Wednesday, May 15, 2013

A Life Time Ago

The year was 1971, we were newlyweds, looking for a nest to raise our family.  The real estate market was slim back then.  After looking at a few homes we found out they were  in need of much renovation or repair.  My dad posed us the idea of building it ourselves.  Of course he was confident, he was a home builder.  We had very little money to even think of a brand new home.  Mom and dad  must have discussed their plans for us way ahead of time.  Their idea was, for the Mister and me  to move into their home, while they spent the winter in Florida.  When they returned in Spring we would break ground!!  They had it all planned out; by staying in their house we would save about six months of rent.  And that would be all the money we would need for our down payment. 

 We still weren't sure if we could financially swing it.  My father-in-law, gave us the advice we needed.  He said, "build the SOB, if you loose it you loose it!"  And that's the premise we went on!!!  We stored most of our furniture at the Mister's brother's vacant upstairs.  And off to Hollandtown we moved.  House plans were sent back and forth from Florida to Wisconsin, revisions being made with each exchange.  Finally the plans were a GO!!!

We purchased our lot, and I imagined what the view would look like if I were looking out my front door, and here is what I saw!!



With the help of family members and both of our dad's knowledge,  construction began.



We worked all summer!  There were millions of decisions to make; almost too many for a young couple.  We relied heavily on  the advise of others.  Some of those decisions were good choices, and others were 'if I had to do it over, I would have...'



About July of that year, the Mister and I were so sick of the house, we wanted to sell it 'as is'!  But our Dutch and German heritage said no, and we pushed forward.  

Moving in day was one of those memorable moments of married life!!  




Those 'four walls' were our home for many years!!  We raised our children there.  We had many celebrations that were an intricate part of our family.   





The house has changed in appearance through the years; and so have we.  When we retired two years ago, we wanted to make our cottage our home, but to be sure we hung on to the house in the city for a year. 

Our next chapter in our lives is beginning today.  We are closing on our house in town, and the cottage will now be called 'home'.

We will never forget our first home, as it served us well.  Now it is time to move on and make more memories in our current home!!!





And that's the way it is!!


18 comments:

  1. oh, congratulations to you! a place filled with memories, for sure, but they will live in your hearts. :)

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  2. sounds so exciting!! A new beginning!!!

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  3. Congratulations on the sale of your house in town. I'm sure it is sad but a burden lifted as well. It the above picture where you live now?

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  4. Congrats of the sale of your in town home..you have good memories for sure..what an adventure:)

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  5. I know it is a wrench to leave your house for good but you've done it the right way and given yourselves time to be sure. Blessings on your new home.

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  6. Good memories in your first home, and now on to new ones in the cottage. Congrats!

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  7. Congrats on the sale...I imagine it was hard to let go- but the memories will always live on.

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  8. A sweet post. Hopefully the people who bought your home will make good memories like you have.

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  9. This is a wonderful post that speaks of family and home and what endures. Well done, Muffy!

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  10. enjoy your cottage home, and it is a blessing in this real estate market that your home sold and is closing. i like both your old and your new home. good luck....

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  11. Now that was an interesting story. Nice that you have pictures to recollect that time.

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  12. May you have many happy new memories in your new home.

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  13. Congratulations on the sale of your city home. That must have been an intense decision! However, I love your cottage home! I've seen winter photos of it and it is beautiful country! James and I wish that both of you make wonderful memories with friends and friends in your forever home!! Have a lovely weekend to come!

    Hugs,
    James & Loretta

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  14. Wonderful post!!! Best of luck with the new "chapter" in your lives :)

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  15. I'm very happy for you. God bless you in your new home.

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  16. such a sweet story!! we (that = the hubs) built both our homes, we are still living in house #2. it's not easy to end that chapter and begin a new. i hope the new people will love it and care for it as you have for all those years!!

    good luck muff, this chapter's going to be great!!

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  17. A great trip down memory lane. Seemed like momentous decisions at the time, but well worth it. Great advice from the father-in-law ! Hope you make as many good memories at your new home.

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