Sunday, March 29, 2009

~~~Finding Home sweet Home~~~

I thought it might be fun to throw out a post and hope others will play along. I've always enjoyed looking at other peoples houses....and if I'm being perfectly honest...I'd love to sneak a peek in their windows too! So....how about showing us where you've lived, how many times you've moved, and how wide a path you've traveled finding your "home sweet home".


I've not done much moving around in my life. I've actually only lived in three towns in my 48 years.


This is the home I was born and raised in. My parents bought it for about $6000 back in 1955. Prior to their purchase it had been "a house of ill repute". They raised 3 kids here and sold it when they retired and moved to Arizona.


When I got my first job out of college it was for a home builder. The owners were amazing people...truly generous and a joy to work for. They made it possible for me to build my first house when I was 19. I couldn't find any pictures of it complete (ok I was too lazy to look hard) ...but these show it during construction. (yeah that's me in the doorway on crutches). I built this house in the same town I was born in. It was great living that close to my family.



Years later...when my kids were in middle school....we discovered that one bathroom and 4 people getting ready in the morning was NOT working! So it was time to move on. I loved my neighborhood ...so I chose to build a house just around the corner from where we were living.



In 2001 I made the biggest move of my life. I got married again and moved to New England. Leaving Utah was the hardest thing I've ever done. And I knew I was going to miss my mountain views. So I decided that if I had a home on a lake it would be a fair trade off. My new hubby and I bought this cute little A-Frame on a gorgeous private lake.

This is how it looked when we first bought it..........



And how it looked after some renovations....................


I loved living on the lake...we had a little paddle boat and it was so beautiful every season of the year. But it also came with a ton of restrictions from the dreaded "Wet lands Commission". Everytime we wanted to do any improvements we had to jump through hoops and spend a fortune to prove that it wouldn't have any ill effects on the environment. After fighting with them for 4 years we'd had enough....and decided to relocate.




We found a gorgeous lot in the next town over. That afforded us some much needed outdoor space...and some privacy. But was still in a really pretty neighborhood. And we build our current home........
We love it here.....it is everything we hoped it would be. And we know how blessed we are.

We hope to stay here until we retire in about 10 years......then I have my eye on this little retirement cottage.................

I'm pretty sure all my furniture will fit.



So now it's your turn................

101 comments:

Tristan said...

Fun!!


Don't forget to enter my giveaways!

Sweet Caroline said...

Oh what a coincidence! That cottage is MY HOUSE. Wow, how fun that you have a picture of it right on your blog.

My turn? Hmmmm

I think I have lived in every type of place from big homes to ghetto trash. Probably why I am so well-rounded!

Currently, I am living in a nice home. It really is worth the wait after renting for several years. I am the type that goes backwards...forwards...maybe backwards again...big forward...

It gets kinda crazy, but that is what cookies are for, right?

Carolynn Anctil said...

Wow, you've lived in some beautiful homes. You built one when you were 19?! I'm impressed.

I don't have photos of the homes where I've lived.

I was born in Canada and have lived here all my life. I did live for a little over a year in Australia and attempted to arrange to live there permanently, but it wasn't looking good, so I left before they kicked me out.

I've travelled a fair bit, but my home is the one I retained after my divorce and it feels like a vacation home to me. It's my sanctuary and I absolutely love it. I'm still working on decorating it so that it reflects my personality, but all in good time.

MJW said...

Very fun blog! I have moved 11 times in 11 years. Yes, I'm crazy but I love change! I actually recently just uploaded pix of the new place - go check it out! :)

Laura said...

My house hopping starts in Kentucky to Louisiana to Arizona and back to Kentucky.

Apartment, Apartment, Townhouse, House, Build a House (currently in this one).

Hope to retire to a warm climate out west with no yard work. Or maybe move into that retirement house with you - looks big enough for several families - LOL!

The Kooky Queen--Rachel said...

I'll come visit you at your retirement cottage anytime, woot woot!! Par-tay in da house!!!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Girl you are just a yun-ng and I love your home that you built how cool is that...I loved adding on to my cabin and making it the way I wanted it...This is only the second home I have ever owned...and also you must have a strong marriage to live through 2 constructions ha ha!! if you can get throught that you can get through anything life hands you!! are we doing this special post today or when? I just did my Monday post...lets me know hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

sun lover said...

