Home (to be) Sweet Home

We found it. We bought it. We're working on it. And needless to say, I'm very excited about it! Soon, every morning (or afternoon) I can sit in my living room and look up at these windows and the light that shines through them and into our lives. We will be living in a Chicago icon, a brick bungalow.

It is a smaller home, on a quiet block, close enuf to the Metra to walk, close to the expressway to commute (but not so close you can hear it) with a nice yard and garage for two. My car won't know what to do with itself in a garage after parking on the street for so long. The only downside was that there were some updates needed - which we are undertaking before moving. THe previous owner had been there over 50 years...

The historical and architectural significance of the bungalow in Chicago has been of great interest to me of late. I was excited to learn more about the area and when it was developed (our house was built in 1922 and sold for $8K at the time...in the 1930 census a family of eight was living there - and we thought it was going to be small for two). The neighborhood was one of the first to implement zoning requirements - where its only houses on the block as opposed to multi-use and businesses interspersed. The fact that after all these years, ours still looks great and is certified "historic" - which means there are things we can and cant do to it! I am interested in keeping the charm of the house, while updating it to current conditions. But most of all, im am looking forward to beginning the next chapter of my life and my marriage in our new home!

Home Sweet Home.

Of Houses and Men

People keep saying that in this depressed housing market, anyone wanting to buy a house has thousands to pick from. After months of searching, it has occurred to me that looking for a house today is like dating in your fourties.

When you are young, everything and everyone is an option, because you haven’t grown to see what is right for you. You figure you will find something or someone good and grow together. You will adjust, remodel and build on accordingly. When you are older, you know better what works for you and what you want, and what is realistic. You also know that the good deals aren’t always what they appear to be. At first blush, there are plenty of men and houses that look appealing or go for cheap these days, but there are risks and squirmy things under the rocks you don’t want to deal with.

Foreclosure: A house that has been foreclosed on is like a man 10 minutes after a bad divorce. He’s beat up, the appliances have been ripped out and the copper piping has been sold for scrap. He’s a shadow of what he used to be, and knows it.

As–is: A house selling in as-is condition is like a man that still lives with his mother. Things may look good on the surface, and the price is low. He dresses well, but you wonder if he’s yet to realize he’s gay, or will never leave mom behind? And once you commit to him, there is no way out of the deal (in an as-is transaction, the inspection clause is meaningless) you are stuck with all the structural/emotional problems that aren’t visible or smellable.

Short-Sale: A house being sold as a short sale is like a man who is contemplating separation or divorce and not truly available for making any real deals without months or years in delays. The bank (or the wife/ex-wife and children) really determine if you are going to have a permanent relationship or not, while still keeping you tied up at a hotel as they try to make a decision. Most short-sales are also as-is transactions (see above).

Under-Water: A house being listed for well over its worth is like a man who’s still hanging on to his high-school football glories. This is the nice house that has sat on the market for over a year with little or no price change. This is the house, or man, whose value peaked a while ago, and hasn’t recognized that the world has changed. His muscles are flabbed and the hair is gone. All was achieved (or bought) at the top of the market and the seller still expects to lose nothing on their investment. This is the guy who still thinks he looks good in his Camaro.

Well, most of you know I have found the right Honda driving someone who was none of the above. Together, we are looking for the right something. I know there is a house out there calling us home, we just haven’t crossed it's threshold yet.

On with the hunt!

My camera, my self

As a photographer, it is sometimes hard to explain what the really camera is. Its not just a tool, its a part of you. It is the way one captures the world and expresses one's thoughts. I don't know when exactly it happened, but having a camera and being a photographer is part of who I am. It is one of the things that empowers me, brings me joy, makes me whole, is a part of my self respect...my heart, mind and soul.



I watched this film today - and like Maria - I realize that it takes me away from the other parts of life sometimes, but I could never give it up. But, it is also a way that I interact with the people in my life and the world that surrounds me.

If there is an artist, a musician, poet, writer, painter, photographer, sculptor in your life - thank you for understanding the creativeness that feeds us.

What dreams are made of...

I had a vivid dream last night about ME. She was still a little weak, but so healthy, too! She could get around fairly easily and her hair was coming back. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes full of laughter and light. She was happy, she had surprised us all and we were in joyful disbelief in her improved condition. I think there was a book involved that she was writing or was written about her miraculous recovery, it was all so damn wonderful. Sunshine, warmth, breezes, flowers! I think she was driving her car around, too…something she hated to do even in the best of times. We were all so delighted and it was cruel to wake up to find out it wasn’t real…and my husband sleeping on the couch (because I had gone to bed early and he didn’t want to disturb me). I woke him, brought him to bed, and he held me as I cried.

He came into my life in a more defined way just around the time she discovered her terminal illness. Part of me has always felt - as much as we have in common and share so many things and truly love – that the God’s brought him to me then because they knew it was going to be a hard time and that I would need a another true forever friend. The timing of these events do not diminish my love for either person – but just seed my faith in that everything happens for a reason, and even as horrible as something might be, something wonderful can come from it. While marrying on 1-1-11 had many benefits –one deepest in my heart was to honor ME with a positive event on what would have been her 65th birthday.

Modern (?) Mail

As much has technology has replaced the novelty of letters and cards, it is impossible to send or enjoy a gift in the virtual world. So we have to rely on the post office, or one of those other delivery services...or deliver it ourselves (which is preferred, but when there are acres of snow, one is reticent to get in the car to drive).

I wanted to send a small gift to someone to celebrate Valentines Day and used the post office. Below is the trail of the package so far:

Facility Electronic Shipping CHICAGO IL 60601 02/10/10 2:48pm Info Received

Facility Processed through Sort CHICAGO IL 60701 02/11/10 12:07am

Processed through Sort ELK GROVE VILLAGE IL 60007 02/11/10 2:26pm

Arrival at Unit CHICAGO IL 60645 02/12/10 5:10am

Sorting Complete CHICAGO IL 60645 02/12/10 8:56am

The killer is - why did this have to leave the city? It was going from downtown to the north side of the city, therefore, it never had a need to leave the 606 zip zone. But it did.

What is wrong with this? I'm not really grousing, I just think its kind of funny.

No End and No Beginning

A year ago – I had decisions to make. Decisions to make and actions to follow. I didn’t do them. Well...maybe I did. I decided not to decide, and decided not to act. I decided to stick with the status quo of my life. Even so, my life has changed during this past year. I still have the same dreams, the same joys and people in my life that I love – but I have grown, they have grown, my relationships have grown - the peace in my heart has grown. I’m glad I had the year I had because while my life isn’t perfect – it is good. And I am thankful for the blessings I have.

There is no end and there is no beginning - there is just day by day and moment by moment. There is just life.

Sharing what is good in the world