House-less (in a Good Way)

Yes, we finally are without a house to call our own because . . .

The Frog & PenguiNN, which was what we lovingly named our home on the VA Eastern Shore (that was neither an inn or a B&B) has a new owner as of this past week. We're happy and overjoyed to share the news with everyone! 

As regular readers of this blog know, selling the Frog & PenguINN has been a very long time coming, nearly 6 years. It was a wonderful home, circa 1902, that we updated and enjoyed for the 12 years that we lived there. And, it was located in a great neighborhood with lots of friendly neighbors.

But,when it comes to selling, it came down to that well-worn phrase: location, location, location (somehow it's always repeated 3 times, not sure why). As many times as we showed photos of our house to other, we would get the same question?  "Why hasn't it sold yet?" Then, we reminded them of its location. The small town of Onley, VA (pop. 500) was located near many amenities such as a YMCA, Walmart, and a recently opened brand hospital. But it was definitely not a bustling metropolis. The closest major cities, such as of Virginia Beach, VA or Salisbury, MD entailed a 90 minute drive, north or south.

We thoroughly enjoyed the slower, relaxed lifestyle for the dozen years we lived there. Our original plan after buying the house was to make it a permanent home and we spent the years renovating the house and yard. We also enjoyed sharing those experiences on this blog. We met nice folks, shared fun times, and made good friends who we will miss.

But, 2-1/2 years ago we decided we needed a change and new experiences. We relocated  to Nashua, NH, which was closer to family and grandchildren already living in New England. Not only did this include a 10-hour drive from VA, but an entirely new lifestyle. We went from home dwellers to apartment residents (even though we still owned a house).  Instead of a single-family residence, we live in a former textile mill (Nashua Manufacturing Company) which has 325 apartments with nearly 900 residents. That's nearly twice the number of people  than in the entire VA town we formerly lived in. 

Is it working out for us? 
In a single word, Yes. Sure there are many differences but also lots of positives such as being close enough to walk downtown to the public library, numerous restaurants, shopping, and medical facilities. For us, it's been a positive lifestyle change. 

Folks have asked us if we have any future home-ownership plans. As of now, that answer is No. For now, we're glad to no longer be responsible for a house and consider ourselves house-less as we're certainly not homeless.

The usual Friday Funnies was pre-empted to share this "news."

Enjoy your weekend, Everyone

We're Home (Finally)

A big Thanks to fellow bloggers who not only read, but also commented on posts pre-scheduled for the 2 weeks we were away from Nashua, NH. (We arrived home over the weekend and are catching up on things here, and will be visiting your blogs this week.)

Unlike recent trips, this road trip wasn't all fun. The first few days were spent with family in RI to celebrate granddaughter's 6th birthday with all 3 grandchildren.

Family then gathered for beach time in CT where youngest granddaughter had her first toes in the sand experience. She wasn't as fond of the chilly water temps as her older cousins and preferred to stay on the beach with her mom and aunt.

The rest of the time (about a week and half) was spent at our house on the VA eastern

shore. It sadly remains unsold as described in this earlier post. Getting to VA from NH involves a stopover in NJ, coming and going, to avoid a 10-hour road trip each way.

Once in VA, yard work projects such as weeding and pruning filled the morning hours. From years of living there in hot and humid summer months, we learned to work early in the day. Afternoons were spent reading on the front porch. 

Getting online wasn't an option unless we went to a local McDonald's or public library. There's no internet access at the house, even cell service was sporadic. Did I mention that the house is in a small town? (Grenville said to add that the mail delivery pony came up lame.) It's not exactly a rural area rural, but technologically not as advanced as a larger town.  

Yard work aside, our most important task was to sign with a new realtor. This time, we went with a national realty firm vs. the independent realtor we stayed with far too long. While parting with the former didn't go smoothly; that's in the past now.

Before our VA arrival, we emailed two realtors to set up meetings. The difference in their presentations was eye opening. The first came prepared with analysis of tax records, area sales, previous realty listings. He'd visited the property, checked the house and grounds before our arrival, and was dressed well. The second realtor arrived with no paperwork, holding a cell phone, hadn't checked the house or yard, and was dressed very informally in shorts and a t-shirt. (Not a hard choice to decide as you've probably figured out.)

One suggestion from the selected realtor was an "aha" moment for us. Instead of suggesting that we spend $ for interior "updates" (which wouldn't bring a higher sale) he proposed that we trim or remove a cedar tree in the front yard. 

