No Name Cottage

My little workshop/getaway/sewing room/writer's studio/ creative place to dream and play/magical cottage is almost all put together now. There are only a few things left to do. Pictures still need to be hung. And there are a couple of shelves that I want to fill.
Here is the outside now. Geraniums are growing in the window boxes and herbs are in the wagon. We will paint the front door black to match the rest of the buildings. More landscaping will happen eventually. And as soon as I can commit to a name I will have a cottage sign above the door. John wants to name it "No More Cloudy Days" Cottage, but I think the name should be shorter. But that name means a lot to both of us, and was our wedding song. (Sung by the Eagles) When we first started seeing each other, we had both lived through a lot of storms and were happy to have sunshine in our lives. I am thinking Sunshine Cottage, or Sunrise, Sunlit or Sunlight. I'm just worried it sounds too much like a motel or nursing home! Unofficially, I think it will just be the cottage. But I want a sign!
                                                       

       Step inside and you will see everything at once because I have an open concept just like the decorating shows. Actually, it's because it measures 8 feet by 14 feet. Just inside the door is a small wooden chest with several drawers. One of the first things you will notice is all the fabric! I love this print, and don't think I could ever have too much of it. I hadn't planned to have the curtained alcoves, but they are perfect for storage. They hide and disguise several totes of fabric and craft supplies. (I have written before about my fascination with tension curtain rods. So many uses!)  The cupboard is an old computer desk and holds my sewing machine. Don't look too closely at the curtains. At this point they are only basted. I am still decorating with the stacked to the ceiling look.

Next is a comfy little chair located by the bookcases. Right now I spend a lot of time sitting here and admiring the room. There are a couple of antique suitcases next to the chair.

Here are some close up pictures of some of the treasures I am putting back on the shelves. I'm not done yet as I am still unpacking boxes that have spent a long time in storage. I can see an empty shelf, and I know that never happens. I will be moving things around for a while, but at least now I finally know what I want to keep and what isn't necessary anymore.

The desk was the only thing I didn't have previously. I found it a few days ago at an antique mall. It was just the right size, though not my usual style. I am drawn to the battered and chippy. This is much more elegant, but it works in my little cottage. I think it will be the perfect place for writing. I feel organized again. Well, maybe not organized, but on the way. In a few weeks, I am going to set up a booth at that mall, and finally work on letting go of extra things that I have been holding onto and keeping in storage for too long.  I am finally feeling more settled and it is a good feeling.

Wife Life: Trouble In Paradise

First of all, I need to set the stage and remind you all that I have a history with electronic devices. And it isn't a good history. From the time I got my first computer, and it took 157 sign-ins before I could actually connect with the internet until today's debacle with the remote,  I have always had unusual experiences. I can't even count the number of times that internet technicians have said to me, "I've never seen this happen before!!!

Every once in a while I visit a psychic for a card reading. (Doesn't everyone?) She was very quick to point out that I probably had trouble with this very thing. She said it was a sign of my powerful intuitive aura and electrical field or some such magical explanation.

My children would be the first to tell you that this is true. They will not let me use their computers or their phones.

So, today, I had a little mishap with the tv remote. I hardly touched it, but it wouldn't play nice. Finally, after a lot of exasperation, John was able to get it back to where it was supposed to be. I won't say that I have been banned completely from the remote, but I don't think the tv and I  will be on very good terms for a while. It occurred to me that our first fight just might be about a television.

Actually, things are going really well. There isn't any trouble here. I just thought it made a good title. Of course, there are so many changes in both our lives. Being a newlywed after many years of marriage, followed by several years of being alone, is bound to have some adjustments.  Learning someone else's routine is necessary. After years and years, we are used to doing everything a certain way, without really thinking about why or how. I have moved into a house where John has lived for nearly thirty years. He has raised a family, and had a wonderful, loving wife, who wasn't me.  And, I too, have all my memories of another life. It will take a while before we have adjusted to living in this house together.  At some point, we may decide to move, but right now this is best.

He has been so good about everything, while I am rearranging furniture, and adding my own considerable collections and personality to an already lived in and loved in space. I know it's difficult when I move something away from where it's always been, but he is always cheerful about it. Well, almost always. There is that little thing with the remote.

