The days go by quite routinely even the strange noises and weird happenings have become part of the routine. But this week, I’m busy getting our home ready for most of our family to arrive for my birthday. My sweet husband helped me with sweeping and mopping the floors. This morning I shopped for new board games for the children to play. Since Friday is my birthday; I treated myself to a trip to the beauty parlor for a haircut and wax. Since Mr. Snuggles is now working part-time at the grocery store, he is tasked with stocking up groceries, deli platters, and goodies for the weekend.

   After supper, I dusted the furniture in the parlor with lemon polish. My favorite piece is the handcrafted maple and pine coffee table. It has two drawers tucked underneath the table top. Brass screws are inserted into the brass draw pull handles on each drawer. The materials and handles came from my paternal great-grandparents’ honeymoon cabin.

Enough work, time for a nightly stroll in the garden. As I opened the French doors in the parlor, the lemon scent from the polish mixed with the array of roses–peach drift, red distant drum, and blood-red climbing Altissimo. A heavenly smell as I followed the paternal generations of flowers that eventually intertwined into three tall, lattice arches in the backyard.

  “I am so thankful we brought all the family heirloom flowers and antiques and shared the roses with Julianna. She can now grow another generation of flowers on her farm.” I spoke softly to myself. What a peaceful ending to a busy week. Better rest now, because all the hustle and bustle is about to begin.

With mail and green water can in hand; I continued up the walk. It’s been a long journey coming here but I finally feel like we’re home for good. I praise the Lord for the blessings, family, and business opportunity.  We decided to turn the 5 bedroom, 2 ½ bathroom cabin into a bed and breakfast and museum. It’s much too big for two people; I keep insisting on hiring a crew to clean, repair, and mow.

Samuel was surprised to find information at the Chamber of Commerce office. Someone wrote a book about this rich family. But sadly just a handful of people were interested in buying the book. A large roomy cabin was built for a tycoon businessman, his high society generation currency wife, their son, and their daughter. They entertained high class people, actors, actresses, presidents, senators, and businessmen. Their son inherited the business from his father and maternal grandfather after the men passed away. Now the grandson inherited the businesses; married a high maintenance model who joined a professional group to own and operate a successful cosmetics company.     

The son came across an opportunity to own and live on a small island in the Caribbean. The couple, now expecting a baby, packed up and put up a for sale sign. At first, the wife’s brother rented the property and wasn’t interested in buying. He hired crews to clean, mow, and repair. Now he wants to move to the island; his business ideas turned into successful internet business. Business was done by video chat and electronic banking.

 A  small two centuries cozy cottage located down the road but near the cabin. It was built at the same time as the cabin was built. We were wondering if the cottage intentions were for the servants to live. The cozy 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cottage surrounded by beautiful scenery will be our home. Wow! A running deep creek in the backyard!   

My husband is already making plans to build a fishing shack out of scraps of silver metal tin, fishing poles, and free standing hammocks by the water. Mr. Snuggles suggested we hire a contractor to build a couple of tiny homes for our family and friends to stay during their visit. There is another option; families can stay at the BBM during their stay, making sure there are no guests due to arrive during that time. I haven’t seen Mr. Snuggles smile and excited about work in a long time.

     Praise the Lord!  I won the sweepstakes! The costs of remodel of multi-homes continued to add. Then an architect was hired to design and create space for two tiny homes. No contractors and team weren’t available at this time. We contact the agency and our bank to purchase the 10 acres quickly. Hopefully soon, the costs will stop and our savings will start growing.

    Two above ground swimming pools-one for guests and one for us were installed and filled with water. 8 feet x 8 feet square cement pads for chairs and grill located next to each pool area. I prayed guests would arrive on continually basics throughout the year. Please follow rules and pick up after yourselves, attractive looking trash cans with white trash bags sprinkled around the scenery. Everyone laughs at grandma’s idea, the children love to practice barrel racing around the trash cans! Of course you swim in the creek or ice skating during the winter.

   Our daughter asked us, “Do you really want strangers entering your yard in order to go swimming or ice skating?”

