ON BEING IN LOVE

Well, chances are I've lost all my readers!  Because one thing that all my friends  know is that when it comes to "being in love"  I am NOT an expert!  I'm a disaster.


I think everyone gets dealt a hand in life.  Part of that hand is made up of the gifts and abilities we receive, and the other half is built of our struggles.  Then our life is composed of all the things we do to deal with how to use the gifts and how to handle the struggles.   


I was blessed with a good brain, a quick wit, musical ability and an independent spirit.  I would not trade those for anything.  They have served me well.  But when one considers my ability to make love work?   Well, let's just all LOL.   I did not get the innate understanding of what to do about that.  As a result. . . I live alone.  But my independent spirit has been a blessing.  . because as it turns out. . . I love to live alone and I'm good at it.   


So lacking the wherewithal to be able to sustain a relationship with a man. . . I have formed relationships with each and every house I've lived in since my boys grew up and left the nest and I was forced to dismantle the house where they were raised.  Once I was on my own, the houses I lived in became my source of comfort and security and constance.  Seems weird I know.  But that is the truth.


But even in the housing department, I have been fickle.  I have lovingly acquired and settled and then moved away from a wonderful rented townhouse in Old Town Alexandria.   Loved it there.  Every part of my life was wonderful, from the charming row house on Harvard Street, to the easy walk to Whole Foods, to the proximity to the metro, to the charm of the shops on King Street.  A fabulous year and a half of my life.   Loved the house in every way.


Then there was the house I built at the top of Devils' Knob mountain at the Wintergreen Resort.  Chose every single square inch of design and inner decorations.   Loved that house with my whole heart.   Got giddy on Thursdays in the classroom because I knew that on Friday I was going to drive away from that school and head for my mountain house.   I cherished every single second of every single weekend (and I was there EVERY weekend) that I spent there.  I agonized at closing the door on Sunday afternoon and driving back to my weekday life.  I counted the days until I could come back.


Then there was Coles Farm Drive.  Seven and a half acres of pure heaven.  The fields, the bordering stream, the privacy, the stars, the woods and the trails I made there, the beautiful house with the wood stove that kept me so warm and safe during the winters. . . and Chester the Wonder Dog who came to live with me there and who still lives in that wonderful paradise.   The hours on my John Deere tractor which were just sublime and which I still miss.   Fabulous house.


And now, coming up. . . Hillcrest Lane.   I'm only a week and a half out.  I cannot believe how my heart skips a beat as I drive up to that already beloved place.  It's my place.  I'm safe there.  It will be my refuge.  Here are a couple of teaser pics. . . the rest to come when the place gets cleaned up!  


Least exciting picture first!

Tankless hot water heater.  It's not pretty.  But I love it!

One of three ceiling fans with short blades.  Thought they might look weird.  But I love them.  They compliment the size and design of the house beautifully.  One in the living room, den and my bedroom.

Pendant light in the kitchen.  There are three of these.  Love the design. Bought them last spring at Lowes because I loved them that much.  They have cool "Edison" bulbs in them.  When those burn out I may have to go to regular ones. Can't really see in this picture how cool they are.

A close up of my living room rug which I found in Springfield on Tuesday.  Hope to get the orange/rust color for the couch.  If not then the gold, or maybe brown.  Still looking for the perfect couch.  I could stare at this rug all day it pleases my eyes so much.  

The dark door knobs against the wonderful paneled doors. This is the linen closet in the master bathroom. 

Ta-da!   The much anticipated bath tub.  I am so in love with this tub!   And, as I have related before, I have scrimped in several areas of the house to provide myself with this decadence. . . this tub and a tv on the wall to watch while I'm in it.  I ordered a special water-proof tv on the internet a couple of days ago.    Not cheap.  Got the smaller one. . . 18 1/2 inch screen.   Told Duncan the Builder who told me it would be too small.  I countered that it would be fine and besides I could not afford the next biggest one.   Today the company called to say that they were very sorry but the TV I ordered had sold out.  But would I be agreeable for them to send me a 24" TV for the same price?   I told them I would be very agreeable to that.   Sometimes my Karma is very good!




Today the frame for the screened porch went up.   Kitchen counters will be installed next Wednesday which will make it possible for all the appliances to be installed.  By the end of next week,  I may be able to move in.


In retrospect, I wish I had figured out how to find the right guy, be in love, and have a companion for life.  Especially if he and I had been able to sustain our devotion to each other over the long haul.  I did not have that model in my parents, unfortunately.  I know couples who have been married for the long haul and have remained each other's best friends.  Wow, do I admire them.  Can't imagine how they did it.   I couldn't manage it.


But I love my life and my friends.  And I particularly love this Cute Little House that is over there on Hillcrest Lane waiting for me to move in.  My own little Valentine. . . in the form of my home.    All is well.