Podcast Interview & More Updates!
The recorded interview is coming, but First, a heartfelt thank you for all the supportive notes I received about my transition back to Michigan. I am happy to report that I did successfully close on the little village house, a few miles down the road from my son & daughter-in-law’s country land and farmhouse. We are all feeling blessed and excited about this arrangement! I won’t be moving into my new house until mid-July, and in the meantime while I am still in the van on their land, we are hosting a wedding reception for them here. We are busy preparing for that event, and all the family coming into town to celebrate - the marriage, the land and their new home, and the baby-on-the-way!
I am so impressed with the DIY attitude and capabilities of my son and his wife. After they took on a total demolition of the old kitchen and bathroom themselves, Eric is tackling all the plumbing, electricals, and re-building. His wife Aja is right alongside helping him, and doing her own many projects. Just yesterday they got the subfloor installed in the bathroom, and the much-anticipated toilet! Next comes the sink and shower, hopefully all before the big party. Today, I watched Aja saw off a section of a closet wall so the baby-changing table would fit inside.
They are young, enthusiastic, energetic, and seemingly fearless about redesigning and rebuilding the outworn or unsuitable parts of their quirky 1940 farmhouse. Yesterday, I saw their energy finally flagging, along with some temporary discouragement about the big messes everywhere. I suggested we all do a ‘speed clean-up’ effort for 30 minutes, and then they treat themselves to a nice dinner out. That worked wonders to restore them, and today they were back in full swing. (Eric is also somehow managing to work a full-time computer programming job - from home, at least - during all these renovations.)
Their process brings back so many memories of all the chaotic and challenging restoration work from my 10-year stint on my 5-acre Michigan property, just before I moved to Florida. I can honestly say that I am relieved to be in a support role now, rather than a management role! My much simpler little ‘granny-pad’ down the road will be just right for me, this time around :).
The Interview:
A couple of months ago, Jill Hart recorded a 30-minute interview of me for her podcast, The You World Order. It officially aired this week, and I’d like to share it with you now. You can access it below on Substack, with the ‘Listen now’ button, or via the link below that which takes you to her podcast platform. I hope you enjoy it, and as always, I’d love to hear your feedback!
http://hartlifecoach.com/captivate-podcast/ellen-livingston
One of Aja’s creative personal touches.
The farmhouse; beating the heat with my van in the shade; epic views; the flower gardens I am rescuing; the kitchen; the bathroom with the working toilet! (Pics of my village cottage coming, after I move in.)