Friday, August 17, 2007

A girl can dream can't she?


Isn't this absolutely gorgeous? Could you imagine living in a place with painted ceilings and chandeliers this grand?
I've always been told that I have champagne taste on a beer budget and well, when it comes to my vision of a dream house that is a true statement.
This picture is actually at the Palace of Versailles in France and although it's gorgeous it's on the extreme even for me.

Napoleons bedroom in one of his French castles


















Today marks the first day in a new journey for our family.
My husband is on his way to meet with a home builder up at our property in NE GA. With my DH's upcoming retirement next year we will be deciding when and where to build our FINAL house. This is a strange feeling since we've moved every 2 to 3 years for the last 16 years being in the military. After being somewhere for 2 years I get that itch to move because I know it's coming up. However, this will be our FINAL house - seems so strange to think about. Of course my visions, thoughts, dreams of our FINAL home have always been more GRAND than I know are realistic but like my opening statement asked - Can't a girl dream?
I wouldn't even know where to begin on what style I like. I LOVE French chateau, Spanish stucco, English CHARM, Southern Antebellum and the list goes on and on.



I love homes like the English cottages we lived in while stationed in England.
Houses that were well built in their day and have stood the test of time.










I like homes with a history like this USRY home in GA ~ however, the money it would take to update and fix would be more than the money to purchase it.




Mature gardens already in place and ready to enjoy! Could you imagine the money it would take to create this oasis today? Quite a bit I'm sure.
The pitfall of this beautiful GA home (other than the money that would have to be sunk into it to make needed repairs) is that it is smack down in the middle of a neighborhood with very little land.
So, on our new journey to make huge decisions about building a house, what to build, how to build, brick, siding, layout, etc. I'm really praying hard to keep DREAMS dreams and REALITY reality. I'm also praying hard that I don't act like a spoiled brat like I did on Sunday of this week when it comes to discussing these issues with my DH. He's worked really hard to provide for his family and I think sometimes I put undue expectations on him.
So, I'm sure this won't be the last you'll read on our journey to building our FINAL home. A house is just a house isn't it? but a home is what we make it and we've always made where ever we've moved a HOME filled with LOVE ~ so I know it is all going to be good!
Have you had a house built? Any suggestions? Any advice?

Change of subject ~
We had a fabulous day celebrating my DH's birthday. I took him to lunch at a local vietnamese restaurant, he brought sushi home for dinner, and we had a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cake from DQ. YUMMY! Needless to say I'm not going to WW this morning because I think I ate a month worth of points yesterday alone.
I got a call from the Pediatrician yesterday as well that my youngest sons culture grew strept so I called the school and picked him up early. He's home again today as he needed to be on antibiotics for 24 hrs. as to not infect others according to the doctor.

Well, I think that is enough rambling for me today! Have a fabulous weekend. I have two painting classes tomorrow and will of course share those pictures with you.

17 comments:

Terri Steffes said...

Dream all you want, because that is when inspiration hits! It is hard to choose but I know you will know the style when you see it. I go to a lot of open houses in my area and jot down my favorite things from each house. I keep a tear file of ideas that I have torn out of magazines of things I love.

Maybe the land itself will "speak" to you of what kind of house should be there.

Houses are legacies, as well as homes. It will be here much longer than you!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing them! I also love homes with history! There is nothing wrong with dreaming.
*HUGS*
"They may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us and the world will be as one."-John Lennon "IMAGINE"

Sugar Bear said...

What an exciting adventure to be embarking on! Building a house seems like such a daunting but worthwhile task. Just think - everything will be just as you want! It will be so wonderful for your DH to move into retirement with everything being the way you and your DH want. Start tearing out all the great photos in magazines!
Karla

Anonymous said...

WoW! I am with you! I love all the different syles of house. I even love farm house!!! Well, put them all in a hat and draw. (Just kidding!) Keep us posted.
I am glad to hear that your DH had a WONDERFUL bday!!! And that your son should be feeling better soon!
In Him,
Christina

Amy A said...

Hi Sandy! I got your package today! So generous and wonderful of you! Thank you so much! I'm so inspired...

Congrats on your final house! We built our house about 7 years ago. We didn't think it was going to be our "final" house until a few years later we fell into a 3.5 percent refinance! Now it will be paid for in 10 years and we can't bear to move! It is hard to decide on something so permanent. I guess the biggest part is location, location, location. Once you have the land you can remodel the structure if you need to. I wish we could've lived in our floor plan before we built it as there are some small things I would change. Just being picky, nothing necessary :) Enjoy the process as best you can!

Thanks again
Amy

Sandi McBride said...

