I took Grace to see the premiere of "SweetPea Beauty" this morning at the local Christian book store. She got coloring sheets, balloons, a sticker and a sm.poster, and got to see the best veggie tales movie I think I've ever seen. We all have seen the classic Disney movies with the princesses -Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella (out of all of them Cinderella is my favorite, Snow White's voice annoys me to no end-I don't do well with super happy perky people, and Sleeping Beauty has too much sorcery). SweetPea Beauty amazed me at how they perfectly portrayed this message of real self worth and inner beauty comes from the heart. All the while being loved by the heavenly father who created you. It featured an adaptation of Cinderella- a girl who had glasses and braces and frizzy hair, who still after becoming beautiful said that she didn't feel loved or cherished, until she changed back and the king (God) told her how he made her perfect in his image and how he loved her the way she was. It was very touching. The rest of the story is an adaptation of mainly Snow White and a little Sleeping Beauty. Focusing on the vain stepmother who's inner heart is transformed to her outward appearance making her ugly, and how she realized it wasn't looks that counted. It portrayed a great message to girls that beauty comes from within the heart. Obviously I loved it so much that miss G will be getting it as a b'day present in 2 months.
Sadly, or not so sadly, however you view it, I'll be getting rid of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty from the house. I know they are classics but they don't get across these messages that every girl should know.Of course Belle, Ariel and Cinderella princess movies will be kept-they're magical, but not supernatural and I think that makes a big difference. I just love how veggie tales portray a wholesome biblical and moral message, and yet have fun with it. As some of you know I had also tossed out Pinnochio a while ago, because parts of it really creeped me out, so replaced it with the veggie tales version of the same story, that portrays a better message (which will be mr. B's b'day present along with another Minnesota Cuke dvd) Just trying to find the perfect balance of wholesome messages with fun and fantasy and imagination. Trying to re-prioritize what they should be filling their minds with, and learning great life lessons in the mean time.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Kitchen Re-design!
The kitchen table before.....
This was my source of inspiration. A real set for sale on CL for $1600. It looks like a set out of a designer magazine. I have always wanted a farmhouse table, and thought this would be an elegant way of going about it. Since we don't have a formal dining room I wanted to really dress up the kitchen and make it formal instead. It has a dual function as front entry and kitchen/dining area, so there is a degree of formality to it.
I know that I'm supposed to be focusing all my re-design efforts to the master bedroom, but have now focused some energy on a little facelift of the kitchen. As most of you know, I repainted the kitchen 2 months ago, to the Toffee crunch, and am loving it. As you also may know is that I have the most hideous upside down ceiling fan in that room that I despise. So to remedy the 70's table and upside down fan, I've been doing some shopping CL style. I tend to have expensive taste, but could never afford it full price, so that's my shopping outlet for now :) See the light pictured above, only $15 on CL, but retails brand new for $100-and the same light- higher end brand retails for $300.
I love this new table set because it can easily fit 8 people, so that means I need to find 2 more parsons chairs :) but really, I would love to entertain more and having extra seating allows for that. The table also doubles as my kitchen island per say. A cook/prep area that can easily be used for pretty much anything. And the bonus of the chairs being more formal and totally comfy, is that they can be used in the living room for extra seating, and would coordinate well with the living room decor.
The kitchen table after....
This was my source of inspiration. A real set for sale on CL for $1600. It looks like a set out of a designer magazine. I have always wanted a farmhouse table, and thought this would be an elegant way of going about it. Since we don't have a formal dining room I wanted to really dress up the kitchen and make it formal instead. It has a dual function as front entry and kitchen/dining area, so there is a degree of formality to it.I know that I'm supposed to be focusing all my re-design efforts to the master bedroom, but have now focused some energy on a little facelift of the kitchen. As most of you know, I repainted the kitchen 2 months ago, to the Toffee crunch, and am loving it. As you also may know is that I have the most hideous upside down ceiling fan in that room that I despise. So to remedy the 70's table and upside down fan, I've been doing some shopping CL style. I tend to have expensive taste, but could never afford it full price, so that's my shopping outlet for now :) See the light pictured above, only $15 on CL, but retails brand new for $100-and the same light- higher end brand retails for $300.So what do I do, but find a similar pine plank table with six parsons chairs for $125!!!
Which I calculated evens out to: $80 for the table, and around $7 a piece for the chairs.
BEFORE-Green faux painted legs and pine top in need of some tlc
AFTER-Painted black legs with sanded top in walnut stain, and 2 layers of clear coat
BEFORE
AFTER
Add some elegant chocolate brown chair covers (at $15 a chair) all while staying within a very modest budget.
Which I calculated evens out to: $80 for the table, and around $7 a piece for the chairs.
BEFORE-Green faux painted legs and pine top in need of some tlc
AFTER-Painted black legs with sanded top in walnut stain, and 2 layers of clear coat
BEFORE
AFTER
Add some elegant chocolate brown chair covers (at $15 a chair) all while staying within a very modest budget. And in the meantime, I sold our old kitchen table set for $50, an antique library table for $65, and still trying to sell an antique kitchen table to use that $ towards our kitchen re-design project.It took a lot of convincing to Seavie, who was still very fond of our first purchase as newlyweds-the 70's maple table. But he's been won over :)
I love this new table set because it can easily fit 8 people, so that means I need to find 2 more parsons chairs :) but really, I would love to entertain more and having extra seating allows for that. The table also doubles as my kitchen island per say. A cook/prep area that can easily be used for pretty much anything. And the bonus of the chairs being more formal and totally comfy, is that they can be used in the living room for extra seating, and would coordinate well with the living room decor.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Happy Forth of July!
