The home I am hoping to purchase used to be the local school house before it was moved to its current location.
The other day my girlfriend met a man named Mr. Russel. He has known her father for many years. He shared with her that he taught at the schoolhouse when it was still on Minor Rd. He confirmed that most people in that town went to that school when they were children.
This tidbit is not schoolhouse related, but interesting anyhow. He gets a special permit from the DNR to hunt from his vehicle because he is 90-something and has a hard time walking around. In case you didn’t know, hunting is a big part of life in that area and it is illegal to shoot an animal from your vehicle.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Home That Found Me
I found a house I want to buy. Well, I didn’t really find it. It found me. Or, as my dad says, it fell in my lap.
The boys and I went up north to spend the weekend with a friend. While we were visiting it occurred to her that a home she recently looked at would be perfect for our family. It used to be the towns one room school house, complete with apple trees and grape vines. It even has the old bell tower; the bell has fallen but is still there. Years ago it had been moved on logs to the two acre lot on which it now resides. The older locals actually attended school there when they were young. The realtor showed it to us and I immediately fell in love.
When I arrived home I called my lawyer and he said that I cannot take out a loan because my divorce is not final. He did not recommend purchasing at all until after the divorce, even with a land contract or with cash because all of our assets will be split, including a newly purchased home. I was a bit disappointed, but I figure that if God intends for me to own that home then all the pieces will fall into place at the right time.
After talking to my lawyer I contacted the realtor. She said that the owners are still dragging their feet about signing the papers to put the home on the market, which benefits me because legally I cannot purchase now and also I do not have much money saved for a down payment. I was not really looking to purchase a home right now anyhow.
The owners are dragging their feet for several reasons. The grandmother is so sentimental she cannot come into the home with out leaving in tears. She wants someone to own the home that will love and cherish it. The kids are bickering back and forth as to how much the home is worth, some feel they should ask WAY over market value and others feel they should sell as low as possible to get rid of it. Also they all live several hours away and have been slow to remove their personal items from the home. Did I mention that it has been used as the family hunting cabin for several years?
I have always dreamed of refurbishing an old school or church or even a barn as our home. This school had already been lived in as a home so it has a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. Also it is the perfect size for our family, if not a tad bit large because I like a cozy home. It has a sturdy wood burning stove in the middle, just like when it was a school. I like the old-cottage-country style so I would not have to do much remodeling. The well and septic are good and the water in that area is delicious!
The yard is a rolling fenced two acre lot; it is mostly grass with several apple and oak trees, one would make a wonderful location for a tree house. It is perfect for chickens, milk goats and a good sized garden…oh, I can’t forget about the sheep I always wanted to have. I only want one sheep, as a novelty, but a little wool will be a nice bonus. I can picture the flowers along the path and in the window boxes.
When you raise chickens for meat and eggs, goats for, milk, cheese and other dairy products and a good garden for freezing and canning you do not need to have a large income. I will have to convert some of the grass into feed for the animals though. It is a lot of work to raise animals and garden for food, but it is a rewarding lifestyle. When we had our big house in Clio we raised chickens and rabbits and had a nice big garden.
My girlfriend taught me how to do my canning in large quantities. I will tell you about that in a different post titled something like “Canning in Large Quantities”. Original title huh.
I have no idea if we will be moving to this home or not. As of right now it is just a dream. My original plan was to purchase a couple acres. Save my money. Purchase a travel trailer. Save my money, Purchase the well and septic. Save my money. Do you see a pattern here? LOL After purchasing the land my boys and I would be able to camp there and also raise a garden. It would be a nice place to play and get away from the city, if you can call our small town the city, and we would save and do little bits at a time as we have the money until eventually we have a small home (cottage?) on the property to call home.
The boys and I went up north to spend the weekend with a friend. While we were visiting it occurred to her that a home she recently looked at would be perfect for our family. It used to be the towns one room school house, complete with apple trees and grape vines. It even has the old bell tower; the bell has fallen but is still there. Years ago it had been moved on logs to the two acre lot on which it now resides. The older locals actually attended school there when they were young. The realtor showed it to us and I immediately fell in love.
