A drum roll please? I know you're all doing the Griswold thing and I appreciate that. What good friends you are! "The little lights aren't twinkling..." "Thanks for noticing Art."
I have the most amazing birthday gift on the way. All my life I've wanted this. It was THE one thing I asked for: my lake house. He promised one day...
We found it.
One Saturday about a month ago, we made an appointment and hustled up north. We spent almost twelve gruelling hours sauntering through communities, homes, golf resorts...the works. We had almost fifteen places to see and had printed the listings for most of them. We never talked about them until we saw them up close; in person: except this one...
"You know, I like number six. It's really cute and it looks big."
"Ha, that's funny. Of all the ones here, that was the one I liked the most too."
We smiled and waited through the first five.
When we pulled in, we grinned at each other. It WAS as cute as the pictures. We began to knit-pick it apart, but we failed. Everything had been redone. By the time I got through the house and down the yard, passed the gazebo and out to the dock, I was in tears.
"This house. Cheech. I want to live in this house. Forever and ever."
He hugged me on the dock and said "Me too."
The trees were red and gold. The water was like glass. We looked at the long deck across the back and saw where we'll build the fireplace and outdoor kitchen. We saw the dog run and the creek that giggles down the side of the yard and the tiny bridge that goes across.
Inside? All we have to do is move in. It's perfect. Our room is the upstairs. All of it. With vaulted ceilings and a retreat that views the lake, complete with my fireplace. I want my short bookshelves and my Redgrave chair there (and a chaise lounge just to be fahnsay).
Downstairs has the formal living room which we'll make the office/den and library. I'll move my Barrister cases in there with the stone fireplace. Of course we'll need some more sleeper sofas. Gotta. Then it's through to the kitchen. This has knotty pine walls and hardwood floors. I have an antique stove (which is electric) and then a great room with nine foot ceilings. There are two extra bedrooms off this room facing the lake and deck. There is a third beautiful fireplace here. Above it we will hang that TV we've been looking at...NIIIIICE. We're going to finish this room like a lodge/saloon. We've talked about a bar along one side with nice leather couches...not too chunky but healthy..You know?
Out to the deck that runs the length of the house and down the yard. There is a fire pit (we will convert that of course!) and a gazebo off to the left facing the wider part of the lake. (we are at the back "cove" portion of this lake) Further down is the dock (They are leaving us one of the boats: Ahoy matie!)
We have tried to look at others and nothing compares. We played the bidding game and it's going to be ours. In just a couple of weeks; my dream will come true. We've worked so hard for this. We can't wait to share it with our friends and family. We can't stop talking about the first fire, the first night, the first jump off the dock, ice skating, tubing...all of it.
Yes folks, New Year's will be here. And yes. I have pictures. Sorry for the delay, but if you know me, you understand. I know you can "hear my face" and see my smile. It goes all the way through me starting in my soul.
I can't wait to share this with you.
Thanks for your patience.
