Saturday, October 24, 2009

A Sunday Stroll to Small Town, Alabama

Happy Sunday to you! :-)

I'm meeting some of Kevin's relatives for the first time today.

They live in a small, country town in the types of houses you see in movies like "Gone with the Wind". Wrap-around porches, wind-planked floor boards and tall walls lined with tall, old wavy glass windows.

When Kevin's "Mama Gustie" passed away, one of his relatives moved her old house from the town we're visiting today, to another. Apparently, it cost just $3000 to pick it up and move it to its current location. (Does that mean Kevin and I could buy an antique house someday for really, really cheap and move it to a lot we love? Hmmmm.....)

A tall, old, tumble-down home that whispers stories of days gone by is the type of inspiration we dream about. The kind that sits where silence is only broken by birdsong and the squeak of a porch swing. The kind that just needs a little love and laughter for it to feel alive again.

Someday, when our work is done here, we'll begin our search for "the one".
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream, right? ;-)

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I thought I'd share this video about a sweet, simple couple from Texas today.

"For Dick Cain, a West Texas sunset is money in the bank.
For Bonnie, a happy home is all the insurance she will ever need."



Although Kevin and I don't want to live quite that far from civilization, we are inspired by their love for each other and their ability to find happiness in simplicity. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Layla

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Hope you have a lovely visit!

Anonymous said...

wow... Makes me feel pretty shallow and spoiled! What a great video and a special couple. I've seen that saying "live, laugh, love" plastered everywhere for so many years, but I think these people actually understand what it means and truly live it. Thanks so much for sharing this today. Great reminder of what's important! Have a great day...
pk @ Room Remix

Vicki/Jake said...

Hi...new to you, sorry I didn't find you sooner but now I'm here for the long run. Love your blog and all the info you share. I was wanting to paint some bookcases black...now I have the perfect formula! I live in a small town, grew up in one too. Someday you'll find that perfect life, when the time's right...
Till then, keep up the great blogging and enjoy meeting all the family!

Unknown said...

oOo...
I hope you take lots of pictures!
:)

Jodi said...

Thanks so much for sharing that wonderful story! My husband and I are actually thinking of trying something very similar when we retire, except we'd be living in a wall tent for a year. How can you possibly go wrong by simplifying your life!

I absolutely love your blog!

Christine said...

Sounds like fun! Maybe you could start your own Lettered Village, and everyone can just move houses there.

geri said...

Hi Layla and Kevin.
The lovely couple and their story of how they choose to live their life is a touching and beautiful one.
I love when Bonnie says how she gets excited like a school girl when she sees Dick arrivig home.
This lifestyle certainly is not for everyone but the love and friendship they have is.
Loved the story.
Happy Relative Day. geri.

Aura said...

We have dreams like that, too. We just got back from Eureka Springs in Arkansas, and we found so many wonderful homes peeking out from behind the trees that I would give anything to live in. We just don't have a lot of houses like that here, so unless we move, my daydreaming will always stay that way.

Jacci said...

That made me cry, Layla.

Sweet.

XO,
Jacci

Kelly@TearingUpHouses said...

I know exactly what you mean, Layla! Isn't those people inspirational?! This is a big part of the reason that my husband and I are leaving South Florida; after 10 years here (and 7 years in Chi-town for hubby), we're craving a slower paced environment. At first, we were searching islands off of the north coast of Florida, before realizing that after 6 months, we'd both go insane that far away from the hustle and bustle. In the end, we settled on a 1929 historic home in a quiet, waterfront, artsy fartsy district just outside of a major metropolitan area, but very close to much quieter beaches than we're used to. (You can see it here: http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com/2009/10/congratulations.html). It's perfect for us -- for now!

Can you tell we're excited?!

Kelly

Jamie, the Very Worst Missionary said...

I continue to be amazed by the things I've learned to live without. Dishwasher, A/C, even a HOT WATER HEATER!! Not saying I don't miss those things, just that they certainly aren't as important as I had once thought!

