My name is Gina. I was born in sunny Los Angeles and while I have moved around surrounding areas from time to time, I have remained here my entire life.
I had thought about moving to up-state New York, where lots of my family lives. It is so beautiful there and boy can you get a lot of property and land for your money. It has been my dream to own an historic home. Specifically a Victorian home. There are an abundance of them in up-state New York. I was actually looking into several homes in the Rochester area as well as Angelica, an incredibly remote and quaint area with a small town USA vibe. I wanted to open a bed & breakfast and live out the rest of my life meeting interesting people and dazzling them with my hospitality. Around this time my mother fell ill. I had to sort of put the idea on hold while my brothers and I cared for her. Before she died she was adamant that I not move out of state. I was at a loss as to what to do. I didn’t think I could afford to stay in Los Angeles, let alone buy an historical house in Los Angeles. They often come with outrageous price tag. My cousin Bobby in New York, was helping me find houses there. Then he fell ill and sadly we lost him. NOW WHAT?
I was currently living in the San Fernando Valley. It was very peaceful and beautiful there, but it was incredibly hot. The maintenance on the property was really more than I could handle. Huge backyard and huge sparkling pool were adding up to huge, unnecessary bills. I have always loved living near the ocean. I felt the ocean calling me back. I couldn’t afford to move back to my old neighborhood in Westchester.
I found the Widow’s Walk quite by accident. Out of desperation I did a quick keyword search in my Redfin real estate app. This lovely but worn Queen Anne popped up for sale. She was already pending sale. My heart sank. But I noticed that there was to be a court confirmation sale. I could go in and bid on the house. I still can’t believe that I got the house. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s real. Am I in a dream? Or…. a nightmare, lol. She really needs a lot of work. I know if will be a difficult and challenging path, but I am up for it! You can follow along and read about My First Meeting With The Queen here.
I also love collecting antiques and treasures. I can’t resist a good bargain and feel the need to rescue them. I seem to have a problem with bringing home stray furniture. Stray chairs seem to be the biggest vice. It takes all my effort not to come to a screeching halt when I pass by that antique curbside treasure. I think I need help. Perhaps there is a Furniture Addicts Anonymous? I could head up our local chapter.
And lastly, I am a lover of animals. Specifically dogs, cats & birds. I currently have my little group of rescue pups and a couple of cool cats. They keep me incredible busy. The dogs and cats are always up to something, and I swear they are in cahoots with each other to pull off whatever antics they are usually up to. They look a bit guilty..don’t they?
Then there is Sydney, my Greycheek Parakeet. He is such a special bird to me. I had to wait a very long time for little Sydney. He came into my life when my mom got sick. He helped me thru one of the roughest chapters in my life. Sydney has brought me great joy. He gets into a lot of trouble. He is fearless and it’s Sydney’s way or the highway. It amazes me something so tiny can be so full of life. He is a talker. His favorite words and phrases are, “Hi baby”, “Whatcha doing”? “Pretty Bird, Kissy noises and whistling. He has a friend in a cage nearby, Rupert who is an elderly cockatiel with 1 leg. My little pirate bird. They teach each other a lot. Sydney has become a better whistler and Rupert can repeat pretty much everything Sydney can….which Sydney does NOT like, lol. For now, you can read about my Feathered & Furry Friends here.
Thanks for visiting this page to learn a bit more about me. I look forward to sharing this home restoration with you. The good, the bad & for now the ugly!
