Things That Made Me Smile...

I had one of those weeks!  You know, the one where if it can go wrong and make you crazy with frustration, it DOES!  But, there were things along the way that just made me smile...

Like this precious Little Free Library...  I snapped this photo early one morning... on the way to treat for fleas in one of my currently vacant Old Girls.  You do not want to start me on that story!!!

Isn't that one of the sweetest and most thoughtful ideas you've nearly ever seen? 

It sits in front of this cute little home in our neighborhood...  generously offering the magic world between the covers of a book to any child who would care to partake...

With beautiful, happy blossoms... shining joy to all that pass...

I just love that someone would do this.

Then, there was a text of amazing artwork from my Little Man.  I do want to point out the bright green touches on this monster.  If you remember, there was an issue with the Monster Hat Noni made for the Little Man, where the green trim had to be removed.  (and before)  I'm just sayin'.  ;)  I think my Little Man may be branching out from dark "byue". 

There were more special smiles for:

• An e-mail from my bonus-daughter sharing a beautiful crochet design.
• A telephone call from my daughter-in-love sharing a JOY!!
• FaceTime with my Little Men showing out their projects and skills to their Noni and Pop Pop.
• A phone call from my son excited that he had won a fishing tournament (Again.  That child was practically born hunting and fishing.)
• And, a new camera from my Beloved (a thoughtful and unexpected surprise).

So, amidst the grind and the frustrations... there were sweet, sweet moments of goodness. 

I am so thankful.

I hope your week brings smiles along with all the rest.

"Appreciation is yeast, lifting ordinary to extraordinary."
~ Mary-Ann Petro

blessings ~ tanna

The Power of Love...

I fall in love with The Old Girls over... and over... and over...  For those of you who don't know, The Old Girls are our multi-family treasures in the National Historic Districts where we live.  This one is a duplex built in the 20s.  People frequently ask if they were originally single family; the answer is no.

There were some amazingly elegant duplexes and fourplexes built in Tyler during the early days of its growth... and the oil boom....

Then, there was the decline of this wonderful old neighborhood, just as in many others across our country.  Revitalization slowly began in the late 70s.

Even after the revitalization of this area and the designation as historic districts, the multifamily properties often languished... disdained by neighboring homeowners and bled out by uncaring investors.  I hated them too... however, I've always believed if you don't like something, you need to work to do something about it or quit your 'fussing'.  ;)

So, six years ago, this was our first Old Girl to "bring back".  The floors were sagging and covered in filthy carpet... the walls had cheap paneling... what paint there was was curled and flaked... F.I.L.T.H... and neglect. 

But her ailing bones were magnificent.

While we did have to add these things to modernize the kitchen, there are still the original cabinets, sink and countertop (had to add dishwasher... who wants to wash the dishes)... 

My one regret was the choice of this vinyl for the kitchen, bath and utility room.  Still hate it.

We had to replace the sink and toilet, but retained the tub and added subway tile for the shower surround.  We almost always add beadboard to the baths along with the sheetrock.

We added crown molding to every room (I cannot have rooms without crown molding), sheetrock to the walls, ripped out the carpets and had the floors stained and refinished.  We won't talk about the jacking up of the floors and adding piers or the plumbing issues or the electrical work.  ;)

As Evan and I walked through it last week getting ready to lease it again, he said he STILL can't believe how it used to look and how it does now... I just fall in love all over again...

Such a sweet, young couple... full of hope and dreams... bright and shiny stars... moved in this past weekend.  We have been so blessed by the people we have met and by the honor of being caretakers for these beautiful Old Girls. 

The power of love is a good thing.

blessings ~ tanna

AThankful Heart, a Must Read and a Giveaway You Won't Want to Miss

While many of you are long past the beautiful colors of fall, we are in the midst of some glorious sights!  Nanny, this gingko is for you.  ;)

After our brutal summer with a record breaking number of days well over 100 degrees... and a drought that killed so many, many of our trees, then gave fuel for multitudes of fires... the survivors are putting on their best show!!  It makes my heart sing songs of deep, deep appreciation... for all things that shine in the face of adversity. 

This crepe myrtle provides beauty summer and fall out my wavy kitchen window.  There is almost always a little bird show going on in there, too. 

I am going to soak up all this beauty my soul can stand... soon it will be gone.  I'll be enjoying each moment I am given with a grateful heart.

There are two things I have seen I really, really want to share:

First, a blog post my daughter shared with me: 

Lil' Light O' Mine

I say AMEN!!  If  you have children or grandchildren or are just wanting a great perspective on what this season is all about, take a look!