We started off the 4th of July weekend, by going to the annual parade Sat. morning that just so happens to be 2 blocks W of our house. It's been our tradition the last 8 summers we've been here. The first year we found it, it was by accident. We didn't know about it, but saw lots of people parking and walking over that way, and ta-dah a tradition is born. They have marching bands, and floats, classic cars, tractors, and all that fun stuff. The kids got their share of candy, and we got front row seats in the shade, so we couldn't have asked for a better morning. (though we narrowly escaped having wild kid on a leash, and the 2 obnoxious jazzercise kids sit by us) thank goodness for my new sunglasses, which block a good portion of my face :)
Sunday, we went to church, and then headed down to see my parents on their farm. We had a great day of yummy food, and great conversation. I got the chance to have a long talk with my mom about my rollercoaster of emotions lately-in regards to being a stay at home mom, etc-and she gave me a lot of good advice. I think she'd be a great counselor :) but then again she is an amazing school teacher. So since then I've been in better spirits. Monday, Seavie had off work, and so we had the whole day together with the family. I got my butt in gear, and finally organized Grace's room. Her closet was a disaster area! We were up there for several hours, organizing, throwing things away, or in the donate pile. We brought back a desk from my parents that my Grandma Billie had given her, and she was thrilled to get it in her room and all set up. I even angled it in the corner, so she could have a secret hiding spot to read books in. I think that's part of my problem lately, that I've been so wrapped up in doing what I want to do, and not making the effort to spend as much quality time with the kids. So it was great to have that time with Grace, and see how excited she was.
As one of my mom's suggestions, she had said it might help my attitude, if I was to actually wake up before the kids, and have quiet time before they come downstairs. Suprise, suprise, I'm not a morning person, and Seavie usually gets them their breakfast. But I've really felt motivated, by myself, and the rays of sunshine coming through my window at 6-6:30am (since I took down the drapes awhile ago-since it made me too sleepy in the mornings). Seavie and I had a nice quiet breakfast, and then the kids came downstairs. So that was a good step for me in the right direction.
Now I'm working on priorities. Putting God first, then family, then house, and myself. As some of you may know, my computer crashed almost a month ago, and hasn't fully recovered. It's back to IE 6, and as of about a week ago, stopped letting me get onto facebook. GASP! I know I was having major withdrawl, for this is probably the longest time I've gone without it in the last few years. Not that God caused my computer to crash, but it's served as kind of a wake up call to me, to see where my priorities lie. I generally am only on the computer, when the kids have their nap time during the afternoon. And the mornings and evenings are spent with family. But it was the time on the computer that I could have been doing more productive things, like bible study, or organizing the closet (which I'm almost done with). Putting the computer first over pretty much any type of housework. So at church this weekend, they were talking about the tower of babel, and idols in our lives. Yes, I would say the computer has been an idol of sorts in my life, especially the fb part of it as of late. Not that I would spend more than 20 min. at a time on it, but just the daily routine of it, just like checking my e-mail.
Another thing I've realized is that I need to get back into doing more things that I loved to do. Things that make me happy, and make me, me. Like writing-as you can tell I've been writing a lot more in the last week, since I've been kicked of fb. And playing the piano more. I got to play on my mom's grand piano, and that was so soothing- ironically the page was turned to "His eye is on the sparrow" which is just what I needed right now. I used to be an avid photographer, and still love it. I've gotten so far behind on printing and organizing pics, that I need to catch up on all that as well. My mom gave me back my old volleyball from HS, and my rollerblades, which I haven't used in 12 yrs, but I loved. In fact in almost made me cry. I have no idea why, but probably because they were things I loved so much, and they've been pushed aside all these years. So look out, next time Grace has a school skating party, you can find me out there in my rollerblades :)
Then I need to start working on more focused activities with the kids. We have a daily structure, but generally they play by themselves for a few hrs every day, while I read, or check stuff on the computer etc. Going on more walks, playing outdoors, soaking up sunshine. Putting the joy back in our lives. I'm so thankful for the long talk with my mom-she's probably worried sick about me now, but I'm such a different parent than she is. She was amazing, and as a teacher, had all these fun learning things planned and activities all the time, and great meal planning etc. What I'd like to be someday, but am working on. She freaked out a few yrs ago when she found out I wasn't making my kids homemade breakfasts every morning. They do just fine on cereal and breakfast bars. But I know at least this week I'm going to use up some frozen banana's and make some banana bread for breakfasts.
So here's to a new happier me. One that is content and joyful and at peace with her life. Please pray for me that I continue to make this a focus in my life!
Sunday, we went to church, and then headed down to see my parents on their farm. We had a great day of yummy food, and great conversation. I got the chance to have a long talk with my mom about my rollercoaster of emotions lately-in regards to being a stay at home mom, etc-and she gave me a lot of good advice. I think she'd be a great counselor :) but then again she is an amazing school teacher. So since then I've been in better spirits. Monday, Seavie had off work, and so we had the whole day together with the family. I got my butt in gear, and finally organized Grace's room. Her closet was a disaster area! We were up there for several hours, organizing, throwing things away, or in the donate pile. We brought back a desk from my parents that my Grandma Billie had given her, and she was thrilled to get it in her room and all set up. I even angled it in the corner, so she could have a secret hiding spot to read books in. I think that's part of my problem lately, that I've been so wrapped up in doing what I want to do, and not making the effort to spend as much quality time with the kids. So it was great to have that time with Grace, and see how excited she was.
