Shortly after I got back from Phoenix for Thanksgiving I noticed a gift haul. Mom and dad were walking back from the garage with a Nordstrom bag, Sears bag and a nice 19" flatscreen. Someone's going to enjoy Christmas. Or maybe Hanukkah.
Also, I think they rented out the back rooms. I haven't been walking by the front door lately so haven't noticed if the sign is down. But I did notice a new car parked in the driveway. It's a Subaru with NH plates. Interesting. Can't wait to see the new tennants.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Signage
Last night, I was walking home from my bus after a night on the town doing some business development for my new job. I was enjoying the crisp air of the late fall and the rustle of the remaining leaves on the sidewalk, when all of a sudden I was jarred out of my autodrive. Just as I passed the first large bush of the yellow house I saw it - a very large white real estate sign. At first I thought the house was for sale. I wasn't ready for that. There's been a bunch of change I've been going through both in the personal and professional life, that I find I hold onto what stability I have remaining. Even if it's just the stability that your neighbors are your neighbors. Even if you don't actually know them, they're still a part of your life in a certain way.
Well the real estate sign was for renting the back part of the house. So now that puts the whole question of the son back into the forefront. Maybe he wasn't the son. I just assumed that because he had hte same style sense as the daughter (black, goth like, etc). But maybe he was just someone who rented. The awkardness of interactions between the son and the parents could have equally been explained that they were relative strangers. Now I have to admit I'm 50/50. He still could have been the son and just moved out for whatever reasons and now the parents have the opportunity to rent the place. Who knows. I wonder if I will ever find out. I wonder who the new tenant(s) will be.
Well the real estate sign was for renting the back part of the house. So now that puts the whole question of the son back into the forefront. Maybe he wasn't the son. I just assumed that because he had hte same style sense as the daughter (black, goth like, etc). But maybe he was just someone who rented. The awkardness of interactions between the son and the parents could have equally been explained that they were relative strangers. Now I have to admit I'm 50/50. He still could have been the son and just moved out for whatever reasons and now the parents have the opportunity to rent the place. Who knows. I wonder if I will ever find out. I wonder who the new tenant(s) will be.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Renovation on the Inside
They might have been doing some renovation on the outside of the house earlier in the month (there was a sign on the front yard), but they are definately doing some work upstairs. I always thought the back room on the second floor was the master bedroom. It's really large and has rows of windows on three sides of the rooms which have some wonerful mullions. Generally that's all I see as the blinds are always kept closed. But recently they've been left open for awhile. There is rolled up used carpet out by the back door (what I think of as the separate entrance) and I'm thinking this must have been the sons mini-apartment. You can see that there are stairs that lead into this room directly.
One afternoon I saw the dad painting in the room - trim I think. They're also doing some painting in the little room outside this big bedroom. I think it's a hallway, but it's hard to tell. They've been at it for awhile now, several days now if not weeks (I'm having trouble keeping track of time lately).
Last night, walking up my sidewalk on my way home I looked up and the lights were on and blinds were up for another room on the second floor. You could see an easel and some paintbrushes, so think this must be the studio. I know the mom is an artist as she had some of her work on display at the local art studios this summer. Of course, I only learned about it after the fact.
So they must occupy and use the front half of second floor of the house, and the back half was the sons. I wonder what they will use the space for now. Their house is about the same size and layout (long and narrow) as the house I grew up in. I remember my dad saying he was going to move after we grew up as it was too large a house for just two people. I think their house is a little smaller, but still large.
One afternoon I saw the dad painting in the room - trim I think. They're also doing some painting in the little room outside this big bedroom. I think it's a hallway, but it's hard to tell. They've been at it for awhile now, several days now if not weeks (I'm having trouble keeping track of time lately).
Last night, walking up my sidewalk on my way home I looked up and the lights were on and blinds were up for another room on the second floor. You could see an easel and some paintbrushes, so think this must be the studio. I know the mom is an artist as she had some of her work on display at the local art studios this summer. Of course, I only learned about it after the fact.
So they must occupy and use the front half of second floor of the house, and the back half was the sons. I wonder what they will use the space for now. Their house is about the same size and layout (long and narrow) as the house I grew up in. I remember my dad saying he was going to move after we grew up as it was too large a house for just two people. I think their house is a little smaller, but still large.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Moving day
I was going to post this before I headed off on my trip to Spain, but there was a moving truck and boxes galore a few days before I left. I was busy with my whole whirlwind of packing for my trip so didn't really observe much. Since I've been back I've only seen the dad and Rufus on their way back from their morning walks, so I guess anyone is fair game. My bet is that the son moved out of the back. I believe he had a girlfriend living with him as well as there was both a saturn and a corolla that weren't the parents I don't think.
Today and yesterday there's been a bunch of pickups in the driveway but I think they have some renovation work going on for the outside of hte house. As I settle back in maybe I'll figure out what has changed. Fall is starting so the leaves will soon fall.
