Vicarious House-Hunting

April 18, 2009 / still a dreamer / 2 Comments

Now this was fun! My friend, unfortunately, has to move, as his house has sold and there’s but so much time to be out and into a new place. However, looking at places to buy can be lots of fun for me, as there’s no pressure to pack, move, etc. Been there, done that, 2-1/2 years ago and that was enough to last me quite some time.

house

house3 He was looking at a place today in another of the (Delaware) “river towns,” and south of me by a few miles. This Victorian is in-town, needs more TLC than it looks in this photo, and in some cases a lot of work – window pane replacements, wiring upgrades, and so on. But the amount of space is HUGE – so many rooms, and so many windows! (Those boarded up are very tall windows, not easy to replace, and being protected in case anyone has some not-so-good intentions.) The pumpkin pine floors have all been restored and look great. For me, with so much on my plate, the task would be daunting.

house2 It lists as having 4 bedrooms, but actually there are another 2 on the top floor – one is humongous and could hold ballet classes. Kitchen needs a LOT. This couldn’t be the house for me unless it was all done, but I loved looking at it. It’s on a really lovely block where everyone has taken wonderful care of their homes, also mostly Victorian. I know they would all love to see someone take this house and give it the care it deserves.

I found another house for him to look it in another area very close to my town as well – a farm with 6 acres for the same price! Hope I get to see that one, too.

Ahhh – decisions, decisions! Glad I don’t have to make them!

The Dollar Christmas Plate

December 24, 2008June 3, 2012 / still a dreamer

christmasplate How does one know the Christmas season has begun? Ignoring the fact that the onslaught of marketing for the holidays has now begun shortly after Halloween to make commercialism at an all time high of 7-8 weeks, what happens in your home that says Christmas will soon be coming?

For me, it’s the bringing forth of two different Christmas dishes – my humble, dollar store plates and my bright red, green and white decorated, coffee mugs. I’ll admit that perhaps why they are the first manifestation of Christmas is that they are conveniently at hand, as are all my dishes, right there in a kitchen cabinet. But there’s something about putting away my winter mugs and replacing them them with the festive red ones, and putting away my stoneware plates in a lower cabinet, their upper spot now taken with these simple china plates, that gets hopes and dreams to stirring.

No doubt the dollar store plates were made in China, too, (the mugs were made in Germany), so as befits this time of celebration, each year I bless those who made and painted them and thank them for this small joy that marks the beginning of the season for me.

Christmas changes as we grow older … once it was the excitement of opening presents under the tree in the morning; later, coming home from college and seeing family and old friends; then through relationships, perhaps children, and so it goes. Each year becoming a little bit different, offering some slightly different gift. Christmas steadily brings the exchange of warm wishes of family and friends, some who we barely have time to keep up with during the year. Cards are still sent and received, and though sometimes in too much of a rush, we get them out and delight at the treasure in our mailboxes.

Among our gifts may be something thoughtful from someone unexpected, new friends, the comfort and love of old ones, new music that fits us just right, the book that we need to read exactly at this moment in time, a candle scent carrying us back over time … riches, all. The care, preparation, hopes and dreams of each of our Christmas or holiday seasons always begins with one simple thing … something as simple as a dollar Christmas plate.

Throwback

August 23, 2007August 5, 2011 / still a dreamer / 1 Comment

Is there something terribly odd about my feeling really happy when my kitchen floor is just washed and sparkling clean? That my stovetop doesn’t have a smudge on it? I have to admit, in a way, it seems pretty odd to me.
As a professional woman in one career or another all my life, you’d think this would be the get-it-out-of-the-way kind of chore I’d do so I could get on with the ‘real’ stuff in my life.
But I was raised in the 50’s – when we had stay-at-home moms who cooked 3 meals a day, and whose homes were always immaculately clean. They were the moms who raised us and taught us how to clean, cook, bake and de-frost the fridge. Old habits die hard. I have not one moment’s regret that I know how to make a mean pie-crust, sew any garment of clothing from a pattern, and even iron properly (according to Mom). And not that I actually do the latter – if it has to be ironed, chances are I’m not buying it.
But that clean floor – mind you, not washed nearly as often as my own mom would have done – still brings it’s own little joy. When making a living takes priority, dirty floors and dusty surfaces can be our accusers – telling us we have somehow failed because we can’t do it all. And indeed, many women I know who work for a living and were raised in the 50’s feel exactly the same way – bring home the bacon and have that 50’s squeaky-clean home as well. Oh – and squeaky-clean kids, too.
But when I do get to cleaning it – and it smells fresh, shines bright – just like a TV commercial – I love it. I may be in the 21st Century, but I guess I’m always gonna be a bit of a 50’s throwback, taking some small comfort in there being millions of you out there, just like me.