Monday, June 22, 2009

Everyone Needs A Dream

The Man and I love New Orleans. That much is obvious isn’t it? During this trip to New Orleans we found ourselves saying the ‘what if’ words many times over. One night The Man pulled up real estate listings for New Orleans just for curiosity’s sake – and that was it. The dream had begun.

In December of 2008 there were 12 thousand houses for sale in New Orleans. 12 thousand! And those weren’t the ones that were For Sale By Owner. Where do you start looking when there is that many? The answer is – it’s hard not to look around without seeing a For Sale sign staring you in the face. So many people left during Katrina and its aftermath and didn’t come back. With all that went on who could blame them?

As we browsed the market we were attracted by an upcoming auction of the Spanish Custom House located on the Bayou St. John. Our handy-dandy GPS was pulled out with our camera and we were off.

I knew we had found the Custom House as soon as I saw it. The house has a certain majesty all of its own. The plaque on the front gate told us it was erected around 1784 – I was amazed.

We took tons of pictures as we walked around the fence line – pointing out areas on the outside of the house that would need repairs - trying to see as much as possible - trying to take it all in. My mind went off on its own little journey – imagining what it would be like to live in this house – what amount of work it needed. I saw so many opportunities as I stood staring through the gate while The Man wandered down to the bayou and took pictures.

The auction was going to take place after we returned to Alberta and I thought about catching a flight to come down just for that. The Man smiled and ruffled my hair when I suggested it to him.






I watched the news of New Orleans about the upcoming auction and was green with envy when they opened the house for a week of viewing prior to it. I managed to find a news story that showed a clip of people going around the house and I watched it repeatedly one day – my heart aching to be back there.

When the news came out that the house had auctioned off for over a million dollars – I smiled.

It was a lovely dream.

36 comments:

Akelamalu said...

Oh I really thought you were going to say you'd bought it! I guess, like us, you would have to win the lottery to fulfil such a dream. x

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Ha, seven big ones. Yes, it was a lovely dream.

Daryl said...

There are a lot of less expensive homes that need work and might sell for less ... good luck, I hope this dream comes true .. then I'll have someone to visit in N'awlins!

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Oh yes, that is a cracking house. But as we say in Glasgow, if it's for ye it will no go by ye! I can see the attraction - so very 'Gone with the Wind' and Rhett Butler. Romance never came that good and that house had bags of it.

One day I will go there, you have made it come alive and be so accessible. Great writing dear girl.

Maggie May said...

I was disappointed to read it wasn't yours!
Bit too pricey, I should imagine!
I would be worried with so many houses for sale.If you made a mistake, then it would be difficult to get out of.
Anyway....... if you are meant to go, you will find a way!

softinthehead said...

What a beautiful house, no wonder it stole your heart. I guess you just have to keep buying the lottery tickets :)

ADDY said...

MOB got there before me - I too was about to say it all looked like Gone with the Wind and "tomorrow will be another day!"

Unknown said...

Wow! I thought you were moving! I would be scared to live there but wold love to visit. :)

bichonpawz said...

I thought you were going to say you bought it too!! Dreams are always good, aims....don't ever forget that!

Saz said...

Mmmmmm sweet dreaming girl!!

Anonymous said...

Ooo that was a lovely looking house. It's good to dream.

Rachel Green said...

Alas, dreams cost so much!

grandmamargie said...

I, too, like so many others thought you were going to say that somehow you and The Man had made arrangements and bought it. Beautiful dream but I would sure hate to have to clean the dang thing. :)

Lane Mathias said...

But wasn't it nice to dream?

Maybe there will be one, not so expensive, with you name written all over it. I hope so:-)

Akelamalu said...

PS if you visit me tomorrow you will find a little something for you :)

Dr.John said...

Nice pictures. A great dream house. Just slightly out of my price range.

Living the Dream said...