I am a fairly new reader I found you from Life is Good. I love reading your blog.

I too enjoy looking into others homes. The pictures from your blog are amazing.

I am in my 3rd house as a married person. The 1st on was a rental that was a 2bedroom 1bath. It was so small we had a charlie brown christmas tree.

House #2 was the house I grew up in. We bought it after my grandma died. Unfornately we outgrew that house and had to sell it.

We bought house #3 two years ago. From day 1 it has be non stop renovating. The main level is almost complete. I love this house and plan to be a "lifer". Well until I retire and move to a retirement cottage that looks similar to yours. :)

Thanks for sharing...what a neat idea.

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

I'd love to play along, but I don't think I have photos of all my houses over the years.

As for yours, love 'em all. I love houses too, and esp. the stories behind them.

Heather said...

Let's see now.... when I was born, my folks lived in an apartment in Liverpool NY. When I was still a wee babe, they moved back to their home state of NJ. Lived in a split level in northern NJ 'til I was 4, then we moved to a gorgeous Victorian (with a turret!) in western NY on the banks of Lake Chautauqua. Lived there until I was 7 when my parents bought the farm. No, literally - they bought a small farm in central NJ. That is where I lived until I left for college.

So, for my "independent/adult" years, I've lived in:

dorm, dorm, apartment, apartment, apartment in Syracuse NY

teeny-tiny 3rd floor walk-up apartment in Ithaca NY (our newlywed first residence)

half a two-family house in Lebanon, NH

townhouse here in western NY

with my mother-in-law in her tiny, 2br house here in western NY for the five longest months of my life while our house was being built

which leads up to

the house we built and moved into back in Jan 2000, that we are now trying to sell so we can move to the other side of the same city!

I'd share pictures but they're all in our storage unit, along with my scanner. If you want, e me and I'll give you the link to our home's virtual tour from our real estate agent. :)

Oh, and my retirement house is an Italian villa on the shores of Lake Como. But you already knew that, didn't you? ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm game..... here's pics of all my houses that I have pictures of... enjoyed this post, Nikki!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

http://theblueridgegal.blogspot.com/2009/03/home-sweet-home-thingy-for-nicki-lol.html

Frequent Traveler said...

You have great taste, Nikki ! I'd be happy to live in any house you picked :)

I've lived in three homes in the last 20 years, and the one I'm in now is the smallest of the three, and my favorite, with a wonderful view and long-length 5' wide plank maple floors and lots of built-in bookcases.

I put a picture up of my bedroom on my blog this month.
And a picture of the guest bedroom and kitchen and view last month...

mCat said...

Loved this post! Great documenter you are!
I'll probably play along. I've had a case of the blogaria today, so maybe later this week. : )

Carebear said...

What a fun idea for a post. Love getting to see the history of where you've lived. I'm also a house lover. I've only lived in one state my whole life, except for my first eighteen months when I lived in Arizona, and the few months in my early twenties when I studied abroad for a semester. I'm a little jealous of people who get to move around a lot. Oh, and, I hope you won't mind when I come set up camp in one of the extra rooms at your retirement cottage, LOL!

Pedaling said...

i am like you- love getting little peeks into the homes of others and yes, even looking in windows as we pass by homes of people i don't or will ever know. i loved all these houses- the old house of your parents is full of personality...and the one you are in now looks so inviting and roomy!
thanks for sharing.

onlymehere said...

Looks like you could handle a visitor or two in your retirement home! Larry and I will pack our bags and be there with you in 10 years. The house is so big you might not even notice we moved in, oops I mean came to visit. Since it has palm trees it's somewhere warm and my Breezie loves palm trees so I think we can sneak her and her little family in too. Of course, I can't go anywhere without the rest of the troop but we're really quiet and don't eat much, LOL! Thanks for solving my retirement dilemma for me. See you in 10 years!

Four Paws and Co said...

Nikki, All of your houses are beautiful! I'm so impressed you were able to build at 19. You're a very talented lady!

Houses... Lived with my parents till we got married, then apartment, apartment, townhouse, house, house (this one was a vacation house-we never lived in it full time), house...

