After finding out that we will be able to purchase the land we need for our septic system, it turns out the optimum location is in a place that will not be visible AND will allow us to put in a less-expensive system. Wow. Can I just say how blessed I am feeling right now? I tend to be the planner, and once I have my plan, I want to execute the plan RIGHT NOW.
The journey we are on with this house is teaching me to slow down, enjoy the ride, look around and 'treasure' all of the little things because there is goodness to be found along the way.
At the same time, I can picture the house in my mind already finished, and I can feel the restored wood flooring beneath my feet, picture my family and I sitting on the front porch drinking lemonade and laughing at the dogs running around the yard. Can anyone relate to this?
It is so appropriate that next week we celebrate Thanksgiving...and I am so overwhelmingly, tearfully thankful.
Blessings to you all!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
WHEW!
I can finally exhale! We WILL be able to get the land we need for the septic. Still many things to do, but at least that part is confirmed!
In the spirit of looking ahead, I have to share this currently ugly, but potentially darling dresser project:
I know, ugly huh?
It is currently keeping the chair company (that I posted previously), and like the chair, this dresser will be restored by me and given new life!
The size and shape remind me of this dresser that has been in my family for a very long time, and likely could have come from the same part of the country as the house:
I know it's not exactly the same, but it reminds me of the other one.
I'm curious to strip the old peach paint off the other one and see what kind of wood is under there!
In the spirit of looking ahead, I have to share this currently ugly, but potentially darling dresser project:
It is currently keeping the chair company (that I posted previously), and like the chair, this dresser will be restored by me and given new life!
The size and shape remind me of this dresser that has been in my family for a very long time, and likely could have come from the same part of the country as the house:
I'm curious to strip the old peach paint off the other one and see what kind of wood is under there!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Today is a pivotal day...
This evening there is a meeting taking place that will hopefully give us a definitive answer as to whether we can move forward with the purchase of our dream home.
As it stands, the current property lines are such that when the new septic system is installed, it would take up pretty much all of the usable space in the backyard...leaving no place for my gardens, or the dog run, or the chicken coop, or place for the kids to run. Based on the type of soil on the property, the lines coming out from the tanks have to be above-ground -- for those of you in the know, it would be a 'mound' system.
Without going into detail, we pray that it will be clear how we should proceed.
Will post again when we get the word!
As it stands, the current property lines are such that when the new septic system is installed, it would take up pretty much all of the usable space in the backyard...leaving no place for my gardens, or the dog run, or the chicken coop, or place for the kids to run. Based on the type of soil on the property, the lines coming out from the tanks have to be above-ground -- for those of you in the know, it would be a 'mound' system.
Without going into detail, we pray that it will be clear how we should proceed.
Will post again when we get the word!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Still waiting....
We are still awaiting some details on the property before we close....
...in the meantime, I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!
Here is our youngest. She trick-or-treated for the first time!
...in the meantime, I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!
Here is our youngest. She trick-or-treated for the first time!
Will post again soon!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sometimes We Post Too Soon
Update coming....it may not be over yet!
If you are the praying kind, please send some up for us!
Thanks!
If you are the praying kind, please send some up for us!
Thanks!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Longing for Fall
I caught a glimpse, a whiff, a shadow of fall and then it was gone - the weather in the 90s again. Boo. I long for the time in the not too distant future when the seasons are more distinct, and we are knee deep in house renovation. But first things first...and I am willing myself to be patient.
On a lighter note, a dear friend who has seen the house photos told me that our little beauty reminds her of two other humble homesteads of U.S. Presidents. I think that's very complementary. Thank you G.
The first is the boyhood home of Richard Nixon:
And the other is Eisenhower's:
I love that they are both white, like ours, and surrounded by a canopy of tall trees. For those reasons, I would agree!
On a lighter note, a dear friend who has seen the house photos told me that our little beauty reminds her of two other humble homesteads of U.S. Presidents. I think that's very complementary. Thank you G.
