Back to 1875

Marc and I like to stalk the MLS. Some houses are in our price range while others are just a dream. When we see some we like we take a drive and explore until we find them. A couple of weeks back we saw this old gal and we drove to see her. All the years that I have lived in this area I never even knew this street existed. The street itself was hidden, nestled among lots of old trees, almost in the center of town. From the main road- this street appears to be a driveway for another house, when indeed there are several houses on the street- all from the same era.

We pulled in the driveway and she sat there on a wooded lot, looking like a sweet little dollhouse. Built in 1875, this home must have so many stories to tell.


I love the facade and the cute little stone path leading to the front door.

And the front door really does look as though it belongs on a dollhouse.

On the left side of the house there is a side entrance that takes you into the kitchen. The kitchen has white cabinets, steel counter tops and a stove that looks like it has been there since the kitchen was added. A row of windows above the kitchen sink would actually make doing dishes enjoyable- to me anyway!

But if you look closer you will see this is more than a cute house......

It is a large bank account ready to be emptied. This old gal has fallen into a condition that breaks my heart. With chipped and peeling paint, loose shutters, cracked windows, rotted wood siding, and a saggy roof. I can only imagine what repairs the inside requires. Although from peeking in the windows I saw amazing paneled walls, multiple fireplaces, and wide planked floors. Ahhh

On the right side of the house there sits a cute little stone patio. I could imagine sitting out there eating dinner, drinking a glass of wine and watching over the garden. So many possibilities for decorating. Oh my!

The garden and landscaping is so overgrown it was hard to tell what shape the foundation was in.

Marc and I were tickled with the little angled windows upstairs. Funny.

We were in awe of the whole house.........and the lot. Staring at the house envisioning what it could, someday, look like. Trying to calculate in our heads how much money it would take to get it to that perfect little vision we had in our minds. We would say things like "The roof would need to be replaced", "Wonder how many gallons of paint it would take for the outside", "How many hours of scraping do you think we would have", etc etc etc. Then after awhile of silence Marc and I both looked at each other with disappointed faces and both shook our heads no. We were in agreement. But we weren't happy about it.

All I wanted to do was wrap my arms around her and tell her everything was going to be fine and that I would take good care of her. But my bank account will not allow me to make that promise.

Someone used to love this house. Someone used to work hard tending to her every need. Lovingly planting and weeding the gardens, freshening her paint, washing her windows.

But that must have been awhile ago. Now there are trees growing out of the air conditioning unit...

And from the roof on the garage.

And, seriously- how cute is that garage, anyway? Even if the roof is covered with moss and baby maple trees.

The back yard was fantastic. Unfortunately I didn't get many photos of it.

Because we were distracted by these little cuties....

Who didn't seem to be bothered by us, at all.

They just kept doing what they were doing- under mamma's watchful eye.

Even though we were just feet from them- they acted as though they weren't afraid of us at all.

Until they heard my kids. LOL!!

Oh to take the house back to 1875...... when she was fresh and new and looking beautiful. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Have a great day everybody!

Blessings,

Heather:)

My Cup Overflows

I mean, really, how lucky (blessed) can one girl get?!?!

Blessings,

Heather:)

Happy Birthday

My big sister is five years older than me. She is my only sister- and quite honestly, I could not have asked God for anyone better. She is so many wonderful things wrapped into one package.

She is my best friend, my wing man, the person I look up to. She is an amazing Mom to her two daughters. I look up to her for the way she has mothered her children. I have gotten so much good advice, so much support and strength from her in my own journey through mommy hood. I have learned so much just by watching her.

She is a preschool teacher like no other- she comes up with the most amazing lesson plans, she captures the children's attention and they learn so much from her! I had the wonderful opportunity to work with her for awhile and I was always amazed when I watched her work.

She is a go-getter. Once she sets her mind to something she accomplishes it. She is a writer- a great writer. She writes amazing children's books. She has wanted to be a published author for as long as I can remember. A few years ago she self-published a book of hers. Later, she self-published her second and now her books are being sold on Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc. She even went on book tours. She would travel the state going from school to school telling about her books, and once again- captured the attention of all who was in attendance.

She is a creative genius. Seriously. The girl can do anything from writing children's books to sewing to scap-booking to polymer clay creations. She comes up with the most amazing ideas and quickly puts them into play. She does so with such grace that it looks as though she puts no effort into it- but she does.

She is an awesome photographer. She really has "the eye" and captures moments with her camera that most people can't see on their own. Not to mention she is the only person who has ever been able to get a picture of all three of my kids with their eyes open. She's gooooood.

