3.10.2010

pagoda...

I suppose it was bound to happen.  If you tell people your husband spent 5 years renovating your home, they are going to want to see it.  The remodel.  Oh the remodel.  Where would I begin?  At the beginning I guess - usually the best place to start.

Synopsis.  Daughter had graduated from high school - was moving to New Orleans for college.  I was kind of itchin' to get out of the valley - the heat, the traffic.............ugh.  I just felt so..........done.  Was getting a taste for Boise, Idaho (love that city) or perhaps New York - how exciting.  Andrew Henry wasn't so sure.  AH is VERY slow to make decisions, carefully weighs things, considers options etc., you know, like a grown-up.  He got the "let's buy a fixer upper and flip it" bug.  This was late 2004 - right before the boom.  Just as prices were rising and things were taking off here in Phoenix. 


We knew a particular neighborhood we were interested in.  Our previous neighbors (Al & Ewa) had moved near there and we loved it (and missed them).  I drove through the streets every morning, crack of dawn, searching for "sale" signs.  The houses were selling in 1-2 days.  Saw one!  The realtor informed me it was already sold - how that was possible, I have no idea.  I mentioned I wanted a fixer-upper (only way we could afford that neighborhood) she mentioned there was a "tear down" a few streets over.  AH stopped by to see it on his way home.


The phone call was short.  He told me it was a "weird" place, red, white and yellow with no apparent front door and quite a large PAGODA in the front yard.  He had no interest in it whatsoever.  I was intrigued!  I came.  I saw.  I looked at the view.  I knew.  I didn't care about the house.  I loved how I felt there.  I told him it was "perfect".  He almost fainted.  We bought the Pagoda house. 


The Pagoda is gone now but the name remains.  Every Wednesday, I'll share more of our long journey - we took hundreds (maybe thousands) of photos along the way.

8 comments:

Maria said...

Girl - you know I have heard this story - in all its funny and bitter-sweet details - but now to get to SEE it! I can't WAIT! A new reason to love Wednesdays! Woo Hoo!

MJM said...

I lived this story and I am anxious to hear how you tell it. And the pictures are always entertaining. :)

sunshine said...

You are so talented! I love the 'Pagoda' in the window.
Wow! bet the neighbors were happy to see the red, white and yellow house disappear! Perhaps there was lots of 'happy' there for the pagoda owners and that's why you felt the way you did.

Andrew H. said...

I too lived through it and am anxious to hear the story. :-)

Natalie Thiele said...

I just stopped by because I liked your story comment on Tongue in Cheek, although I find it hard to believe that your friend refrained from sighing and all other (semi-silent)telltale indications of being annoyed with her husband.
Anyway, love your blog and am interested to see more Pagoda posts.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Natalie - nice to have you. I'm sure you're correct - she probably signed every 5 minutes - still - I bet he didn't even notice. Thanks!

Beatnheart said...

Sounds like a great new story...we went through the same thing..House no one wanted..spent years fixing the place. I'll post a pic of "Martha's hooks" if I have any left.

MaiPie said...

OH the Pagoda. I'm excited to hear all the details of the story. :)