Second, (I almost hate to share because it will decrease my odds of winning, but...) Tricia at Saving Room for Dessert is having this amazing giveaway of homemade Christmas Goodies!!  Oh, my!!  Today is the last day to enter... so, you may want to hustle on over. 

blessings ~ tanna

City Hall - Buffalo 2

Just a quick little photo dump.  It has been days of running from one session to the next and squeezing in a few tours along the way.  Instead of lunch, we ran over to the Buffalo City Hall for a tour at noon.

This building was started in 1929 and finished in 1931.  It is the second largest City Hall in the U. S..

This is the sky light above the City Council meeting room. Reminded me the Senate meeting room in D.C..

It is an amazing example of Art Deco architecture.

These are the original seats.  They are very narrow and have wire holders on the bottom of them to hold men's fedora hats.  Beautiful woodwork.

Plus, you can see for more or less 15 miles from the observation deck at the top.

Even with all of its beautiful historic treasures, the most wonderful asset of this city is the graciousness and friendliness of every resident we have had the pleasure to meet.  Very warm and welcoming and interested in the preservation conference in their town.  Proud of their city... and rightfully so.

I have to get some sleep!!  I'm sorry I haven't had time to visit, but you know I'll be around again soon!  Have a great weekend!  blessings ~ tanna

Buffalo, NY

As soon as we checked in, I whipped out my camera to get a shot of the view out our window!

Yep, we've made it to Buffalo!!  There are swarms of people here for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference... and, to my delight, lots of young people, too! 

 This is City Hall.  It is gorgeous.

I don't have near enough lens to get the detail of the stone work on the City Hall building, but maybe when we tour I will be able to get some closer views.  It is amazing.

 This building is left of City Hall.  A very different style.  Beautiful with the flag flying against it.

Cassie, the Executive Director of Historic Tyler, Inc. was getting some closer shots of this impressive entry and light.

Look at those owls... keeping out the pigeons.  ;)

Loved the buffaloes on the same building.

 Oh, and you know this Old Girl caught my eye... Sale or Lease... reduced... {sigh}... So many Old Girls... So little time and resources!!  ;)

That's it for now.  We've been up since 3am this time (Eastern) and it has been a very long day.  I am excited to get to our first meetings tomorrow!!  blessings ~ tanna

Restoring Vintage Apartment Buildings

If you live in an historic neighborhood, you know the buildings I'm talking about.  The big old rental properties... that the investors just let run down.  They, the investors, seem to take and take and never give back.  They used to be one of my pet peeves, being a homeowner in an historic neighborhood myself.   And, because I believe with all my heart if you are going to gripe about something, you should be willing to do something about the problem.  Thus began my collection of The Old Girls.  Now, I am "they."

Some of you may remember that before I left to go greet my new grandson, I was working on a unit in one of our favorite Old Girls, a very large fourplex built in the early 30s.  This was the last unit that had been continuously occupied by the tenant who was living there when we bought the place (June of 2006).   He moved out late this spring and these are the "afters."

This is a tired and sad "before" view of the same living room.

Leo Bolom's company does a magnificent job of refinishing the original hardwood floors and repairing any defects (two large pieces of plywood were discovered in each of the two bedrooms; bet you won't be able to tell where the repairs were done when you see the bedroom).   This is the way the floors were meant to look!!  Love 'em!!

A view from the dining room back to the living room.  I have an original chandelier from one of the other units and it is currently being rewired.  I will soon return it to this spot.

From the living room back into the dining room.  Aren't these Old Girls elegant? 

Same view dining room:  before.

Bedroom:  after.  Can you spot the defect in the hardwood?    I'm bettin' not.

Bedroom:  before.

Bathroom:  after.  Hours and hours spent with single-edged razor scraping up the linoleum adhesive.  I love the old tiles.  Love 'em.

Bathroom:  before.  You can't even see how disgusting the tub and cabinet was in the photo.   The tub was refinished.  Not something I usually do, but it had already been done once and was in terrible shape.  New sink.  New toilet.  Beadboard.  Better.  Still within reason cost-wise.

And, that's all for today.  I am happy to know that we have moved one step closer to restoring another Old Girl to her original beauty and elegance. 

I am linking to Kim at Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday gathering. 

Blessings to all ~ Tanna

Let The Trails Begin!

I whipped by and shot this from a distance; I was dressed to work!  Our Belles are gathered for the Opening Ceremony of the Azalea Trails.  They will be waving at visitors throughout the Trails.

There are over eight miles of official Trails; but, all around this area, beauty abounds.

This is one of the most striking yards to be seen.

I will share more later this weekend.

I love the drape and grace... the color... and the architectural interest.

Off the Trail, you can find all kind of lovelies.

... Just waiting for our visual feast.

This is why my Opening Ceremony shots were from a distance.  I was on my way to start getting ready for the Candlelight Party tonight!  We'll convene again to do the decorating!  I can't wait!!  It is going to be a perfect evening for touring the Historic Tyler on Tour homes and having a Candlelight Party!  Wish you could be here, too!