Playing with Picnik

I am so computer illiterate, that I am surprised I can produce posts at all. I am using my honeymoon in Aruba pics to explore some photo editing techniques from Picnik. I am LOVING the 60's feature, reminds me of old pics of my parents & grandparents!

Now if someone can teach me how to customize my blog background & header (for free)????

Feeling nostalgic

The outbuilding in the back was a cottage/studio apartment that was luckily rented out ($) with wonderful tentants
The sidewalks were unique, perfect for my quirky little beach town

A little wooden boat from the 1920's sat atop the river rock in the cottages "front yard"

Collin diving into his crocodile pool! In the background, our shaded hammock, over a bed of ivy

Our beloved Maggie (rest in peace) muching on zebra grass

As we sit still covered in multiple inches of snow, with more maybe on the way, I am remembering fondly my previous residence on a splendid summer day. We moved from my "bachelorette" pad almost 2 years ago, and I still get slightly depressed when thinking about it or coming across old photos of it. It was a 1915 bungalow a block from the beach, falling apart on the inside (band-aided nicely with distractions), but the yard was often complimented on by neighbors and passers-by.

I was very proud of the yard and landscaping that I did all-by-myself (I sound 6). But I did, often taking an afternoon off from work to do so and the feeling of satisfaction and pride when all the work was done and I walked the property admiring my work.

So I share with you some photos of my old 60x100 plot. Currently our property (too large) needs a ton of work, which I hope to resume some day when kids can help ;-) and housework get caught up, but in the meantime I will revel in my past accomplishments.

Ocean Gate & House

In 1998, I purchased a 1915 2-bedroom bungalow in Ocean Gate, NJ (OG). It was the perfect home for a then single 25yo with a good downpayment and hardly any income(!). It had a 1-bedroom cottage in the rear that was renting for $500 per month. Adorable house with great possibility; a waterview in the rear and a block to the beach. Lived/loved there for 11 years and you don't know what you have til' it's gone....

Now that we are living in "the city", I miss the small-town charm and convenience of OG. Everyone truly does know each other in a small town....neighbors were like family; postal workers, market employees and and the bartenders knew your name and served up what you needed before you knew what you needed. In the summer it was "Shangri-La-ic"...fireworks, flags, sea grass, horse & buggy rides, barbecues, ice cream from the market, quiet afternoons reading on the porch and beers in the driveway. In the winter it was cold and gray (in a good way), cozy and candles burning, and there was always the Anchor Inn on a snowday.

With time my family grew and being practical, we could not stay in the town that is the best kept secret along the whole coast of this state. I cannot even bring myself to drive through right now and its been a year....I may never be able to go by the Ocean Gate house ever again.

I take comfort that the current owners have done good things with the place(or so I've heard), things I could not attempt or afford. So in the meantime, I will continue to thrive in the suburbs; appreciate my square footage, pool, closets, dishwasher....all of the things I so desperately needed...or so I thought.