☺ Diane

tam said...

LoL Nikki that was a good post! My family lived in the same home for over 20 years. I never knew what it was like to move until I was married. We have moved sooo many darn times -I hate moving!!! But anywhooo I will have to share a post sometime with some photos and stories. Have a good week sister~Smiles~Tam!

Metamor4sis.com said...

Nice post but it would take me too long to take part cos I have lived in different countries and moved about 15 times in my short little life... LOL!

Bo said...

Hi Nikki...this was a great post! I would have to build another blog just to show all the houses I've lived in...if I had pictures...which I don't!
A friend asked me once if I ever got tired of my furniture arrangements...I told her, no..we just move! LOL... ;-) Bo

Beth said...

I've lived in a bunch of places. That is the life of a military brat. I don't even think my mother took pictures of all the places. She used to tell us not to get attached.

Since my father died, I've basically lived in three houses: my mothers, my own with my first husband, and my current house. I hope I never move again.

I love your retirement cottage. Cute!

The Blonde Duck said...

I would have loved living on a lake! I grew up 10 minutes from a lake and grew up on it. That looks like so much fun!

Anonymous said...

Lol! Your house now is beautiful, but I LOVE that A frame!

Unknown said...

I kind of did a couple of posts like this awhile back but only got to a couple of places we lived. I've moved 36 times in my life...including one house we built! So...it would take me forever to do all of them!
I know what you mean about living on the lake. I'm sure it was beautiful but had it's draw backs. We live on a golf course and have the same issues!

Justine said...

Ooh, it was SO neat to see all the different houses you've lived in. That A-frame on the lake was just gorgeous, but I adore your current home, but you already know that.

I've moved way more times than you and don't even know if I have pics of half the places!

Justine :o )

SmilingSally said...

I've lived in so many homes, and I don't think that I have pictures of most of them.

I liked your home tour.

Mom in High Heels said...

Good grief, if I had pictures of all the places I've lived it would use up all of bloggers bandwidth. My dad was in the Navy so I moved a lot with him, then I got married and dh joined the Army! Here's a list of places I've lived:

Alabama-4 times (incl college)
Arizona
California
Florida
Georgia
Illinois-twice
Mississippi-twice
Pennsylvania
South Carolina-twice
Tennessee
Virgina

Germany-3 times (incl now)

Exhausted yet? I am! And dh has a minimum of 7 years left in the Army, but if it's up to him he'll stay in for 30 years, which means 17 to go. I'm sure that would be at least 5-6 more moves. {sigh} I do get to see a lot of interesting places though!

Lori said...

These seems fun! I will have to do this, but have to find some pictures first! I haven't lived in to many places. I was born and raised in Baton Rouge and at the age of 22 I moved with my mom and sis. to NC and have lived here since. I still miss BR so much. My dad and all my realtives still live there.

Have a great week!

Unknown said...

Like so many others, I've lived in too many houses to count. My parents were nomads and it seemed like we moved every year!

I will say that my favorite place to live is in my hometown of Savannah GA in one of the historic districts.

My least favorite place to live was in the first little house that my husband and I rented after getting married. It was way small and my landlord's son was a 'peeper.' Too creepy!

Love your cottage but if I get there first....

tammy said...

That was fun! I love looking at houses. Hmm...I wonder if I even have pics of all the houses I've lived in. I'll have to start digging.

Laura Marchant said...

Wow, your house is gorgeous!

DiPaola Momma said...

I started out life in a small town, Peoria, IL.. little did I know that my Hippie, flower child, wondering soul parents had a plot to move me to an even SMALLER town (only 2000 people if that) at the tender age of 3. But thus began my life as a california girl. We moved to the "big" city.. (El Centro, Ca a border town in FAR
FAR FAR southern Cali) when I was 13, thus beining my life as a minority (the population is 87% hispanic).. then I joined the Navy being SURE I'd end up at one of the 500 million Naval instalations in California.. They moved me to SPAIN.. thus begining my life as a world travlers (still am and LOVE it)... I eventually ended up BACK in El Centro.. thus depressing the hell out of me.. BUT I met the DH there.. a boy from the BIG "Big" city.. Brooklyn NY. He moved me to.. MARYLAND? how did that happen? But now with our four kids, beautiful home, great garden and at least 3 hours away from my mother-in-law, I think this begins my life as a rooted person, staying in one place.. but who knows huh?