The first is the boyhood home of Richard Nixon:
I love that they are both white, like ours, and surrounded by a canopy of tall trees. For those reasons, I would agree!
Monday, October 4, 2010
A New View
Happy Monday everyone! So excited to see we have 3 followers as of the time I am writing this! Thanks everyone for visiting!
I should let you all know that the "K" part of the K&A equation is not likely to write any blog posts, so from here on out, just assume it is me, "A." No offence to the hubby, this is just not his thing along with social media of any kind. Tried it already. He was on FB for about 24 hours and then deleted his account. ;-)
Along with the chair photo I posted last week, I wanted to put another 'before' shot up - one that is currently in my planning vice.
This is the current view when you walk through the front door:
This is the view from the living room into the kitchen. The green is crazy, no?
What excites me about planning the kitchen is that it is a blank slate! Other than the hideous old flooring, which is warped and gross, the only other thing in the kitchen is an old bank of cabinets (with sink) on the right hand wall, here:
Back to my plan....and I am a planner, let me tell you. (K keeps telling me we are a long way away from picking paint colors, but I can't help but pick up paint chips whenever we are in the hardware store! To hold them in my hands is tangible evidence that this is really happening - that we will really have our dream house in the not too distant future. For that reason, picking up the chips is very calming and reassuring to me.)
So, in my plan, the whole back wall of the kitchen will be windows - I'm thinking 3 large windows because of the odd number thing in design looking more natural and all. That way, you'll be able to look right through to the backyard, fields of corn and lovely trees. The kitchen sink will be smack dab in the middle of the wall and I can't wait to do dishes there -- looking out at the peacefulness.
I should let you all know that the "K" part of the K&A equation is not likely to write any blog posts, so from here on out, just assume it is me, "A." No offence to the hubby, this is just not his thing along with social media of any kind. Tried it already. He was on FB for about 24 hours and then deleted his account. ;-)
Along with the chair photo I posted last week, I wanted to put another 'before' shot up - one that is currently in my planning vice.
This is the current view when you walk through the front door:
This is the view from the living room into the kitchen. The green is crazy, no?
What excites me about planning the kitchen is that it is a blank slate! Other than the hideous old flooring, which is warped and gross, the only other thing in the kitchen is an old bank of cabinets (with sink) on the right hand wall, here:
Back to my plan....and I am a planner, let me tell you. (K keeps telling me we are a long way away from picking paint colors, but I can't help but pick up paint chips whenever we are in the hardware store! To hold them in my hands is tangible evidence that this is really happening - that we will really have our dream house in the not too distant future. For that reason, picking up the chips is very calming and reassuring to me.)
So, in my plan, the whole back wall of the kitchen will be windows - I'm thinking 3 large windows because of the odd number thing in design looking more natural and all. That way, you'll be able to look right through to the backyard, fields of corn and lovely trees. The kitchen sink will be smack dab in the middle of the wall and I can't wait to do dishes there -- looking out at the peacefulness.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Check out the October issue of This Old House magazine!
How fun it is to see our house in this month's issue of This Old House magazine! It is featured on the last page, "Save This Old House," and while you can't view it on their website, check it out at your latest newsstand. (btw, this month's issue was really informative for us.)
Monday, September 27, 2010
See This Chair?
It's new home will be downstairs in the living room and I'm thinking it will be a good jumping off point for the room's decor. I love something velvety in the living room for the coziness, so maybe a deep navy or aubergine velvet?
--A.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
House History
According to Indiana Landmarks, this is the history on our house, which is known as the Christian Tash House:
Christian Tash, Sr. was one of ten children born to John and Sarah Tash who settled in Washington County in 1816, from North Carolina. In 1847, Christian Tash married Matilda Walker and subsequently purchased 205 acres near the original family homestead on the Blue River where he built the present house in 1853. Local historical accounts lay claim that in the summer of 1863, Confederate cavalry under the command of Captain William Davis, who was a part of General John Hunt Morgan’s unit, forded the Blue River near this property and commandeered the original Tash homestead where they consumed all of the food supply of the Tash family. Upon leaving the Tash house, the men encountered Union soldiers at the top of nearby Oak Ridge Hill where a skirmish occurred resulting in the death of one confederate troop, the wounding of five others, and the capturing of nineteen. The event has become known as the Battle of Oak Ridge and is marked by a plaque. The Christian Tash farm remained in the Tash family until the 1990’s with the death of family member Everett Marvin Tash.
