About Me

Why My Blog is Called “Town and Country Living”

Back in 1997 I purchased my first home as a single mom of three children. I’d owned two previous homes when married, but this was my first major purchase as a single parent. My historic home is located at western-most suburbs of Chicago. In fact, our town is the last stop on the commuter rail line to and from the city. Since we live where the suburbs meet the country, I named the blog “Town and Country Living.”

I remarried on June 30, 2011 and my husband and I talked about buying a new home together. But we both love it here in our little town and decided to stay put. The town has more than tripled in size since living here, but I still consider it to be small compared to the other Chicago ‘burbs.

How I Ended Up in a Circa 1875 Historic House

My very first house was a Sears catalog kit house located in Geneva, Illinois. I loved that house for its natural woodwork and built-in cabinets and cupboards, but the kitchen was small and awkward. Plus there was only one bathroom and we had two small girls who would grow up and demand more time for primping in that one, small bathroom.

The second house was new construction with a very efficient layout but I wasn’t comfortable there. It was too cookie-cutter for me and lacked any soul or character despite my best decorating efforts. It had four bedrooms which was perfect since I gave birth to a third child shortly after moving in. We sold the new house after three short years and rented a duplex until we could find another home to purchase. During that time I got divorced and moved into an apartment with three children.

Although living in an apartment was a challenge, there were things I enjoyed about it. The complex had a pool and there were plenty of kids living there. We rented a ground floor apartment and just outside our sliding doors was a patio that looked out onto a retention area that the kids called “the pit.” All the kids played there so I could keep an eye on my three rug rats from the patio or from the kitchen while making dinner.

After six years of apartment living, I had saved enough money to buy a house of my own. Looking back, I don’t know what I was thinking buying a 140-year old as a single mom. Luckily my parents lived close by and my dad was pretty handy and could help out when something needed fixing.

My Family of Four Becomes Five

Being a single mom for more than 10 years isn’t easy. I’d read somewhere that most divorced people remarry in about two years, but I knew that wasn’t happening for me. My kids were still pretty young and I didn’t want the stress of a new husband trying to fit in. Yes, I dated but I didn’t allow whoever I was dating to develop a relationship with my kids. I thought it would be too hard for my children if the relationship didn’t work out.

When I got to the point where I didn’t really want to be dating – well, that’s when I met my current husband. Of course, isn’t that how it usually goes? And so here we are, enjoying the best of town and country living in an old house we both love. My family of five continues to grow with kids getting married and having their own babies.

My Philosophy on Food and Fitness

I can’t write a bio and not include something about food and fitness. Technically, I’m a pescetarian – which means I’m a vegetarian who eats fish. Years ago I watched the movie “Food, Inc.” and it changed my food choices. I do eat fish in order to get my Omega fats. And although I eat junk food on occasion, I like to get most of my food from unprocessed sources. Sometimes that’s easier said than done! I mean, sometimes you just gotta have Oreo cookies or peanut butter M&Ms. On occasion, I share some of my favorite recipes here on the blog.