Today and yesterday there's been a bunch of pickups in the driveway but I think they have some renovation work going on for the outside of hte house. As I settle back in maybe I'll figure out what has changed. Fall is starting so the leaves will soon fall.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Heat wave siting
Today should be the last day of the heat wave we've been having since this weekend. The neighbors have been eating outside on the deck/porch but I've mostly been out of town. However, this morning, I head out the door hoping to get to work early. But get stuck in that abyss of bus service (they usually come fairly regularly - there are three lines that come by, but there are spots where you can wait double the normal time). I'm sitting in the sun, thinking there is a breeze and it's early, but I have a black dress on and am starting to heat up and the bus just isn't coming. I just want to be in the bus, but it is nowhere to be seen, but keep thinking it should be here any minute. If I had known, I would have sat a few doors down in the shade. As I'm waiting, I pulled out the knitting and am on my second row when I look up and there is the dad and Rufus walking down the street. Rufus is nicely closely shaved, which makes him look like he is keeping cool (considering he's a sheep dog). As they pass we share hellos/good mornings. Soon afterward, my bus I'm waiting for finally arrives and I'm transported on an AC bus to an AC subway to an AC work. Trying to stay cool. I just hope my boys are staying cool back home.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Contact!
I just realized I meant to blog about this earlier but completely forgot. I think it was Tuesday of this week, I was coming home from work before running off to pick up my first farm share of the season, make a pit stop at Trader Joes before heading off to yoga. I was walking and reading my latest book (The God of Small Things). It was a great sunny day with everything in full bloom. As I'm heading past their driveway, I notice that there are several people mid-way down. I believe the dad and the mom, but it was a quick glance. I think I did mutter a "hi". As I rounded the corner and headed down the sidewalk to my front door, running through the hedge that separates the property is Goblin barreling towards me. He's a pug (or something like that, sorry, don't really know my dogs). He was all excited and he said "hi" and I got to pet him for a moment before he ran back to his folks who were calling after him. And that's that. My first real contact. He seems like a sweet dog, really friendly and happy go lucky. Plus he's always so fun to watch as he warbles along on his short legs and chunky body.
On a different note, I'm still torn about another issue. I've really been enjoying their majestic gardening they have. They've planted all their annuals and everything is just so lush and vibrant and colorful, even all the potted plants on the side deck/porch. I really want to take a picture and share this gorgeousness, but feel like up until now, the anonymity (unless you know where I live), is respectful. Posting a picture of their place - even if taken where you wouldn't recognize it from the street might be too much. But it is so wonderful.
On a different note, I'm still torn about another issue. I've really been enjoying their majestic gardening they have. They've planted all their annuals and everything is just so lush and vibrant and colorful, even all the potted plants on the side deck/porch. I really want to take a picture and share this gorgeousness, but feel like up until now, the anonymity (unless you know where I live), is respectful. Posting a picture of their place - even if taken where you wouldn't recognize it from the street might be too much. But it is so wonderful.
Friday, May 16, 2008
8 months later
There where times I wanted to jot something down here - a sighting or a passing on the streets. But as my other blog shows, just like everyone else I had not only hunkered down for the winter but was completely bogged down with life - just trying to hang on, let alone write about it.
But it's spring now - a time for new beginnings, a renewed energy. Or perhaps really I'm just procrastinating again. Either way here's a quick update:
1. Business as usual as far as I've noticed. Not too many sightings over the winter months - nothing seems to have changed drastically.
2. The son I think is still living in the private apartment. This is based not on any sightings - I haven't seen him for months now. But because his car is still there. Although I'm confused about the car. The parents have one car - it has a risdy sticker on the bumper. The son I thought drove a Saturn (we were Saturn buddies after all), but there has also been a black Corolla that's been there for awhile. The question is that this is three cars. They have a two car garage that they keep two cars in. There is hardly ever a time a car is parked in the driveway. And there is no street parking of the vehicles. So were does the third go? I did notice a few weeks ago on the weekend when we had great weather a girl. I hadn't seen her for awhile (it was winter after all). Not sure if she is the girlfriend. She could be someone new. She isn't the sister. But she did switch shoes and put stuff in the trunk of the Corolla. So maybe she's the brother's girlfriend who sometimes stays over but doesn't live there. And this is her car.
3. Early this week I was heading to the bus and fiddling with my MP3 player, I look up and there is the dad and rufus walking write towards me and passing me. I said a quiet 'hi'. Can't remember if I got a head nod.
4. The wife finally finished the painting job. The house had gotten painted along with the trim which required the nice side porch to be painted. However, at the time they had so many lush plants, including some vines, they didn't paint all the spindles and railings. Well, before spring really hit, but once it warmed up - she was out there one afternoon. Paintbrush in one hand, cigarette in the other, sussing up the progress. I'm a little sad as that was one of the few last reminders of the old paint scheme which I preferred. The bright yellow has grown on me a bit. Or rather, the brightness has subsided in my eyes. The only place left is on the back corner of the garage near the junk pile.