As one of my mom's suggestions, she had said it might help my attitude, if I was to actually wake up before the kids, and have quiet time before they come downstairs. Suprise, suprise, I'm not a morning person, and Seavie usually gets them their breakfast. But I've really felt motivated, by myself, and the rays of sunshine coming through my window at 6-6:30am (since I took down the drapes awhile ago-since it made me too sleepy in the mornings). Seavie and I had a nice quiet breakfast, and then the kids came downstairs. So that was a good step for me in the right direction.
Now I'm working on priorities. Putting God first, then family, then house, and myself. As some of you may know, my computer crashed almost a month ago, and hasn't fully recovered. It's back to IE 6, and as of about a week ago, stopped letting me get onto facebook. GASP! I know I was having major withdrawl, for this is probably the longest time I've gone without it in the last few years. Not that God caused my computer to crash, but it's served as kind of a wake up call to me, to see where my priorities lie. I generally am only on the computer, when the kids have their nap time during the afternoon. And the mornings and evenings are spent with family. But it was the time on the computer that I could have been doing more productive things, like bible study, or organizing the closet (which I'm almost done with). Putting the computer first over pretty much any type of housework. So at church this weekend, they were talking about the tower of babel, and idols in our lives. Yes, I would say the computer has been an idol of sorts in my life, especially the fb part of it as of late. Not that I would spend more than 20 min. at a time on it, but just the daily routine of it, just like checking my e-mail.
Another thing I've realized is that I need to get back into doing more things that I loved to do. Things that make me happy, and make me, me. Like writing-as you can tell I've been writing a lot more in the last week, since I've been kicked of fb. And playing the piano more. I got to play on my mom's grand piano, and that was so soothing- ironically the page was turned to "His eye is on the sparrow" which is just what I needed right now. I used to be an avid photographer, and still love it. I've gotten so far behind on printing and organizing pics, that I need to catch up on all that as well. My mom gave me back my old volleyball from HS, and my rollerblades, which I haven't used in 12 yrs, but I loved. In fact in almost made me cry. I have no idea why, but probably because they were things I loved so much, and they've been pushed aside all these years. So look out, next time Grace has a school skating party, you can find me out there in my rollerblades :)
Then I need to start working on more focused activities with the kids. We have a daily structure, but generally they play by themselves for a few hrs every day, while I read, or check stuff on the computer etc. Going on more walks, playing outdoors, soaking up sunshine. Putting the joy back in our lives. I'm so thankful for the long talk with my mom-she's probably worried sick about me now, but I'm such a different parent than she is. She was amazing, and as a teacher, had all these fun learning things planned and activities all the time, and great meal planning etc. What I'd like to be someday, but am working on. She freaked out a few yrs ago when she found out I wasn't making my kids homemade breakfasts every morning. They do just fine on cereal and breakfast bars. But I know at least this week I'm going to use up some frozen banana's and make some banana bread for breakfasts.
So here's to a new happier me. One that is content and joyful and at peace with her life. Please pray for me that I continue to make this a focus in my life!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The joys of summer
The kids just finished up 2 weeks of swimming lessons today, and they had a blast. It was nice to get into a routine of the same thing every morning. They both passed-Braden completed Level 1, and Grace, Level 3. She'll start Level 4 in a few weeks. Since today was the last day of class, they all got to do fun stuff with their classes. The pool turned on all the water works and fountains and water slides, and the kids just had a fun day. Grace went down the big slide in the deep end, and gained some new confidence. They both went down the curly slide, and loved it. But the thing that brought them, and me, the most joy, was watching them run around in the fountains for about 25 minutes. The joyful screams, and smiles as wide as can be. Pure bliss. It made me wish I could be running around through the fountains too :) It was nice to see them so happy and carefree-not that they aren't every day, but something about being in the water makes them even happier. We still don't have a pool pass this year, but will definitely be getting one next year. It's hard to believe my babies are growing up so fast!
The jaded stay at home mom
So I was out the other day and met with some new friends, who also happened to be stay at home moms. They had kids who were younger, ages 1 and 3, and 1 1/2 with a baby on they way. One of the moms was talking about playgroups and playdates, to both of us, and the other mom was so excited because that's just what she had been looking for (and it very well could be exactly what they need in this time of their life right now) but me, the jaded mom is thinking, "yeah how exciting" in my sarcastic inner voice. Not that I don't love getting together with friends and their kiddos, because I do. I think that's the difference of being a long time stay at home mom vs. the new mom. It's almost like a certain naieveness of how cheerful and happy the life of a stay at home mom is. I am just not that perky, super happy, mini-van driving mom. I have no inclination to spend every weekend or weeknight at kids sporting events. I don't think I ever will be. I love my kids and my life, but I'm just not that person. I am the independent, sometimes free spirited, SUV driving mom. And I like driving my sporty 4 door car around-it makes me feel young again. I'm not super hands on, but still love to play games and crafts and not afraid to have fun. I'm totally okay with my kids not being in sports yet. I'm cool with just dance and awana's. Like any mom, I need my break everyday, to relax and have me-time. No one's life is perfect, and neither is the life of a stay at home mom. Everyone has their moments, and their stressed out time with kids, but all in all at the end of they day, the kids know they are loved and everyone is happy.
