Friday, September 3, 2010

It's hard to believe, but summer is over. You would never really know it by the weather though since it still seems to be warm in most places, which thrills me. However, the big yellow school buses are in full swing so a change of season is fast approaching. It is usually at this time of year that I try to think about the projects I would like to accomplish for the year. Because of our move this past summer, my projects were house related last year. I keep asking myself why it is that you get one house perfect (according to you!), and then you have to start all over again with the next house? While this is a wonderful old house that has been well maintained, I want to make it more my house, so I once again have workmen all around. I think the first thing I will need to do when this first set of projects is over, is to find my "happy place" in the house where I can work. My husband and I have sworn off basement offices after twenty-five years. We want light! The one thing I am hoping to do is post more in my journal. I think it will help me put my brain in another place where there is no sound of hammers and saws. I like the results of all of the hammering and sawing, just not the process!

Posted by Mary at 06:09 PM CST

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I think I can finally say I feel like a human again. At least this morning my first thought was not what workers are coming to the house today. We did a lot of things to our house before we moved and we will be doing things to our new/old house as well. Since I haven't posted in such a long time, I should say we found and bought a wonderful 1840 farmhouse in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania known as "The Parsonage." I did not get a house with lots of acres like I THOUGHT I wanted. This house is on under an acre of land, but it looks out on to a huge field so I can enjoy the views without having to mow the grass! The one thing I love about the garden is it really reminds me of an English garden with different sections. There is always something blooming. That makes me a little nervous too. Our son just visited us this past weekend. After he commented on how beautiful the garden was, he said, "Gee, Mom, I hope you don't kill everything." I hope I don't either...gulp. The house is also fabulous. We're excited! Another thing I am really thrilled about is the closeness of several museums that have a lot of Pennsylvania Dutch Fractur drawings. I will post more about that later. I did just want say, we have now moved! I have really appreciated all the kind thoughts and prayers that many of you have expressed by email, or even coming to see me during this hectic period.

Posted by Mary at 04:46 PM CST

Friday, March 12, 2010

Since we are moving, my new favorite thing to do is look for old houses to buy. It will actually be more fun when we sell our house! BUT it certainly hasn't stopped me from looking. In the process, I found a web site that I just love. It's called hooked on houses. If you love houses, you will really enjoy it! She has a test on her site to see if you are, in fact, "hooked on houses." I really didn't need to take the test, but I did anyway and I made a score of 100%!

The house pictured here is on her web site. It was the place they used in the movie, Marley and Me. I loved this farmhouse when I saw the movie and was more excited to discover that it is in Chester County Pennsylvania! That is one of the areas we are looking in even though it is a little far from my husband's work.

I really do hope we can find an old stone farmhouse with a barn and a couple of acres. I would love to have some heritage chickens. They are so pretty and they fend for themselves which is nice. I also think I might want a truck. Am I having a midlife crisis?

Posted by Mary at 06:21 PM CST

Monday, March 1, 2010

The months are zipping by. We are now seriously getting into our “moving mode.” I did just want to let everyone know that for right now, I will not be able to send out any charts by mail. For one thing, I realized that I have had the same postage prices for six years! After we move (probably in the fall), I will add the charts “by mail” back in the shop, but the postage will be quite a bit more. Once we begin to house hunt, I’d like to post more because I am excited about the area we are moving to! I love old houses so it will be fun to look. I can do this because I figured out how to upload pictures from my new camera onto my new computer, which is quite an accomplishment for me!

Posted by Mary at 02:08 PM CST

Thursday, January 21, 2010

I can't believe it is already the third week of January! Hope you have had a good start to the New Year. Time is going so fast. I thought that trying to get everything ready for our move this spring would be difficult, but I am finding that since all of my children have taken most of their things, the move looks doable (famous last words). Actually, the worst pack rat in our family is my husband, but he's going to be gone for a week. That will be very helpful.
As long as it's winter, I have decided to embrace the charm of the season, which lasts way too long! Isn't this a charming scenic picture? Doesn't look to safe for driving, but it's pretty to look at! Hopefully, I will be more faithful about posting once I feel like I have my house issues under control.

Posted by Mary at 03:16 PM CST