Decor To Adore said...

As an Air Force wife I think after the oh 15th house the readers would glaze over their eyes. :)

Loved yours!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to show my roomy house....because we live

in a van

down by the RIVER!

heh heh

Great post Nikki...bee-you-tee-ful homes!

LadyFi said...

Wow - I've moved homes and countries (when I was a kid) more times than you've had hot dinners...

Love your lake house and your current one... As for that retirement home, can I have the West Wing?

Barb said...

Nice little "cottage!" I'm hoping to be your neighbor someday.

OG said...

Sorry, I haven't put my place up for sale yet - I will keep you posted though.

French Fancy... said...

Aw that lakeside house was so cute - and the one you are in now looks beautiful. I could never be bothered to scan all my old photos in - you put me to shame

H.K. said...

We have moved 4 times in the past 4 years, which equals to 4 different schools for our son.

The first move, was VERY hard. It was hard for our son to make friends. He came home crying (he was 13) and told me that he felt like his heart was breaking, he missed his friends and his grandma! Thankfully, he adjusted.

My husband's job is talking about another relocation at the end of this year and our son is excited. He has loved the new friends that he has made at each school and looks at every move as a new adventure!

He has a really good attitude, but I don't want to mess with a good thing. So we'll have my husband commute and let my son finish his senior year at his current school

Darlene said...

I LOVE seeing the pictures of all your homes. Yours that you are in now is just GORGEOUS!!!

I will have to see how many of our homes we have pictures of cause that sounds like a fun post.

Michele said...

Love your houses Nikki ~ especially the retirement one....I'm hoping you'll have a party and we're all invited!

I guess I'm the boring one who hasn't moved anywhere. Born and raised in Illinois...got married and moved over the border to Wisconsin! Yippee! But my retirement cottage will be in Canada or Alaska!

Hugz,
Michele

xinex said...

Wow! What a gorgeous home you live in now! And how nice to see the progression of where you started. You owning a home at 19 is really impressive!...Christine

wenderful said...

I LOVE your house. It reminds me of mine in Connecticut.

I was born in Utah and lived in the Avenues until I was 2.

Moved to Kalamazoo Michigan and lived in a little tudor and then in a cute bungalow style with big white pillars and a vast front porch.

We moved to Syracuse New York when I was twelve. My parents built their first house there in Manlius.

We moved to Madison Connecticut when I was 15. Lived in a beautiful colonial in the woods.

Went to college at BYU for 5 years then got married and moved to Salt Lake for 4 years where we bought our first zero property line home that we loved.

Moved to Danville California and lived in 3 homes there while riding the real estate wave.

Moved to Draper Utah in 2006 and remodeled a 90s southern living home up in the foothills. LOVED that house.

Moved to Boise, Idaho last summer where we built our first house. It turned out nice. There are pictures on my About page. You are welcome to come over and take a look.

Sorry this is so long. I've moved around a little bit. Great idea for a post!

Salmagundi said...

I loved your tour, and accept your challenge. I've always been a home lover, especially my own even when it was a dump. I know I have pictures, so will get a post up next week. Thanks for the idea - I've been blogbrain dead for awhile!!! Sally

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

I love your homes! That A frame is rockin'! Your current home is what I wish they would build out here in the southwest!

We have a long brick territorial style western ranch house on four acres with gorgeous views of the mountains. We are still remodeling, but we love it!

Deb said...

Hi Nikki! Great house tour! Love the one you're in now and the COTTAGE(one of the largest I've ever seen), LOL! I've lived a few places, don't have pictures though, they are here in town but if I went back for pictures they probably won't look the same as when I was there. Maybe I'll look into it though. Deb

CB said...

Your house is beautiful!

Because I had a slightly psycho mother with alot of problems my growing up years were a little chaotic. We moved some 16 times and I went to almost as many different schools. Wow it was crazy. So as an adult I wanted to buy 1 house and raise my family in it. That is what we have done.
