I remember when the relator brought us to this house. How many times have I driven into this neighborhood to visit my college roommate? But this street? I had no idea even existed, tucked away inside a golf course.
We walked around the yard before entering the house. Wow, the yard, it was huge. It reminded me of a park, all lawn sprinkled with trees.
Next to the house are two mature lilac bushes. They were in bloom and I pulled a fluffy branch to my nose and told the relator "this right here could sell me this house." And it did.
We walked through the interior and it fit absolutely everything we needed. It's a practical house, not a two story, century old lady that I have long dreamed of owning. It's a sprawling ranch that my husband and his bad knees can maneuver with ample room for all of our furniture, including my ridiculously oversized recliner.
The basement was finished and came with a pool table! More attractive to us coupon clippers was the huge pantry with built-in shelves. And yes, I have managed to fill it quite nicely. Friends have declared this to be the destination of choice when the zombie apocalypse hits.
Most importantly, the house was clean, ready-to-move-in, unlike so many of the foreclosure homes we had viewed. Despite wanting to tear down walls and completely overhaul the kitchen, the house is solid as it stands. Even if we don't start remodeling for years to come, we are perfectly content living with it as is.
One year ago we took possession. Moving in was hellish and the many hands who helped make it happen have my eternal gratitude.
It only took days to discover the glory of our front porch. This one caught us off-guard. It's actually not big enough, but the covered shelter is perfect to sit and enjoy the scenery any time of the day.
We are most frequently parked there well past sunset, listening to the frogs serenade each other. Our quiet, tree-lined street from this vantage makes it feel like a vacation rental. I'm still surprised there isn't a lake lurking beyond the rooflines.
Next to the front door is a perfect perch for Maxi, the cement goose, we inherited from my grandmother. She has a suitcase of different costumes that keeps us amused.
My mother remains the matriarch but she has passed the torch for hosting family gatherings. My brothers and I are left to figure it out. Thanksgiving 2013 proved that I can easily seat 20 people for dinner. I didn't even know this was on my wishlist, oh but how I love it! Here are two long tables, side by side, allowing children and adults all in the same room, boisterous conversation from all directions, and most importantly, we were together!
Practically everyday I stop at my backdoor, a sliding glass window, looking out on a squat red porch with an ugly red fence and I just sigh, feeling lucky, blessed.
I am happy.