Moving-The Saga Continues

You would think I would be all moved by now. But I am not. I don't know why they call it "Moving Day". I've done it several times now and it always takes me a month. This time I planned it out, and started early. I was living in just two rooms for the past few years, so how much stuff could I have? Well, obviously, much more than I admit. Whenever I move, my main problem is paper. Books, magazines and files take up a large portion of space in my life. I don't know how it happens, but two narrow bookcases contain at least fifteen boxes of books when they are packed up. Heavy books! The math doesn't seem to match. Yes, I do have more than two bookcases. And files! I just can't believe it when people say you will never look at them again. I want to see everything.
I previously wrote about the bathtub story. I am still living it. My computer just broke. I may have dropped a box on it which contributed to its' sudden demise. When I went to buy a new one, I accidently backed into someone's new car in the parking lot. My House Mom job didn't end a month ago like I thought it would, and has involved some time consuming duties I wasn't planning to have. I found out that I can't have my mail forwarded because I am moving from a business to a residential address. So I am trying to let everyone know. And I will be changing my name. To add an extra little bit of complication and humiliation I sat in a chair which collapsed, and gave me several aches and bruises. I have cut out just about everything in my days recently that isn't necessary. (Okay, I did see the Downton Abbey movie, but that was absolutely necessary).
I have a new laptop now, but I am still trying to get used to it. Important files keep disappearing. Even now, my sentences are melting away, even as I write them. Am I the only one that has this happen? I've spent hours lately searching for things I need and used to have.
And now our wedding is only 2 weeks and 2 days away. There will be lots of changes! I no longer have a chef. I am enjoying cooking again, but you have to think about it every day!! I am learning to live with someone again. Really, twenty eight frat boys don't count. We are having a simple, but no longer small celebration. Most of the preparations are under control, if not finished. And I am sure it will come together. So I guess I am not yet a Bridezilla. Or, I am just in denial. Yes, that could be it. Today we got our marriage license. Now we are feeling pretty official! And very, very happy.

Here We Go Again

As some of you may or may not know, I have made a few changes in the last several weeks. I've gone in a new direction and become a fraternity house director or "house mom". And, yes, I did say fraternity! This position became available to me all of a sudden. In fact, I had my first interview an hour after I learned about it. And in a few short days I decided to change my life completely. I am now living at the newly built fraternity house with thirty young men. I'm still discovering what my duties will be and every day is a new experience. I have a teeny tiny apartment suite and am learning to really downsize. Not an easy thing for a woman who still had ten bookcases after the previous move. Now I have only one. ONE!!!!!
I will still have my charming brick tudor for a few more weeks as I clear it out and put my favorite treasures into storage. My new rooms are mostly furnished, as if I needed any more furniture. So I am changing my style and changing my life.
I've loved the duplex and certainly didn't think I would be leaving soon, but life does have a way of surprising me.

This has been my House of Healing.I am sad to leave it but happy to move on to my House of Adventure.

Moving Right Along

"Good Luck Follows Bad" That's an old gypsy proverb and it's how I'm thinking about life right now. It seems like everything is going smoothly now, and I am not used to that these past few years! I have found a place that will be perfect for me, I think. A duplex in an established tree lined neighborhood. I even have a bookstore and coffeeshop within walking distance. This place was built in the mid 1920's, so it has many features that I love.  As you may know, I am all about the cute,and this place warms my heart.  
I have the second floor, and actually have about the same square footage as the main floor of my present house. So I will have room for most of my favorite things. But I still have a lot that has to go. 

This arch leads to the dining room, just like the one in my house now. It will be strange to be a renter, and I will miss so many things about my little cottage, but finding this place helps so much. Of course, now I'm worried that I have jinxed myself. I've already signed the lease and have the key. This VictorianGypsy is ready for some good luck!

Sold!!

It's been a whirl wind of a week. Once I finally listed the house, things went very quickly. Just about 5 days! I felt like the popular girl at the party. Everybody wanted to dance with my house. Hope it continues to go so smoothly. Of course, there is the inspection, and the appraisal, and all those other nervewracking things, but it all looks good. Now, of course, I have to find another place to live......and soon. I have my eye on a duplex that reminds me a lot of this house. Hopefully, I will get it. 
Today marks the completion of the second year of my life as a widow. In my head there is a book forming about the bitter and the sweet and all the changes we go through in this journey and the things I have learned. I don't know if it will ever happen, but it is there.

Finally Listed

Built in 1918-My Little Bungalow

My house is officially for sale! Thought I would never get to this point, but I did. Now I just have to keep it ever-ready for however long it takes. Here are a few pictures, and if you want to see more, just go here.
                                                                   

We bought the house in  2006 and moved in on June 23, Jim's birthday. It has been a good house, and I truly love it, but it was a house for another life. I'm not sure what my life will be like from now on, or even where I will be living. But I know I want to rent an apartment rather than buy, and to put money into my travel fund. That is the plan, such as it is. I really like this style of cottage, so I've been looking at buildings from the 1920's. I want solid paneled doors and woodwork, wooden floors, quirky rooms, and style that doesn't look like everybody else. Whoops, sounds like I want just what I'm leaving. I want small, but not too small, a space for sewing and crafts, and a tiny kitchen. Or maybe I want something downtown and industrial.My options are pretty open at this point. I just know I am done with houses, for now, anyway. As I have been writing about the rooms, I have had to go back and change "we" to "I" about six times. I will never get used to this being a house for one. It's a grand little house, and I wish it many more happy years, just not with me.

The magic camera makes everything look pretty big, but bedrooms in a bungalow are usually quite small. I put the bookcases together by myself last year. Being the book fanatic that I am, I thought that bookcases would make a perfect headboard and they do.

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I've blogged before about our basement remodeling. This is a large family room. I haven't watched tv for two years, and never use this room any more. How silly is that? There is also an almost kitchen, and my super-duper craft room and storage rooms here, and a great bathroom. For awhile, I thought about turning the downstairs into an apartment. 

Blogger is jumping all over the place tonite and I can't get any of these pictures the way I want them to go! But this is just an idea of what my house looks like now. I can't wait until I can start cluttering up all these bare surfaces again. I am hopeless!!