I was the one who found this place and I think that means something.
They always said that we would just know it when we found it but I figured that was a load of bull.
This time they were right.
As my husband and I drove up the gravel road and took in the property, we knew.
As we walked around and surveyed the numerous things that had
to be done to this house that was listed “as is”…
…we could see our children growing up inside its walls and rolling down its hills.
Even during the first months when I thought we had a ghost, I felt that we were meant for this place.
In all honestly, I think that feeling is what made everything quiet down. I still see and hear things from time to time but I am so compelled to be here that I am no longer freaked out by whatever shares this space with us. I guess you could say that we made friends.
There were other odds and ends that made us a little queasy but gradually, we transformed those into our own. Yes, this was a ‘hand” soap dish. It scared the shit out of us and rightfully so.
Girl’s Bedroom Before
Girl’s Bedroom After
This is the guest bathroom before demo. It actually was a his & hers 80’s style bathroom with brown tile, shag rug and a sunken tub with gold hardware before we stripped it.
We had the walls blown out and transformed the two rooms into one huge Spa Bathroom.
The pool was its own labor of love and much like birthing a baby,
it will take me years and lots of wine to forget its pain of birth.
However, now we are able to enjoy the fruits of the elective open heart surgery
that was performed on our property.
I continue to miss California like a long lost lover but this house holds me true.
I know that if it weren’t for being here, we’d be back there.
I think that means something, too…as everything does.
Do you know what it feels like to be where you are supposed to be?
wow. beautiful post. beautiful house.
the hand thing is WAY creepy.
the rolling hill with the puffy tree in the middle of it is postcard worthy.
Yo’s last blog post..a little game i like to play called
The house is beautiful. The hand skeeved me out quite a bit.
You do have a beautiful house. I’m happy for you that you found it. I am incredibly jealous of your spa bathroom. I would probably live in that one room.
Stimey’s last blog post..Some Questions
What a dream house. But that hand soap dish is just so weird!!
I am like a tree with large roots planted in the ground of Massachusetts and this is where I belong. I have never left.
I can see why you love your house so much. It truly is a beautiful home.
Nanc y’s last blog post..Top 3 signs that I’m mentally 8 years old:
I do love your house. It is gorgeous!
We are exactly where we are supposed to be. I know that every time I come up the driveway…
I love my little house the way you love yours. Not that it doesn’t have issues - it has a few, but we’re getting them fixed - in time. (What I really want to do is gut the second floor and start over. Don’t tell Mr. - He’ll have a stroke! But, we need windows first…
Ladybug Crossing’s last blog post..Happy Easter!
Awww, I kind of like the hand… you just do not see that very often! Your house is gorgeous, and I am SO glad you feel like you are home!
Beautiful post and home. Your view is absolutely breathtaking. I love looking at your pictures,thanks for sharing.
Hand soap dish is definitely creepy. Did you save it? Is it lurking in a closet or did you sell it on Ebay?
Thanks again for the AM. I owe you.
Lovely home! You’ve done a great job remodeling.
And I can relate to the ghost. When we bought the ranch house we lived in before the 5-bedroom cape cod, the 3-bedroom townhouse, and the 2-bedroom apartment I’m now in (you can almost tell my life story right there!), we found out the owner’s wife had died of cancer (and also her first name was the same as mine!).
I felt her presence from the very start. She had hand-painted the kitchen border. When we repainted I told her about it and hoped she’d understand. She seemed to, because I never felt uncomfortable with her around (and I don’t even believe in ghosts).
Holy crap woman. Of course you belong there!
I think I do too. Wow. In awe of what you guys have created.
And, I can’t believe I can say this, but yes. I do, now, know what it’s like to be where you’re supposed to be. At least for right now.
Miss Britt’s last blog post..A Blogging Good Deed
Boy, do I. We uprooted from Maryland in November 2006 so hubby could take a job in Central PA. The job was the culmination of years of searching, and on paper, it was perfect. We would be living within an easy drive from both of our families, near where we had separately grown up. We could afford a HUGE house, which meant I would be able to stop work for a while. People are supposed to want to flee the madness of the DC suburbs for the bucolic tranquility and slower pace of life in Amish country.