Crazy dog
So for those of you who don't know, we have 2 dogs. Oreo and Dakota. Oreo used to be 2nd in command (we've had her since Feb.2007) when we had Princess, who passed away after having a stroke in Dec.2008. So thinking that Oreo needed a companion, we searched and found a free playmate for her on CL in Feb.2009. She was a lab/shepard mix. Well it's been almost a year and a half that we've had her, and I'm at about my wits end. For those of you who know, I've always been a real animal lover. I worked at a vet clinic from age 14-18, and then worked at PetSmart for a few summers during college. I've loved my dogs I grew up with and babied them. I loved Dakota for the first 6 months or so we had her, she was quiet and shy and needed love. She was sweet and snuggily. Well, all that changed a long time ago. She's still sweet, and is great with the kids, not agressive at all. But she has been getting on my last nerve lately. She has the appetite of a horse, she has the bark of a large german shepard. But it's the barking thing that is driving me crazy. She barks at 6am right outside our bedroom window, and then almost on a daily basis, she gets a stupid squirrel stuck in the tree and barks at it all day. Being spanked with a shoe doesn't even phase her anymore, and she's even had some water dumped on her. But then the next day, it's like groundhog day all over again. I know, you're saying well why don't we take her to training classes. She's good on basic behaviors, it's the barking issue. And did I mention when we first had her she destroyed our backyard digging up everything that I had planted! I don't even feel like it's worth the $35 dollars for a bark collar.
So it's come to the point that I am seriously thinking of taking her with us this 4th of July weekend and giving her to my parents at the farm. They take in dogs from friends, and have even taken a dog from us before that didn't work out before we had Oreo. They go through so many dogs out in the country. Some will wander off, others have gotten taken by people driving by. One even was just re-united with it's owner. And some have "bought the farm" due to whatever circumstances, sickness, old age etc. My parents treat the dogs like royalty. Giving them large amounts of food to eat, and 160 acres to roam around on. Who wouldn't like that life? I'm thinking that Dakota sure wouldn't mind. She's made my great grandma afraid of her, because she's a relentless jumper, and she just doesn't mind. Oreo, who is a border collie, is a smart, bright, intelligent dog, and trained easily, even though she didn't have formal training per say. Dakota chases her around and nips at her backside and roams around the perimeter of the yard eating bugs. She's a shepard/chow/lab/terrier mix of craziness, and I have really had enough. I feel no affection, or attention whatsoever to her. I have never felt like this to a dog that I've owned in my life, and I honestly love dogs. And it's like at this point I don't even care what happens to her. I think it's just time for us to be a one-dog family for a while.
So it's come to the point that I am seriously thinking of taking her with us this 4th of July weekend and giving her to my parents at the farm. They take in dogs from friends, and have even taken a dog from us before that didn't work out before we had Oreo. They go through so many dogs out in the country. Some will wander off, others have gotten taken by people driving by. One even was just re-united with it's owner. And some have "bought the farm" due to whatever circumstances, sickness, old age etc. My parents treat the dogs like royalty. Giving them large amounts of food to eat, and 160 acres to roam around on. Who wouldn't like that life? I'm thinking that Dakota sure wouldn't mind. She's made my great grandma afraid of her, because she's a relentless jumper, and she just doesn't mind. Oreo, who is a border collie, is a smart, bright, intelligent dog, and trained easily, even though she didn't have formal training per say. Dakota chases her around and nips at her backside and roams around the perimeter of the yard eating bugs. She's a shepard/chow/lab/terrier mix of craziness, and I have really had enough. I feel no affection, or attention whatsoever to her. I have never felt like this to a dog that I've owned in my life, and I honestly love dogs. And it's like at this point I don't even care what happens to her. I think it's just time for us to be a one-dog family for a while.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
If these walls....
I'm reading a great book right now that I picked up from Turnstyles for $1, and I'm loving it. It has been too long since I've taken the time to read, and especially a good read. The book is called, "If these walls had ears: The biography of a house." He details the previous 7 families who lived in his house, and how their lives all changed through the eras and how it affected their sense of home etc. In the process, it has gotten me thinking again about my old 123 yr old farmhouse and all the history these walls hold.
About 7 years ago, when I was back finishing up my degree, I did an Independent Study on Historic Preservation, and it mainly detailed researching my house and documenting all the history involved in it.
In the summarized version, this is the story of our house.....
*In 1854, G. Daugherty, a Shawnee Indian, purchased a large parcel of land from the US Government as part of their land giveaway.
*In 1874, 40 acres of that land was purchased by Mr. Brickley, and he owned those 40 acres until 1887, when he sold them to his son in law, Dr. Bower.
*Dr. Bower was the owner that built the house in 1887 on the 40 acres of land.
*In 1899, he sold 18 acres to his neighbor to the East.
*So he was left with 22 acres from 1899-1906, when he sold off 6 acres in 1906 that was platted as our subdivision.
*Owner #2- 1909-1910 purchased for $250, and sold it for $700.
*Owner #3 - 1910-1914, and sold it for $1600.
*Owner #4 - 1914-1923, and sold it for $4100.
*Owner #5 - 1923-1961, and sold it for $5000.
*Owners #6,7,8- 1961-Dec.1963. At a time when you bought and sold a house, you would assume the other person's mortgage and in the process the house became repossessed and all 3 owners during that time went to court and lost to the bank. The house was auctioned off at the local courthouse in Jan. 1964, for a purchase price of $5895.95, which was a few hundred over what was owed on the loan.
*Owners #9,10 lived there from 1964-2001. And it sat empty from 2001-early 2003. So it was owned by the same family for almost 40 yrs.
*We've owned our house since May 2003.
It amazes us that out of the 123 yrs of homeowners, that almost 80 of those yrs were lived in just by 2 owners. Our neighbor behind us has lived in her house for 62 yrs, and raised her 6 kids in a 1000 sq. ft, 3 bedroom bungalow. Our neighbor to the E has lived in his house for 40+ yrs, and the neighbor across from him for 30+yrs. We're just a bunch of youngins' relatively speaking. Buying the house at 22, and 23 yrs old, we hope to grow old here together and watch our kids grow up, and have grandkids over to visit someday. Who knows maybe we can be here at least 60+ yrs. Writing that it seems like an eternity away. It's crazy to think at the end of that time that our house would be 183+ yrs old. Almost a 200 yr old house. Yikes!