She used to help me with my homework and stuck with me until I figured it out. I used to confide in her with my boy issues. She helped me get ready for prom- and when the barrette wouldn't stay in that first year, she hot glued it into my hair. LOL! I have so many memories of my sister, I couldn't possibly list all of my favorites.

She has always been there for me. She has always guided me and "held my hand"- even when she didn't realize she was. She has always told me like it was- even if she knew I wouldn't like her answers. I have always respected that quality in her.

I have always looked up to my big sister. Even now, as an adult, I still look up to her. And I think I always will. She means more to me than she will ever know. She has taught me more than she will ever know. She has inspired me more than she will ever know. Her friendship means more to me than she will ever know. And I love her more than I could ever, ever express with words. How could I possibly describe a person who I feel is possibly one of the best people on the planet earth?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY O SISTER GORGEOUS ONE!!!!!!! I love you to the moon and back. Seriously.

Oh- and I am really sorry again that I drew apple boobs on your perfect horse drawing. ;)

Love

Heather:)

Miscellaneous Parts- Surprise Surgery

Monday morning I had a meeting with our investor at the flip house. We were meeting a realtor who was going to do an evaluation for us. The meeting did not go well, as far as I was concerned, and I left overwhelmed. When I got home I laid the kids down for a nap and I laid on the couch feeling mentally and physically drained. Monday evening after we put the kids to bed, I went to bed. I could not fall asleep. Around 3 a.m. I started having excruciating pain in my abdomen. Pain that had me doubled over and curling up in a fetal position trying to find relief. I was so nauseous I kept running to the bathroom. I would compare the pain to labor pain but sharper, more stabbing pain. I felt like crying but couldn't- the pain was so bad it literally took my breath away. Around 7:30 a.m. the pain eased a little but didn't really stop.


My friend Krissie called and I told her about my night. She told me I needed to call my doctor and get an appointment asap as it sounded like my appendix. I told her I thought it was just stress. She persisted and was so adamant about me calling my doctor that I got off the phone with her and called the doctor's office and made an appointment. When I gave the receptionist my symptoms she insisted I come in within the hour. I called Marc home from work to watch the kids and went to my appointment. I saw an internal medicine specialist who asked a lot of questions and did an exam that made me come up off the exam table. He told me that he was almost 100% sure it was my appendix and instructed me to go home and pack a bag and head to the emergency room. I called Marc on my way home and told him what was going on. He had the kids ready when I arrived and we headed for the emergency room.


I didn't have to wait long to be seen. They took me back pretty quickly and started testing almost immediately. Blood work, urine samples, etc. Marc's Aunt came to the hospital and picked up the kids and took them to her house. I was given a contrast to drink to prepare me for a CT and they inserted an IV in my arm. The contrast drink was horrible. It tasted like lemon Pledge and took me awhile to get it all down. Not something you want to drink- especially since I was already nauseous. I had to wait two hours after drinking the contrast before I could have my CT done- to make sure that the contrast was clear through my system. After the two hours they wheeled me in to have the CT done. More contrast dye through my IV.........oh my! If you have ever had that done it is awful! The contrast ,that they put through that IV, makes you feel like your insides are literally on fire and I could taste alcohol in my mouth. It was miserable.


The CT results were back pretty quickly. The nurse was reading them and shaking her head as she was walking into my "room" in triage. "Your appendix looks pretty bad and needs to come out- tonight. The OR is being prepped and they will call when they are ready for you."
I cried. I am terrified of surgery, of needles, of knives, of anesthesia. All of it. The nurse said "It's going to be fine honey. We are all walking around with miscellaneous parts. You won't even know it's gone." I wasn't crying because I was going to miss my appendix. I was crying because I was afraid. Really afraid. And, of course, really tired. She explained that the appendix had not burst yet so they were planning on going in laproscopically- but if the condition changed, they would have to "open me up". I told her not to tell me anything else. I didn't want to know. I looked at Marc for comfort but he looked concerned too.


Fifteen minutes later they were taking me into the Operating Room. I was really worked up by this point and they had to give me a "relaxer" in my IV to calm me down. The last thing I remember is this sweet woman's face introducing herself "Hi. My name is Vivian. I am going to be your anesthesiologist and we are going to have some fun tonight! Okay?" I don't remember if I responded..... but I do remember thinking that she had a very messed up idea of fun.