Right. And then we realized, once we got there, that we each left there on purpose nearly 20 years ago. WE DON’T LIKE IT THERE! It’s just not for us. We thrive on the faster pace of life. The neighbors didn’t realize what big shoes we expected them to fill, having come from the best neighborhood ever. And the job? Well, let’s say the head of hubby’s department was a crazy raving loon of a beeyotch. Who lived in the next neighborhood. Along with tons of other coworkers. Which meant we would be living in a fishbowl.
Fortunately, the real estate market sucked in the Fall of 2006. We were unable to sell our house here, and a renter dropped into our laps- he needed a place to stay for 5 months, while his new house was being built. The end of his lease coincided nicely with our epiphany that we needed to return to Maryland. We sold the lovely PA house (on the first day! At more than we paid for it!) and moved back into our house in MD, a little more than six months after we had left it. And for all the drama, it was definitely the right decision. We are much, much happier here!
Meg’s last blog post..Sucks the air right out
Love the work and effort y’all put into to your home. The hand made me chuckle but I too would have removed it from the wall, maybe use it for something else. naw it was just too weird.
Paige’s last blog post..Snipe Hunt anyone?
Your house is gorgeous. I love the views, the kitchen, the bathroom, the pool. Unbelievable.
I found our house. A realtor I called about another house suggested I drive out to see this one. As soon as I stood at the front door and looked through the opposite back bay window to the view of the horse pasture, I knew this was our house. It wasn’t the victorian with a wrap-around porch, or old with lots of character. In fact, it looks like a boring two story colonial, but we’ve made it our own, and the property is where we’re meant to be.
catherine’s last blog post..Waiting
You are totally living in my dream house.
Although there is one a mountaintop or two away from you that I’ve had my eyes on for a couple of years.
One of these days.
And then - hey! We’d be neighbors!
Jennifer’s last blog post..Just some stuff, on top of some other stuff.
Yes, I am where I’m supposed to be. We uprooted, took a huge risk, and gave up a lot to move here. But it’s worked out for the better.
(Secretly, I’m supposed to be in YOUR house with the view of THAT California ocean!)
annie’s last blog post..Give Sue the Banana
Kimberly- your home is gorgous-what a speical place- and you know- you come visit us-here in Cali-on the central coast anytime you want- I’d love to go up the coast with you- HMB (San Mateo county)is our old stomping ground too-
The first thing I thought when I saw the pool was CA. It’s lovely. The hand? Holy F’in’ crap that is not lovely! Where do people find this creeped out stuff? I am in love with your kitchen. Mine is so pokey.
Vicky’s last blog post..Confessions
I found my house, too. I pretty much always think where I am is where I’m supposed to be, but I do think our house is perfect for us, even with one more on the way. Even more than that, I looooove living in the north bay. I love the beauty and the relaxed atmosphere.
Your house and property is gorgeous. Lucky girl. Smart girl, for persevering when you thought the deal wasn’t going to work out. I remember those posts. Creative girl, for turning an “as is” house, into the house you knew it could be.
Say hi to Walter for me. That’s the ghost’s name, isn’t it? Or do I have it wrong?
I hate to buck the trend here, but I think that hand is sort of cool. Not that I’d have kept it or anything.
raehan’s last blog post..Shaken
Holy gorgeous house, Batman!
Seriously beautiful.
And?
That hand is just creepy.
Loralee’s last blog post..Makes-Me-Smile-Monday: When you want a baby and don’t have one, what on earth is there to smile about?
That hand soap thing is something I would buy. It’s such a funky find and wonderful conversation piece.
Then again I don’t see people knocking on glass who don’t live in my house anymore either.
Other things happen though. Email me if ya wanna know what. hehe
DeeJay’s last blog post..Happy Easter
WOW…your house is awesome!! I think you are in my part of town too, can I get a pool pass?
You just gave me big, fat chills with remembering his name. Holy crap…are you trying to freak me out?
I’m trying to find the hand so I can mail it to you.
