Decisions, Decisions

Well, well, we have it narrowed down to two houses. I was really hoping that I would get knocked over the head when we saw THE house. It didn't happen. I really hate making decisions! Especially when it comes to something as pricey and permanent as a home.  


On our want list we had a basement, pool, a place for our pool table, newer home, move in ready, fenced in backyard, a place for a garden, at least four bedrooms and two baths. I also want a nice kitchen and it opened up to a family room. We like the open concept.


As we drive around this area, we see a lot of deer. If we are to have a garden, we need a fence...a high one. Seems like no one has them though. I think that to be a bit strange. There aren't many pools either, oh well. Basements? There are a few, but you have to be careful that they have not had any water issues.

I call this the Zebra house, because one of the bedrooms had zebra print stuff in it. This was our first choice until we went back to look.

So, now we have it narrowed to two properties. At first I knew which one I wanted, but now that we took a second look, I am having my doubts. We see a lot of cosmetic issues. Yes, I know the brass light fixtures, etc can be replaced. 

So can the wallpaper. I hate taking wallpaper down. I've done that just one too many times. Besides, the master bath has wallpaper that has been painted over, so not sure how easy that is going to be to remove, and it will need to be done pretty soon, as it is falling down.


Another cosmetic issue this home has is that when they put the drywall up, they didn't do the finishing. It looks as if they just slapped it up, inserted the screws and painted. You can see the seams and nails in a lot of the areas. That is not something you can easily fix.

The kitchen is really nice, new granite counters and cherry cabinets. The large keeping room has Birch Judges paneling, it is really a nice room. Too nice for the pool table, so we are thinking we could just put the pool table in the dining room, and get shorter sticks. We've measured and it looks real doable. The living room off the dining room, we would probably use for the dining room.

There is an extra room off the entry with doors that I could use for my office/craft room. This house also has a new roof, new air/heat, new beautiful front window doors. The wood around the front, though has some wood rot issues, as do many of the homes in this area. 

The Zebra house has some nice landscaping too.

Now the other house, well, it is much smaller, unless you take in consideration the basement. Then it is bigger by 200 sq ft. The landscaping isn't as nice. I don't like the deck , because there are no stairs to get down to the backyard, so we either will have to put them in, or just go out from the basement (not a fan of that idea). It does have a nice backyard, though.

The bedrooms are so much smaller, and there is a keeping room off the kitchen which so really tiny! The kitchen has gorgeous Corian counter tops, but the cabinets are old as are the appliances...like REALLY old! All would have to be replaced, dishwasher, stove, fridge, tiny oven.



There is a large living room and a dining room.


Downstairs there are two additional rooms, we could use one for an extra bedroom and one for my craft room. The basement does not smell of mold or mildew so that is a good sign, although we did notice it might have had a small water issue. Will have to check that out.

Basements are nice during stormy weather too, which I do believe they get quite a bit of.

We took one more look today, and found that the zebra house had very little storage. The basement house had oodles of storage. Zebra house you cannot build a shed of any kind, but you can build a detached garage, would have to be brick, so you are talking lots of $$. Basement house would cost more to fence than the zebra house.


Ok, well, I could go on, but I won't. We will be making a decision very soon......

SURPRISE!

Wow! What a great week I have had. Our 29th wedding anniversary was 4 May. I was planning to fly up to do some house hunting with my husband. It's a good thing I was not the one that could book my flight, because the evening of the 2nd, I had a great surprise!


Bill called me about 9:00 pm or so and asked how I was doing. He then asked if maybe he should just come down and get me and take me back up rather than flying; and then the doorbell rang. There he was standing, with some beautiful flowers.

It was a very nice surprise!

IN SEARCH FOR A NEW HOME

Good Bye Louisiana, Hello Kentucky!

Now that we have a contract on the house, it is time to go looking for a home that will be a perfect fit for our family. Not sure how easy that will be.


On the want list, we have at least four bedrooms and two bathrooms. We would love a pool. We have to have a fenced in backyard. We need room for a garden in the back. We also need room for our pool table. I want an open area in the kitchen/family room area. I don't need granite counter tops, but would like to have nice counters, and a kitchen that is nice to cook in, one with plenty of storage. We would also like to have the master down and the rest of the bedrooms upstairs if we have a two story. We would actually rather have a one story, but not sure how realistic that is in the town we are moving too. Oh, and of course a two car garage.


Today, starts our search. We have some homes picked out, but, of course, all of our wants are not in one house. There will have to be much compromising, but that is expected anytime you go looking for a new home.


By the way, not sure if it will happen, but HGTV's House Hunters has said they would love to interview us for the show. I have a feeling that time constraints will be getting in the way, but we shall see...


Wish us luck, I think we just might need some...

I'm Famous!

Remember me venting about the ticket I underservably got? (I know that is not a word, but you know what I mean). Well, I wrote a letter to the editor and guess what? I'm famous!


