Sunday, April 17, 2005

BEFORE

AFTER

Preview

FRUITS OF MY LABOR

I am almost embarrassed to post the before picture. I guess you just don't know until you are forced to see it through someone else's eyes. I knew I hated the outdoor carpet on the porch and that it needed a paint job. Now it looks spectacular! Only a few more finishing touches. I did not realize what a perfectionist I could be!!!

At two thirty yesterday the realtor called and asked if someone could show the house at 6pm. My SIL shook her head violently! The bathroom was ripped out, the lattice was not up, we had a plastic wall in the kitchen for her dry wall project, the house was a wreck. She was right, there was no way. So, maybe I missed a potential buyer, but another will be right around the corner.

I also mowed the lawn today and visited the grave of Bridget first boyfriend who overdosed five years ago today. It still makes me angry to remember that day. That we are denied the experience of seeing "Bird" grow into a man. That people stood around not knowing what to do, so they stole his shoes.

Anyway........he was special, even though he was going through a very screwed up period in his life. This street smart, sweetheart, charmer of a young boy had a son before he left this world. While I visiting the grave yard "Bird's" Mother was there. She told me about his young son, age six, who wants to go to Florida with her. "Let's fly, Granny"

"Dylan, you know I'm afraid to fly."

"I wanna fly."

"Why, honey? You know I'm afraid!!"

"There's clouds up there Granny!"

"Yea I know there are clouds up there! I can see them from here just fine!"

"No Granny, my Daddy is up in those clouds. Maybe I see him for just a minute."

That made me start crying.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

the house is great!
marti

Anonymous said...

ohh, it made me cry too...so sad...a young life gone...somehow stealing his shoes made it worse.
Marti

Anonymous said...

Oh, me too!  So bittersweet....

But on a lighter note, Martha ~ that is one welcoming, gorgeous porch you've got there!  I'd buy....   :)

Anonymous said...

OH my goodness. What a little paint on the porch will do. WOW Sure did make a difference. I guess the paint fading is like gaining five pounds a year. You dont notice till one day all of a sudden man what happend?????????

Anonymous said...

It looks good, Mary! Why is it that we do these things to our homes when we are trying to sell it? By the time I am done doing all the things to make my house attractive to buyers, I fell in love with it again and now I leave it with a heavy heart.

Anonymous said...

Your efforts were WELL worth it. The front porch looks gorgeous and the red bench is the perfect accent!

About the "bird" story, how beautifully bittersweet.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!  And harder to leave now, I would guess.

Anonymous said...

You did an amazing job!  It looks fantastic.

Anonymous said...

wow, what a difference! great job on the porch, it looks great!

Robyn :)

Anonymous said...

..."Maybe I see him for just a minute..."  Oh God!  What a waste to lose the promise of a young man who could father such a treasure...  Lisa  :-]  

Anonymous said...

Wow! You've done an amazing job...it looks fantastic! You are right, the red bench is the perfect touch.  And so touching what that little boy said.

Anonymous said...

I was going to tell you what a spectacular job you did on the porch, and then I read Dylan's words...OMgoodness...so sweet...JAE

Anonymous said...

Th porch looks great. I am so proud of you both for your accomplishments with your house and for remembering this young man.

Anonymous said...

OMGosh, I would've been weeping when she told me that - heck, I've got moist eyes as it is.  That was so touching what the young son said.

As for the porch - AMAZING transformation.  It looks wonderful.  :-)  You should be very proud of your efforts.

Monica'
http://journals.aol.com/photographybymon/Mamarazzi/
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/

Anonymous said...

The house looks great. Sorry about "Bird". How tragic that sometimes we make mistakes that end our lives so early. Nelle

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, the porch looks wonderful.

About Bird, was that his nickname?  Interesting about his son wanting to fly...
Beautiful story -- children have a perspective that adults could often use to get through life sometimes, you know?
~Dona   http://journals.aol.com/delela1/BlueSkiesandGentleBreezes

Anonymous said...

Out of the mouth of babes.   Pulling on the heartstrings.  I would be chartering a plane looking for Bird in the clouds with Dylan and Granny!

...and that porch...  WOW!!!!!
Beautiful,
Judith
http://journals.aol.com/jtuwliens/MirrorMirrorontheWall

Anonymous said...

That transformation is incredible!

I am sorry about Bird.

Anonymous said...

Your porch looks very inviting! You've done good!
It's so sad when we lose someone that has so much potential. His son sounds very special.

Anonymous said...

You did a wonderful job on the porch, Mary. It looks absolutely inviting! It's the perfect kind of porch, IMO.

And I love your stories. Just like always. I swear, you could write a book, woman. (Are you gonna some day?)

Anonymous said...

touching story....the porch is lovely.  !  

Anonymous said...

OH WOW WHAT A GORGEOUS JOB YOU DID. IT'S SO CHARMING IT'S SOOOOOOOOOO CUTE I WANNA SIT THERE AND HAVE A GLASS OF ICED TEA <SPIKED> WITH YOU. LOL

Anonymous said...

This picture would look so quant framed somewhere in your new home.

Anonymous said...

A makeover suitable for HGTV!  Good job!  A very touching entry about your visit to the cemetary...Lisa

Anonymous said...

Wonderful handiwork, and a wonderful but sad story.

Anonymous said...

<choke>....oh......E