So on to more info on the previous owners....
Mr.Brickley (who owned the 40 acres of land the house was built on) was born in 1812. He was a business entrepreneur, and a VIP in early town history. He along with his son in law, Dr.Bower, bought most of the town lots N of the railroad tracks in our town. There are brief accounts that the town even used to be called Brickley, in honor of him. He passed away in 1894, at the age of 82.
Dr.Bower (who had the house built in 1887) was born in 1831. He was married in 1865, and he and his wife had 6 children together (3 of whom passed away as infants). He located to our town in 1869. He was a State Senator in 1871 and 1872. He was our town's first physician and lawyer. He also was involved in a court case in 1895 that went to the State Supreme court, over an issue involving the fencing off of an alley way. I just found the hilarious. The judge dismissed the case. He passed away in 1919, at 88 yrs old.
I haven't been able to find much information on the next 3 owners.
The couple that lived here from 1923-1961, were 45, and 54 yrs old respectively when they moved in to our house. The husband was born in 1869, and the wife in 1878. They both passed away within a year of each other in 1960 (@90) and 1961 (@83). Our neighbor behind us was friends with the couple, and has given us a wealth of information on them....
She told us about how the kitchen used to have a hand pump next to the sink for the cistern water; how the house was laid out; that they canned there own food from the 1940's on, from their large garden; that they had a cherry orchard and had several cows on their 2 acres adjoining the house. They used the front parlor, as their bedroom from the entire time they lived here. That they used the well and cistern. And most importantly, that they hardly ever used the upstairs, which accounts for how well preserved it was.
About 7 years ago, when I was back finishing up my degree, I did an Independent Study on Historic Preservation, and it mainly detailed researching my house and documenting all the history involved in it.
In the summarized version, this is the story of our house.....
*In 1854, G. Daugherty, a Shawnee Indian, purchased a large parcel of land from the US Government as part of their land giveaway.
*In 1874, 40 acres of that land was purchased by Mr. Brickley, and he owned those 40 acres until 1887, when he sold them to his son in law, Dr. Bower.
*Dr. Bower was the owner that built the house in 1887 on the 40 acres of land.
*In 1899, he sold 18 acres to his neighbor to the East.
*So he was left with 22 acres from 1899-1906, when he sold off 6 acres in 1906 that was platted as our subdivision.
*Owner #2- 1909-1910 purchased for $250, and sold it for $700.
*Owner #3 - 1910-1914, and sold it for $1600.
*Owner #4 - 1914-1923, and sold it for $4100.
*Owner #5 - 1923-1961, and sold it for $5000.
*Owners #6,7,8- 1961-Dec.1963. At a time when you bought and sold a house, you would assume the other person's mortgage and in the process the house became repossessed and all 3 owners during that time went to court and lost to the bank. The house was auctioned off at the local courthouse in Jan. 1964, for a purchase price of $5895.95, which was a few hundred over what was owed on the loan.
*Owners #9,10 lived there from 1964-2001. And it sat empty from 2001-early 2003. So it was owned by the same family for almost 40 yrs.
*We've owned our house since May 2003.
It amazes us that out of the 123 yrs of homeowners, that almost 80 of those yrs were lived in just by 2 owners. Our neighbor behind us has lived in her house for 62 yrs, and raised her 6 kids in a 1000 sq. ft, 3 bedroom bungalow. Our neighbor to the E has lived in his house for 40+ yrs, and the neighbor across from him for 30+yrs. We're just a bunch of youngins' relatively speaking. Buying the house at 22, and 23 yrs old, we hope to grow old here together and watch our kids grow up, and have grandkids over to visit someday. Who knows maybe we can be here at least 60+ yrs. Writing that it seems like an eternity away. It's crazy to think at the end of that time that our house would be 183+ yrs old. Almost a 200 yr old house. Yikes!
So on to more info on the previous owners....
Mr.Brickley (who owned the 40 acres of land the house was built on) was born in 1812. He was a business entrepreneur, and a VIP in early town history. He along with his son in law, Dr.Bower, bought most of the town lots N of the railroad tracks in our town. There are brief accounts that the town even used to be called Brickley, in honor of him. He passed away in 1894, at the age of 82.
Dr.Bower (who had the house built in 1887) was born in 1831. He was married in 1865, and he and his wife had 6 children together (3 of whom passed away as infants). He located to our town in 1869. He was a State Senator in 1871 and 1872. He was our town's first physician and lawyer. He also was involved in a court case in 1895 that went to the State Supreme court, over an issue involving the fencing off of an alley way. I just found the hilarious. The judge dismissed the case. He passed away in 1919, at 88 yrs old.
I haven't been able to find much information on the next 3 owners.
The couple that lived here from 1923-1961, were 45, and 54 yrs old respectively when they moved in to our house. The husband was born in 1869, and the wife in 1878. They both passed away within a year of each other in 1960 (@90) and 1961 (@83). Our neighbor behind us was friends with the couple, and has given us a wealth of information on them....
She told us about how the kitchen used to have a hand pump next to the sink for the cistern water; how the house was laid out; that they canned there own food from the 1940's on, from their large garden; that they had a cherry orchard and had several cows on their 2 acres adjoining the house. They used the front parlor, as their bedroom from the entire time they lived here. That they used the well and cistern. And most importantly, that they hardly ever used the upstairs, which accounts for how well preserved it was.
