Hi!

Aftersome soul searching and planning and exploration I found a new place. Unfortunately it's not in Bristol near my friends and gym, but it is closer to work .. I will be renting the bottom floor of a cape, built by my friend Bob Mips' grandfather.

My kateshorey@attbi.com will not be transferable, alas as Windsor uses a different cable company. So kate@urlygrl.com or kate@unitypond.net are preferred, your choice. Unitypond.net is least likely to go away in the long run.

I'll tell you more as the time approaches if you are interested, but know that I am looking forward to inventing my environment. My canvas is thus: brick cape on the coner of Dudley Town Road and Mips Drive. Enter the front door - small border gardens on each side, a large willowy weeping cherry (?) in the front yard. Lilacs and dogwood on the side yard, and a pine thicket providing some emotional space between neighbor Bob Mips and Bob's parents. Let's get to the basics.

Large kitchen, tiles behind sink and stove, window over kitchen sink, small knicknack shelves, plenty of cupboards. Laundry room, utility sink, corner for littler box out of way if desired. Let's move on...kitchen opens 2 ways - 1 to dining room, 1 to bathroom then bedroom and living room. Let's go to the right, into the dining room.

dining room 12 x 14? Bay window looking out front yard plenty of room for plants. Chair rail with eggshell paint below and wallpaper above with a border, in maroon and forestgreen grapes...mediterrenan feel. Next move to typical cape foyer - front door faces stairs (to no where, since someone else lives above.) foyer has room for plants.
Move into Living room. 14x16? 16x20? feels enormous and current tenant has 3 couches, at least one largest size they make. another bay window facing the front yard and dudley town road.

Move to bedroom. big, big walk in closet. Ought to hold most of my clothes!
Move to hall facing kitchen, coming full circle. first note, all hardwood floors everywhere, with a til or linoleum, reasonably attractive in kitchen. So, from bedroom facing kitchen, have stairs to cellar and bathroom. Cellar has plenty of stories so we will start with the bathroom. Whoa! Big! inside on the right is a linen closet on top and crawl space on bottom (Bob used to play in there when he was little!). Back of closet is fully mirrored. didnt look at ANY of the other details in the bathroom as I do normally. So spacious, and saw hairdryer etc of tenant, seems fully loaded.

so back to hall, a small closet before kitchen. Former linen, could be for coats or cleaning supplies, etc.

Basement - cement floors. Storage room for me, but still worth talking about. at the bottom of the stairs is a screen door on the right to the workshop *DROOL!* not for me though. on the left, set into the cement foundation is a canning cellar with a curtain in front. It contains many shelves and lots of empty ball jars... Handging over the entrance is a finished sign with Home Sweet Home carved in it. Bob made it in grade school for his grandparents~!

The center of the cellar has a big pile of stuff, presumably the current tenants and leaving with her. Behind, under the stairs, more or less is a beautiful fire place.Next we face a large ceramic double sink with shelf space (dish drying spots?) on each side. A place to repot houseplants and... BONSAI!!!! since we were getting so chummy, Bob thought it MIGHT be reasonable for not only me to put a pottingwheel down there near the bonsai sink (floor has a drain) but also we could create a little sitting room to be cozy by the fire....

There is a door to the cellar storm doors leading up to the back garden and outside water spigot. Outside - where do I make my sitting spot? Well that's up to me. Where do I park my car? For the moment, next to the kitchen door. But bob's dad is re-building part of the barn and so the garage, currently hosing an impala and a thunderbird (sport coupe type model). when the barn is done, I might inherit one of those spots when those cars move to the barn...

Speaking of the barn...there is a huge greenhouse next to it in the yard...Currently someone's stuff is being stored there, but imagine the possibiliites!! (Bonsai business, herb gardening, who knows??) Next to it is a tent of sorts. It is storing Bob's bayliner ski boat. He has sold half to a friend who moved across the US. Only 750 left on it by the deserter...I put my offer in, that way I GET my first ski boat AND bob can still use it when he brings the wife and kids to maine to use my loft and visit! Perhaps just wishful thinking. It DID have someone else's name on it first afterall..

Okay...since bob was one of my treasured guests at our DEC 21 Solstice Party, he said whatever when it comes to parties. the neighborhood has parties at christmas time, etc, it's me renting the place he doesnt control me, and of course!

the only catch tot he whole thing (that requires no sec deposit, no lease and water, elec, and heat all included) is that I have to keep the place neat. there is emotional value to the house....and messy tenants are a pet peeve of Bob's dad. Well Pete don't we learn that there is a better way to live?

Love,
kate