Meeting the Owners of the House

Things continue to progress in our efforts to put down roots.  The water heater that had a leak in our new place has been replaced and we did the inspection last Thursday.  The inspector questioned me when we were outside alone and asked how I still felt about the house.  Uh oh...here it comes I thought, he found something majorly wrong.  Then he smiled and said "lady, if you don't buy this house you're crazy".  It seems it's been one of the cleanest, best ones he's inspected in a long time.  The owners have been meticulous in their care of this place and it shows throughout the house.

We went back that evening and met both the owners for the first time and they were delightful.  They are from Canada and he is 81 and she turns 80 on Saturday.  They've been married for 54 years and are so cute together...very much in love.  In the photo above Left Brain is talking with Jim and learning the history of the cribbage board coffee table to the left.

We learned that once a Canadian turns 80 the cost of the insurance to leave the country gets very expensive...to the tune of $50 a day for each of them.  So they are very motivated to return to Canada as soon as possible.

There had been some possible water damage under the flooring, so that is the last thing we need to wait to have looked at.  It may be that the entire flooring in the park model portion will have to be removed and replaced.  If that happens, the owners want me to come and pick out my own flooring to put in.  That part is very pleasing to me, even though the flooring they have right now is beautiful, but it is causing a slight delay.

We should have no problem with keeping the November 15th closing date and moving in as scheduled, but if this matter can be resolved things could be moved up substantially. 

The wife of the couple took me around the house and explained how different things work and is leaving everything, right down to dishes and linens. Note the cute vintage linen dishcloth hanging on the stove.

This is a couple who have had no children and loved entertaining, so we are inheriting some beautiful cut glass wine glasses and vintage dishes.  I'm thinking of painting the backs of the cabinets an accent color to showcase the plates more.

Since I wanted to go with a vintage farmhouse theme for my decorating this will all fit in just lovely.  The coffee cups in the photo below are perfect and I haven't even had a chance to look at the oodles of tablecloths and other linens she has.

Our major prize is the cribbage table that Jim made back in the Fifties.  I know they would have liked to have kept that, but she said they really don't have any room for it when they return.
  

He has made so many personal touches in the house with many pull out drawers and the like.  I didn't think to photo the wooden rolling pin he made.  I may have to get a display rack for that.

They have left such an imprint on this home it feels very personal taking over ownership of this property.  We aren't just buying a house...we are buying a home and making new friends in the process.  I felt it the minute I walked into the house for the first time.  As some would say "it has good energy".  You just feel better once you step inside, I don't know how to describe it.

Lynn is a superb painter and one of the things she is leaving me is a nice big Ott light.  I have a smaller version, but this will be great for quilting. Again, I forgot to get a photo of this.

Speaking of quilting, this table which is huge enough already has two leaves and when extended to it's full 120" has to be turned sideways to seat people.  

I'm thinking when I'm busy with a sewing project it will have the leaves and be pushed up against the windows for natural light and will easily accommodate my machine, cutting mats and pressing area.  Oh yeah, she's leaving the ironing board and iron as well.  If she only had a sewing machine it would be perfect.

Since she is the cook at Thanksgiving where they have fed up to 31 people at a time, I also get the huge roaster that can fit a 28 pound turkey and an additional breast.  Looks like I'll have some cooking to do!  I wondered how they fit that many people in the house and learned that the neighbor owns the empty RV lot behind the house and they fill it full of tables, as well as the parking area in front of this house.  With the back door and the extra bathroom it makes it easy for a crowd to come together.

I'm afraid Left Brain and I will be quite boring in comparison to this vibrant couple.  It's sad when you can't keep up with those in their eighties, but there it is.

They have shared information with us as to who can do what repairs in the park and gave us the name of the man they would recommend for screening in the deck...after we get approval, of course.  You need to submit plans for anything you do that would be in view outside before you can proceed.  It doesn't matter if it 's adding a deck or planting a single plant. There are many plants that would not be allowed here due to size or health concerns. 


I know it may sound crazy, but it does make everyone play nice.  Maybe it's from living too long in campgrounds where often times "anything goes" that has made me a believer in having rules that actually enforced.

I can't wait to be able to just drive in on the resident side of the guard house and pull into my own driveway next month.

Long Live the Queen