A foreclosed mystery

I went to see a lovely foreclosure today - beautiful, 10 ft ceilings, three stories with a finished attic, and a pretty back yard on a quiet street.  At first I didn't think much of the sooty residue on the floors - probably the evidence of too many people with snowy, muddy shoes.  The black spatters on the wall where a puzzle, though - what did the previous owners do in these rooms?  The blown-out chunks of radiator cinched it.  I don't know what has to happen in a steam or hot water system to cause 5 inch cracks and holes the size of your hand in a cast iron radiator tube, but I doubt it was pretty.   And I doubt that it is the only thing that went wrong.  Back to searching...  I hope someone who knows something about radiators (and, it turns out, asbestos) takes the house and shows it some love.  It has the most beautiful bones. 

Jess

House hunting...continued

We toured a lovely home last week - a two-story dutch colonial in Glendale.  Built in the 1920's on 1/3 of an acre, with a wood-burning fireplace, french doors, hardwood floors and 9 foot ceilings.  A partially finished basement, and a large patio & shed in the backyard. 

Fast forward to the seller's disclosure:  knob & tube wiring (seriously?  the house has the original 1920's wiring?)  and termites. 

No, thank you.  As pretty as it is, we have to pass.


I have been thinking at lot about colors and design for the new place (where ever it is).  After enojoying our two cranberry courdoroy loveseats for a few years, I'm thinking about retiring them to a cozy den and looking at something more muted for the new living room.  Maybe something like this, with silvery blue wall?

Jess

New Year's Resolutions...

Last year was a resolution-less year. 

It was great. 

No promises to fix, improve, straighten, lose...  last year was just being.  (Oh, and finishing up a Ph. D.  Those suckers take up a lot of resolution energy.)

This year, I'm feeling like some new beginnings.  Like getting back on the exercise wagon, keeping our house company-clean everyday, organizing the unprinted photos from our first two years of marriage, and putting a bit more effort into weekday dinner (hopefully resulting in less 9PM pizza). I'll make the finished list tomorrow.  What 2010 resolutions did you make - and which ones did you keep?

Jess

A White Christmas

We woke up on Christmas morning to a wonderful surprise - snow!  Not the light dusting we usually get in December - thick, beautiful, stick-to-the-trees snow.  It was a beautiful drive up north to my parents' house for Christmas Eve. 

And sometimes, a little dangerous.

But we made it safely there and back. 

Merry Christmas!

Reading the Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society...

And yes, it made me cry.  This is this month's book club book.  After a series of books where I didn't really care about the characters, this one was beautiful.  I stayed up way too late one night reading it, just like a little kid with a new library book. 

Waiting it out...

I've noticed that the housing listings have definitely slumped since Thanksgiving (I know, big surprise...).  While I've been patiently waiting for the new year and new houses to arrive, I've been distracting myself with Christmas preparations!  This week's score - a set of vintage bone china kissing santas, just like the ones my mom has on her windowsill.  They make me happy seeing them on a self in my own little home. : )

Wanted: One perfect home for two

We have the specifics narrowed down - almost. 

I am looking for a two story, pre-1920's home with a fireplace, crown molding, spacious rooms, a cohesive floor plan, and the original doors and hardware.  Original windows and a large, tree-filled lot would be perfect. 

Shawn is looking for a new home with new appliances, plumbing, insulation, and HVAC with a garage and a finished basement. 

I care passionately about the feel and ambiance of the house - Shawn cares passionately about minimizing potential maintenance.  We both want to buy or install a new kitchen and baths.  And we would like to do this within the one 15-block area we both agree on... and within budget. 

The hunt is on for 2011!