we stayed in a very small cottage while vacationing in Savannah. 

the cottage was very old, and had been renovated to bring things up to date for the modern renter.

The hardwood floors had been sanded and refinished.

The walls repaired and freshly painted.

A closet in the kitchen area had been taken over as a washer/dryer and water heater cubby.

Neither Scott nor I can recall what was immediately on the right as we walked into the kitchen, so trying to remember if there was a pantry, or just long counter with cupboard above isn't being verified through either of us. Like he said.."we have pictures, don't we?" yes...we do...somewhere.

The things is...we both prefer large accomodations, but this was a great vacation home for us for the time spent there.

Cuddled on the couch and watched TV and eating.

Never used the dinette set for anything other than storage.

Back in the bedroom the room only had bed, two sidetables and a chair.

The bedding was high and fluffy and spa-like.

The closet was a walk-in with shelves and hanging space, both.

Door to the outside leading to a small handkerchief sized deck. Which would have been perfect for later in the year to get out and experience the balmy weather while indulging in a morning mug of coffee.

The back pocket sized yard was fenced in...large enough for the deck and a couple of bicycles and maybe a tiny garden area..and, the garbage cans.

There was a small front porch, but big enough for small chairs or deacon's bench.

The outside wasn't as well renovated and we were very nervous at first sight, but going inside...wow...it just was awesome. 

Higher end materials(compared to area, not luxury level)

and...photos matted and hung all along the hallway. Many of weddings, others of scenery. 

Very comfortable, leading you to think...

I really don't need that much to make my day lovely!

How about that log cabin at the edge of the woods...maybe up high enough to have a view but not so high you'd have trouble getting to it in winter. Nor...do we want to be a lightening rod, either.

Whenever dreaming about one of these homes...I keep wiggywagging between a really big one, oh..not lodge-sized, but close. And...a nice cozy one...

Bedroom big enough for King bed, once again. Not all logs everywhere, either. As, I can't figure out how to keep that clean....or...getting tired of the "look". Insides should have some smooth walls to hang pictures on.  And, well designed large windows, so you can stay there in the seasons without burning up or freezing to death. Plus, something a bear can't break.

Would want the porch to wrap. But, can't decide if it needs to be all the way around, or partial. I'm thinking maybe 3 sides...the portion that looks over the prettiest view would need to be screened in and wide and deep.  A swing large enough for a Grandmother and child, of whichever age, to swing with her. And at least two or three other areas to sit comfortably. Whether couches, chairs, or stools. Also...a couple of tables for flowers...and, plants too.

The baths would be modern, but with a homey feel to them. Lots of cabinets to store things and counter space to maybe dry a sweater on.

Kitchen would need to be big enough for a good sized frig and freezer. But, also have a super large Hoosier cabinet. Just for atmosphere. A place to keep a few pieces on display, but hold some linens, too.  Plus all the dishes you'd need.

Sounds like this house is bigger than the smaller size I had in my head...sounds like it's the almost lodge sized one.

I'm thinking that today I'd go with decorations similar to what you'd find in the Plow and Hearth catalog. Rustic and homespun, but updated materials so you're not ruining anything from inability to clean easily.  Maybe not rustic so much as just kind of lost out in a meadow or on edge of those woods.  Maybe a glade with ferns.  So...part of the year lighter colors..maybe sage and white or even pale yellow with light blue and white...and flowing fabrics and later on, darker colors...lots of reds or deep blues. Thinking scalloped edges, but either flowered or damask..maybe even paisley. Probably not too many stripes or plaids...but, maybe checkered. I dunno...maybe plaids altogether, as you can switch moods with color tones. Hummm...

Warm tones with furniture as I can't abide blond furniture. I can deal with painted white over that. Maybe a mix, though that's been done and maybe overdone.

Would you even need a TV in a place like this? I can't even picture watching movies here. I can see curled up reading a good book in front of the fire, or....playing board games with the kids. Or...working a jigsaw puzzle. 

In summer you'd have to have a babbling brook....nothing like a pond that gets stagnant. But, moving water, that's clear with a clean bottom...where you can watch fish and tadpoles. Nothing deeper than probably a couple feet and far enough from the house that there would be no chance of any flooding hassles.

An area large enough where you can have flowers...either in a garden or just naturally growing out in the meadow. 