My husband and I built our first home after renting 2 places as new marrieds and we have raised our family here. When our last 2 little guys came along we were running out of space so we added on about 1200 sq. feet. It worked out perfectly so I think the Lord was very aware of my needs and desires. We have been blessed!

Ginger said...

Hi Nikki:
That's pretty amazing that you had your own home built at 19. I like the landscaping you had on your home in Utah (the last one). The A-frame house on the lake sounds like fun too. But the home you are in now is so beautiful. I don't think I would ever want to move from it, if I lived there.
Ginger

Jane In The Jungle said...

Built a home at 19!! You go girl!!
I don't even have pics of all the houses I've lived in, or all the places! Alas....I've been a wanderer!
Loved all yours!

onlymehere said...

Ahhh, you're so sweet and you make me blush! You can bet your britches I'll get Breezie and Nicho to look at my blog to see what you wrote!! Breezie doesn't have internet anymore so she rarely checks it. Nicho just doesn't care, LOL, but Jill checks it all the time! I think I'm going to do this type of a post but since I don't have a scanner I'll do where we've lived since we've been married! It'll be fun just for the kids!

bernthis said...

what a beautiful home you have. Great taste, my dear. I so don't like L.A. that I refuse to put anymore money into mine and yet I have no clue if I'll be able to leave her with my kid in the next couple of years and I'm just in limbo. I wish I was in NYC and could really build a home where I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I know I will one day, I so hope it's soon though

Anonymous said...

I'm all about that little retirement cottage.

I grew up in an apartment in NY. Basically stayed in the same place until I married. Since then, I've lived in 7 houses in 3 states.

Variety is the spice of life I guess.
-FringeGirl

Heather said...

Wow you lived in so beautiful houses! I love the one you moved into for more space with the kids. It looks so welcoming!

www.AForestFrolic.typepad.com said...

Oh I loved seeing where you've grown up and lived. Hmm, I might have to try a post on this too. And Love that retirement community, can I come visit in 10 years, tee hee?

Jamie :-)

Anonymous said...

Very nice! All your homes were lovely!

And i've had my eye on that exact house too! I'm sure we can both fit. Hehe....

9405018--Pat said...

WOW! you have a gorgeous home...thanks for sharing...Love this post...Pat H

Swirl Girl said...

I love your house.
Mine? Picture the movie Poltergeist. Planned Urban Development - oh so boring.

Becky said...

It's a hard pick, but I think the retirement house is my favorite:)

This looks like fun! I might have to give it a try!

jill jill bo bill said...

Your first home was one of ill repute?! I am shocked I never ran into you!!!tee hee

I moved 11 times in three years. Just sayin'....

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness! You have the
PERECT style of house right now! I love love love it and I love love love this post!!! I have moved a thousand times in my short 29 years, so there is no way that I have pics of any houses....but you can be sure that I will start to take some!! thanks Nikki!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Hi Nikki...I lived in a shack, a tent, a motel, a log cabin built by my Gramps, Uncle, Dad and a couple of friends..a little OLD house that needed work,then moved to a, well, you get the point. but it was the 30's and 40's and a serious depression and war was going on..so I think I will pass on this one..but..I certainly LOVE looking at the homes that will be posted and your own lovely home! You built a home at 19? (bowing to you here.. :) What an amazing woman you are!
This should be fun!!
Mona

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Say...I could move into that last house..and..you would never know ..I was there! Never mind...I'll be wearing diapers by then prob'ly.
Hugs... :)

~♥~ Monica S said...

WOW!!! Lovely homes you've had.. I really LOVE the one you live in right now.. and your nest one of course!!

I have mostly lived in other peoples houses.. (apartements).. but have had alot of fun .. and I miss all of my homes!! that is weird isn't it??

Monica

Gary ("Old Dude") said...

well have no pics, but have lived in a number of different places---it all began back in "37", when I was born In Belle Vernon, Pa, since then have lived in--21 additional addresses, not counting the three years in the army, which took me from colorado, to kanssas, to alabama, to okinawa,and Texas---and as of last Feb.1, have just moved here to my two bedroom apartment in Temecula, California---if ya scroll back a few posts you will see pics of my place here, not bad for an old dude!!(lol)

Marrdy said...

What a fun post. I am going to have to try this!! By the way, is this first house across the street from Diane and Jerry Hansen? It looks like the same house and I know it's the same story!!

