Author: admin

Marilyn’s House

   Marilyn Monroe died three years before I was born, but her story always intrigued me. I don’t think the true full story will ever be revealed. The mob, a famous baseball player, a movie mogul, the Kennedys!… whodunit is right.

  I feel sorry for the celebrities who get caught up and die in the wicked machinery that is Hollywood.  Anna Nicole Smith is another who wasn’t mentally strong enough to handle the crush.  Will somebody please save Lindsay Lohan, even if it’s from herself?!

  Marilyn’s house is on the market…12305 5Th Helena Drive Los Angeles,  – $3,595,000.
She lived there for  just the  last six months of her life and it’s her place of death as well. 

What a beautiful little oasis it apparently was not.

Before and After – Barn/Garage

  There were several brown outbuildings where the new garage stands… The largest consisted of a dog kennel on the far end, a sculpting studio, an apartment and a two car garage. Next to that stood a  chicken coup and another two car garage. There was alot of wood rot and no historical significance, as the building was constructed approximately 40-50 years go, and the decision was made to take it down instead of trying to patch it up. We didn’t need that kind of extra space, either… (less is more! )

 What we have now is similar in look and in the same place as the old brown barn building, consisting of a small gym at the back, workshop for Mike’s “stuff” in the middle (this workshop has a rear entrance from the road)  and three bay garage at the front, entered from the main driveway.

 It was a cluster of buildings originally…

 Pared down to just one…
 

You’ve gotta be kidding me

Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston reveal exclusively in the new Us Weekly that they are getting married.

And, they tell Us Weekly, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has been kept in the dark about their plans … until now.
“We got engaged two weeks ago,” Bristol, 19, tells Us Weekly. “It felt right, even though we don’t have the approval of our parents.”

I’m no fan of Sarah Palin, and I know that will offend some of you because she does have many faithful fans. But I do feel just alittle sorry for her at this moment.  Do any of you remember this lovely young man’s interviews after his breakup with Bristol?  The things he said about her family, her mother? …his apparently soon-to-be mother-in-law.  What is this young woman thinking?  I sure hope this is not the way SP found out, on the cover of a magazine.

This is why people should never be married before they are atleast 25.  ATLEAST.   Although, it’s also true that age does not guarantee the absence of stupidity.  

*sigh*

When Life Reminds You

I didn’t know this woman and yet she has unknowingly reminded me of the most important lesson.  Truly.. Live For Today… there is no guarantee of tomorrow.  Hold dear what is important and let go of all the petty things. Let go.

http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/

 I have no appropriate words, just tremendous sorrow for the loss her family has suffered.

Live for today.

Before and After – About her face

  When we bought This Old House, we had to go before the Historical Preservation Committee in our town. They were a newly formed and wet-behind-the-ears group and we were their first case.  FUN!  One of their concerns was that the old house would still have the same “face” when she was rebuilt.  A prominent committee member actually requested that we don’t change a thing.  The building inspector was quick to reply that the house would not pass inspection or meet today’s codes with everything exactly as it was, and therefore some changes were necessary.   In the end we kept as much of the historical integrity of the house as possible, with a few additions.

This photo shows the house before it was taken down, sitting 40 feet closer to the road.  The foundation was moved back 40 feet when the frame was put back together.   The photo also shows the old barn and outbuildings.

This is how it looks now from almost the same angle.
Just before the take-down…
Frame reset on it’s new foundation…
Building her back up again…
Mission accomplished.
  

Normal

 Anyone who’s been through a difficult time (I think that covers just about all of us)  – whether the cause is illness, tragedy or just plain overwhelming life events – knows the value of an ordinary day.  Normal. 

Since the decision was made to jump into the resurrection of This Old House, our life has been on a treadmill with the packing up and preparing the old place for resale, the work of rebuilding the new homestead,  and all the other life shifting that goes with the territory.  It’s been wonderful and overwhelming at the same time and it all came on the heels of two tragic events in our life.

Today was the first normal day in a long time and it felt good. 
The boys won their first AllStar game in the blazing heat….

 We spectator moms sat in the shade talking Twilight.  This is Janice… she shares my love for the Twilight books and movies… yes I know, you’re rolling your eyes, aren’t you.  If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it.

Mike got to spend quality time with his girlfriend….
He missed her, I can tell.

  Tell me what an ideal normal day is for you, I’de like to know.

Before and After – Out back

  The inside of the house is not ready for her close-up yet, we’ve only got about 2,832 boxes left to  chuck in the dumpster  unpack so I’ll start with an outside before and after. 

 Unrelated  (well not really) …If ever you need a strong reminder that you have indeed reached middle age, may I suggest you pack up your house and move.  Every muscle in my body is talking to me tonight as I sit to type this post and I  won’t tell you what they’re saying.    That whole “less is more” concept I blabbed about earlier?   Yeah.. it’s a really really good idea and I’m gonna try my damndest to stick to it from here on out.  Remind me of this if ever I start to veer off course..

These were taken a year ago, just as the dismantle process began. Amazing what was accomplished in a year… a HUGE testament to the abilities of the men who came together to take down the house and raise her up again. 

Winter 09
Spring 09
Summer 2010
 The old dogleg off the back of the house was not historically significant. The space was needed, however, so another 1800’s house that Jeff had dismantled and stored in a trailer was resurrected where the old addition had been . In this picture you can see its outline clearly. When we sit in the family room with the cathedral into the loft, we’re in the “Chester” house.

   Tonight’s sky… we still have not received the rain that was promised, and oh, do we need it.

Raptors Live On

  We were given two wingback chairs from the late 1800’s by the previous owner of This Old House. They were in need of new fabric and I found a nice toile print.  The color is a faded coral with a brown  and beige pattern.  I loved them immediately when they came home to roost… and then my son said:

 “Why are the dogs chasing dinosaurs on the chairs?” 

Huh?   

“See? … aren’t those Raptors?”  …..

*Sigh. *
You know… I see it… I really do.

Ben made himself right at home in his new digs (my office)… and then he decided to DIG in my office.  So.. apparently at 14 months old he is not yet trustworthy when left alone to his own devices.  The Pen came back up from the basement and takes up most of my… office.
 (see hole in new pine floors in front of pen).  

The place is still a mess, and we’re still going back and forth cleaning up the old homestead.  I do love it here already though…and thanks for all your comments and encouragement . You make the ride that much more enjoyable.

George Washington slept here

  No he didn’t… but we did, finally!!!

 Sitting out on the back porch this morning on our folding chairs (no porch furniture yet)  with coffee in hand, gazing out over the fields,  dogs wandering their yard, birds chirping and the heat still at bay, it’s a beautiful thing. 

   Still trips to be made from old house to new old house, still many many boxes to unpack, pictures to hang, curtains to iron and hang (hate that job) and just general “stuff” to organize… but hey, look at how neat and organized my pots and refrigerator are.  How long they stay that way is another thing altogether..

Are we there yet?

..are we almost there? How much longer? …. I have to go to the bathroom!

 Moving into This Old House is starting to feel like one of those road trips, know what I mean?  We’re still living in two houses, hopefully sleeping in the other by Tuesday.

  Mike and crew had an awesome time putting together our new Paula Deen bed.  MUCH assembly was required, but I do like it very much.

The dogs have been going back and forth with me, I’m trying to get them used to their new “yard”.  Bailey loves a good car ride with a  face full of wind.  I love this picture…simple pleasures, pure joy.  She is still receiving treatments for Lymphoma, so far holding her own.  
Happy, Safe 4th of July to all…