Silence Is Truly Golden
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on my site, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
I’m sitting here in my chair with Ivy perched at the end, thinking that the silence here is truly golden. I can hear a dog barking somewhere. As well as the train passing through. I wonder where it’s going?
That mournful, wailing sound of the horn is something I’ve come to look forward to. The railroad tracks are about six blocks away, and the sound is a bit muted. It comes through many times a day, or maybe it’s other trains on their journey somewhere.
Teri and I put together one of the slip covered chairs in the south facing room. Yesterday Greg put the other one together. He has massive muscles so I have him help me with heavy objects.
Silence Is Golden Here:
It’s so quiet here. Except for the somewhat faraway sounds of a dog barking somewhere in the neighborhood. If I step out the back door the dog next door barks.
I can sit here in my chair and hear traffic on Route 66, six blocks away. There are so many stores and restaurants and new expensive apartment buildings here now.
I took Teri to lunch yesterday. I owe her big time. We went to a Mexican restaurant and ate until we were stuffed.
Content In This Old House:
I love it here. I suppose you can hear that in my words and tone. Having a full sized washing machine is wonderful. The hardwood floors and tall ceilings are beautiful. Not to mention the crown molding.
Back in 1921 they added such ornate touches to a house. The French doors with clear glass knobs. The three fireplaces, although two are covered with drywall. Doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t use them anyway. I like my little black stove sitting in the opening of the living room fireplace.
This house is a decorator’s dream. Yes, the floor slopes down when you walk into the dining room, which is situated at the end of the hallway.
Then there’s the small room where my two black desks/tables are. I haven’t done a thing in there yet. As one room gets somewhat done, the mess gets pushed back to that room
The south facing room is walled with windows opening up to the back yard. I can sit in there and see the church beyond the fence, which is architecturally beautiful. It’s called the Grace Lutheran Church.
The big front porch begs to be decorated. And I will get to that come springtime.
A Bit Of Help From My Oldest Daughter:
Kendra was here for a few hours taking care of things. She hung some of my paintings. Others she said she’d hang later when she has her drill.
Kendra hung my little thrift store stained glass frame of cardinals above the windows in that sunny room so the sun can shine through it.
Then she gathered the bags of trash; packing paper and tape and bubble wrap. And took them from the house for the trash men to pick up. So many bags of trash we’ve taken out. And then there’s the boxes of things we’re donating.
There is such a sense of peace here. Yes, it’s in an older part of town close to the tall downtown buildings. There are industrial areas nearby as well.
The South-Facing Room:
I’m almost finished with the south-facing room. I’ll take photos when I get it looking halfway finished. I have a rectangular ottoman back there now. Because I quickly realized that I can’t sit in the chairs without some place to perch my foot.
The ottoman will serve another purpose. I’m planning to put board games in the storage area of the ottoman for the grandkids. There are three chairs which form a cozy conversational area. And a TV where they can watch Netflix.
I sit in my chair and look out the window facing the street. There are two other windows in here so there’s a lot of light. I will be adding more house plants because I finally have a house full of light to accommodate them.
Quilts I Sewed:
I’m washing a quilt that had some kind of stain on it. Hopefully the grandkids will come choose the quilts that they want. Those quilts I sewed and quilted by hand in my thirties.
There are too many to fit into the quilt closet Kendra created. And I had planned to give each of them quilts once I moved.
I made both Kendra and Kasi a homemade quilt to celebrate their graduating high school. I think Kendra has at least one more quilt. Years ago I had them choose what kind of quilt they wanted along with the colors they preferred.
This morning I gave Kendra interactive toys Ivy doesn’t play with anymore. Her kitten Millie, that’s around 7 months old, needs more to do because Kendra is gone so much. You know how kittens are. They run around like chickens with their heads cut off for at least the first year and need constant entertainment.
Of course as soon as she put them in a box Ivy was all over her. Like young children, pets want something because someone else appears to be taking it away. Otherwise it just sits there taking up space. Kendra left a few toys Ivy laid her paws on to keep her from taking them. Silly cat.
With the hardwood floors, when Ivy jumps down from say, a chair to the floor, it makes a loud thumping noise.
Kendra says that Millie plays all night running around the house and it sounds like a herd of cattle on her wood floors.
Grandson Riley comes home from college for the Thanksgiving holiday late tonight. Hopefully I can get him to put the guest bed together for me. And then I can get that room put together.
So happy for you ❤️
Hugs from Singapore.
I love hearing the trains! The house is coming together so nicely, kind of what we expected. lol Have a nice weekend!
Mamie looks so nice! Your living room is so bright and cheery. What a difference all those beautiful windows make. I can relate to your enjoying the quiet … I need that in my life; too much noise without a break tires me out. So glad you have found your special home. Your peace shows through in your writing now.