There was nothing "special" about the tree, except that we'd transplanted it from our native NJ. It was where we hung holiday lights for a few years. It didn't provide shade in the front yard and actually kept the lawn from growing below it.

That said, removing it was another not-so-hard decision. But the task itself was the tough part. Grenville started trimming some of the lower branches on the cedar and a nearby maple tree.

Since the chain saw was sold as part of downsizing, he used a pole saw to trim lower branches. After that calling a tree removal service was (another) easy decision.

We think it was a good one. This was the front porch view after the tree was cut down and all branches were taken away including the ones that Grenville had cut.

Neighbors who visited before we left said they never knew there were blue shutters on the front of the house. 

Now, we're hoping prospective buyers can "see" the house too. Better yet, we hope that the realtor change will bring a sale (soon).

Here, There and in VA

This post is advance notice of our road trip. We wish it was all fun, but some is not. I've done some advance blog posts for your entertainment, including a couple of Friday Funnies as they are such fun.

The ability to read and comment on other blogs will be somewhat limited. It's because there's no Internet service at our VA house which we're going to check on it and also, very importantly, to change realtors. 

That's where we'll be all next week.

The fun part is this weekend when we celebrate our granddaughter's birthday in RI. It will be great to enjoy family time before conducting the not fun house stuff. 

We had hoped that this blog's namesake, The Frog & Penguinn, would have a new owner by now. It's a 10 hour drive from NH and we're back on the VA eastern shore every 6 months. The trip includes an overnight in our native NJ. Thankfully, there's friends to visit in both states, so the trip does have its merits. 

Yes, there's been a couple of recent offers, just not the right ($) ones. We're willing to bargain within a reasonable range, but when an offer is $50,000 lower . . . ???

While it's been said that two are better than one, lately we're not so sure about that statement.

WHY? 
There's two St. Joseph statues buried in the front and back yards, no kidding, and the house is still unsold. If you're not familiar with this practice, check online and YouTube, both have info about it. We bought one of the statues a few years ago; the other was a gift from apartment neighbors and former homeowners here in NH. 

We're keeping our hopes (and prayers) up. 

Kickin' the Tires

The Frog & PenguINN, front porch

This blog, The Frog & PenguINN, is named after what our home on the VA eastern shore. It's the one in the blog header too and is neither an inn or a B&B. 

Readers of this blog may know we've been trying to sell this home for several years. The F&P has a blog site, which I created a few years ago to showcase it. 

We've relocated to NH, but haven't neglected the house. In winter, a  contractor checks it. In summer, a lawn care contractor maintains the grounds.We return several times a year to check on it, stay there and visit neighbors and friends. 

We've been asked (many times) why we removed from a warm to colder state and from a

house to apt living. There are several reasons: Family is a main reason; grandkids and other relatives are in New England. More leisure time is another. 

After years of yard work and house projects, we wanted time to kick-back, travel and enjoy ourselves (even more). Among the benefits of apt living is no home maintenance. If anything breaks down, we notify the on-site management office. Usually, repairs are completed quicker than waiting for a contractor, and we don't even have to stay home.

House rear and back patio

It's been suggested that we rent the house and it was a rental before we bought it. However, renters are not always good housekeepers. It needed repainting and updating, which we did as part of "making it our own." If rented, there's no property management companies in the area. We've heard horror stories from others who rented and later regretted it. Keeping the house "as is" gives us a place to stay and the VA eastern shore, is really quite a nice place. We're hoping that potential homeowners can see that too!

Our house is located in Onley, VA. pop. about 500, with a full-time police department, mayor and council, volunteer fire department and within 5-8 minutes of a "Super" Walmart, YMCA, supermarket, and newly-opened regional hospital. Annual taxes (city and county) are below $1200. There's no water or sewer bills, taxes include weekly garbage pickup. The next town over has restaurants, a dock, specialty shops, and a single-screen movie theater, open weekends. 

So WHY hasn't it sold ?
We wish we knew. It's small-town living that's for sure. Despite nearby amenities, the closest "large" shopping areas (think malls and big box stores) are 90 minutes away in either Virginia Beach, VA or Salisbury, MD. On the VA shore, the distance to anywhere is described as "being down the road."