I woke up in the recovery room but don't remember anything until I got to my own room. Marc was there and I loved that he was the first thing I saw. He was there for me- just like always. He immediately started telling me that the kids were having fun at their aunt's house playing with their cousins. He knows what I want to hear! My mom was on her way and was going to stay for a couple of days to help with the kids until I felt a little better. I stayed in the hospital until Thursday evening. The doctor acted as though they would keep me another night so I was excited when the nurse told me it was my call and I could go home if I wanted. I missed my kids. I wanted to be in my own bed. And Kyle's birthday was Friday- I couldn't be in the hospital on Kyle's birthday.


Marc stopped at the pharmacy on the way home and filled my prescription for Percocet. I had hoped to not need it but unfortunately I have had to take it every four hours just to stay ahead of the pain. I don't even like to take Tylenol when I get a bad headache so this whole narcotics thing is really making me nuts. I am on a weight restriction- no lifting anything over 15 pounds. Have I mentioned that Cali is almost 25 pounds??? LOL!!! No driving until I go back to see the surgeon in two weeks. I have to check my temperature a few times a day to make sure I am not getting an infection. Most of all- drink lots of clear liquids and take it easy. Hmmmm. That is going to be a hard one but lucky for me I hurt way too bad , am way too tired and have nooooooo energy to disobey those doctor's orders! So I will be a good patient because I do not want to end up back in the hospital any time in the near future. Or the far future as far as that goes!


I am so very grateful to have such wonderful family and friends, and to be surrounded by such a fantastic medical community. As scared as I was ,I also knew that I was in the best of hands when it came to my medical care. That is such a good feeling to have.


I guess the moral of this story is that you shouldn't blow something off! If you feel you need to go to the doctor or if a friend or family member encourages you to go- go. It may be nothing but it could be something. I never realized how serious this was until it was explained to me by my surgeon- after the surgery took place. Funny how a "miscellaneous part" can cause so many problems. LOL!!!


~Heather:)

I apologize for whatever grammatical errors, misspellings, or goof-ups I may have made in this post. I will blame it on the percocet. :)

8 Inches & 7 Months

I have been having headaches for weeks now. Maybe months. I have lost count. I finally decided that maybe my hair was to blame. It was super long. The longest that it has ever been in my life. It has taken me almost four years to grow my hair out. In order to keep it out of the way during the day it is usually thrown up in a bun. When I wear it down it is always getting yanked on by the kids, trapped in zippers, closed in drawers, etc. Every time I sit down it gets stuck behind my back and when I move my head it pulls.

So, last night I decided to take matters, err.... the scissors, into my own hands. I went from this...

To this........

Forgive the pictures- my husband was in control of the camera! LOL!!

I was really nervous at first. But my hubby reassured me that keeping it long just because it took so long to grow, was not a great excuse. He was absolutely right. I pinned it all up in sections and took one chunk at a time, measuring each one to make sure that I got it even! Needless to say it took awhile. Marc stayed in the bathroom the entire time to offer encouragement.

I am really glad I did it. Finally. I needed a change and this was a change for the better.

Now, my Dad will ask me "Are you depressed?" He knows me well. In the past, whenever I was down about something I would do crazy things with my hair. Not so much anymore. I don't think.

As many of you know we are still trying to sell our "flip" house. I have been acting as selling agent. I hold Open Houses and receive phone calls from Realtors who want to set up showings. I keep them all straight and do follow-up phone calls to get feedback from their buyers. It's nice that most of the showings are handled by other Realtors. This past Thursday evening, however, I got a call from someone who wanted to see the house. They were in the driveway so I quickly changed into something professional looking and drove the 20 minutes to the house to do the showing myself.

The showing went really well. I was just as professional sounding and more knowledgeable than any realtor that could have shown it that night. I had my Sale on! After I completed my portion of the tour I let the buyers walk around to explore and talk amongst themselves. I listened to their "oohs" and "ahhs" and felt flattered. I listened to how they would arrange their furniture and what color they would paint every room and...........my. heart. sunk. I started thinking "Why would you paint that room red? That is Kyle's room! He likes blue." , "Why would you put the recliner there? That is where the dining room table goes.", "A pool table in the garage? No, no, no- that is where Marc's wood shop is supposed to..........." Oh.my.goodness. I was flooded with emotion but held it together until they pulled out of the driveway. I could feel my face was flush and my heart didn't seem to be working as it should have been. Why am I feeling like this? I gave this house up months ago. I shut out the idea. I thought.