OK...this would have to come with a caretaker, as I hate messing with the woodstove and I'd prefer a fireplace, too...and, any wood building needs a LOT of attention to stay nice and protected from elements.  Plus, those gardens...and, keeping the kitchen clean. Yeah, maybe more than one caretaker.

Guess we'd need room, or cabin for them, too...as, with us aging, they'd need to be on call.

Dormer windows. Log homes need dormers to go over top of the porch roofs...add interest. Guess that's where the kids' bedrooms would be?

this is just one out of a gazillion choices!!

I've been thinking on all the different types of homes I would ever want to live in. And, there are various ones. Naturally, this is all pure speculation and fantasizing as I type.

 

I think a medium sized home is actually the perfect size for me, IF it comes with a housekeeper as I age.

Probably traditional in furnishings while more Mediterranean in style of home. I do like the open concept in the main rooms, but not everywhere. 

Ideal bathroom would have a walk in shower with no barrier on the floor...immediately requiring some space to not mess up rest of the room, right? Maybe even one of those where it's cloak room style, taking up one side of the bathroom with a door on each end and room for a wheelchair to go through to the other end. Large shower heads, but not so high up where you can't reach them to rearrange. But...for the person that may end up in that wheel chair...a good shower system set lower too.  Hummm...option of handheld? Once you get old you don't have the strength to hold that. 

Definitely two sinks...grinning...but, who wants to clean two? Housekeeper wouldn't think of it, but prior to that!! Maybe one, with cost of the other going into making sure the shower area has tons of light instead of the common habit of one small teensy light in showers.  How do those people with small light way up high added to that dark tile ever see the hair on their legs or pits to shave?? By feel, I guess? Why worry...my hair is about gone anyway. Except for this week, where it's waving in the breeze of the ceiling fan.

 

Humm...kitchen?

How about path through where you won't get trapped when the relatives come to visit and want to talk while you're trying to cook?  Prime importance to keeping your temper intact!  Big sis is just like Momma was...comes into your personal space and just stands there...in the way! gah!

LOTS of cabinets and counter space, but not so much you're walking yourself to death getting what you need. Definitely a "room pantry" nearby. Also, so you're not walking yourself all over.

Not sure about choosing between gas or electric stoves. I've used both and liked both for different reasons. Can see where a double oven would come in handy. These newest types...not sure I could learn how to cook on one easily enough to want to mess with this. However...if I were to have a COOK/Housekeeper...or both...whoohoo! OK, not happening. Have hubs, that's sufficient for this right now.

What about main portion of home?

I'd want two things near both front and rear (or side) entrances. Coat closet and potty facilities. Many times as a senior Mom had troubles getting from car into house and then to commode in time. Plus, if you've been shopping you're going to want some sort of "dumping off" area where you can put your purse and bags and then run.

Living room....and....Family room....and...Media room....and...Library. 

Not all in one room!!

Bedrooms...well, one would be the Library, probably.

then...large enough for king beds or at least queens. I've found that even kids deal better with this size room...and, if these are bigger you can do away with one of the rooms above! Make their bedrooms the play rooms when they come visit.  

Lots of couches. You can eliminate a bedroom with this going for you.

I'm done for now....still have thoughts swirling and think I'll post more on this subject later...but, need to check the woodstove right now!

Yipes!!
Just noticed my photo...it has to be at least 12yrs old or more.  You think I should try and update?? 
um...wonder how you do that?? Guess I'll be clicking tabs trying to remember how this all works! LOL

Hey!

It's cold here, but you can't really tell by looking out the window.

 

Jeans are finally dried.

Time has come to force myself to get ready and go into the bookstore today.

 

Not washed up..not dressed...no makeup...but, am up on meds and mugs of coffee...you know..the important things! I did have an orange, too.

 

Boring myself!!

OK..here I go...sigh... 

NO...wait!

It's a gorgeous day...

I'm healthy enough, loved, and have all my needs met.

Life is good,

God is Great

All is under His control!!

it's amazing to me that so many years can pass by with not much change going on in a person's life. Same general things happening.

same thoughts running through that same head.

However...

one main thing is different.

The bookstore where I've worked for 28yrs is closed and now we're just facing packing up, clearing out and cleaning up before handing over the keys.

Lisa will be searching for a new place of employment.

I'll be retiring.

hum..

Not sure I'm ready for this, however...I've basically been retired for years now anyway!

I might be back again later on....don't hold your breath.

4yrs is a long time to do that!