Christian Tash, Sr. was one of ten children born to John and Sarah Tash who settled in Washington County in 1816, from North Carolina. In 1847, Christian Tash married Matilda Walker and subsequently purchased 205 acres near the original family homestead on the Blue River where he built the present house in 1853. Local historical accounts lay claim that in the summer of 1863, Confederate cavalry under the command of Captain William Davis, who was a part of General John Hunt Morgan’s unit, forded the Blue River near this property and commandeered the original Tash homestead where they consumed all of the food supply of the Tash family. Upon leaving the Tash house, the men encountered Union soldiers at the top of nearby Oak Ridge Hill where a skirmish occurred resulting in the death of one confederate troop, the wounding of five others, and the capturing of nineteen. The event has become known as the Battle of Oak Ridge and is marked by a plaque. The Christian Tash farm remained in the Tash family until the 1990’s with the death of family member Everett Marvin Tash.
I love that there is history with the house! I'm looking forward to seeing the plaque for myself. I will post a pic when I do.
--A.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
We got it!
Thank you Board of Directors at Indiana Landmarks!!!! We got the call this afternoon that the vote was in our favor!!! I guess I should have had more faith but I am a bit of a worrier.
I'm jumping for joy!!!!!! The hubby (K) would too if he did that sort of thing but mostly I am the one that emotes more visibly!
K has already seen the house in person, but I haven't, so the next step is for me to fly out (did I mention we live on the west coast and the house is in the Midwest?), take more photos, take more measurements, and meet everyone that has helped us so far.
We already feel so welcome. I'm sure for many (most?) people who live in the Midwest the fact that people are genuinely nice, helpful and welcoming is not surprising but it touches us so much, it's hard to put into words. We already feel like we are part of the community and it definitely is a confirmation that we are on the path that is intended for us.
Next time, I'll talk about the historical aspects of the house! Stay tuned!
--A.
I'm jumping for joy!!!!!! The hubby (K) would too if he did that sort of thing but mostly I am the one that emotes more visibly!
K has already seen the house in person, but I haven't, so the next step is for me to fly out (did I mention we live on the west coast and the house is in the Midwest?), take more photos, take more measurements, and meet everyone that has helped us so far.
We already feel so welcome. I'm sure for many (most?) people who live in the Midwest the fact that people are genuinely nice, helpful and welcoming is not surprising but it touches us so much, it's hard to put into words. We already feel like we are part of the community and it definitely is a confirmation that we are on the path that is intended for us.
Next time, I'll talk about the historical aspects of the house! Stay tuned!
--A.
The Vote
Obviously, before any work on the house can begin, it has to actually be 'ours.' Because our diamond-in-the-rough is currently owned by Indiana Landmarks (a non-profit historical preservation organization), its board of directors must vote to approve our offer. The vote is set to take place at 9am ET. While we have been assured by our friends there that there should be no problems, after learning yesterday about a potential issue, I've been in tears today worrying. It has gone so well up to now, I should have expected something, right? Now I have to try to sleep and wait until we get the call. I think I will go clean something to distract myself.
I want to highlight for the record how wonderful the folks at Indiana Landmarks and the real estate agent there have been. Gentlemen, we are so truly grateful for your time, efforts and warm welcome. You'll be the first folks invited for dinner when the house is presentable!
I want to highlight for the record how wonderful the folks at Indiana Landmarks and the real estate agent there have been. Gentlemen, we are so truly grateful for your time, efforts and warm welcome. You'll be the first folks invited for dinner when the house is presentable!
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