It's been seven months since we first saw this house. December 11th I was searching the MLS for a house we could renovate and move into in the school district that we so badly want Kyle to be in this fall. I had looked for months and no house ever popped up in this city, in our budget, until that day. It had literally been listed on the MLS for seven minutes. I called Marc completely out of breath and told him about it- we both knew we had to move. And fast! He immediately took a lunch break, grabbed the roofing crew that was there with him and headed to the house to inspect it. I called our realtor and she said that there was no time for her to show it for the next two or three days! Marc called back- he was inside the house. The door was not locked and he and the roofers let themselves in. By the time they were done looking there were people/ contractors/investors lined up in their cars on the street waiting for their turn to view the property. It was bank owned and it was a cash only deal. We called our friend, the investor. He was out of town. He faxed an offer and we waited. We lost the house. Outbid.

I continued to search the MLS for weeks and when the house was still showing as active the day after New Years I called the listing office. The buyer was scheduled to close New Years Eve and the deal fell through at the closing table! I immediately called Marc, the Realtor and the Investor. We put another offer in and this time- it was ours.

Shortly after we started the work, it was decided that we would use the house as a flip. Although Marc and I were disappointed, we trucked on with the remodel. We thought we could find another house and this would just get us closer to having more money to work with in the future. Pay off all of our debts and get into a house then. When we were more........ready.

We spent the next four months working as hard as we could. Spending every moment possible at the house so that we could meet a deadline. Every night after Marc got off work until midnight or later (most nights) and every weekend. Holidays and birthdays. Through sinus infections, the flu, Bella's fevers and Cali's teething. We were there. We were so tired that we didn't even know we were tired.

The kids were with us every minute and it became a new kind of normal for our life. I got used to the dirt and the smell and the sound of saws and nail guns.

My kids were so amazing that when I finally laid in bed at night I would cry myself to sleep. Worried that we were missing out on more fun times with them. That we were somehow neglecting some need that they might have but didn't express. But they loved it there and every morning when they would wake up- the first thing they said was "Can we go to the house now?!"

This wasn't our dream house as we had pictured our dream house. Not by a long shot. It wasn't a 1920's two story colonial with woodwork and charm galore. But there was something about this house from the first time we saw it. It just seemed to fit. Even during construction when the floors were still concrete and there was saw dust everywhere and the scent of drywall mud in the air................ it felt very comfortable. Like home. We "lived" in it like it was our home. We worked on it like it was our home. We made precious memories there that can never be duplicated in another home.

Cali cut her first teeth at the house. Marc's Dad came to help on the house. The time I got to spend getting to know him better and the bond that strengthened is something I am so grateful for. How many women get to work side by side with their father-in-law and have such a great time?!? My parents came up to help and to play and it was amazing to watch my mother teach the kids to paint with a roller..............with patience that can only come from a Grandmother.

My Dad was up one day doing trim and found Bella like this.....

Another one of the many things we will remember about our time at the house. There are so many! I am thankful that I had my camera with us while we were there and that we were able to capture so much of what took place. But pictures don't seem like they will be enough.

We have been looking for a house for us, both during and since this renovation. We find some that we like but always end up comparing them to this house.

Every house we have seen.................. it just doesn't compare.

We will put our own touch on whatever house we find but it won't be like the "first time."

We spent more time side-by-side as a family than we ever have. We worked hard together.

We played hard together.

And we turned a neglected, abused, mistreated house that sat empty............

Into a beautiful, warm, inviting home. Filled with giggles and squeals.

But with every showing that we have I know we are one step closer to selling this house. Soon it won't be our laughter that fills the house. It won't be our paint choices on the walls. It won't be our furniture arranged in the rooms.

I realized last Thursday that I am not ready for that. Nor am I okay with it. It is going to be very, very hard. It will be hard to not go play in the yard when the weather is nice. It will be hard to not have picnics on the back patio. It will be hard to not walk to the neighbors and sit down and chat. It will be hard to drive by the house and see someone else living there. Someone else decorating the outside with Christmas lights. Someone else tucking their kids into bed in those rooms. It will be hard telling the kids "No" when they ask if we can go to the house.

It's going to be very hard to walk away......... and not look back. I don't know how I am supposed to do that.

~Heather:)

Walks, Sewing and a New Addition

I have been quite busy lately with so many things. We still have our flip house on the market and I have been acting as selling realtor. I can not believe how time consuming this is! I am in charge of advertising, scheduling showings, doing showings myself, holding open houses, follow-up calls with Realtors for buyer feedback, etc. It is literally a full time job. I have also been on the look out for our next "flip" project house. That requires a lot of internet time and research- especially in this market. I have been trying to list items on my sister and my Etsy store and also do some sewing for things to sell. I have been doing some major- and long overdue- cleaning in my apartment that kind of snow-balled into a major overhaul organization and purge-fest. On top of that add three children into the mix, one of which is teething and one that is potty-training, and I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed these past couple of weeks.

