over the many years. Including, Ernie Davis, Mark Twain, Brian Williams, Tommy Hilfiger, Eilene Collins, Joe Sindlar, and Hal Roach. Many leave this small town because it doesn't offer much in the way of opportunity for employment. My daughter and her husband decided this is the small town they wanted to raise their children. So they settled here in Elmira, New York.

If you have not chosen someone to award the next makeover to, I have an applicant. My daughter and her husband live in a very small home that needs sooooo much help. My son-n-law is very proud and is so reluctant to have anyone else do work on their house but himself. But, he doesn't have the time or the money. If he waits for time it might happen but the money is never available.

They bought their first home 7 years ago and since have had another child, who is now 4. The home was a HUD home and in need of lots of repair and paint, but it fit their budget. Three very active boys, ages 4, 7, 12, and one very tiny house but they make it work. The boys play soccer, hockey, baseball and golf. When the weather is bad they play in the house. Through the kitchen, livingroom, and bedrooms goes the puck, soccer ball or they golf ball, and basketball can be played on the bedroom door. The total size of the home is not more than 1100 square feet and they live in every square inch of their home.

Their Mom and dad are very active in sports as managers, coaches and school activites supporting the PFO, my daughter is president of the PFO. They plan their life around the boys. They dream of a larger home by adding to the existing home but I am afraid that the home is in need of so much repair and changes. They have neither the time or the money to devote to their dream. They would like another bathroom, and a bedroom for each boy. At the present time 2 of the boys sleep together and the other boy has a room that is only 8' X 10' no room for a normal bed and no closet for his cloths. The windows in the front of the home have cracked and leak the winter cold so it would be nice to have new windows. A large family room where the boys can get rid of all the energy they keep locked up in a small space. Another complication, my son-in-law is trying to establish his own business. He is an excellent carpenter but needs a shop to complete any projects he takes. The money will get even less and the shop might never get done. He began to build the garage/shop 2 years ago, due to limited funds, he could only put in a gravel base and support the side walls with railroad ties. He did this all by himself, when he wasn't coaching and managing the soccer teams.

Sometimes, I worry that the stress of their active lives, and the mounting maintenance on the home, will wear on their relationship. My daughter just keeps telling me that if God wants them to have a better home it will happen. I just thought I could help the process along because I think God is just too busy with so many other problems.

Thank you

Jean Parrillo