When I arrived home I called my lawyer and he said that I cannot take out a loan because my divorce is not final. He did not recommend purchasing at all until after the divorce, even with a land contract or with cash because all of our assets will be split, including a newly purchased home. I was a bit disappointed, but I figure that if God intends for me to own that home then all the pieces will fall into place at the right time.
After talking to my lawyer I contacted the realtor. She said that the owners are still dragging their feet about signing the papers to put the home on the market, which benefits me because legally I cannot purchase now and also I do not have much money saved for a down payment. I was not really looking to purchase a home right now anyhow.
The owners are dragging their feet for several reasons. The grandmother is so sentimental she cannot come into the home with out leaving in tears. She wants someone to own the home that will love and cherish it. The kids are bickering back and forth as to how much the home is worth, some feel they should ask WAY over market value and others feel they should sell as low as possible to get rid of it. Also they all live several hours away and have been slow to remove their personal items from the home. Did I mention that it has been used as the family hunting cabin for several years?
I have always dreamed of refurbishing an old school or church or even a barn as our home. This school had already been lived in as a home so it has a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. Also it is the perfect size for our family, if not a tad bit large because I like a cozy home. It has a sturdy wood burning stove in the middle, just like when it was a school. I like the old-cottage-country style so I would not have to do much remodeling. The well and septic are good and the water in that area is delicious!
The yard is a rolling fenced two acre lot; it is mostly grass with several apple and oak trees, one would make a wonderful location for a tree house. It is perfect for chickens, milk goats and a good sized garden…oh, I can’t forget about the sheep I always wanted to have. I only want one sheep, as a novelty, but a little wool will be a nice bonus. I can picture the flowers along the path and in the window boxes.
When you raise chickens for meat and eggs, goats for, milk, cheese and other dairy products and a good garden for freezing and canning you do not need to have a large income. I will have to convert some of the grass into feed for the animals though. It is a lot of work to raise animals and garden for food, but it is a rewarding lifestyle. When we had our big house in Clio we raised chickens and rabbits and had a nice big garden.
My girlfriend taught me how to do my canning in large quantities. I will tell you about that in a different post titled something like “Canning in Large Quantities”. Original title huh.
I have no idea if we will be moving to this home or not. As of right now it is just a dream. My original plan was to purchase a couple acres. Save my money. Purchase a travel trailer. Save my money, Purchase the well and septic. Save my money. Do you see a pattern here? LOL After purchasing the land my boys and I would be able to camp there and also raise a garden. It would be a nice place to play and get away from the city, if you can call our small town the city, and we would save and do little bits at a time as we have the money until eventually we have a small home (cottage?) on the property to call home.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Indiana Jones at the Drive-In Theater
My boys had their first drive-in experience this weekend. We were contemplating what we should do this Memorial Day weekend. We all wanted to see the new Indiana Jones movie. I was deciding which theater to go to and suddenly it occurred to me that we should go to the drive-in!
First, we went to Italia Gardens for pasta and yummy bread. While there we thought it would be neat if their friends came too. I called my girlfriend and her husband was home so they packed their lawn chairs, snacks and blankets in their truck and met us there.
It got pretty chilly. I was silly and didn’t even think about dressing warm for the evening weather, but it worked out fine. The children all crawled in the truck to stay warm while the adults snuggled in blankets outdoors and chatted while watching the movie. We had fun.
I bet you are wondering what we thought of the Indiana Jones movie? We loved it. It was exactly what we expected. It had all the silly adventure that the other movies had plus a sweet sappy ending. I especially love that they always make it out of dangerous situations by the “hair of their teeth”. It is completely unrealistic but totally entertaining.
First, we went to Italia Gardens for pasta and yummy bread. While there we thought it would be neat if their friends came too. I called my girlfriend and her husband was home so they packed their lawn chairs, snacks and blankets in their truck and met us there.
It got pretty chilly. I was silly and didn’t even think about dressing warm for the evening weather, but it worked out fine. The children all crawled in the truck to stay warm while the adults snuggled in blankets outdoors and chatted while watching the movie. We had fun.
