The farmhouse Leigh took us to was just minutes down the road. It was a very picturesque 200 year old sprawling house. At that point of night and after being in the car for so long, I think I would have been happy to just sleep anywhere...or almost anywhere. We snooped a bit around the house. It had loads of character! Slanting floors (probably 2 foot drops from one end to the other, as well as up and downs in the middle of the room), odd ceiling angles, and unique hodge-podge of furnishings were just some of the fun. The shower was usable only while seated. The water was really brown. The stairs were some of the steepest I have ever mounted. The light switches were often only in the overhead fixture in the middle of the room. But most fun, was one of the "secrets" this house held. Inside the room labeled-later "David's room" was a small 2 foot high crawl door. Inside the crawl door, an adjoining bedroom! This room did have a dormer window, but it also felt a bit claustrophic despite the closer inspection that revealed another door. This door led out to a landing with another locked room and a rather "secret" back staircase to the kitchen. What we quickly picked up on though was the house's greatest detriment, no heat! Yes, this was June but it had been unseasonably cold and was no more than 46 or so outside when we arrived (later to get colder). The house was about 54 inside (I took a picture of an indoor thermometer)...probably also to get colder through the night. Apparently (we learned later), there should have been heat but the owner had left before being able to connect it. One thing I absolutely despise is THE COLD! I would happily live in an 80 degree house all year long! I immediately thanked the Lord and my mom for recommending me to repack my suitcase the day before with long underwear and the kids with long pjs. It was freezing! We found 4 wool blankets in the house and piled those on to our beds and got under the covers fully clothed. I even started the night with the covers over my head completely. The sole bathroom was down a very steep flight of stairs and meant getting out from under the covers, so I just put it off a while.
This beautiful old house was charming and fun but we rushed out the door the next morning to eat breakfast in a heated car.
{many pictures obviously taken the next day in the daylight-or in days to come}
In the back door to the kitchen/breakfast area.
the actual tiny kitchen area
the family room we never used because it was too cold
inside the bathroom shower (right off of the family room)
the bathub water
the living room we never used because it was too cold
the dining room we never used because it was too cold--catch the drift?
the front hall
the dangerously steep stairs
an upstairs nook
in bedroom No.1 (aka Mommy and Daddy's room)
in bedroom No. 2 (aka the girl's room) I think A had blue lips in this picture.
the beautiful view from their window!
in bedroom No. 3 (aka David's room)
(and the secret room's door)
bedroom No. 4 (aka the secret room)
Eating breakfast in the car...
(and yes, I traveled with cookies sheets in our carry-ons--helpful for coloring/eating in the car and no, I would not bring them again if we had to fly)
After a warmer breakfast we went to the house where Mom/Dad/Aunt Sarah and clan were staying. We had just enough time to turn around and head next door to Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Leigh's house. And then it was time to meet the rest of the family and head down to Walker pond out back for Grammy (kid's great grammy)'s memorial service. After Daddy's prayer, Mom Weyler (Grammy) said some words. Then, Aunt Sylvia also read a poem and scattered rose petals. The service was opened up to anyone else who wanted to say anything. Great Grammy's determined spirit was remembered all around! Finally, Uncle Leigh scattered the ashes on Walker Pond. Brrr....it was chilly!
We returned to the house for a buffet lunch.
After lunch (and by the kids, during lunch), there was running around outside/sports/and lots of chatting with new acquaintances in the family. Even the adult boys got into the athletic action in their suit jackets. There were moments of cranky kids... (see D below and many unpictured photos of the kids), but eventually A was sensible enough to ask to go into the other room and take a nap.
(the lilacs smelled fantastic!)
cousins Tim and Sally
Wilder daughters and generations+a few spouses...
After some hours, we headed back to our house for an hour's rest for us (kids watched a movie).
We then headed back to the Weyler/Leed house to play and eat dinner.
(David's odd picture of a love triangle)
We finally left the house rather late--dreading the cold house again but far better equipped with two space heaters now. They did their job well and heated the bedrooms upstairs sufficiently to sleep soundly. The bathroom downstairs was another story however...
...to be continued.
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