"It'll Wear Off..."

That is what we keep hearing from everyone! As I excitedly shoveled our driveway and sidewalks... at least 6 different times, our neighbor said, "it'll wear off, you'll get sick of it - houses are work." Oh boy! But it is work we look forward to! Joe and I bought our first home together on January 23rd. This 100year old house is the next step in our life together, a goal we had set for ourselves last spring, and we couldn't be more excited! Though this picture is from the listing, you can see the charming porch on the front. That is where Daddy and Joe's Mom met us the day we closed on the house. I don't know that I have words to describe how it felt when we pulled into our driveway for the first time with them standing on the porch to welcome us home. So, this is it! Our home at 1925 Division Street in East Troy.
Though we were aware the home was celebrating it's 99th birthday this year, we had no idea the history of the home, nor the special connection it has with Joe and I both. The saying, "It's a small world," could not have anymore truth to it in this case. The home was placed on the market as a result of an estate sale. The seller was the 3rd generation of the original builder. His grandfather built the home in 1910, and it was later passed on to his mother who lived there to her late 90's. We were aware that there was some disagreement among the relatives over the sale of the home as we had gotten it for a steal. Going into the closing was nerve wracking because we were aware of that tension. As Joe and I waited with the seller and his daughter, he told us where to find the spare key, and was so worried that we check the oil tank for the heating because he knew it would be running low. His daughter asked if we were keeping the skeleton key locks on the doors because she collects the keys and would like to have it if we were not keeping it, thus opening up a conversation that Joe and I agree helped them feel better about giving up a piece of their families history. We explained that though we plan on updating the home, our goal was to keep in place as much originality of the home as would be possible. Mr. Ottow and his daughter Debbie shared with us stories of sleeping in the attic and growing up around the home. It was as I was telling them about my fascination with our local history, and my disappointment that I found so little about our house, that Debbie asked where Joe and I were from. I still laugh when I recall her reaction to finding out that Joe was the nephew to her high school best friend, and that I had gone to school with her sons. At that point it seemed as though we had busted down the wall of tension and moved into a circle of people that cared very much for the same thing - this old house. I can feel the tears well up in my eyes when I think of Debbie insisting on giving us hugs at the end of the closing, and the warm hand shake from her father. Many people who grew up in this neighborhood and, have viewed the pictures, recall that the last owner was an AVON lady. If that is true, it is yet another connection for me... because I sell AVON too! Our little house will be undergoing some changes in the years to come, and we look forward to having everyone come out to see it! If you would like to see more pictures, check them out on my FaceBook or MySpace profiles. I am trying to get a web album together soon as well!