I bet you are wondering what we thought of the Indiana Jones movie? We loved it. It was exactly what we expected. It had all the silly adventure that the other movies had plus a sweet sappy ending. I especially love that they always make it out of dangerous situations by the “hair of their teeth”. It is completely unrealistic but totally entertaining.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Survived Ugly Trials? Don't Hide From Them
Today I was thinking about the Forget-Me-Nots that I wrote about the other day. I wish I had taken a picture of that dead-looking mess so you could see the amazing transformation that happened overnight.
It is so amazing how GOD can take something that looks like a dried up, dead mess and just as you’re thinking that you had better tear it before the neighbors notice how unkempt your garden is, HE suddenly turns it into amazingly beautiful flowers and foliage.
I hope I can remember the transformation of those flowers when I am tempted to be too hard and critical of myself and children…or anyone.
GOD has HIS own perfect timing. We cannot know what he has planned for our lives; we must grow at the pace he sets before us.
What we think is a big mess is most often the natural progression of HIS perfect plan for growth and healing in our lives.
These thoughts remind me of this video I discovered a few weeks ago by Seventh Day Slumber.
If you don’t know who these guys are you should check them out. They are real people living real lives and trying to make a difference in our world.
Here is a video of Joseph’s Finally Awake Story.
It is so amazing how GOD can take something that looks like a dried up, dead mess and just as you’re thinking that you had better tear it before the neighbors notice how unkempt your garden is, HE suddenly turns it into amazingly beautiful flowers and foliage.
I hope I can remember the transformation of those flowers when I am tempted to be too hard and critical of myself and children…or anyone.
GOD has HIS own perfect timing. We cannot know what he has planned for our lives; we must grow at the pace he sets before us.
What we think is a big mess is most often the natural progression of HIS perfect plan for growth and healing in our lives.
These thoughts remind me of this video I discovered a few weeks ago by Seventh Day Slumber.
If you don’t know who these guys are you should check them out. They are real people living real lives and trying to make a difference in our world.
Here is a video of Joseph’s Finally Awake Story.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Park Closed For Season: Our First 2008 Roadtrip to the Beach
Last month Debbie and I took a drive to Caseville to spend the day lounging on the beach. I know what you’re thinking...going to the beach in Michigan in April?!? Well, you know we are just crazy that way. Plus, it was such a beautiful day and the boyz were with their father so I was a bit bored. Of course the beach does not open till Memorial Day, but that did not deter us. When we arrived we parked in a parking lot of a business in the neighborhood and walked to the beach. We rolled up our pants and spent the first half of the day going from sand bar to sand bar. Yes, the water was COLD on our feet but we only had to take a few steps before we reached the next sand bar, and the sun warmed the sand and our feet nicely.
When we got hungry we drove to the little gas station and bought sodas and cheese popcorn. The Crispy Cream donuts were tempting, but at 99 cents each and my pants still being a bit tight from my winter weight, I “just said no”. We considered going to Port Austin to take a walk on the pier, but decided against it since the fun stores are closed until the season opens and gas prices are so high now.
We goofed around for a bit before we decided to go back to the beach for the sunset. This time we wore our hoodies. It gets quite chilly on the water when the sun goes down. The beach and campground was closed so we could not park in the parking lot. We parked in the little area in front of the metal gate designed to keep people like us out till the season begins. I am pretty sure we are not supposed to park there, but the police just pretended they didn’t see us. There was another family parked there but they were leaving just as we arrived, except one young man. This beach has a campground with mobile homes and permanently parked travel trailers. There are also sites to bring your tent or travel trailer. This young man walked to his motor home and went inside. Obviously we are not the only rule breakers in that town. We watched the sun set until we could not stand the cold anymore. Debbie says that once she gets chilled to her bones it takes forever to get warm again.
On our way home we stopped at McDonalds and posed for some glamour-shots with the infamous Ronald McDonald. We could not get his autograph or anything because he is molded plastic. I will post photos of this when I finally break down and purchase a cord that connects my phone to my computer. Darn Verizon doesn’t use standard ports so I have to order it or go to the Verizon store, which I have been too lazy to do.
We arrived at Debbie’s around midnight. I gathered my things and headed home. Hanging out on the beach is one of my favorite pastimes. I look forward to more beach days this summer. I have a dream of spending an entire, carefree summer in my travel trailer (which I don’t have yet, it’s part of the dream) with my boys, parked on a beautiful beach.