The next 3 couples that lived here right in a row, were the ones I've been told that were responsible for the trashing of the house. I guess that seems to be a common thing in general that people trash a house when it's in the process of getting repossessed for whatever crazy reason. They punched holes in the plaster walls down stairs and did who knows what else. All I know is they are the reason that the downstairs lost the original trim and plaster, because it was all replaced with drywall and cheap builder grade trim when the next owners moved in. These couples also had the kitchen painted turquoise, and the trim upstairs was painted lime green and burnt orange. Totally psychadelic...
The next owners for almost 40 yrs, were the grandparents of the man who sold us our house. I don't know much about his grandparents, but have been told by all the neighbors that their son, was a painter, and when he got bored he painted, or replaced woodwork-which we have come to learn that he wasn't very good at. He's the one that is responsible for tearing down the porch on the E side of the house, and tearing out the beautiful gingerbread trim off the front porch, and replacing it with some ugly 2x4's slapped together. He's the one who poorly re-built the window seat and did a half-a job on the bathroom when it was last remodeled in the 1980's. We've just come to realize going into a project, that we'll run into something crazy un-expected because he didn't do it right the first time. This coming from my hubby the woodworker. We still keep in contact with the couple that sold us the house, since it was a fsbo. I kind of like it that way. I think it would be harder for me not knowing the past of the house, and not hearing all these fun stories about living here. They haven't been back for a few years, but are due to come over soon to see the new bathroom remodel.
It's a hard line sometimes, because you love the house, and you know that they loved the house they way it was, and that acceptance of new things. It was the same way when I went back the house I grew up in, and the owner was complaining about this and that, where I was grasping to some glimpse of how it used to be. The only thing left was the kitchen wallpaper was still the same and the cabinets. It's funny how we, or at least I, hold on to those things from the past. Of eras gone by, and how we grew up during those times. I tend to get easily attached to places- mainly being my home. I think I would have the worst time of it, if we ever had to leave, and someone came and destroyed everything we had worked so hard for. Luckily, we can't forsee that ever happening, and we happened to be lucky enough to find our dream house the first time.
Granted it has a long way to go, it's still a long ways from where I can envision it perfectly in my head. There is a back patio, with flowing landscaped walk way. A restored porch on the E side of the house, or possibly a master suite addition? Removing all the shingles, and restoring the original siding. Replacing the roof, re-painting. Tearing up the hallway for my loft/attic project. A beautiful kitchen, a playroom in the basement. A 2-car garage.The list goes on and on. For now I'm being patient, which can be hard at times with all these pictures and ideas in my head. I know it's all with time and with money. If we're going to do it, we're going to do it right, and wait till we have the funds to do it the way I am envisioning it. Until then we're enjoying our 1/2 renovated house, and can't wait for the new things we learn about it everyday.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
...They say it's your birthday... Happy Birthday to ya!
Well it's so hard to believe that a year has come and gone. It seems like just yesterday I was turning 28, and that was an emotional time, which I really don't know why looking back on it.But just a time of change in my life I guess.
Today I turned 29 :) I get to do fun stuff like renew my driver's license-whoo hooo. My hubbie had to go in to work early this morning, but not before getting me some yummy chocolate longjohn donuts from QT (i'm obsessed) and leaving a hilarious b'day card on my pillow. Letting me sleep in a little bit. Took the kids to swimming lessons this morning and then went out to the local theatre to buy tickets to see Toy Story 3, tonight! We are all so excited to go see it, since the kids have been watching 1 & 2 non-stop at home lately. We had lunch at Red Robin, where I enjoyed my free b'day burger-which we split because I was still full from the donuts. Right now the kids are supposed to be resting, but I can hear mr. b running around upstairs. The kids have been in a pretty good mood most of the day, which helps. It's nice when they actually behave on my birthday. So pretty much a day of celebrating with my family, which I'm so looking forward to. It's also nice to feel all the love from my fb friends posts :) nothing like a fb birthday to lift your spirits!
Today I turned 29 :) I get to do fun stuff like renew my driver's license-whoo hooo. My hubbie had to go in to work early this morning, but not before getting me some yummy chocolate longjohn donuts from QT (i'm obsessed) and leaving a hilarious b'day card on my pillow. Letting me sleep in a little bit. Took the kids to swimming lessons this morning and then went out to the local theatre to buy tickets to see Toy Story 3, tonight! We are all so excited to go see it, since the kids have been watching 1 & 2 non-stop at home lately. We had lunch at Red Robin, where I enjoyed my free b'day burger-which we split because I was still full from the donuts. Right now the kids are supposed to be resting, but I can hear mr. b running around upstairs. The kids have been in a pretty good mood most of the day, which helps. It's nice when they actually behave on my birthday. So pretty much a day of celebrating with my family, which I'm so looking forward to. It's also nice to feel all the love from my fb friends posts :) nothing like a fb birthday to lift your spirits!
Troop Beverly Hills
*written on 5/21/10*
This is the name, I've started to affectionately call G's scout troop. Don't get me wrong, she's had an amazing year there, the program is solid, she's learned a lot and the parent volunteers are amazing! I just recently thought of this name for them, after I learned that their summer camping trip would be to non other than a ritzy South Joco park-that adjoins the neighborhood golfcourse. *I have absolutely nothing against nice neighborhoods, but when planning a true camping experience for scouts, it's not my first thought of roughing it to say the very least.* So that's when I started thinking of Troop Beverly Hills. I'm sure most of you have seen the '80's movie with Shelly Long as the troop leader of the California girls who are totally clueless to most things of the real world. I grew up in GS's from K-5th grade, and had a few high maintenance girls in the group, but not a whole troop go camping next a golf course for goodness sakes. Of course I get to join in this fun and exciting day (note sarcasm here), and get to help plan the badge activities with fire safety and campfire songs. It will be interesting to see if they will get pre-packaged firewood all nice and neat, or if they will actually have to go through the "forest" and pick up kindling, and other types of wood used to make a fire. They are staying in brand new cabins with a nice bath house next door, so that's really roughing it.