I had more reaction to that letter. Everyone was talking about it. Not just my friends, but my friends friends, etc. I even had someone call me to thank me. I guess he went through all the Carter's in the phone book before he got me, lol.


Anyway...from what I have found out, anyone and everyone who has gone through that town just a few times, has gotten a ticket. They will not give a ticket if you are going ten over (the mayor actually told me that), but if you go 11 over, bam! You got one, that is why they write it for 61 in a 50. Regardless if you were speeding or not, you are getting a ticket for going 61 in a 50. Now I will have to say, some of those that commented were probably speeding, but I would venture to say, that the majority were not, because they know the reputation of these small towns.


Hind sight, I wished I would have asked to see his radar. There were a few that commented that that is what they did, and they did not get a ticket. Oh well, live and learn...

Foto Friday

Another beautiful day for picture taking! Went out to my friends house again to take some pictures, and would just like to share.

This is a very unusual but cool house. Built in the 1970's by her husband, this home is made of concrete. This is a picture of the back of the house from the Bayou.

Here is the front of the house.

And here is the gorgeous Bayou!

Bayou Bartholomew is beautiful! It's also the longest bayou in the world.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS OF FRENCHMAN'S BEND

Almost five years ago, we moved to Monroe, LA. Soon after we moved in, three ladies came knocking on my door. In their hands, was a welcome packet. They were the neighborhood's welcoming committee. I noticed they were in their exercise gear, and asked if they walk the neighborhood. I was told they did and invited me to come along. The next day, I started my daily walks with them.

Over the years, we have become very close. We walk each Monday through Friday morning for about an hour. Our neighborhood is huge, and we cover about three to four miles each day. In addition to walking, we have also gotten together for lunch, shopping, and other activities. We have supported each other during times of medical emergencies and happy events. I sometimes feel we are the "Steel Magnolias" of Frenchman's Bend.


Through these ladies, I have also met some nice women in the neighborhood. Several years ago, we had what was called, Ladies of the Bend. We would meet once a month and have anywhere from guest speakers about woman's health issues, to Christmas parties where we would have a gift exchange. I remember one time they invited me to be a guest and show off my jewelry. Ladies of the Bend no longer is in existence, but a lot of these women still meet once a month for Pokeno, meeting at the country club and having a meal as they play. I've only gone twice, because I have sporting events, etc with my kids. The times I have gone, I see that these ladies have a great time.


I have enjoyed my walks through the neighborhood with "The Walkers." That's what we call ourselves. These women have helped me in many ways. I am really going to miss them once we have moved. I'm not sure that I will be able to find another group quite like these girls. I do know, though, that I will always have close friends in Louisiana.

RESPECT THE FLAG

Several weeks ago, I sat in an audience before a show and watched the stage hands as they got everything ready for the entertainment. There was a lot going on. Some people were messing with lights and curtains, others were trying to figure out where props went. I noticed a couple of men trying to hang an American flag. At first I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

They had laid the flag onto the floor. Then they picked up the corners trying to get the flag connected so they could raise it for later in the show; dragging it around the floor in the process. 

It was a nice affect, once they got it hung, but these men apparently had no idea as to how to treat our flag. 

My husband and I have raised three sons, all of which earned their Eagle Scout award. Needless to say, our family spent many years in Scouting. From the time our eldest son turned eight and was a Wolf in the Cub Scouts, up until our youngest earned his Eagle (just last year). In total we have spent about 17 years in scouting. My husband and I both played a huge part in scouting, as Bill was Scout Master for several years, and I served as den and pack leader on several occasions. Needless to say, we learned how to care for our flag.

According to a website I found, the following tells how to properly care and treat the flag. It says, 

The U.S. flag should always be treated with utmost care and respect.  Remember, the flag represents a living country and, as such, is considered a living thing.

• Always display the flag with the blue union field up- never display the flag upside down, except as a distress signal.
• Always hold the flag carefully- never let it touch anything beneath it: the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.
• Always carry the flag aloft and free- never carry it flag or horizontally.
• Always keep the flag clean and safe- never let it become torn, soiled or damaged.
• Always dispose of a flag properly, preferably by burning it.

Always treat the flag with respect.  Never use it for advertising purposes.  Never embroider it on household items or pieces of clothing.  Never use it as part of a costume or athletic uniform.  However, it is proper to attach a flag patch to the uniform of military personnel, fire fighters, police officers and members of other patriotic organizations- provided the patch is properly affixed. (Note: "properly affixed" is best understood by referring to the flag code.)

For more information about the American flag, its history, etc, you can go here.  As I travel around our great country, I see flags everywhere. I'm not sure people understand how to respect the flag, as I see it in all sorts of weather. It is fine to keep the flag up in bad weather, but the flag needs to be an all weather flag. A lot of the flags I see are tattered, and should be taken down and destroyed. Did you know that the flag is suppose to be taken down each night, unless it is properly lit? Most people do not know that. 


I know this may seem silly to a lot of you, but the flag represents our country, and, therefore, should be respected.