Sunday, May 22, 2005

A Time To Remember

Cliff and I got married in 1966.  By the summer of 1967, I was looking at real estate ads.  I wanted us to own a home.  Since Cliff's parents had only made one brief, unsuccessful attempt at home ownership, he felt this was not something people in our economic group could do.

But my parents (also in a lower-income group) had owned residences, and I knew it could be done.

Mother and Daddy knew somebody at church who knew somebody that had twenty acres for sale, with a four-room house on it.  We were hooked as soon as we checked it out, although the little abode wasn't much to brag about.  Cliff and I had neither one been accustomed to nice houses anyhow, so in autumn of 1967, we moved to our own home with our baby boy.  In 1969 our little girl was born.  We had no extra money, but oh, what sweet memories I have of our time there.

In 1974, we found out we could get more than twice as much for the place as we had paid, and figured with THAT much money, we could buy a real farm up in north Missouri.  Well, once we were in north Missouri, we learned two things:  Number 1, we hated it there.  Number 2, the money we thought was so much, wasn't much at all.  We lived up there for nine months, and began looking for something back in area surrounding Kansas City.

The only place we could afford with any land at all was this one, where we now live, with a measly six-and-a-half acres.  There was enough pasture to perhaps support one cow, which meant I had to sell a half-dozen or so prize Jerseys, my beloved pets.  I didn't like this location, or the house; Cliff did.  For years, resentment smouldered, but I kept it to myself.  My children were six and eight when we came here.

In 1986, we got a chance to buy 37 acres adjoining our place.  It stretched our budget, but we jumped at the chance, and I've never been sorry.  Somewhere along the line, I started liking it here.

Cliff loves to tinker with old tractors, and he had a shop area in the corner of our detached, two-car garage.  We'd always talked about how, when he retired, we'd have a nice big shop built for him.  But I kept hearing stories about men who, as soon as they retired, had heart attacks or strokes and weren't able to do the things they'd always planned.  So at my urging, Cliff agreed we'd re-finance once more and make his dream come true before retirement.  That was, I believe, five years ago.  I haven't regretted it once.  Cliff spends most of his free time out there.

This coming weekend, Memorial Day, marks thirty years since we first moved here.  Had we not bought the added land, it would have been paid off ten years ago.  Had we not re-financed to build Cliff's shop, it would be paid off in two more years.  As it is... well, you get the picture.

I still don't care for my house that much.  But I have come to love the total package that is our home here.  It's been an exciting thirty years, and I guess, looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.

 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mosie, I wouldn't change a thing either.  I'd try not to hurt the people I love, but that's the only thing.

Bnana

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful life.  Everything worked out!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your story about how you got where you are!!!

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how things work out, huh? I know you love your "cabin", Cliffs got his shop, HE** BURN THE HOUSE DOWN!! LOL rich

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story.  My kids were also born in 67 and 69 - but oh, how different our lives!  Congratulations on 30 years in one place that you love.  That's an accomplishment many people would envy.  Blessings, Penny

Anonymous said...

thats a great story...
Are you near excelsior springs or lawson , mo? I was wondering .. if that was the area of Mo you lived near or in..
Glad you were able to pick up more acreage too .. excellent..
:) Mel

Anonymous said...

You know it isn't WHAT you own that makes you happy, it is the people you share it with! I say you and cliff have made each other very happy...he with his shop and you with your cabin!
Love,
Carlene

Anonymous said...

Wonderful entry. You sound like the voice of contentment. Paula

Anonymous said...

The thing that surprised me most about this entry was the part about your "quiet resentment" while living in a place you didn't like.   I think Cliff owes you some plumbing and/or electrical access in the cabin!  ;)

Russ

ps I hated the movie "Blair Witch Project", but I bet it would be very cool to watch in a cabin far inside the woods.

Anonymous said...

You know where your heart is.