Oh aims, like everyone else I thought you were going to say it had been sold and then The Man came in with the keys!!! "Quite frankly my dear, I COULD give a damn" The Man said........ You always need dreams, just follow them

Mickle in NZ said...

Dear darling friend Aims,

We dream.......

But think of the maintenance ....

And how many alligators do you get up in Alberta each year?

I know, I live in a snake, alligator and crocodile free land. A place where the only native mammals when humans first arrived (debated - 1300 to 700 years ago) were two little, harmless species of bat.

We can still dream of homes in other places, possible palaces....

care and huggles, Michelle and Zebby (right now stroppy cat)

Unknown said...

Bayou Saint John is an old and beautiful part of the city. It was an Indian trading route between the Lake Ponchatrain and the Mississippi River even before the city was founded. Very few people could afford the grand old plantation homes there. But there are many small everyday day homes in the same area also. The Dental School in NOLA is in the area and the Jazz Fest, which I go to very year, is in the area. Do you really need to go GRAND? I don't think it is necessary to enjoy the city. Things to consider,though, is the flooding in the area was bad from Katrina so insurance rates will be high and crime is a factor. As I said before, I worry about the weather for a Canadian. We rated the highest temperature ever in the city yesterday. 103 degrees F! It was awful! That is very unusual but 95 degrees F is not. Just visit in the summer before you decide anything. I understand your draw to the city. It is the most seductive place on the planet, esp. if you have an artistic or wounded soul. It is so open and accepting. I love it dearly. But I was born and bred in Louisiana for generations (13 generations in LA). I am part of the earth here. Be sure to contact me if you visit. I would love to meet you and the man. All that being said, dreams are meant to be dreamt.

Anonymous said...

It would have been a lovely place to live too...

CJ xx

abb said...

Maybe someday your dream will come true! Hope so if that's what you want.

BT said...

Oh what a shame, I had dreams of you moving in. Don't give up on the idea though, I'm sure you'd love it. maybe a slightly more modest abode would do???? LOL.

Amy said...

It's fun to get lost in a dream like that. In a lot of ways, it helps me to appreciate what I have. But I will always be dreaming of something. Sounds like you will, too.

travelling, but not in love said...

It's good to dream though Aims...I could see you sat on the verandah there though - I'd certainly join you for a julep or two...

david mcmahon said...

You know I'm such a big fan of your writing .....

Brian Miller said...

ah, what a dream...though the sticker shock would have woke me. congrats on the POTD mention.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Dreaming is what life is all about aims. And one day ..... who knows!

Anonymous said...

Me too, I thought you were going to tell us you had bought that beautiful house. Some dream eh! I do the same every time I buy a lottery ticket.

POTD congratulations.

Craig Glenn said...

Congrats on POTD!

A dream home for sure... One Million Dollars... wow.

Craig

Cheffie-Mom said...

Wow, what a lovely place. Congrats on the Post of the Day mention from David at authorblog!

G.H. said...

Bummer its not yours. Its absolutely gorgeous.

http://confessions-of-a-waitress.blogspot.com/

Janie said...

Hi, I'm over from David's. I browsed through your New Orleans posts with great interest. I used to live there as a teenager, and I haven't been back since Katrina. Too bad you didn't get the million dollar house! But the upkeep and repairs would probably take another million...

Maggie May said...

Enjoyed the Sunday Roast! Very funny that wig! Very clever the book & the tea!
Brilliant interview! Well done.

(Over at David's..... Authorblog.)

Leslie: said...

Oh I've done that same sort of thing so many times! Recently, we've been in the Okanagan twice and we look at houses there. But it's a dream for now, but never say never. Congrats on the Sunday Roast over at David's.

Shrinky said...

Ah, where would we be without our dreams? Keep dreaming, it's both free and good for you!

(Over from David's)

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

What dreams we have! The house does look wonderful - a graceful and beautiful structure. I guess it wasn't meant to be this time! M xx