    The first and second floor of the cabin became a perfect place for antiques encased in glass boxes with lock/key and tech savvy equipment. Samuel and I sorted our storage unit dividing into groups: keep, give, or sell. We walked every inch of the homes and grounds carrying a school-sized notebook making lists of what else we needed or to be removed. That was the first time we experienced strange things–curtains waved in the breeze-no windows open; furniture moved; doors suddenly shut with a bang. Maybe door banging is the sound I heard when I was outside just now.

    Astonishment and blessing–our business has grown and is now quite successful. Mr. Snuggles and I finished online classes and workshops to improve our business savvy to handle the growth. I continue to acquire items for the museum, research, and write. We also publish a small newspaper for our guests. Our guests include travelers from around the world, groups, events, reunions, and business events.

    My husband and I attend the local Methodist church. We particularly enjoy Sunday dinners after church. We also participate in community events. A carnival without the metal rides instead simply games are played to raise funds for the Fourth of July fireworks is my favorite! We’re slowly fitting in, but from time to time, I still feel like an outsider, so I invite the preacher’s wife over for tea and a good chat.

As I started up the walk to take the mail and water can inside, I paused as I began to remember our first days here.

After a few weeks of intruding on our son, my mother called me; her voice was full of excitement.

“There is a cabin, cozy cottage, and acres for sale in Paradise Falls, Kansas. I know you have always dreamed of owning and operating a bed and breakfast and museum. I thought this might be your answer to your prayers.”

   My husband and I were quite nervous about the possible new future and doubts started to form. So, my parents-Mr. and Mrs. Stoneridge and Mr. Snuggles’ bachelor uncle, Cryus Clarence Potman, went with us to Paradise Falls, Kansas. The lady real estate agent was a nice person with red hair, lively, and well tailored. She let us wander while we toured the property; cabin, cottage, 20 acres accommodated with a creek. The views were spectacular and the creek is quite deep but relaxing!

On the north side of the property the adjacent 10 acres was also available which we could add to the contract an option to purchase at a later date. The local Catholic Church agreed to bless the land, creek, and homes. The agricultural office located in the center of downtown of Paradise Falls advertised wildlife preserve option with income in the paper. Reserve part of your acres for wildlife and wildlife birds then the government will pay you a small supplemental income.

    The agent had already arranged a meeting at the community bank downtown. She escorted us to the bank and as we entered she introduced us to the loan officer. We all agreed that this was the opportunity we were looking for even though moving would be bittersweet as we would be traveling from another state. We’d already had family scattered to different areas to live and work; now we’d be doing the same.

     At the end of the meeting, my husband handed the loan officer a pre-arranged cashier’s check extracted from our sweepstakes winnings account. Papers were signed, copies were made, and the keys to the property were handed to us. We are strangers to the community, no home, no income except odd jobs, very little business experience, nothing. I silently prayed and wondered. “Are we doing the right thing?”

Bang! Startled out of my reminiscing, I looked around to locate the source of the noise, nothing. Maybe it was one of the guests, I shuddered, Bang! I quickly turned and walked through the freshly mowed yard. In the center stands an exquisite, white, wooden sign with black lettering in an old-fashioned script font that is large enough to read from the vehicle pathway, ”Noreen’s Inn–Bed & Breakfast & Museum”. The sign board is screwed into posts on each side. The posts are cemented into the ground in order to withstand the strongest of winds.

The property is open and welcoming as there isn’t any fencing. Adjacent to the west side of our property is wooded acres. Small section of trees have passed away, not sure why; it will be cut down, trees cut into small logs, stumps removed, and ground/soil be prepared to level ground. Street size motion lights for safety will be installed as well. A large rectangle of cement will be poured from the ramp to the gravel filled parking lot and blue handicap signs posted.

     Horn sounded again again, a white postal truck with blue and red lettering pulled up to the mailbox. 

    “Hello! I wasn’t sure anyone was living here. A bed and breakfast?” asked an African American male with cute features wearing a post office uniform. He handed me a stack of letters, nodded his head, and went on his way. I simply smiled, nodded my head, and waved goodbye. 

