I feel the earth move under my feet

Ok so we decided that even though the interest rates are ideal...we can not make a "go" of our renovation plans.Isn't that always the way.Your bringing in good money but the interest rates are high or the interest rates are low but the money isn't happening.What gives?Is there ever a meet in the middle scenario?So we are doing the next best thing or rather the ONLY thing we can do at this point and that is to dig the basement out by hand.Yes folks,the old fashioned way.Shovels, picks and buckets.DH and one of his work buddy's took a sizable chunk of dirt out today (about 112 18L pails) but suprisingly in the grand scheme of things it looked equivilant to taking one tiny corner off a large cake! Oh well if it means in the end that I can have a spot for my washer and dryer and deep freeze (so they aren't in my kitchen).Then I guess its worth it.It also is a good reminder for us to not take anything for granted.When you have to work for what you want I think there is more satisfaction in the end.And pride in a job well done.Although I am totally a weakling and can not lift those pails especially up a flight of stairs I am sure I will be lifting the pick ax and shovel right along side DH.The least I can do is keep the girls out of the way while sipping a nice tall glass of iced tea!