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Our New House


I am pretty sure that if you read the post I wrote regarding the condition of the house that my family and I moved into 3 years ago you'll remember it.  It's funny because I used the phrase "warning, graphic images" in my title and still today my google analytics show lots of searches for "nancys daily dish warning".  haha  We worked so, so hard just making the place inhabitable, and as much as we worked and tried to make it work, it never really felt like 'our' home.  In fact, I can say no place has really felt like home to me since we lost our home to foreclosure 10 or so years ago and have been renting and moving every year or two.  There are many things wrong with this house that, as renters, we are not able to fix and our landlord has let the place deteriorate so.   For several months we have been looking for another place to live.  Just when Shawn and I had decided to put off a move because of other major events that happened in our family and with our children, the perfect place came up on a random search I did.  I can't even remember what lead me to do an online search the day I did, because it was mid-week and most houses seem to come up on weekends which is when I did my searches.  I'd looked every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for sometime, starting last Fall, for something that would accommodate both our family and business.  Since we work at home, it was important to find a place that would adequately house my transfer ware collection for sale.  We looked and looked for a place with a three car garage as the two car garage we presently have is literally beyond capacity and much of the business has overflowed into the house.   Nothing came up, at least not in our price range…until recently, suddenly and unexpectedly.

When I read the online description to this particular house and noted its location I was almost certain that it was a home I used to drive by daily on my way home from work, nearly 27 years ago, shortly after Shawn and I were first married.   The house stood out in the neighborhood it was in, and at the time was undergoing a big addition and renovation.  I looked forward to passing by each day, admiring it and watching the progress of the addition. 

 Shawn called, set up an appointment to see it for the next afternoon.  As Shawn, Ashton, Jonah and I approached the house on a very cold and snowy day, I knew it was the same one I'd driven by daily, all those years ago.  We met the owner, a very nice gentleman.  He and his wife are Dr.'s and had lived in the home for the past 6 years with their two teenage children.   As we walked through the house, the spousal ability to communicate telepathically came in quite handy.  We had ESP going on big time.  When the homeowner wasn't looking we'd glance at one another with eyes of approval, Shawn and I having a full blown conversation without uttering a single word.  Silently we were saying things to each other like, "this house is soooooo US", "Oh my gosh, I love the crown molding everywhere".  "Can you believe there are three fireplaces???????, and this English style study with tartan paper and richly paneled walls.  I cannot WAIT to decorate" and "can you believe this garage is not three car, but FOUR…with a full length work bench area?????….it's EXACTLY what we've wanted for a packing and receiving station".   "Nancy, the kitchen is huge.  I can't wait to cook here.  Did you see that there are two ovens?  And the stove has five burners?…and all new appliances?"   We went on and on with our telepathic convo's during our walk through.  I loved the house, Shawn loved the house and Ashton loved the house.   But there was one problem.  I wasn't entirely sure about the location.  The garage side of the house faces a very busy street with lots of foot traffic, it is the largest and most expensive home in the neighborhood, and there is some major construction going on a few blocks away.  I saw a couple of people walk by that looked a little sketchy and it made me feel a little unsure or insecure or both.  That's how I am though. I hate to say it, but sometimes I see the worst first so it takes me time to mull things over, weigh  the pros and the cons and to make a decision.  Part of being OCD.  So we left and talked about the house on the way home, expressing our likes and concerns.  Ashton and Shawn were sold on it and so was I, almost.  Again, I was just a little nervous about the location.  Over the next couple of days we drove by the house at various times of day and night, spoke with some of the neighbors and just observed the area around the house (there is a park up the street that lots of people walk to and pass the house along the way).  The more I looked and talked to others, the more comfortable I became. The other kids went by to see the house with us and they too  fell in love.  Shawn said to me, "no other house is going to compare" and "everything we look at will be a disappointment after seeing this one".  I knew he was right.  So after a couple of days of hesitation, I said YES to making the move. I knew, and felt it was the right choice to make as well.  I just get to that point slower than the rest of my family. =) We called the owner, met again, signed a lease (and may be able to purchase it at some point in the future) and since then have done a lot of painting, packing and moving.


With exception of some cosmetic issues, this house is just about everything, and much more, than we have been hoping for.  Kalyn and I were talking a few nights ago, and she said to me, "Mom, this house feels like 'our house'.  It feels like  home already and we haven't even moved in yet".  










I have LOTS of pictures to show and share so stay tuned.




Joining:  Mod Mix Monday
Susan at Metamorphosis Monday 
The Dedicated House

Comments

  1. Congrats darling... looking forward to upcoming pictures. fondly ~lynne~

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  2. So very happy for you, Nancy!!!