I decided that I needed to start walking every night after dinner to "walk it off" and take a break from all things inside the apartment. Last night we took our first family walk in awhile and it was very refreshing.

Kyle and Bella started out by fighting over who got to push Cali's stroller......

As you can see, Bella won. And she was very happy about it.

And Cali was too it seemed!

Bella is such a little mama!

Cali's eyes did not rest the entire time. She was trying to take in all of the sights.

Kyle took along his doodle pad and drew everything he found interesting. Here, he just drew a streetlamp.

He stood on every rock he saw because he wanted to see if he could be as tall as Daddy.

It started to get dark so we headed back home. I think we walked for almost two miles and Bella pushed Cali's stroller all but the last 30 feet!!

When she graciously let Kyle take over he was happy about his new duty.

After we got back from our walk I cut Kyle's hair. It was looking pretty shabby!

And now he looks so very ornery!

**********************************

I have been wanting to make some dresses for the girls for months now. I wanted to make them some matching and coordinating dresses. I pulled some fabric from my stash the other day and started with Cali's.....................sans pattern.

I basically decided to wing it because I dread using a pattern. It didn't turn out too bad....

But I think I am going to tear part of it apart and rework the bodice. It just didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. My sewing machine was acting up and causing my seams to bunch and look terrible so I need to redo the bodice.

It fits well but I do not like all of the bows and ties so I will eliminate them and just do a simple button closure on the shoulder. Cali seems to really like it though!

I am just really glad I took it off of her before she ate her dinner.................

Good idea mom!

***************************************

Also, I would like to send out a very big CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin "R" and his wife "M" (also my bestest friend since first grade) on their new addition! They welcomed a daughter, Baby "E" on Thursday, July 9th!!!! She is the most precious little baby girl! I am so happy for them.

Will you all keep them in your prayers that everything continues to go well for them? Thanks!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

~Heather:)

Old Becomes New

Yesterday was such a treat. I finally got to pick up my antique slipper chair from the upholsterer. I dropped the chair off a year ago and finally got it back this Sunday- by no fault of the upholsterer, but mine. Awful, I know! In fact, if he wasn't such a nice guy (and I hadn't prepaid) he probably would have given up on me and sold the thing!


This chair is so special to me. I remember sitting on it when I was small. We would visit my great-grandfather and this would be my spot. After my great-grandfather passed away the family held an estate auction and my Aunt J bid and won the chair for me. I knew even at my age then what an amazing gift she had given me. I have cherished it for years and will for the rest of my life.


I could kick myself over and over because I don't have any "before" pictures of the chair. URGH! Why? I don't know. I really would have loved to have a before shot. Since I don't, I will tell you....this chair was in bad shape when I dropped it off to have it reupholstered.

The chair was originally covered in dark pink (or maybe red) velvet that was so terribly faded. Some of the tufting and buttons were missing, the skirt was falling off and two of the legs were wobbly. The springs were bent and poked you in the rear every time you sat on it. The padding and batting was only partially there and therefore the seat was lumpy, bumpy and just a mess.


Well, not any more! There are a few things we changed when deciding how to redo the chair. I didn't want to take away from the original charm of the chair but I also wanted to make sure it suited our lifestyle- with three kids. I decided to not do the tufted seat and back (my kids would be plucking those buttons off in a heartbeat). I also decided to not go with velvet. Again, in order to keep it looking nice when it comes in contact with the kids.

I chose two different fabrics that I thought suited the period of the chair. They are heavy duty upholstery fabrics with a nice pattern that I am sure will wear well and hide most of the dirt. The skirt and the piping/welting are accents on the chair. I am going to call the upholsterer and see if he has any of that fabric left over as I would love to make a small boudoir pillow out of it.

I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! I started tearing up as soon as I saw it. My guy did an amazing job. He had to completely reconstruct the chair. He started out by tearing it down to the wood frame and "rebuilding" it with all new springs, foam, batting, webbing, etc. Honestly I don't think he charged enough!

Just to give you an idea of the scale of this chair, here is Bella standing beside it.............

She is a midget and yet still taller than the chair! It is 31" high and only 14" from floor to seat. I love, love, love this chair and am so happy that I finally had it redone. Someday I will pass it down to my girls and I hope they love it as much as I do. Something tells me they will.....

Bella is already saying "This Bella's chair!"

Now........................I think I should redecorate my master bedroom around the chair.............LOL!!

Have a great one everybody!!

~Heather:)