And good luck with that last house. Your furniture will fit for sure and look lovely.

GO JAZZ!!!

Grand Pooba said...

I can't believe you could purchase a house for $6000 back then! Your little retirement cottage might be a little bit more than that!

cindy said...

LoVe your retirement 'cottage'! I have lived in quite a few places..but mostly in the same state, Wisconsin...when I was younger..I lived in a little apartment where the bed was in the kitchen, with a teeny tiny bathroom...where if you sat down your legs where in the kitchen too! It was only $90.00 a month. Good times!

kathy said...

My blog shows pics of parts of my house thanks to my boys, their dog, Lego and friends doing silly things that always warrants a camera. :) I've moved a lot. I was in the Navy in my early 20's, that gave me the bug to travel more afterwards. We are not in our dream yet as far as location but we have our eyes on a few places that we have visited. Love the before and after pics you shared - very neat

kado! said...

Love your retirement cottage!....I want one TOO!

Lets see...mine is pretty long...
1.pregnant & married to my high school sweetheart we lived in an apartment in Bellingham, WA for almost 1 year....we decided to move away from the small town we were raised in... away from friends & family & RAIN..to VEGAS!!!!
2. Bought our first house in Las Vegas in 2000...cute little 3 bedroom.
3. 2003 ..needed a little more room...built our next home a few blocks away...everything was NEW...loved it!
4. 2006...needed a bigger back-yard...in Vegas that mean you need to buy an older home with a huge lot...so finally bought my favorite Vegas home...just like in the movie Casino...huge Pool...court-yard...love it!
5. Fall of 2007 ...husband get job in NYC...we live in a luxury apartment on 31st street & 5th avenue...our master bed-room window looked out at the middle of the Empire State building....SO beautiful....wall to floor windows..Stunning Sun-rises!....lived there for 5 months....100% paid by his company.....very expensive and so much fun! Vegas house is now a rental property.
6. Found a cute little house on the canal in Long Beach, NY on Long island...husband commutes 45 min each day by train to Manhattan...weekends we walk 5 minutes to the Atlantic Beach/Ocean...in the Summer of course!!! I love it...but right now I miss the Vegas Sun...& my POOL!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Loved the pictorial of your home buying history. I can't believe you built a home when you were 19 yrs. old! I think your retirement home may have room for me too, and I don't think you'd even know I was there! Love your current home. laurie

Linda's Blue Gate said...

I really enjoyed this post...Loved seeing your life in homes....
I have moved and lived in so many places I am not sure I could count them let alone have pictures...
The home Dave and I built in 1995 is the longest I have EVER lived in one place..... and I love it.... my forever home..
HUgs
Linda

Stacy Uncorked said...

Love the fact that you built a house at 19! Your current house is drool-worthy, too...and that A-Frame, WOW on fixing it up! ;) I'll have to play along, but I only have pictures of the current house we live in...it'll have to suffice. I'll let you know when I post so you can look in my windows! (grin!!)

Chloe's Couture said...

Wow! You have lived in quite a few places! I adore your current home! The one to come in the future is not to shabby either!

Shannon said...

"house of ill repute"... HA!

And how cool are you to have had your own home at 19?!


I'll play along... it might be Thursday before I can get a post up. I'll have to scan some photos (and of course, when I say "I'll have to scan", I mean SHANE.. seeing as how I am technologically challenged and couldn't even tell you how to turn the scanner on...)

Marrdy said...

Nikki-Are you watching this???? I know it's 11:30 back east but this is one mighty fine game!!

Jill said...

Okay... this one I won't be joining in on. I inherited the house I am in and I HATE IT! It is ugly and in a horrible neighborhood. I hope to sell it when the market gets better and get the heck out of here. I don't belong here but we have a roof over ours heads, so I should just shut up!
The only thing fancy in my life is my personality.. sorry!
Your house is beautiful!.. :)

Jill said...

Okay... this one I won't be joining in on. I inherited the house I am in and I HATE IT! It is ugly and in a horrible neighborhood. I hope to sell it when the market gets better and get the heck out of here. I don't belong here but we have a roof over ours heads, so I should just shut up!
The only thing fancy in my life is my personality.. sorry!
