As I am writing this post several strangers are roaming my home, taking it for a test drive. I actually invited them into my private life, with signs at each end of the street guiding them into my secret hide away on Harvard.We bought this house 7 years ago, it was like a junior high school crush with the class hunk. I practically threw myself through the windshield as I braked at the "For Sale" sign. Something in my head said "I MUST HAVE THIS HOUSE!!!"
When Cheryl came home I took her over, I knew she couldn't resist leaded glass windows, we put in a full price offer and 35 days later it was ours.
We bought the house from a single mother of 2 who had raised her children and was now alone, she owned the home for 29 years. I was highly critical of the condition of the home, not realizing what I know now that her neglect of the home was not from a lack of love but from the overwhelming task of caring for a 80 year old home.Over the 7 years we have; remolded the basement, added a family room, gutted the kitchen, completely re-landscaped the back and front yards, painted every wall, stripped molding, corrected hideous decorating era's and moved from infatuation to complete fulfillment.
I began to see that it was time to move on when one day I realized I had not gone into the basement, with the exception of laundry for 3 months. I hadn't sat in my living room all winter, nor had I entered any of the guest bedrooms for 2 months. I dreaded walking our stairs and dreamed of a one level home. We were rattling around in a home that deserved a family!
As we prepared for the sale of our love we were reminded of several left over projects; painting a table leg, staining the kitchen island, replacing molding, touching up every paint chip in sight, adding top soil, and removing old tar. Little things you overlook as the years pass on.
Its just Deb and I roaming around in 4 our of 15 rooms, once in a while when the grand kids and family come I can 0nce again hear Dana and Nate, arguing, laughing, talking and playing, they left too soon!
This house deserves to have children, and family, parties, holidays and love. That is what I hope for; someone who will love this house as much as I do.
4 comments:
Oh Melissa if you could have only held on for 20 more years I would have thrown killer parties and had tons of munchkins running around ruining things. If only... if only... I too have had a crush on that house since I laid eyes on it. It will be missed but stands as living proof of your amazing taste.
It's absolutely beautiful. You have fabulous taste, and are incredibly talented. I am writing this as I have let my 4 kids completely destroy 2 bedrooms building forts, and my kitchen while I've hidden out in my bedroom alone on a Sunday morning. Hopefully, hunderds of blanket forts will be made in this beautiful home.
Well Lauren said it all! Although she would have had more kids running around than me...I still think mine would have done a great job of ruining things!
You guys are my great followers!!!
Shahara....i saw you work those boys at NL I can only imagine you as a mother!!!
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