Your house looks beautiful!!
I love the few more sneak peaks! It’s looking really nice! I was wondering if you are really loving the extra space! You haven’t had this much in a long time. I ordered and received your little cd player and I love it! I like yours better – the lighter wood, but I was able to get mine through the VA exchange for 1/3 cheaper than Amazon! Win! I l love that picture over your chair! Just up my alley!
Brenda,
Your pictures are beautiful! I love your decorating and how beautifully your house is coming together. I can’t wait to see the rest of your rooms as you get them finished. And decorating for the holidays is going to be so much fun!
It is truly home.
Did you do away with the Lovely Reads section? Looking for suggestions on other blogs (don’t seem to be many actively updated any longer).
Peg, if you scroll down to the very bottom, you’ll see a link for lovely reads. I didn’t click on it, but I assume it still works.
Yes, the link will take you to Lovely Reads.
Brenda, I am so happy that you have this lovely new house! I envy all of the details like the crown molding and the windowed doors between rooms, etc., etc., I do have my own. house but it is what I have always called a “dumb little ranch”. I have done some updates that make it more interesting but I still do turn a little “green with envy” the more pictures I see of yours as you work to make it your own. I do live in a wonderful neighborhood with wonderful neighbors so what the house lacks in character the neighborhood makes up for in a wonderful location and the best neighbors. Anyway, I am just so pleased that you can really settle in now and be without all the irritations you’ve had to put up with over the last few years. It will be so good for your health. I wish many blessings on you and Ivy in your new abode!
I no longer have that stress level I had worrying about things. I do miss my neighbors though. However, I would never go back in time.
I love seeing your house become your home! It is lovely
I too love seeing this house (Mamie) become my home! And Ivy’s of course.
I was so happy when I saw your first photo with your couch and beautiful quilt! Now it looks like “HOME”! I have always loved seeing pictures of your quilts. They add so much color and personality to your home(s). Your decorating style is shining through!
My style isn’t for everyone. Patchwork has always called my name.
I’m amazed at how quickly youve made areas of this empty house into a true home! So tasteful and inviting already! Wow. Can’t wait to see it all, and maybe Christmas touches will come in soon, too?
I couldn’t have gotten this far on my own. There is my lovely daughters who have helped so often. And Teri and Susan.
My comments always disappear when I hit post.
You are so lucky to have all the trim, etc.
I’ll just write this much. Maybe it will post!
I’m so sorry. I have no idea what causes that to happen.
Brenda I love that rug. Try ironing it w a damp towel and see if it flattens. My neighbor had the same issue and had to return it. Be careful you don’t trip.
That Ivey is too funny…..
I’m SO HAPPY that you’re settled and love your new home! Room! No complaining people! No management people!
Enjoy! Looking forward to more pictures!
The rug is flattening out. It’s odd. The blue and white rug in the back room did not take hardly any time to flatten out.
It is so wonderful hearing about your new home and seeing the lovely pictures. So happy for you and Ivy. Love your decorating too!
I am slowly making it my own with my own style.
I love your living room and your area rug. Your new home is so nice!
Ivy is a hoot! lol I am so glad you have her.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Joan!
My cat sounds like a herd of elephants when she runs from one end of my mobile home to the other, usually at 3:00 in the morning. She’s so funny when she gets a case of the “zoomies”.
Mamie is coming along so beautifully, thank you for sharing the pictures! Hopefully no more moving for you and Ivy and you can relax and enjoy Mamie.
Ivy never has the zoomies for some reason.
I like your new rug. That soft shade of green is so pretty. I know you like to decorate so I know you are having a lot of fun right now, even if it is somewhat tiring. Everything looking good so far and sounds like you are enjoying everything about not only the house, but the also the neighborhood. I can hear a few trains where I live too. Looking forward to seeing more of your progress.
I’m looking forward to having things done. Of course things get changed too. But at this point I just want to look around and know where everything is!
Hi Brenda,
Everything sounds and looks lovely! I know you are so happy there. I can hear it in your writing. I am happy for you! Maybe you will never have to move again. I know that is just too much for you! I’m glad you have people to help you close at hand. It’s hard being on your own I’m sure. Can’t wait to see it all finished. You have a great eye for decoration. Looking forward to more pictures! 🙂
Don’t think I have another move in me!
Brenda, I cane “hear” you smiling as I read this post. This house is wonderful and there is so much room for you to spread out, move around and to relax. No more nasty manager and worrying about the goings on of that apartments. The good news is that you made some wonderful friends there, the better news is that you are in a new/old place that you can make your own.
Take care! Have a wonderful weekend.
Yes Elizabeth. Seems like just yesterday when you moved to where you are now.