Engulfed by the scent of the irises, I finally felt safe and at home.  A piece of my grandmother was still with me through all that Mr. Snuggles and I endured.  Oh, Mr. Snuggles, well that’s Samuel Claude Potman, my adoring husband of thirty-five years.  We’d given each other nicknames, Mr. & Mrs. Snuggles, early on before the five kids came along. 

 In recent years, the economy, online internet services, self checkout machines, and robotic technology caused a domino effect. As more of these came into the business world it knocked people out of their jobs. Two years ago, Mr. Snuggles  was one of those who fell. Samuel was laid off permanently from his management career of 30 years at a world wide multi-million dollar retail distribution warehouse. Our area branch was closed with very little warning, option to transfer or take severance pay; Mr. Snuggles took the severance pay. He was ready to retire but yet at the same time worried about paying the bills. 

 I worked multiple jobs at various schedules at a small community hospital for 10 years. Then one evening as I walked into the hospital to start my evening shift, the domino knocked me down. My manager told me, “Shut down! Get your things and get out!” Our domino effect continued on a downward spiral. The sheriff knocked on our door early one morning and said, “Get your things and get out!”  The local bank doesn’t like late or no mortgage payments, at least we bought old cars-cash on the barrel.   One of our sons-John Samual Potman, our youngest; paid for one 12 by 12 storage unit, and then we moved our things into the unit. John took us home to live with him. He graduated from the university, began a new career, and lives in a one bedroom apartment located inside a multi-floored apartment building complete with an elevator, laundry room, gym, grill, community center, and swimming pool. We slept in the queen size bed in the small bedroom while John slept on an army cot in his living room. Sure glad we like to snuggle as it was a tight living situation.

A beautiful morning in April; I stood outside my picturesque centuries old cabin made with strong hands using man-made materials, and materials from God’s earth. Horizontal logs that are notched into gable wall logs created the purlin roof. The site I saw before my hazel eyes brought me happiness and joy. “Thank you Lord”, I spoke out loud and looked up towards the heavens. Scenic blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds with the bright sun peeking through them. The birds- American goldfinch and American robins flew by creating a breathtaking skyscape.

 I strolled to my flower beds located in the front of the cabin carrying a plastic green watering can filled with water. The beds filled with flowers bloomed several varieties of colorful maternal generation irises, clementine roses, and Shasta daisies. A group of gnomes and angels played peek-a-boo through the curtain of flowers. A black metal mailbox atop a white post secured to the ground in a small hole filled with concrete was located at the intersection of weathered board boxes filled with gravel creating sidewalks. Circling the post are three eight-inch terra cotta pots nestled into matching saucers. A rainbow of blooming petunias overflowed their rims.

A single pathway, strip of concrete, parted the flower beds down the middle. It tucked into the base of seven long caramel brown wooden plank steps reminding me of the seven days of the week. Hand carved wood railings adorned each side of the steps as they lead to a rustic porch. From the base of the steps, I admired the handcrafted oak wooden door.  It stood proudly just across the porch showing off its oval glass window complete with a hand-etched rose. I could feel its hand waving me inside.

    To the left of the door, a large copper porch gas lamp glistened in the sunlight. Mounted on the house next to the right of the door is a tech savvy doorbell with a motion sensor camera.  Hmm, oddly out of place in this picturesque wonderment. On the west side of the house, a set of steps were removed to add another modern touch-a pine board handicap ramp. Now anyone could enter this magnificent home with ease.

     I strolled over to a  group of purple generation irises that were passed on from my maternal  grandmother.  I leaned over drawing in an aromatic sniff. Two black and yellow honey bees flew out of the petals and I quickly stood up; watching the bees as they flew away. I peered into each grouping of flowers, sniffing, and admiring the colors. Suddenly, I felt a sneeze coming; I covered my mouth and nose with my hands. I sneezed once-twice, silently I said”Bless me” then dropped my hands.