We're had a couple of "close calls." Last summer, we had a signed contract and thought it would be sold, only to have the buyer default a week before closing. We were given the initial deposit, but would rather have had it sold. Just this week, we had an offer so far below the asking price that our sides ached from laughing. It was that ridiculous with a $100 deposit (no kidding). We turned that "offer" down with no regrets.

Which brings me, finally, to the title of this post — what's a tire-kicker?
Bear with me here, because it does relate. According to an online site: "A tire kicker is someone who's going to ask, and ask and ask, with very little chance of ever paying for or buying something. A tire kicker is a low-baller, a time waster and someone to avoid, if at all possible."

In our house-selling case, it refers to folks who will look and come back and even tell a realtor they are "interested" and then go silent. Our realtor has another name for these folks, which is much less kinder. 

What does it have to do with tires?
In the early 20th century, automobile tires were made of thin rubber and often of poor quality. A prospective buyer might kick them to check the thickness or to see if they would deflate and delay a journey. 

It's been said that some folks kick tires before buying a car. It's not an accurate test of the car's quality, but may work as part of the "inspection" process. Some feel that if nothing happens to the car after its doors are slammed and tires kicked, then it's a good deal.

According to an online article, engineers at tire-maker Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Akron, Ohio had some ideas too:

• Years ago, when autos and horses shared the road, it was an easy way for horse riders to get manure off their shoes. 
• Truck drivers carried a tire billy tool, resembling a billy club, and struck the tire to see whether it had enough air.
• It dates to the early days of trucking. With so many tires on one axle, a tire could look inflated but be flat as the other tires were holding it up. So, drivers would kick all the tires to determine if one had a flat.
• When cars used balloon tires, customers knew tires could go flat. They would kick the tires to ensure that they could at least drive off the lot.

And, my favorite, "It reduced the number of lawsuits from slapping the salesmen instead." While I'm unsure whether any of these are entirely true, they were entertaining.

Meanwhile, we're buried a couple of statues of St. Joseph in the yard, front and back. We previously bought one and NH friends gave us another, so we figured the "more the merrier" and at least we're covered "front and back" (sorry, no more puns).

Maybe St. Joseph will be able to help the house find its new owners. We pray that it's soon. For anyone unfamiliar with this house sellers "tradition" of burying this statue in the yard, check this site. There is a procedure to follow including the prayers, and we did as instructed.. 

Now you know about tire-kickers and the side job of St. Joseph. 

By the way, if you know of anyone looking to relocate to a small southern town where the "living is easy and slow" let us know. We have just the house!

Re-Listing Time

Last week we were on the road again with a return to the VA eastern shore. That's also the location of this this blog's namesake, the Frog & PenguINN, our former home. For those of you who may, or may not know, we have relocated to an apt in a former NH textile mill. However, we continue to make regular trips back to VA to check on the F&P.

It was time for the annual fall maintenance to be done. A local company thoroughly checks and services the heating and cooling system each fall and spring. While there have not been any major problems in previous years, that was not the case this time as a freon leak was found in the 1st floor compressor. A costly, but necessary repair, which is now done.

While there, we did some yard work that included trimming and mulching the front floor beds now that the flowering season is past.

And, it was also time for a realtor change. During the past six-month listing, there were some showings, but no offers. Time for a change. The new realtor is enthusiastic about marketing and selling the F&P. He has also renovated and is living in a nearby classic older home. We like his enthusiasm and hope it's contagious to a prospective buyer. 

The Frog & PenguINN is ready for fall and a new owner who we hope will enjoy this old home as much as we have — and still do.

Anniversary (a Day Late)

Yesterday was an anniversary which Grenville and I forgot to post — Whoops
Not our anniversary . . . but the day we closed on our home, The Frog & PenguINN

It's been 12 years since 01/21/2003 which was also Lee-Jackson Day that year, a holiday that we Northerners had never heard of before (but know about now in VA). 

We have so many good great times in this home from sharing get-togethers and celebrations with family and friends to enjoying it together as well. And as with owning any old(er) home, there has been a lot of hard work too, but it has all been worth it for us especially as this was the first home we owned together.

As many of you know, we are trying to sell the F&P. We hope that other folks will come to enjoy love this home as much as we have in our dozen years here, until then . . .

Happy Anniversary, Frog & PenguINN

Beatrice & Grenville

Briefly Blooming Beauties

There's a lot of colorful daylilies in the Frog & PenguINN yard. While that's good news, sadly, many of these beauties will soon be gone because, as their name, implies their bloom time is very short. 