I could live quite happily in the English Cottage...oops, already did, lucky girl that I am...Orchard Cottage on Cherrytree Lane in Beaconsfield, (Bucks). It was a lovely four years I'd happily repeat! The Palace is a bit to grand for my taste...looks like a church...still waiting on my first lesson...see if you can get me paste stick men and we'll go from there.
Sandi

Demara said...

Sandy,

Wow! I LOVE this FINAL home journey you are on!! I can sense your excitement and stress of it all. I would be feeling the same way, I'm sure. Lucky you though...Someday I hope my husband and I can 'purchase' our FIRST home. HAHA...

(OH and I would love to visit Napoleons bedroom, or castle for that matter, since him and I were about the same height. It would be so nice to sit on his chairs, to touch the floor while doing so and laying in what looks to be his very small bed. Everything would be just the right size for me I think. *smile*)

It was nice visiting you...
sya,
Demara

Alice J said...

Dear Sandy,
Only bit of advice that I can give you for your new home. Pray about it together with DH. And both of you come to full agreement with God.
I was like you when we had our house built. I didn't know what I wanted or where or anything. And I didn't pray about it. We ended up having 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. At the time we thought we would fill it up with children. But God had other plans. I couldn't have children. The bedrooms are now too small for our music room and dressing/crafts/paint room. No closet space and not enough cabinets in kitchen. No garage or outside storage area. Bathrooms are with tubs and we want walk-in shower stalls for us old folks. But thank God it is all on one floor not so we have to go up and down stairs which we couldn't handle at this age. Not the most expensive but substantial.
But it is home and there is just the two of us. Where there is love there is a home. God brought us together and God will one day take us home with Him to live in a grand mansion He has built for us.
I'm sure you will do fine. And I plan on coming to see you so make it big enough for me.
Ilove you and will be praying for you too.
AliceJ

Terry Richey said...

Hey, just let me know what "style" you choose...(I vote Georgian Farm House" considering the location) and then I will send you the plans for MY guest house to go out by the pond, which will include a separate painting room, screened gazebo for a late afternoon glass of ice tea, and one of those cool garden mazes filled with lots of beautiful flowers that remind me of your paintings! LOL

I am so excited that you will soon start on the house. The best advice I can give is have patience and remember that building a house is EXTREMELY stressful for both you and your family. Just keep the big picture in mind...the most important thing is Steven and your boys, not how beautiful and elegant your home can be. I am sure it will be fantastic when you are finished. Another thing to keep in mind (which I forgot on my first home), is to take into consideration where the sun comes up and goes down. I hated sitting on my beautiful wrap porch in the backyard with the sunset glaring the late afternoon sun in our eyes! I would have much preferred the shade at that time of the day and the sun in the morning! Walls you can add or tear down, and bathrooms you can remodel, so dont stress to much over those things!

Unknown said...

SANDY! A final house! Whhoooaaaa! that is wonderful news! You know girly I just love your site! I come here everyday just to check in with 'my Sandy'! I am sure you and your DH will come together on styles and such! Sometimes I can imagine getting you to your wits ends BUT in the end you will have a FAB house! And to be retiring so young! WOW! I won't be able to retire until I am well in my eighties..lol! Bless you and your lovely family! Again I can't tell you enough how much I LOVE your site!

Barbara said...

Thanks for visiting me. I like yur blog and will be backto read more.

I know yu have had many vivid experiences through all those years of travel. I will look forward to seeing how your house develops eventually.

I have travelled widely in yur country but not been to Georgia although had a close friend in Jackson Miss.who was born and grew up there.

Anonymous said...

Who say's you have to have just one certain style? Take a portion of each house that you've lived in and loved, and turn it all into one house. It will hold all of your fondest moments of your family's lives so far. Try drawing that out, and see if it looks inviting and natural to you. Good Luck!
I hope your son is feeling better.

Unknown said...

I love your blog and I don't remember if I've left a comment telling you that before so I'm leaving one now. Love seeing how creative you are. Joan

Kim said...

I know whatever design you and your family choose will be wonderful. I am so happy for you and your "boys" BUT I'm selfish... I'm just not ready for you to move away! I'm really glad things went so well with the builder as well. Keep us posted! Hugs ~ Kim

Julie said...

You should start a chapter of dream house photos - like I did. It is fun to dream and many times you can incorporate certain grand things into a smaller home - just on a smaller scale! Can't wait to see what you come up with.

CG said...

Those pictures are gorgeous! I think building a house would be fun but then again I don't think husband and I could last through it. I am very picky when it comes to home stuff whereas, he could care less. I'm sure your builder will help you through and you know where to come for ideas..the net!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have a very exciting life! I clicked on your blog name from Southern Hospitality-Rhoda and am so glad I did! I've enjoyed your blog.

Love the dream house and gardens you've chosen! :-) Those would fit into my dreams quite nicely!

Blessings,
Melissa