A Mystery at The Bunny Bungalow

I tell you boys, those two are up to something. They've been sneaking off and returning with these strange rolls of paper. This is the latest one.

I can't make out anything from here. Let's unroll it!

Well boys, you're in luck...I've seen this sort of thing before.

Those two are about to build a giant Bunny Hutch out back! What!?

Tall Husband and I are quite excited. We have made the decision to live full time at The Bunny Bungalow in the Houston Heights. As the Bungalow is tiny and has no garage, we found wonderful architects, Rogers + Labarthe Architects, who have designed a magical Arts & Crafts style carriage house with studio for The Bunny Bungalow. Reports from the structural engineer and the soil survey were received. All was well, so the requests for bids went out to builders late last week.

We have also been busy completing upgrades and exterior painting at My Ranchburger, which will be put up for sale early next year (the same great real estate agent who found the Bungalow for us will handle the sale.) Our plans are to then live in the new studio at The Bunny Bungalow while the kitchen and bathrooms are remodeled in the Bungalow proper.

I'll be posting about the progress from time to time.

Step by Step

Tall Husband and I have been attempting to come to a decision about where and how we will live as we approach retirement. We have visited other cities and looked at other houses and talked with other couples who have made these tough choices. In our situation, we find ourselves with two houses, My Ranchburger and The Bunny Bungalow, with contents which are very different in style. Downsizing is quite involved, for each house holds so many memories.

All your e-mails and comments have played a big part in helping us work our way to a decision. Some of you, like us, have grown children living far away, so friends are our immediate families; You pointed out the need to stay where friends are. Others indicated that there is life after change. A few of you, just flat out, said that we cannot sell The Bunny Bungalow. Some of you recommended making changes in small steps.

So, we have begun to take some small steps. In spite of hurricanes and the horrible heat, we will stay here in Houston with our friends...as a former military wife, I've had to part with too many friends. Then Tall Husband and I talked about houses. We agreed that staying in My Ranchburger makes financial sense, but the quirky, modest Bunny Bungalow has captured our hearts. Next we talked with our children to ask them to choose things from My Ranchburger, so that they may have them while we are still around to see them enjoyed.

And today, at The Bunny Bungalow, we took another step: we met with two wonderful architects to ask them to design us a garage with a studio, so as to add living space without changing the character of this old bungalow. We are off on a new adventure!

Thanks for all your support and sane advice. And know that there will be reports and photos of this adventure.

P.S. A magical coincidence: The architectural firm has on staff a person who loves and lives with bunnies...real ones!