Years ago there was abundance of this common and hardy perennial daylily in our yard. This orange daylily goes by several names: orange daylily, tiger daylily and ditch daylily. It's often classified as an invasive plant as it can be found growing wild in fields and roadsides. In recent years, ours have lessened in quantity and bloom color. They were the first to bloom this year and all have "bloomed out" now.

In their place, these daylilies are blooming now. These varieties were purchased several years ago from  Sterrett Gardens, an area daylily farm. I don't remember their names.

And when there are several blooming simultaneously, it's quite striking.

The dark reds are especially eye-catching.

The dark golden yellows are my personal favorites.

Perhaps, it's just because they look like summer with their almost glowing brightness.

There's even one that is close to my favorite color, purple, especially when the bloom is done.

The wildflower meadow is also in bloom and with our recent hot and humid weather, plus a few rainstorms, new varieties are showing up daily. I've taken photos of those too, after fighting off mosquitoes and walking between the bees. Showing those in a future post.

How are your yards doing — flowers, vegetables —  both or none?

What's Blooming?

Recent warm weather coupled with rain storms resulted in many blooms around the Frog & PenguINN yard in recent weeks. 

Our daffodils were very late bloomers because of a longer winter/colder spring. Once they started blooming, they were very abundant. Forsythias, dandelions and mustard greens provided more colorful blooms — all in yellow.

Lawn wildflowers, also known as nuisances, include mouse-ear chickweed and purple dead  nettle. While these are annoying wildflowers, each has its own beauty.

My favorite wildflower,which is also in my favorite color, are these wild violets, which show up in two color variations every spring; all are volunteer plants.

Several lily of the valley plants were transplanted from our former New Jersey yard. These have thrived and multiplied in the 10 years we've been living in Virginia. 

The F&P strawberry patch also has many blooms, hopefully we'll enjoy a great crop. Yellow wild strawberry blooms are colorful and abundant now on the lawn areas.

In the orchard, the peach trees and a lone pear tree budded last week. Heavy winds here the past few days blew off most of the colorful flowers.

 What's blooming in your yard? 

sNOw Napping Today

This was the hammock scene earlier this afternoon . . .

This was Grenville last week. 

He does SO enjoy these afternoon hammock rides. While this looks like an earlier post, he changed direction and clothes here. The previous photo was taken in mid-March when temps were in the 70s. Today, there's a wet snowfall and temps in the 30s.

This is the third snowfall this month on the VA eastern shore. It may be gone by early tomorrow morning as rain and warmer temps are forecast overnight. 

March certainly is roaring out, but it presented a lovely scene out the front door today.

Spring Will Be . . .

A wee bit late this year in many places including the VA eastern shore. 

The color for St. Patrick's Day is normally green. This year at The Frog & PenguINN and other places, it was white, except for the green garden hose.

It wasn't a big snow (as you can see) and was melted by early evening, but not before coating the daffodil buds and other plants in ice.

In early afternoon, it made for a pretty winter scene. 

As we enjoyed coffee and the last of the homemade soda bread. Grenville's recipe was delicious with no leftovers. Here's the baker at work on Sunday.

The snowfall brought lots of backyard visitors to the feeders . . . juncos, sparrows and a single female cardinal. 

Looks like the seasonal winter flags will stay out just a bit longer. Sure, the bird flag is Christmas-looking, but it fit the weather so far and has stayed out.

Hope your celebration was a good one — with or without snow. 

Here We Snow (Again)

The announcement on the local radio station was straightforward yesterday morning.

CLOSED - EVERYTHING

WHY?
Overnight Tuesday, the VA Eastern Shore received its second major snow fall in 2 weeks with northern areas getting 4-6 inches; up to 7-1/2 inches towards the southern end. Temperatures were frigid too, starting with a morning low of 14 degrees F and daytime high of 21 degrees. 

OK, so this is not a major big snow event to folks in other parts of the U.S. But, around here, this was a heavy snowfall, just ask folks in neighboring southern states. These were early morning scenes at The Frog & PenguINN.

Closures included all public and private schools in two counties, also a local hardware store, bakery, YMCA, medical facilities, including dialysis treatment. There's no snow plowing of local roadways. Snow removal is done by vehicles driving on the roads. 

Grenville has his own method of snow removal with some help from his Deere "friend" John. Can you tell he's really enjoying himself?

After he plowed our drive and the local firehouse/EMS building, it was time for pancakes!