Billie's Folly

I don't know if I mentioned that I was actually born in Portland.  My mom was born in Seattle and grew up in Portland.  I did the opposite.  But the point is, I am a "native" Portlander!  So, when I tell people I moved up from California a couple years ago, and I sense an under-their-breath groan, "More of those Californians invading Oregon...," I immediately set them straight: "Hey! I'm a native!" After three years living here, and now getting settled in my new home, I'd say my roots are finally established.  I can honestly say I love Oregon and I feel like I belong here.  I love the green background and the more relaxed lifestyle.  And I like being out in the country.  People ask if I'm ever afraid to be living alone out here--the answer is no.  I have very attentive neighbors, we live on a gated lane, and it's basically a very safe community.  And I've lived alone quite a while now. Aside... I moved to San Francisco with a girlf...

He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.                                                   ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) You should love to come home.  If you don't find contentment and nourishment of your mind, body and soul in your home, it's not fulfilling it's purpose.  Of course this is also dependent on the people and pets you share your home with.  😉 When I step in the door of my new home, I look forward to solitude--with only a tail wagging welcome.  My home feels tranquil and soothing, and immediately envelopes me in comfort.  It's a total reflection and affirmation of who I am, my style and what I love.  It's my sanctuary, where I can breathe, rest, refresh and feel secure.   In the daytime, I want my home to be light-filled--with doors open to fresh air, to hear the noise...

The cottage is my colorful and eclectic area.        THE MAIN ROOM MINI KITCHEN BATHROOM MAIN ROOM TOWARD TWIN BEDROOM TWIN BEDROOM MAIN ROOM TOWARD QUEEN BEDROOM QUEEN BEDROOM

You can't imagine the chaos that existed here for weeks.  Between the boxes, packing paper, all that had been in storage for three years and was now in piles everywhere--and for some reason lots of trash--it's hard for me to believe I ever got past that point!  From there, it was a tedious--and sometimes painful--exercise in editing, refining and letting go.  And my basement attests to it--it's chock full of everything that needs to be discarded or stored.   While there are only a few pieces of furniture that didn't get used; there was a lot of redundant household "stuff" that needed to be sorted/weeded through.  This is my forever home, so no saving for the future.  My rule of thumb for books and decorative items: If it isn't going to be on display, it has to go.  For kitchen and entertaining items: If it doesn't fit comfortably into drawers and onto shelves, it has to go.  I don't want any overflow from one room or closet into another.  I'v...

It's been exactly three months since my last post and I'm finally settled in my new home.  My move was anything but smooth.  I made a poor choice in moving companies and it was a 3-day, 12-hours-a-day move.  I then had two young girls here for almost five weeks helping me unpack.  They were life-savers!  And my neighbor, Rodney (another life-saver), helped me put together beds, put down rugs and place furniture, which gave me the basics in each room.  It's all behind me now, and I'm finally relaxed, enjoying and appreciating the house. To everyone who's asked, yes , it's everything I planned and hoped for.  The layout and setting are wonderful, the construction, materials and craftsmanship are excellent, and the details make it a perfect fit.  But it's still a house until the personality is added.   As I've said before, I've been moved into this house in my mind for five years, so it wasn't like moving into a new house, where decisions had t...