I love your kitchen, but I honestly think I would marry your bathroom.
Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah’s last blog post..Randomness Part 110
Sarah, you’re in luck. I just went and asked the bathroom. She says she’s single.
I love your house, and I really love the property. I ache to have space around me like that.
Your ghost story was, um, fascinating. I love watching Ghost Hunters, but that would have to freak me out. Especially when the ADT guy confirmed your suspicions. I’m glad the activity has calmed down.
That soap dish was freaking scary.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful place. Lucky you!
Jennifer H’s last blog post..How Babies Are Made
Thanks for sharing. Your home/land is beautiful! I have major house envy. And, that bathroom? Oh, MY! Can I come and stay with you? ha! ha!
I like your new site design too! Good job, Leanne!
Steph.’s last blog post..Don’t worry–it’s just a bad case of the late-30s…
That was beautiful - we’re decided we’re going to look out in the country, despite my initial desire to live right in the middle of things. Your post really made me feel better about that decision - except maybe the spiderweb. I really like the lack of spiders in the city.
holli’s last blog post..Justifying clothes for tiny people in 1000 words or less.
This post is absolutely breath-taking! Really. That kitchen, your bathroom, I am so turning green with envy that I simply cannot breath!
Liz’s last blog post..So, You From Joisey?
It’s so rare to see pictures of someone’s actual home that isn’t a cookie cutter ‘burb house! You’re home is beautiful and I love, love, love the girls room. so cute!
There is nothing like the feeling of “finding home”. What a great place for your kids to grow up in!
Wow I loved reading this post. It struck a cord with me. And holy cow, how you did all the renovating is beyond me, but it looks fabulous!!
Heidi’s last blog post..ramblings
I can’t wait to have a house that is a real home. Our city house is great but too small. Hopefully I will know the right place when I see it too.
Holy crap. Gorgeous house! So, so jealous.
Jenny,Bloggess’s last blog post..Conversations I have with my husband when stangers are standing too close to us
Divine. Hard to say which image is the most striking, the narrative is haunting. Congratulations on finding your place.
Amanda’s last blog post..Reckoning heartbreak
You have a lovely home. It is gorgeous. Much like you.
I knew the minute I drove up the driveway into what is now our yard that I was home. Of course, I tore down the house and started fresh, but it was the yard that I fell in love with.
I couldn’t imagine being anywhere but here.
Redneck Mommy’s last blog post..Dear Self
Good heavens, what an awesome journey, and thank you for sharing the destination with us… WOW! I’ve lived almost 35 years now, and never had a home. I hope some day I’ll know the sense of pride, peace, and belonging that you’re experiencing. I’m so happy for you and your family! You’ve created a beautiful home.
That’s one gorgeous home. I love your spa bathroom so very much.
The Lisa Show’s last blog post..Something Very Important and Other Randomness
Um, if I lived in your house I would probably never leave the pool. Or the tub in the bathroom.
I definitely feel we are in the city we are meant to be in, and I’m thrilled daily to live here, but we are still renting and I know we won’t be doing that forever. At least, I hope we won’t.
Kerri Anne’s last blog post..Listen, When All Of This Around Us’ll Fall Over, I Tell You What We’re Gonna Do
I love the pool!!!! I do remember when you found the house, we found our house at the same as you did. :-)
indigo’s last blog post..Remember When?
can i just say 1) immensely jealous! 2) absolutely gorgeous house; and 3) gonna go sulk in my cave now.
dkaye’s last blog post..I’m BudMan [Flickr]
WOW! That is beautiful! I was almost like…is it still available???? Hubby and I are going to build a house when we get back to Texas as we are now ‘homeless’. We sold our house when we moved to Singapore.
TexasGal’s last blog post..When is a name only a name?
You guys have an awesome view. I want to live in the mountains so badly. Maybe one day.
shelly’s last blog post..UGH!
FWIW, I fell in love with your house when we were there last month too.
Even the bathroom. Actually, especially the bathroom.
Can I come live in your bathroom?
i wanna have your babies…
How do you come up with so much material to blog with?…