Monday, July 5, 2010
I Brake For Pigeons!
Daddy, why did you honk the horn?
Honey, I had to honk to get the pigeons to move.
Eww, I don't like pigeons - they are Rats with Wings!
You learn fast, little one!
One of many hilarious "chats" Bella and I have while driving.
And urban Living, at it's finest!
I had mentioned recently, that I would fill everyone in as to why I took that "break" from blogging. Well, here it is...in all its condensed glory.
Several months back, (OK., really like a year ago)...we decided it was time to move. We hadn't determined where, when or how...but we knew it was time. Our old neighborhood was beautiful...if you like desert scape (yuck) and cloistered neighbors (sigh).
Cloistered because we had a running joke. Once the neighbors drive into the garage, close the door, you don't see them anymore...weekends included. Most of them. It was odd really. Many families with kids...one of the reasons we built there...but we rarely saw them...or socialized.
At first, it was amazing...we met loads of neighbors and had oodles of friends...but sadly, it wasn't meant to be. Perhaps the novelty wore off...being two dads and a kid, we certainly stuck out...(our home was gorgeous and absolutely had an aesthetic life of it's own)...or maybe, it ended up being that we just did not have allot in common...or!...with Daddy's big mouth, people may have wanted to just stay away from the freak who rambles... - (a lack of adult interaction will do that to you). Long story short, after 4 years there, we needed more. Wanted more. Bella was getting to that age where she was questioning everything...(EVERYTHING - will blog more about our little miss Chatterley later on...). Of course, one question was a bit heartbreaking: "Daddy, when can we go play with (insert this name and/or that name here)?" It was difficult, at best, explaining why the kids were in school, and why she wasn't. Attempting to make her aware, that not all kids will want to play with her at all times...etc...Sigh!
WAIT: YIKES! I almost forgot to mention. We DID make some lifelong friends in our old neighborhood...those that will be with us no matter where we venture...and they know they can expect the same of us!
Whew! Where was I? Oh yea...long story short...
We wanted more. For our little one. For our Family.
More culture. More diversity. Less traffic (more like less road rage)...
So, we moved. Packed it all up...(and three storage units later)...and squirreled off to a lovely little cottage. Downtown. Historic District. All the museums, parks and 35 mph speed limits we could want for.
And. Pigeons.
Our old home had a plethora of wildlife...but it was geared more towards desert dwelling. Cactus. Rocks. Desert Brush. Needle-pin-pointed plants...all needed less water than the norm. We had Desert Quail. Gecko's. Hummingbirds. Wasps. Killer Bees. (yeah, you read that correctly - although they are everywhere around these parts). The coolest beetles ever seen, woodpeckers that pecked our fireplace cap (metal - it was loud- dumb ass birds). and Hawks...soaring beautifully overhead...waiting to dive down and latch their razor-like claws into our dogs...!!
We moved. Into a rental. 1280 sq. ft...(in comparison, our old home was 34oo)...it was to be a challenge. We decided to rent (neither of us had rented in so many years) in a neighborhood, or close to one, that we were interested in buying in. We decided on one of the many historic districts - downtown. Found a very cool little abode...and realized, our frikkin furniture was way too large to fit...Big house = Big Furniture...Little Cottage = logistics nightmare! Papa, being the Architect he is, came up with a floorplan...measured all the stuff we have...and made most of it fit...tightly! We have stuff in two garages. Two storage units and of course, packed to the gills in the cottage. The neighborhood is quiet, and oh so close to all we need or desire.
But...and yes, there is yet another chapter to this story. Once we moved into the cottage...(remember - renting)...we found a home to buy. Literally, one day after we moved into the rental. We had figured we would be here at least a year, until we could find that one perfect place. You know, the one where Bella would grow up in...we would never leave...at least not until retirement.
Anyhoo, here we are...stuff stored everywhere...in a rental...and we bought a home. Not just any home, but one that needs to be completely gutted...and restored. (Believe me, we got a great deal...and no longer have a mortgage).
A home built in 1938. My Partner, being the Architect, brought up the idea of restoring it, rather than renovating. So, the best part?...(other than it will be amazing when we get to live in it)...the shopping...deco fixtures. deco accoutrement...deco everything....will post pics here soon...but...we had to COMPLETELY GUT! Sewage, electrical, ceilings...pretty much everything is being re-done... The neighbors love it...the "eyesore" is being re-done - FINALLY!
Bella will once again have her drama room...and a bedroom that is HUGE, and will act as a playroom as well...we will have three bathrooms, as opposed to one now...(not fun)...and LOADS of grass and open...(after having a 1/4 acre of concrete removed out back...(another story)...
It will be heaven. But, as you can imagine, it hasn't been easy...and I was finding myself more and more stressed about blogging...totally overwhelmed with life in general...so much going on... And, because there was nothing to say...except how exhausted I was becoming...and I had already beat that horse to death. I was tired, but for Bella...well, of course, this was one huge adventure...and THAT was what kept me going...regardless of how pooped I was...or cranky...or...well, you get the idea. I just didn't want to talk about it anymore that I had to...and certainly not on the blog.
We discovered our new neighbors - (in what Bella calls our "New New Home" - the rental is the New Home") are amazing! Artists. Professionals. Cultured...and Diverse, Elderly, and quite the eclectic grouping. Perfect! We even had several over last night, for the Fireworks display downtown. Our garage has a second floor...the only two story structure in the neighborhood...and despite the construction dust and debris...we had a BLAST! Beautiful people!
So, here we are...living in two homes, with multiple storage facilities (we cant find half of what we need)...but...life is calming...surprisingly, there is less racing traffic (due to speed limits)...but, we have train noises in the far distance (we love it)...helicopters overhead (old home was in a flight path of planes - had been altered after we move in)...and LOADS of song birds, butterflies, wild lovebirds, cats, hummingbirds, lady bugs...and pigeons. Most of them alive, but, in the downtown area, a few squashed ones...OK, many...here and there.
Therefore, I brake for pigeons...
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10 BellaBuddies left comments! Ya know ya wanna!!:
I'm so happy for you all! Can't wait to see pics of the new place. xo
WOW! You guys had a lot going on darling! Please let me know when knew house is ready, I will come ready with vino for the housewarming!
Big Hugs and Love,
Monik@:)
WOW! You guys had a lot going on darling! Please let me know when knew house is ready, I will come ready with vino for the housewarming!
Big Hugs and Love,
Monik@:)
David, I am sooooo happy for you and Vince - and of course Bella! I haven't really been keeping up with everything, but I try to "pop" in every once in awhile. I can't wait to see pictures of this "dream home". Love you
Debbie
WOW! Fun to hear your news- we have been in China and leave tomorrow for Idaho. Hopefully we are "neighbors" you miss.
Take care!
Wow!!! I'm thrilled for the three of you...and for me, since you're posting again! :) haha
Congrats on the new home(s)! :)
Congrats on the new house.
I can't wait to see pics of how an architect redoes the place.
That is very exciting and very ambitious!
See, now THIS is why I've missed your blogging....I chuckled, I belly laughed and then I misted up over little Bella's disillusionment that was on the horizon.
I'm so happy for your family and your new homeS. :) Can't wait to see pictures and here about your renovations. Totally understand why you needed a break, but stoked that you're back even if its not fulltime!!!! :)
Good luck with the restoration, that is quite an undertaking. May you find all your stuff soon :)