January 2, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. The Mississippi House.

As soon as we decided to purchase a house in the Jackson area, Ken started looking on line to check to see what was available. We owned a charming but small condo on the water so we wanted to be on the reservoir and we wanted the master bedroom on the main level. He spotted the house we eventually bought immediately, in the Spring of 2014. But it was too expensive. We were not going to purchase any home until we had sold the farm in Pennsylvania so we were in no hurry. Ken watched as the price came down and down. The farm sold when we were in Mexico and by the time we returned to Mississippi, all contingencies had been removed. The next day we went looking with friend and Realtor, Susan. We looked at 3 houses. When we walked into 511 Roses Bluff Drive, I looked at the first floor, sat down in the living room and never went downstairs. I told Ken that this house would be just fine. So we made an offer that afternoon, sitting in the little kitchen of our condo. This was March, 2015. I was still taking the caustic infusion chemo, which was draining on my energy. We settled just before Easter in 2015. This purchase was not a mistake. Living here is pleasant, comfortable but not too big. The house did not sell for three reasons. The agent took pictures of the interior using a wide angle lens, which made the rooms look large. If you looked at the pictures and wanted a grand house, the purchaser would walk in and immediately leave. This is not a grand house. Secondly, the house was not staged. There must have been a thousand objects on the first floor. The furniture was too big. The house looked small and cramped with all the furniture. And lastly, the house was in bad shape. There was deferred maintenance everywhere you looked. But we were buying for location and configuration. We juat got lucky. On the lower level is Ken's office and sitting area. I feel sad that Ken only was able to use that office for a few years, which was the best office Ken ever used. But there is also a guest room and two full baths down there along with a TV room. The lower level provides privacy for guests and if I ever need a full time helper, there is a place for them to live. Ken and I did a good thing when we bought this house and then fixed it. I am grateful every day.