Loved the video - super cute little couple (the one-woman-band gave me a little chuckle).

Prairie Girl Studio said...

i LOVED watching this ... and just by watching dick and bonnie, one can't help but feel a sense of calm ... they truly are the richest folks in the way that counts ...
thanks so much ~ a lovely treat to watch,
prairiegirl xo

Unknown said...

Oh Layla get real!birdsong and creaking swing.,With you and Kevin,it would be the sound of a hammer and saw ,I've ben at this for 26 years dear and it never ends,but hey I love the sound od power tools!! Keep dreaming ,if you don't have a dream it can never come true!!! love Mary thimblecottage@bellsouth.net

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

That would be wonderful, Layla, to fix up a truly old, charming house! Here's a link you may be interested in - to start your search! Historic Properties and Old Houses For Sale

I love that site and looking through all the old homes:)

Sharon said...

Saw this one...LOVED it.

Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating said...

That's inspiring. I love their philosophy on life...simplify to enjoy what's really important. That's part of the reason Matt and I moved from a 2500 sq. ft. home to our little 834 sq ft condo. We wanted simplicity. It's be nice.

Now whether I could ever live without running water and electricity...that's an entirely different story.

Sami Jo said...

Thanks for sharing that you two! Man! Weren't they sweet... sure makes you think about things a little differently...

Cheryl said...

Hey Layla!
I had to smile reading your post. Like you, I am partial to civiliation. I would love to live the simpler life. We would have so much more time to enjoy the little things like she said...the sunset, etc.
I love those old fashioned plantation type houses. big porches full of rockers and big windows, grand staircases....and then I smack myself back into reality. I start thinking how much time it would take to clean it all.

Ramona said...

I just discovered your blog this weekend and have spent way too much time reading it from the beginning! Your home is so beautiful. You've made me start looking around and wondering what I can paint.

I have to ask about your cat. You've mentioned a cat in a couple of recent posts. Does that mean Fleamarket came back to live with you? The last mention I saw of him was that he went to live at Half Note Cottage. The mystery is driving me crazy!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

What a great video about the couple from West Texas. They had many wonderful things to remind us all about life. We all could stand to simplify our lives in various ways. Thanks so much for sharing that with us. Enjoy your visit. Love & blessings from NC!

Jeanne Oliver said...

What an incredible and sweet story...I don't know if I could do that though. Simplifying would do all of us some good though.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

And we are all inspired by you and Kevin!

Hope your visit was wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Dick and Bonnie's lifestyle would surely drive me mad, but I am so thrilled we live in a country where people can still fulfill their dreams in this way. I'm reading "Half Broke Horses" by Jeanette Walls. About half the book is set in W. TX and it was awesome actually seeing the book come alive.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing! I am from that part of West Texas. I would love to know how far they are from the little town of Van Horn, TX. The mountains and scenic look so familar.

Aura said...

Layla thank you so much for posting this video! This is exactly the kind of thing that Michael and I talk about all the time and wish people would understand, more often. And in response to your comment, I can't think of one couple that I think would love Eureka Springs more than you two! If you decide to go, let me know. I will tell you all the little stores I think you'd love, and the best little hole in the wall restaurants to go to. Check out these cottages: http://www.homesuitehomecottage.com/

Aren't they adorable? I must warn you though, most of the houses were built in the late 1800's and early 1900's, and quite a few are for sale and in need of special care, so you might never want to go back home!

Theresa said...

What a wonderful couple. I am always amazed that they call that a simple life. I think it looks like hard work!! I would love to have the peace and happiness they seem to possess. They are truly blessed.

LouLou said...

Layla,
I live in small town Alabama myself down in Fairhope... Where was the old house originally from? My Bigmama and Bigdaddy (yes. that's what we call them.) moved an old house out to their farm once...It was amazing... Just curious to see if I know where it was....

Rachel Elizabeth said...

I hope the visit goes well.