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  3. Wow it's beautiful Nancy!! Congratulations to you and your family.

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  4. Nancy,
    Congratulations, dear one!!!
    By the looks of those smiles. . .I'd say this house was meant to be your "new" home!
    I was $old when I saw the staircase!!!
    I'll be back to watch your progression as you get all settled~in!!!
    LOVE the outside photo. . .even with the Snow covered lawn & roof!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  5. It looks wonderful! Looking forward to seeing more pictures!

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  6. I haven't visited You in a long while,Your post's haven't been showing up in My blog roll.I was so happy to see it appear this time.I'm very happy for You,the house sounds gorgeous.Just Your style it seems-Hugs Denise

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  7. New to your blog and enjoying it !! best wishes to you and your family in your home. Cant wait to see more of it as you settle in.
    Paula
    IN

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  8. I've never read your blog before, but boy I'm so impressed! Not only were you totally upfront about the foreclosure (which not everyone would be), you talked about all the things you and your family have accomplished, despite that set-back. Totally awesome and now to find this absolutely stunning home! Congraulations and kudos - you deserve all the happiness that house has to give.

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  9. Congrats on the new house! It does look like you! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

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  10. Congrats, congrats, Nancy! I am so happy for you! I love what you have shown so far! Can't wait to see more!

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  11. I'm so happy for you, Nancy! The house is beautiful and I can't wait to see you put your touch to it. I love those sweet smiling faces! The kitchen is gorgeous!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. Wow! This appears to be a lovely home.....congrats on making a difficult decision. I hope it turns out to be exactly what you needed and were looking for and the neighborhood is safe. Hopefully you will be able to stay here for a while and your business will flourish. Vicki in Louisville KY

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  13. Nancy, Congrats on your beautiful new home! I look forward to seeing more pictures.
    xx,
    Sherry

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  14. Congratulations Nancy! I know you will have that home looking like a show home in short order! What a beautiful place it is! So happy for you and your family!
    Miss Bloomers

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  15. Sounds wonderful! You have to go on both your instincts and your knowledge of the area. I'm so pleased for you!
    Brenda

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  16. I cannot put into words just how happy I am for you and your family!!! To find the home of your dreams right there hiding in plain sight is a blessing!!! I am so, so happy for you, and based on the photos I can tell the kids are thrilled, too! What a beautiful place! It reminds me of the homes on Ward Parkway in Kansas City. They are quite swank and well-built and date back to the early part of the 20th century. I love that it has those neat shutters on the windows!!! Anda 4-car garage??!?!??!! You GO, girl!!! I'm super jealous about the butler's pantry area with that cool harlequin wallpaper!

    Congratulations to you guys!!! Enjoy!!!!!!

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  17. Nancy I am so thrilled for you. I can certainly see why the house is so special and I know your touch is going to make is truly home for your family. Wishing you the best.

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  18. Congrats to you and your family and much good health and happiness to all of you. Has much character and the outside is beautiful except for the sno, LOL!

    Cynthia

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  19. Nancy, I have a great big smile on my face. I am so happy for you.

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  20. That's wonderful! Congrats! It's a fine, and beautiful house.

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  21. So happy for you and your family Nancy...looks like a beautiful home!! Can't wait to see more!

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  22. So happy for you and your family.

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  23. So happy for you and your family.

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  24. So far it's looks wonderful, what a nice big kitchen
    Also can't wait to see more pictures of the house and all your wonderful transfeware dishes arranged in it.
    I know the happy feeling of finding just the right house

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  25. Exciting news! I know this home will be transformed once you move in. It looks to be a great house, Nancy. Can't wait to see it with all your wonderful touches.

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  26. What a great new house, Nancy! I'm so happy you've found a place that feels like home AND will accommodate your business so well. Enjoy the process of making it yours!

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  27. Yeah!! Congratulations on your new, beautiful home!!!

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  28. I am so happy for you and your family, Nancy, It is absolutely lovely and just wait until the transfer ware decorates it. Looking forward to seeing that. Best of luck and happiness, Ruthie

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  29. Congratulations, Nancy! What a beautiful home. I'm so very happy for you and wish you many blessings as you make it your own.

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  30. Good for you! I'm so happy for you all. The house looks and sounds wonderful - fitting all of your needs and then some. You'll make it Home!

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  31. I am so happy for you. I cannot wait to see what you did to this place. It has so much potential. I clearly remember the magic you performed on your last rental. This one has all the more opportunity to be spectacular.

    Keep us posted. We need pictures!!!

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  32. This is just wonderful ~ I'm so very happy for you!!!! The kitchen is to die for and I know it's going to be just gorgeous when you get it decorated. Can't wait to see all the "afters" ~ :)

    xo
    Pat

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