Labor Day in Louisville

You know what they say...sometimes it feels as though you're meeting yourself coming and going. That seems to be an apt description of our lives over the last few weeks, but it's all been good. On Friday, we headed to Louisville for our traveling "swan song" of 2008. It was Labor Day weekend after all, and our labor was definitely needed at the Maison de la Vie. We arrived just about dusk Friday evening, and Ashlea eagerly invited us in to her new residence. The foyer was rather dark...dark wood, dark walls, and just plain dark, the only light fixture in the room being an original Thomas Edison combo gas and electric ceiling lamp. I looked around and glanced into the adjoining parlor and dining room...more darkness. And all the rooms were strewn with boxes and miscellaneous stuff. Ashlea, noticing my lack of enthusiasm, finally asked, "So what do you think of the house, Mom?" Now a nice mother probably would have feigned exuberance. I, on the other hand, began singing the theme from the Addams Family. Then I told Ashlea that she lives in a creepy house, as I imitated "Thing" (the hand) coming out of the stairway banister. We were able to have a good laugh, but honestly, my initial impression didn't change until the sun came up the next morning. Actually, it is a great house, currently in a state of potentiality. After many hours of de-cluttering, cleaning, and unpacking, we and the girls had the place looking much better...though there is still much to do before they are ready to entertain.

The house is over one hundred years old, and we're estimating that it contains around 6000 square feet of living space on the three floors. (I never did go down in the basement...I figured that's where Lurch hangs out.) Ashlea's favorite room is the second floor library. I think I am partial to the second floor balcony overlooking the avenue. We're still trying to determine the architectural style...any ideas?