In My Own Backyard

I know that this is happening everywhere, and I know this isn't news to anyone.... but, nonetheless, when it happens right up the hill from you, it just gets to you in a very different way.

I learned just last week that my neighbors had been evicted, and that their house is now bank owned.

I did not know the family well--they very much kept to themselves.   Even though I didn't know them personally, it of course still makes me sad and fills me with so many questions. I hope, wherever they are, that they are doing well and recovering from what must have been a very tumultuous year or more leading up to the foreclosure.

Yesterday I went to tour the house with my real estate agent and my business partner. When we learned that the property was up for sale, we immediately wanted to see if it might be a good fit as an investment. I admit that I would love to have some control over what happens to the beautiful parcel of land, which includes a spring-fed pond, gorgeous woods, and a vista that can't be beat. I would love to be able to shape the way the house is rehabilitated, if the structure is indeed worth saving.

Here is my son explaining to me later that afternoon why, clearly, we HAVE to buy the property and build a house for us on it. IF ONLY it were that easy....

Now, I have toured quite a few foreclosures in the past year for potential project houses, and all of them have a distinct, desperate "what-the-hell-happened-here" sorta vibe that lingers in the air. I wasn't sure what to expect when we entered this house that had always seemed--from a distance, that is-- solidly built to me.

There is a lack of maintenance that is evident throughout the property....

and overall neglect and disrepair. (The shot above is blurry, I know--but I don't know that we want to see that black stuff clinging to the walls clearly)...

The decking appears to have been removed at the rear of the house. I don't know if the bank removed it before it was put on the market to ensure that no one ended up falling through....? My business partner wondered out loud if things had gotten so bad  during last winter, if the wood had been burned for heat?

And there was standing water and water damage in many spots as well. (Note the buckling hardwood floor below.)

When looking at the grading and window wells around the foundation, it is not at all hard to see why water was making itself at home. This is pretty much a blinking neon sign inviting it in...

It is really something to me....really. The property itself is so lovely, and has so many beautiful mature trees. A lot of potential.

I will keep you posted as we weigh out the situation. There is much to consider. Hopefully, whatever happens, the property will have someone to love it and care for it in the near future.

Time Passes, Things Change

It is really hard to believe that this December my husband and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  This is us that day in the front hall of the historic inn where we had our reception....a beautiful Gothic Revival Victorian.

Our twenty years together have taught us a lot of things, not the least of which is the fact that most things in life are transient. I am very grateful that one thing that hasn't changed are our feelings for each other-- I guess that is why it is especially hard to see that the building, The Crier in the Country, where the above photo was taken now looks like this:

I wish I could say that it is in the process of a wonderful renovation, that the county realized its historic significance and architectural beauty, and saved it for future generations....but, alas it will only be standing for a few more weeks. It is slated for demolition. When I had first seen the 'for sale' sign in 2008, I racked my brain trying to think of a way to use the building. I am a creative woman, but I never did think of something that would produce enough income to support the enormous mortgage and renovation costs that would have been involved. I wish I could have.

Here is our wedding party on the front porch....

and as it looks now:

I know that progress has to happen, things have to change. However, losing this unique building is very sad.  Hopefully, whatever the land will be used for will indeed be progress of some kind, and not just another nondescript edifice made with inexpensive materials and uninspired spaces. Enough said.

I Am Not Perfect--Shocking, I know!

As you may already know, over the Labor Day weekend, my dear cousins came to visit for the holiday weekend. We had a blast!! For four days our household occupancy doubled, the dishwasher ran two times a day,  and people could be found sleeping in every nook and cranny of our humble old house. We enjoyed a family kickball game, coffee on the deck in the morning, a group outing to Auburn Heights, and a visit with our Grandma.....

One morning during their visit Cousin Emily turned to me and said: "You know, cuz, your house really is perfectly ordered chaos."

Hmmmm?

I have to admit my ears perked up with the word "perfect." The less aware, woefully unevolved part of myself that lurks in the back alleys of my mind still likes to torment me with delusions of perfection.

Then, after I got over that--swatted the thought away like an annoying fly--I heard the rest of what she said, and realized it was indeed the highest compliment I could have hoped for.  

She was expressing her admiration for how things seemed to have a place and purpose in our house, even when daily life is swirling around causing intermittent messes and commotion. Really, all of us live with chaos, but being able to have a sense of order underneath it all is how we can cope and thrive.

Perfection is an unobtainable, burdensome idea. Besides, if I were perfect, or my house was, then there wouldn't be a need to grow, change, or learn new things.  And while trying to attain perfection, I would be creating an environment full of stress and struggle, so toxic to the peace and balance that I long for.

It wouldn't be perfect at all.

I like learning new things and improving myself. I like being an imperfect work in progress.  Accepting that my house is one too is a blessing full of possibilities.

Over this past Labor Day weekend, our cousins came to visit and it was time to party. Saturday we decided to head out for the day, and visited Auburn Heights Preserve. Wow!   Auburn Heights is Delaware's newest state park, and is a property that was donated to the state by the Marshall family who built and owned it for three generations. The Queen Ann-style Victorian mansion was built in 1897, has eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms and 6000 square feet. Here is a picture of the house when it was first built. So neat. We waited on the front porch for the house tour to begin.... and took in all of the wonderful architectural detail... Being able to go inside and see all of the furnishings, the rooms themselves, and hear the stories associated with the house was fascinating. And the ride around the grounds on an authentic miniature steam train could NOT be beat!

I don't know what could be more fun than eight cousins, live steam, beautiful sunshine, and Victorian architecture!  Thank you, Emily, for all of the wonderful pictures of our day. 

Around the Garden

I haven't had much time to work in the garden these past few weeks, but if I force myself to ignore the weeds, I can appreciate the many things there are to enjoy outside right now.

This old wagon is probably in its last season....rust is getting the better of it. But, the succulents and ajuga are loving it. The containers on the deck have done well this summer, since I chose plants that wouldn't mind being ignored. ahem.

Out front, the plants that put on their best show in the fall are starting to really come to life.

The Sedums are just starting to bloom with large green heads that will soon blush pink, the Hydrangeas are looking like they will be spectacular over the coming weeks leading into autumn as well,

and some houseplants that I threw outside when the weather warmed are just thriving.

"Oh! You didn't die!" is the way I have been greeting them. I am glad I sent them outside, since I have been so busy they probably would have met their maker by now due to my neglect.

It is so hard to believe that we are in the last week of summer already. We have family coming in this weekend to visit and enjoy the holiday weekend. Hope you all are planning something fun and relaxing for the coming weekend also!