Change is in the air!

We had another 5 inches of snow yesterday!!!  It took hubby and I over an hour to get shoveled out, last night! (Thank you Mr. Snow plow man!) 

Our Lilac bushes are disappearing in the snow!

The base of our maple tree in the front yard!

Thankfully-today the temperature is expected to reach a whopping 38 degrees!  This 'heat wave' is going to make it awfully tough to stay at my desk!  Unfortunately, I'm way behind on my weekly writing goal, so that's exactly what I will be doing! :(  Maybe I'll just sneak out at lunch time and take a quick walk with Bentley!)

 Spring is just around the corner!  Soon we will be grilling on the back deck, planting flowers, and taking the motorcycle out for the first time this year!  But, sadly, spring isn't just about 'fun' things.  It also involves work.   And this year-it's going to involve a bit more than just a good spring cleaning for hubby and me!

Once we are able to throw the windows open and allow the fresh air in-we will be busy picking up where we left off last fall.  (We'll be painting, ripping up carpets, and redesigning several rooms in our home.) It's a big 'to do' list, I know. And it makes it that much harder-when we won’t be actually be here long enough to enjoy them.

That's right-hubby and I have decided it's time for a change.  A BIG change!  If everything works out as we've planned-we will be saying goodbye to our current home, within the next year (or so), and moving into our dream home.

I am truly excited about our plans for the future! Our new home will be one we both can have input on.  Something we can build and create together. Hubby will have his 'dream' garage.  A place where he can tinker to his heart's content.  And I will have something that I've never had before-a clean slate. A home that is turnkey, and requires no 'fixing up'.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I will miss this old house.  Truth is-I fell in love with it (and still am), the moment I stepped onto the front porch, almost seven years ago.  Back then, I was also going through some 'huge' life changes.  Mel was off to college, and a relationship I'd been in for over fifteen years, had come to an end.  I had started a new career, and was living in a townhouse, that felt anything but like home.

I had looked at other 'smaller and newer' homes in my community, but they just didn't 'speak' to me.  There was no character-no history.

When I pulled up in front of our current home to meet my realtor-this is the first thing I saw!  I have always wanted a porch swing!  So, before I even entered the house-I was already picturing myself sitting on the swing-sipping a cup of coffee.

Even so- I remember feeling so intimidated by the size of the home.  After all-it was just me.  I certainly didn't need 2400+ square feet!  But then we stepped inside.

There I was-standing in the foyer and my heart was beating so fast-I was certain I'd pass out!  Stained glass windows-  French doors- an intricately carved staircase-AND-that was just in the entryway! I'm not sure who was more excited- me or my realtor!

As we walked across the hardwood floors, and made our way into the kitchen-my eyes began to glaze over at all the work just that one room would require!  My realtor must have sensed my hesitation-because that's when he dropped some history on me.  Of course-he did this just as we stepped inside a ghastly dark room-where the walls were covered in paneling and bookshelves. "This was the judge's home office," he'd said.  "Judge?" I asked, as my eyes caught sight of the gardens in the back yard.  "Oh yes," he said. "He was one of the most prominent judges in our community-back in the day.  And the Mrs., well, she was renowned for her beautiful flowers!"  That was it!  He had me- hook line and sinker!

Over the next few years, I was able to put a pretty big dent in updating my 'new' house. (Okay, I might not be able to draw a straight line-but I do have SOME skills!!!)  I also had a wonderful family and friends to help along the way.  Soon I was hosting family get together, celebrations, and holidays-and this 'house' was finally starting to feel like HOME!

But still, even though I was busy with my career, and family, and home-something was missing.  When work was done-and all my family had gone back to their own homes-I was all alone.

ENTER- HUBBY!!! I give him credit.  This house was never his cup of tea, and yet-he's put a great deal of blood, sweat and tears into making it 'his' home too. But, it's time.  Yes, it’s time for us to move on, and start 'our' family history in a new place.  A new home!

All I can hope for-is that-someday (soon)-a 'new' family will step onto the front porch-and fall in love-just like I did.

Here's to spring!!!! It's the season where memories are created-love blossoms-and change begins.