New Home Base

Above, our new home a four bedroom, two bath, 2230 square foot fixer-upper here in Prescott, Arizona, just north of downtown in the subdivision called Prescott Heights.  Difficult as it was saying good-bye to our thirty year love affair with Colorado, the move just made sense for our immediate and extended family.   Admittedly, the purchase was not easy, stretching our resources and requiring austerity measures with the recognition of taking on another mortgage, but the purchase was made through low-balling a short sale resulting in immediate equity on the books.  The proverbial, "cart before the horse" could apply to this purchase, but through much prayer and deliberation, we made a decision to move forward if the offer was accepted by the bank - and it was.

The house was built in 1957 on a double lot  (.43 acres) with a beautiful panoramic view of downtown Prescott, the south-surrounding Bradshaw Mountains and the scenic Thumb Butte to the west.  What had been a gem years ago, the house was tarnished by a dozen or more years of owner neglect.

The first order of business after the accomplished purchase in mid-December, was some much needed remodeling to make the overall house more functional, which also included some great elective upgrades.  I won't bore you with the details, but will say that some days I had three or more workers doing their respective trades on the while family members Ty, Kristin, Louise and I cleaned and painted.  Friends Charlie and Linda also chipped in.  Family friend Rob tested, repaired and cleaned the furnace.  The flurry of activity took well over six weeks and the dust is now settled, or should I say, cleaned up.   Major work accomplished included new inside paint (25 gallons in all), new carpet and pad, ductwork cleaned, gas line and electrical installed and upgraded, root-filled plumbing unplugged, new inside doors purchased throughout, new front and back jambs and doors installed and a window put in the masterbath- the house was transformed inside from house to a home!

 

 

Good night!

 

Up and Running and Catch Up Time

For those of you following this blog, many who have not signed up for automatic following but have this blog on your favorites, Louise and I and my father Floyd, are alive and well!  Thank you for your patience and your interest in this blog.  I have tremendously enjoyed posting pictures and sharing with you vignettes of our life and journey together.

Here, Louise and I, are enjoying a night out on the town for Aker Night, an annual event put on by the town of Prescott as part of its December weekend activities.  Thousands of people descend on downtown to enjoy over 100 entertainers in over 100 shops and businesses.  This photo was taken by our friend, Charlie, whose wife joined us for the enjoyable stroll through the streets.  I will share with you a few other pictures that will give you a flavor of the evening experienced.  I should also mention to you that Aker Night is primarily a fund raising event for performing arts for youth, donations accepted in each of the venues.  What a wonderful community event!  www.akershowcase.com

One of the many interesting things about this community is how pleasant everyone is; mannered, mellow and friendly.  This Vietnam vet, former miner and current antique proprietor, who would spin a yarn as long as you would let him, is one fine example of good ol' hospitality experience here.   This place, like many had free hot apple cider, cookies and home baked treats for its guests.

Even in the short few months we have been in this community, we ran across people we knew as we shared the evening with our friends, Charlie and Linda.

Youth, from one of the many dance studios performed.  A street dance also was experienced and even a men's chorale group performed in one of the local banks, open after hours only for the music.

The town square was lit up and stays lighted through the third week of January.

Next entry I will share with you about our new home here in Prescott, or should I say, new to us!
Bye for now.  -Kevin