Just Me - AmeliaJake, Kendallville, N. Riley House, The Peanut Butter Cafe & Roadhouse

Hooked on Houses visitor vs. cleaning this old house

February 4, 2016 AmeliaJake

I’d say the post title is self-explanatory. I really like the Hooked on Houses site and I can spend a lot of time looking at all the different homes in different areas. However, I do miss the highlighted Bad MLS listing section that used to have its own tab; now you have to search for examples.

My house would be a bad listing because it is outdated. I have always found that concept ridiculous. Life is certainly more than trends. Who cares what the wallpaper style is as long as you have a roof over your head? Well, I suppose that shows the difference between me and those with class. I don’t really care; I can live with a lot of things.

Now that is not to say I would not appreciate having someone come in and put really great furnishings and decor here, but it’s that wishes and horses thing. There is another consideration: just who is going to keep everything in order and clean? MOi? I don’t think so. If I had a spectacular house I think I would live in one room where I had all my favorite things.

That brings us to the problem that I have too many favorite things. I need to downsize – both me and my stuff. If I used the energy it would take to organize all my stuff – including getting rid of some of it – I would probably downsize myself in the process.

You can compare cleaning to writing. When you are assigned to write on some topic and you have not a word down and the clock is ticking, it seems so overwhelming. However, if something is already written and you are going through to polish it, it ain’t so bad. Dusting a clean room might be like that. Doing housework here, now, would be like the former – so overwhelming I couldn’t stand it. In fact, I can’t, so I don’t.

I need to rent OCD people who need to clean. Their families are upset with them for always bustling around, so they can come to my house and work their heads off and lie about being at a spa. Hey, I’ll be an enabler for an OCD housekeeper. Maybe she might even pay me.

***Jody Lynn Vance: 1985-2011***

Jody was born at sunrise on a bright, sunny, cold, snowy Groundhog’s Day and from Day One she was a gift to everyone around her. Her infectious laugh and rambunctious spirit made her the center of attention where ever she happened to be.

She and her Dad would watch Sesame Street and sing at the top of our voices (and quite out of key) all of the songs. She enjoyed having Mom fix her hair so it was fancy and just right.

As a toddler she had quite an impressive vocabulary and often had a lot to say. One time Dad was headed out the door to go to work and she pointed her finger and said, “No. No. No. Don’t go anywhere!“

Jody was very seldom crabby, always happy and she wasted no time in spreading that joy to everyone around her. Jody’s favorite place was to be perched on the lap of Mom or Dad or playing with her toys spread out all over the floor. Jody was always affectionate, wanting hugs and “moochies” as she called smooches on the cheek.

At around two, Jody’s illness began to attack her. It took a beautiful, innocent child and put her through untold pain and suffering,

I know that through all of that she was not afraid. She had the heart and spirit of lion. She never gave up; time after countless time, she would open her eyes and there would come that smile. Jody lost her speech, but never was at a loss for words. She could say more with a look or a half smile than most people do yakking all day long.

After numerous doctor, hospital, and specialist visits, we were given the news of her illness. I remember that moment frozen in time … it was as if the entire world stopped. It was in that brief moment we both knew that we must make the very most of the time we had remaining together and not dwell on the despair of all of the things that would never be.

Jody was not expected to live more than three or so - but she had too many things to do and stories to tell, so she cruised by that birthday and over two more decades of birthdays, Christmases and millions of smiles and hugs. Jody was well-liked by other kids; once when she was being wheeled into her classroom at Handicare, one of the children yelled, “Hey everybody, Jody’s here” and all the kids cheered.

Two of the biggest joys in her life were her two little brothers, Joey and Sammy. She would just beam with joy when they would sit next to her and when they began to get older she’d love to listen to them running through the house and playing together. The two of them would start laughing and Jody would laugh right along with them. She would listen intently to everything they did and they would include her as often as they could. The three of them loved watching Saturday morning cartoons and The Three Stooges.

Joe and Sam did without a lot of things that other kids had, did and took for granted … and they never once complained or were resentful of the way things were. That shows a special kind of love and a special kind of family.

As the years went by and the boys grew up into strong and healthy, Jody’s health slowly and steadily declined. She would have long stretches where she was fairly stable and then would become so very ill.

Many times we were sure the end was near and then she would open those sparkling blue eyes and stretch just like nothing had happened at all.

Once she was in the hospital with her usual bout of pneumonia and lapsed into a coma; this went on for 8 days. One Dr. came in, examined her and just shook his head. Later that night Jody’s eyes popped open and she was refreshed from her cat- nap.

People over the years have commented, ”I don’t know how you do it. ”This always struck me as odd. My thoughts would always be: How could you even think of turning your back on someone who needs you that much?

It was always our promise to Jody that she would always live at home with her family and I think she found comfort in knowing that.

But, no one person can take the credit for caring for this wonderful young woman. It has taken an army of doctors, nurses, teachers, aides, pharmacists, friends, and family over the years to maintain Jody at home, and we could never begin to thank you enough.

Jody always kept her head held high and never seemed to be afraid; she has truly been my inspiration on many occasions. When things were gloomy and seemed hopeless, just one smile and a hug was all I needed to go on. Jody will always be my hero. I love her and will treasure the time we had together.

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