I've always been a super outdoorsy girl. On our HS Mexico Missions trip, we had to sleep in 115 degree dusty tents, the outhouses were maybe a 5 minute walk and we had buckets for showers. On HS float trip, I think my freshman year, we got the worst torrential rain storm, and flooded a lot of things, including our tents, clothes and long road to the bathrooms. My friends Erin, Rachael and I were the only girls out of the whole group who roughed it in the wet tents, and could survive the weekend without hiding in the cabin with the girls who couldn't survive without their curling irons and make-up. So I've really been through the worst of it, but have never gotten to experience the fun world of joco scout camping :)
Stay tuned next month to hear how the wonderful adventure concludes.... will we survive a day on the golfcourse park??? will the girls be able to survive without texting each other all day??? will they cook true campfire food, or will it be gourmet???
*update on 6/12/10*
The girls were all excited, and we had just started working on our hiking and photography badge, and then we had a crazy storm with rain, wind, lightning and possibly a tornado warning come through shortly after camp started. Which led us to be stuck inside the clubhouse, ahem "nature center" for 5 hours. That's right I said 5 hours. I initially thought I was going to lose my mind, and possibly go a little stir crazy being inside a confined space with 30 girls and 15-20 adults? The poor park rangers were probably wishing they weren't working that day. We toughed it out, and I had hoped at times, they would just cancel the day, but no, the storm cleared and it was back outside to a hot and humid day. We went on a mile walk, got to see a flooded trail, which luckily no one got swept away in. The girls finished their badgework, made sit-upons and tie dye t-shirts and learned all about campfire safety. I was on the verge of losing my voice from my allergies/cold so got out of leading the campfire songs. The meals were great. We had tortilla wraps with fixings for lunch and roasted our own hotdogs for dinner. G had her first smores and loved them. I actually had a good time getting to know some of the moms a little better, and talk about our different backgrounds, and school choices, public vs. private etc. And it was actually very interesting. We even talked about how they liked camping roughing it in tents better than cabins. Which really took me by suprise. It was just nice to realize that my perceptions aren't always true. We finally made it home around 9pm that night after a very long 12 hrs, but we had a great time, and a time neither of us will forget.
This is the name, I've started to affectionately call G's scout troop. Don't get me wrong, she's had an amazing year there, the program is solid, she's learned a lot and the parent volunteers are amazing! I just recently thought of this name for them, after I learned that their summer camping trip would be to non other than a ritzy South Joco park-that adjoins the neighborhood golfcourse. *I have absolutely nothing against nice neighborhoods, but when planning a true camping experience for scouts, it's not my first thought of roughing it to say the very least.* So that's when I started thinking of Troop Beverly Hills. I'm sure most of you have seen the '80's movie with Shelly Long as the troop leader of the California girls who are totally clueless to most things of the real world. I grew up in GS's from K-5th grade, and had a few high maintenance girls in the group, but not a whole troop go camping next a golf course for goodness sakes. Of course I get to join in this fun and exciting day (note sarcasm here), and get to help plan the badge activities with fire safety and campfire songs. It will be interesting to see if they will get pre-packaged firewood all nice and neat, or if they will actually have to go through the "forest" and pick up kindling, and other types of wood used to make a fire. They are staying in brand new cabins with a nice bath house next door, so that's really roughing it.
I've always been a super outdoorsy girl. On our HS Mexico Missions trip, we had to sleep in 115 degree dusty tents, the outhouses were maybe a 5 minute walk and we had buckets for showers. On HS float trip, I think my freshman year, we got the worst torrential rain storm, and flooded a lot of things, including our tents, clothes and long road to the bathrooms. My friends Erin, Rachael and I were the only girls out of the whole group who roughed it in the wet tents, and could survive the weekend without hiding in the cabin with the girls who couldn't survive without their curling irons and make-up. So I've really been through the worst of it, but have never gotten to experience the fun world of joco scout camping :)
Stay tuned next month to hear how the wonderful adventure concludes.... will we survive a day on the golfcourse park??? will the girls be able to survive without texting each other all day??? will they cook true campfire food, or will it be gourmet???
*update on 6/12/10*
The girls were all excited, and we had just started working on our hiking and photography badge, and then we had a crazy storm with rain, wind, lightning and possibly a tornado warning come through shortly after camp started. Which led us to be stuck inside the clubhouse, ahem "nature center" for 5 hours. That's right I said 5 hours. I initially thought I was going to lose my mind, and possibly go a little stir crazy being inside a confined space with 30 girls and 15-20 adults? The poor park rangers were probably wishing they weren't working that day. We toughed it out, and I had hoped at times, they would just cancel the day, but no, the storm cleared and it was back outside to a hot and humid day. We went on a mile walk, got to see a flooded trail, which luckily no one got swept away in. The girls finished their badgework, made sit-upons and tie dye t-shirts and learned all about campfire safety. I was on the verge of losing my voice from my allergies/cold so got out of leading the campfire songs. The meals were great. We had tortilla wraps with fixings for lunch and roasted our own hotdogs for dinner. G had her first smores and loved them. I actually had a good time getting to know some of the moms a little better, and talk about our different backgrounds, and school choices, public vs. private etc. And it was actually very interesting. We even talked about how they liked camping roughing it in tents better than cabins. Which really took me by suprise. It was just nice to realize that my perceptions aren't always true. We finally made it home around 9pm that night after a very long 12 hrs, but we had a great time, and a time neither of us will forget.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Surreal moments
On May 18th, I had the amazing opportunity to be able to perform with a lot of my old classmates and suprise our old chorale teacher, who is retiring this year. G had an awards ceremony that night at the same time, and my dear sweet hubby, suffered though it all by himself. I know I'm such a bad parent :) So anyways, I pretty much dropped everything to be able to go and sing again with my friends. We got to rehearse at my old elementary school that I hadn't been back to in nearly 20 yrs! It was so surreal being there in the old choir room and seeing old friends.... Then the real trip began, back to my old high school, which I hadn't been back to since graduation 11 yrs ago...The anticipation of being on stage and performing again was so thrilling! It almost made me cry.
