The first
was the house of high expectations and a low budget. The bathroom mocked us with its 1970’s tile
and fixtures. The front door was so
close to the street that random strangers routinely knocked asking for directions
to the halfway house. Oh, did we not
mention the house was a block away from the local drug rehab center?
But the
stove! The stove sang to us, the stove
made up ballads about mushroom stuffed chicken and baked brie and macadamia nut
cookies. The vintage O’Keefe & Merritt
stove promised us we’d morph into Martha Stewart clones immediately if not
sooner.
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| photo by MOV |
Then Tim accepted a cross-country job transfer.
The second
house was tall and imposing, like my father-in-law who now lived a mere 30
minutes away. The house was a regal and
stately brick Colonial that practically demanded we salute upon exiting the
car.
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| photo by MOV |
The outdated kitchen laughed at our feeble attempts to replicate the culinary masterpieces of the previous house. “Who are you kidding?” asked House. “You have a baby now and another on the way. Buy some more Cheerios and call it a day.”
We moved to
the last house when the boys neared elementary age. We had heard of one particular school
district with stellar reviews, and that is where we wanted our precious sons to
go. The new area of town required money,
however, and lots of it.
But this
house gave us a yard, a yard with room for a garden, now overflowing with
cucumbers, radishes, and watermelons.
Our sons run wild in the backyard, while we watch them from the window
while washing dishes by hand. We lack a
dishwasher, but we have an extraordinary life.
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| photo by MOV |
MOV
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Another trifecta writing challenge: My story of 3 in 333 words (and 3 pictures!)
Now, wait a moment. Is it true or is it a story? Either way, it is a terrific piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like all 3 houses had their own distinct advantages. You can't beat a great school district and an awesome yard with your current house.
ReplyDeleteThat stove is gorgeous! I also would have put up with a lot to have that stove. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I agree about the gleaming blue stove. (Oh for a BLUE stove!) I'm afraid I grew up in a tear down that nobody could afford to tear down. My mother still lives there. I love that house. But I'll never live in another like it if I can help it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up this weekend. I kind of love all three of your houses. The one you had to salute looks like a great place for a Christmas tree. The stove of the first just absolutely sells the place. And vegetables? You know they call gardens "organic vegetable farming" nowadays, yeah? Beautiful. Hope to see you back soon.
ReplyDeleteIf we have our family, wherever we live is home...no matter what :)
ReplyDeleteI liked this glimpse of your three homes. They are kind of like our friends - they aren't perfect, but they all have something about them to love. We're still in our first house (nearly fifteen years, now.)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've never seen a blue stove, but I kind of like it!
You found something to love about each house :)
ReplyDeleteWell, the third house hugged you...and then raped you. Not cool - right?
I have stove envy. We, too, have owned three houses, each with its particular charms and annoyances. We're looking for number four where we can have chickens. House number 3 is in a development where clipboard-carrying inspectors send you nasty notes telling you that if you don't cut down that sorry little tree, you'll be fined.
ReplyDeleteGREAT story! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBe it ever so humble :)
Just about to move house, from a beloved revolting mess to a smaller neater thing we haven't messed up yet! Placing a Versatile blogger award on here, which you can pick from my post about the invisible importance of hats. Telling everyone not to trouble with the rules though, because sometimes rules are troublesome. We don't have a machine to wash dishes either. Or an oven, or curtains. Never mind. Nice to see free range children :-)
ReplyDelete