5. The wife has been doing alot of gardening. I love the gardens - they are always so lush and the porch is just brimming with new pots of plants. The bulbs have come and gone pretty much (mostly tulips). And now we have alot of purple and pink flowering plants. (Apologies on the names as my vocab of plant names is limited to a handful of the basics).
6. I've been trying to create a seceret language with their cat. She is a long haired (not my style) and mainly spends time outdoors. She meows when she wants to be let in which I hear occasionally. The other day she was meowing incessently (a different meow then usual) and from the driveway. My cat walter was in the window by me as I was witnessing all this. I tried to quietly call to her in my cat language I use with my boys. She could hear it but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I didn't want to call too loudly as it would alert the humans to my presence. In the end she lost interest and focused again on meowing. Yesterday on my way home, she was sitting by the front corner of hte house, right near the down spout in amongst all the plants. I think there must have been a mouse or spider or something as she was intently starring at something at the base of the building. But she wasn't in pounce mode. Still, I called to her in our seceret language as I walked by. All I got was the ear swivel. And I think just one ear at that. Oh well, it will take time.
That's all for now. On another note, I did find out that there actually is one person that reads this. Based on the mundane content, I had anticipated the number to be south of one (i.e. none). But visiting a friend in DC the other weekend, she relayed a question from a mutual friend - "Ask S about the yellow house". I have an audience! Well I did. It has been 8 months after all.
But it's spring now - a time for new beginnings, a renewed energy. Or perhaps really I'm just procrastinating again. Either way here's a quick update:
1. Business as usual as far as I've noticed. Not too many sightings over the winter months - nothing seems to have changed drastically.
2. The son I think is still living in the private apartment. This is based not on any sightings - I haven't seen him for months now. But because his car is still there. Although I'm confused about the car. The parents have one car - it has a risdy sticker on the bumper. The son I thought drove a Saturn (we were Saturn buddies after all), but there has also been a black Corolla that's been there for awhile. The question is that this is three cars. They have a two car garage that they keep two cars in. There is hardly ever a time a car is parked in the driveway. And there is no street parking of the vehicles. So were does the third go? I did notice a few weeks ago on the weekend when we had great weather a girl. I hadn't seen her for awhile (it was winter after all). Not sure if she is the girlfriend. She could be someone new. She isn't the sister. But she did switch shoes and put stuff in the trunk of the Corolla. So maybe she's the brother's girlfriend who sometimes stays over but doesn't live there. And this is her car.
3. Early this week I was heading to the bus and fiddling with my MP3 player, I look up and there is the dad and rufus walking write towards me and passing me. I said a quiet 'hi'. Can't remember if I got a head nod.
4. The wife finally finished the painting job. The house had gotten painted along with the trim which required the nice side porch to be painted. However, at the time they had so many lush plants, including some vines, they didn't paint all the spindles and railings. Well, before spring really hit, but once it warmed up - she was out there one afternoon. Paintbrush in one hand, cigarette in the other, sussing up the progress. I'm a little sad as that was one of the few last reminders of the old paint scheme which I preferred. The bright yellow has grown on me a bit. Or rather, the brightness has subsided in my eyes. The only place left is on the back corner of the garage near the junk pile.
5. The wife has been doing alot of gardening. I love the gardens - they are always so lush and the porch is just brimming with new pots of plants. The bulbs have come and gone pretty much (mostly tulips). And now we have alot of purple and pink flowering plants. (Apologies on the names as my vocab of plant names is limited to a handful of the basics).
6. I've been trying to create a seceret language with their cat. She is a long haired (not my style) and mainly spends time outdoors. She meows when she wants to be let in which I hear occasionally. The other day she was meowing incessently (a different meow then usual) and from the driveway. My cat walter was in the window by me as I was witnessing all this. I tried to quietly call to her in my cat language I use with my boys. She could hear it but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I didn't want to call too loudly as it would alert the humans to my presence. In the end she lost interest and focused again on meowing. Yesterday on my way home, she was sitting by the front corner of hte house, right near the down spout in amongst all the plants. I think there must have been a mouse or spider or something as she was intently starring at something at the base of the building. But she wasn't in pounce mode. Still, I called to her in our seceret language as I walked by. All I got was the ear swivel. And I think just one ear at that. Oh well, it will take time.
That's all for now. On another note, I did find out that there actually is one person that reads this. Based on the mundane content, I had anticipated the number to be south of one (i.e. none). But visiting a friend in DC the other weekend, she relayed a question from a mutual friend - "Ask S about the yellow house". I have an audience! Well I did. It has been 8 months after all.
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