April 27, 2013...Two love birds and our hatchlings during the great flood! Nothing dampened our spirits even though we had no running water and our guests had to pottie in a little blue box we rented, that was taken over by a bunch baseball tournament "goers" at the park. (off to a great start, wouldn't ya say?!*)
So here our tale begins. Well, the 2nd chapter, anyway. The first chapter was one summer some 30+ years ago when I was home visiting away from my true love: Newport, RI, where I spent my summers between college and and eventually lived for awhile. Rich didn't quite win my heart back then, but it is amazing what a little time will do, (and me back in cornfield country) after a friend re-connected us through the planning of our 35th class reunion. A year and a half later the knot was tied. TIGHT (both divorced, we had 3 pastors praying over us! lol) And then the search officially began for the place for our family to roost! (Ok, not everybody...most of our kids are college grads or going to college and one has ONE MORE year of H.S.. insert tears.)
500+ days x 10k prayers = 4 offers - sanity + water loss + one incredibly patient realtor x God to the highest power
= ONE HECK OF A HAPPY HUBBY and our NEW nest!
Now, there's a little more to the story about this house or house(s). The day before we found "this one", (yes, there were others, but one in particular that stole my heart and the closest to my current home in charm, but sadly it appraised at $30K less than what the owner was willing to take. It made NO sense at the time and was EXTREMELY disappointing, as my home of the past 10 plus years was the home of my dreams) we almost had another home, (which was technically home number 3, but who was counting after short sales inspections warned of bursting pipes, another with mold and electrical mayhem, you name it, it happened to us) but after presenting our atty's/childhood best friend's (whom we still owe a HUGE 200 course meal for her generous knowledge) contract to the by-owner sellers, I told Rich there were RED flags all over the deal. I couldn't explain it, but those were my words. Sure enough, the next morning, we received an email response from the seller's atty, all written in RED! As a praying woman, I knew this was our sign that "that" house was not for us as God confirmed it loud and RED! Low an' behold, just beneath their email was this new listing that was pretty darn cute and a more reasonable price than any of the other homes. We studied pics and the price and the price some more, and when my big brother i.e. music teacher, who was visiting from RI, saw the large treble clef decoration hanging on the wall above the piano in the pic. He proudly exclaimed,
"Well any house with a treble clef has to be a good one!"
Low and behold, the home belonged to my former high school band director, a gentleman near and dear to me, (yes, I played that squawky instrument called an oboe!) my sister (who played the oboe before me AND took piano lessons on that very piano in the picture!) AND to my big bro whom guest conducted some 40 years prior. What a small world AND an honor to live in one of my favorite teacher's home. He taught us much about respect and giving your best...and still loved me even though I probably flubbed every solo I had the opportunity of playing out of pure stage fright! This man of integrity, more humble than pie, conducted the sale of his home in a manner in which Bach would have been proud. It was music to our ears when he accepted our offer!
"Well any house with a treble clef has to be a good one!"
Low and behold, the home belonged to my former high school band director, a gentleman near and dear to me, (yes, I played that squawky instrument called an oboe!) my sister (who played the oboe before me AND took piano lessons on that very piano in the picture!) AND to my big bro whom guest conducted some 40 years prior. What a small world AND an honor to live in one of my favorite teacher's home. He taught us much about respect and giving your best...and still loved me even though I probably flubbed every solo I had the opportunity of playing out of pure stage fright! This man of integrity, more humble than pie, conducted the sale of his home in a manner in which Bach would have been proud. It was music to our ears when he accepted our offer!