For those of you who might not know, I have always loved music-especially piano and voice since a very young age. I started taking piano when I was 5, and around the same age I would make casette tape recordings of myself reading books outloud, or singing songs. I did choir from 5th grade-all the way through high school. Our choir class was where some of the best memories were made, with friends that you get to be so close to. Singing was something that made me feel so happy and alive. This is always why I just love, love, love musicals (well most of them).
I found myself really processing the fact that it had really been 11 yrs since graduation. I don't necessarily feel that much older. But walking through the commons, and the locker area and atrium, it all seemed so surreal. A whole lifetime ago, a time of innocence, and a little ignorance and a time to be carefree. A time that I really embraced life and had fun, whether it be singing, time out with friends, shopping.... then driving home with the windows down in the cold air, blasting the music, enjoying time by myself... then home to life as a grown up.
I go through these phases, where I'll have a special event to attend, or we'll go on a weekend out, or do fun things like we used to before we had kids. We have the best time and are happy as can be, and then for me the next day, reality sets in, and sometimes in a depressing kind of way. Not that I don't love my life and my kids, because I do. But it makes me miss the way things used to be. In a way, a mourning of my old life. Doing things I was so passionate about, being a bit of a free spirit. For me it's keeping my individuality, and the things that make me feel alive, because without that, I think I'd be ever more depressed (So I've started playing the piano more, something that I love. Music is so soothing to the soul... and I've even thought about finding a chorale group to sing in again). It's been up and down for me the last almost 8 yrs that I've been a stay at home mom. Going straight from being a fairly wild college student-to newlywed-to mom all in a short period of time. Then learning the process of being a stay at home mom, and then working part time, and then going back to home, baby....and then work, and then home again. And I still have about 2+ yrs till B goes to Kindergarten. I cherish my time with him, and he starts pre-s this fall. It's just up and down with the emotions at times, by the time it's all over with it will be 10 yrs that I've stayed home. Something I told my mom that would never happen, because that's how long she stayed home with my sis and I (Of course I'm writing this on a rainy, gloomy day, and that never seems to help with my mood). I know I appreciate cherishing the time with them while they are little, because you can never get those years back. In the mean time, I'm trying to add more things back in my life that make me happy-music, piano, photgraphy, creative writing, reading. So hopefully this summer I will be my more cheerful self again :) with an equal balance of kid time/me time.
For those of you who might not know, I have always loved music-especially piano and voice since a very young age. I started taking piano when I was 5, and around the same age I would make casette tape recordings of myself reading books outloud, or singing songs. I did choir from 5th grade-all the way through high school. Our choir class was where some of the best memories were made, with friends that you get to be so close to. Singing was something that made me feel so happy and alive. This is always why I just love, love, love musicals (well most of them).
I found myself really processing the fact that it had really been 11 yrs since graduation. I don't necessarily feel that much older. But walking through the commons, and the locker area and atrium, it all seemed so surreal. A whole lifetime ago, a time of innocence, and a little ignorance and a time to be carefree. A time that I really embraced life and had fun, whether it be singing, time out with friends, shopping.... then driving home with the windows down in the cold air, blasting the music, enjoying time by myself... then home to life as a grown up.
I go through these phases, where I'll have a special event to attend, or we'll go on a weekend out, or do fun things like we used to before we had kids. We have the best time and are happy as can be, and then for me the next day, reality sets in, and sometimes in a depressing kind of way. Not that I don't love my life and my kids, because I do. But it makes me miss the way things used to be. In a way, a mourning of my old life. Doing things I was so passionate about, being a bit of a free spirit. For me it's keeping my individuality, and the things that make me feel alive, because without that, I think I'd be ever more depressed (So I've started playing the piano more, something that I love. Music is so soothing to the soul... and I've even thought about finding a chorale group to sing in again). It's been up and down for me the last almost 8 yrs that I've been a stay at home mom. Going straight from being a fairly wild college student-to newlywed-to mom all in a short period of time. Then learning the process of being a stay at home mom, and then working part time, and then going back to home, baby....and then work, and then home again. And I still have about 2+ yrs till B goes to Kindergarten. I cherish my time with him, and he starts pre-s this fall. It's just up and down with the emotions at times, by the time it's all over with it will be 10 yrs that I've stayed home. Something I told my mom that would never happen, because that's how long she stayed home with my sis and I (Of course I'm writing this on a rainy, gloomy day, and that never seems to help with my mood). I know I appreciate cherishing the time with them while they are little, because you can never get those years back. In the mean time, I'm trying to add more things back in my life that make me happy-music, piano, photgraphy, creative writing, reading. So hopefully this summer I will be my more cheerful self again :) with an equal balance of kid time/me time.
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