Your house is beautiful!.. :)

Cynthia said...

I love my house. It's not a 'dream house' but it's lovely to me. The only way we're moving is if the bank tells us at some point we're moving! LOL!

I loved the pictures. I wonder if I have a picture of all the places I've lived? If it's 'owned' then that's easy- just 2. Our original condo and this house.

Devri said...

What a beautiful house!!

Would you mind if a family of 9 moved in?

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hey Nikki,
I love the house your in now it is just so beautiful. I would want hired help for that last one. When I was a kid we moved all over Central Illinois and then my Parents up and moved us to Wisconsin. Something about the rolling hills and cheaper land. My hubby and I moved to our little cottage less than 2 years ago and although I thought it might feel too small it doesn't after you become empty nesters. Love the pic of you although its a bit hard to see. hehe, Cindy

santamaker said...

Great post, Nikki! Who knew you were a builder!?! Wow. I'm impressed.
I lived in 10 different homes growing up and after I was married another 10 homes. This is my 20th!

Anonymous said...

You're a bulider,so was my son.great life.It gives you alot of knowledge about your own home too.Great post.I have moved entirely too much in my life also.I always wondered how it would feel to be born and raised in the same home and live there always.Wouldn't that be just too secure?...Ann

Jenners said...

What a cool post! I love this. I will try and do this although it may take me some to get it together. What a story it tells. And I think I would love to live in any of your houses...especially your current one! : )

Mafe Molinari said...

17 houses/ apartments, 5 cities, 2 countries. And although I absolutely love my house I'm starting to feel the urge...
Hugs
Maria

Rue said...

Dang it Nikki! I can't play, cuz I already did a post on that :(

here's the link though ;)

http://ruespeanutbutterandjellylife.blogspot.com/2008/11/houses-from-my-past.html

That's sorta playing along LOL

On a serious note... Thank you for your words of comfort. It's not easy, but it is better.

hugs,
rue

Rue said...

Oops! I forgot to say that I love your home, I can see why you do too :)

Tardevil said...

I have to say, your ideas of retirement seem to be ALOT like mine! LOL! Glad to see there's no snow in those pictures! Did it finally melt? All we get is rain here! Enough of it, already!

Fifi Flowers said...

I love your small future cottage... do you think you might have a little room for me to stay?

Carebear said...

I forgot to say last time I was here, thank you for posting my giveaway button on your sidebar. I'm so close to 200 comments, which means 200 items and cards for the troops!!! I'll be drawing the winners tonight - hope you're one of them!

The Nice One said...

Your house reminds me of my first home...up in the Northeast. I miss that house. Colonial...green grass. Lovlieness.

Not this texas stuff.

;)

Nana said...

Wow, I would really have to do some digging to find pictures of my old homes.

Frankly I know I am too lazy to do it, so one of these days I'll send a picture of my house now.

I love your retirment cottage!

Michelle said...

How many times do I need to ask you to stop taking pictures of my house. Sheesh, some people. :)

Lizzie said...

oh goodness, all my moves??? too many. at least 12 that i can count.

thanks for sharing your home history with us!!

Renna said...

Nikki, I am far too lazy to drag out the photo albums to find pics of past homes, then attempt to figure out how to operate the scanner. Still, I had fun seeing your homes. That litle "retirement cottage" you've got your eye on is quite nice, but I'd be perfectly content being retired in a house like the one where you live. Wow, what a house!

Lisa Loo said...

I am still working on my "coming out" party post about where I live--stay tunesd..

Pearce Fam said...

Oh you're making me miss home!

Auds at Barking Mad said...

I wish I'd taken pics of all the places I've lived over the years...there would be about 50. *lol*

Loved seeing your homey progression over the past few decades.

wendy said...

I don't have photos of all the different places I have lived. From apartments, to a 14 wide trailer, to a couple of small houses, ---------I have given up on my dream home.

Sherilyn -Dominee Huisvrouw said...

Ok, my link is up!

http://csvan.blogspot.com/2009/04/houses-weve-called-home.html

Michael said...

Love this post...I may have to steal the idea :)

tiburon said...

LOVE your home :)

Can I live in the basement of your retirement cottage?

 

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