…maybe someday…
Walt Disney said,
“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.”
I believe this to be true. My biggest dreams have been to be a wife, mother and teacher. I was a wife for 15 years. (I hope to be a wife again someday). I have always been a stay at home mom and have homeschooled two of them into adulthood, the other two are still at home. So, I will continue to dream.
When we got hungry we drove to the little gas station and bought sodas and cheese popcorn. The Crispy Cream donuts were tempting, but at 99 cents each and my pants still being a bit tight from my winter weight, I “just said no”. We considered going to Port Austin to take a walk on the pier, but decided against it since the fun stores are closed until the season opens and gas prices are so high now.
We goofed around for a bit before we decided to go back to the beach for the sunset. This time we wore our hoodies. It gets quite chilly on the water when the sun goes down. The beach and campground was closed so we could not park in the parking lot. We parked in the little area in front of the metal gate designed to keep people like us out till the season begins. I am pretty sure we are not supposed to park there, but the police just pretended they didn’t see us. There was another family parked there but they were leaving just as we arrived, except one young man. This beach has a campground with mobile homes and permanently parked travel trailers. There are also sites to bring your tent or travel trailer. This young man walked to his motor home and went inside. Obviously we are not the only rule breakers in that town. We watched the sun set until we could not stand the cold anymore. Debbie says that once she gets chilled to her bones it takes forever to get warm again.
On our way home we stopped at McDonalds and posed for some glamour-shots with the infamous Ronald McDonald. We could not get his autograph or anything because he is molded plastic. I will post photos of this when I finally break down and purchase a cord that connects my phone to my computer. Darn Verizon doesn’t use standard ports so I have to order it or go to the Verizon store, which I have been too lazy to do.
We arrived at Debbie’s around midnight. I gathered my things and headed home. Hanging out on the beach is one of my favorite pastimes. I look forward to more beach days this summer. I have a dream of spending an entire, carefree summer in my travel trailer (which I don’t have yet, it’s part of the dream) with my boys, parked on a beautiful beach.
…maybe someday…
Walt Disney said,
“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.”
I believe this to be true. My biggest dreams have been to be a wife, mother and teacher. I was a wife for 15 years. (I hope to be a wife again someday). I have always been a stay at home mom and have homeschooled two of them into adulthood, the other two are still at home. So, I will continue to dream.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
the forget-me-nots are blooming!
the forget-me-nots are in bloom....
like crazy!
there are flowers all over the plant.
it's beautiful.
i opened my curtains and happened to get a glimps of tiny blue flowers.
at first i thought the boyz must have left something in the garden, but then i thought...
why would they take fake flowers outside?
why would they be playing with fake flowers at all?
so i leaned over to take another look and ..
SURPRISE!!!
i was so excited that i hollared to the boys that the flowers were in bloom...
and of course we had to let papa know right away. LOL
Z excitedly told me that they popped out yesterday and that the day before there was nothing there but that dead straw looking stuff...
thank GOD we didn't tear it out.
forget-me-nots are the Alzheimer's flower.
my mom died of Alzheimer's disease several years ago.
my dad planted them as a memorial to her.
...and, yes, i know that i did not use many capital letters in this post...
im just a gramatical rebel that way :P
like crazy!
there are flowers all over the plant.
it's beautiful.
i opened my curtains and happened to get a glimps of tiny blue flowers.
at first i thought the boyz must have left something in the garden, but then i thought...
why would they take fake flowers outside?
why would they be playing with fake flowers at all?
so i leaned over to take another look and ..
SURPRISE!!!
i was so excited that i hollared to the boys that the flowers were in bloom...
and of course we had to let papa know right away. LOL
Z excitedly told me that they popped out yesterday and that the day before there was nothing there but that dead straw looking stuff...
thank GOD we didn't tear it out.
forget-me-nots are the Alzheimer's flower.
my mom died of Alzheimer's disease several years ago.
my dad planted them as a memorial to her.
...and, yes, i know that i did not use many capital letters in this post...
im just a gramatical rebel that way :P
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