"Did I read that right"? That's what I said to myself the first time I drove by the European Sink Outlet in Kennesaw,GA. There is something CLEARLY not right about that phrase being placed where people can read it while they're trying to operate a motor vehicle. I wouldn't be surprised to find out if their had been a fender bender, or two, in that area from people caught off guard and consequently being thrust into a fit of laughter!

When I first saw the framing for the groin ceiling in the vestibule just off the foyer I was curious about the final result. The construction isn't quite finished on the groin vault ceiling but it is coming along nicely. A groin vault isn't an easy choice for a ceiling but I've come to expect the unexpected at this English cottage-style home at The Retreat.

There's Nothing New About Groin Vault Ceilings

"Vaulted construction, using barrel and groin vaults, and sometimes domes, to distribute the weight of the ceiling and roof, is an ancient form of building, once used extensively by the Romans."

The above is a quote from:
Office of the Curator website - U.S. Dept. of the Treasury

Aging-In-Place is a relatively new term that basically describes adults, regardless of age, income and ability that wish to live independently in a comfortable and familiar environment as they grow older.

Aging-In-Place sounds pretty darn good to me. As a matter of fact, I think I consider myself to be aging in place right now because we've been living in the same home since 1988. We don't like to move...

There is plenty to worry about in today's society so it makes sense that human beings desire familiar surroundings. I'm sure you've heard many times before that people, in general, hate change. They just don't deal with it well at all. Others thrive within an everchanging environment, but for the most part, the overwhelming majority of the population could do with less of it.

By the time you've reached the "September of your years" you've probably dealt with your share of change throughout your lifetime and you don't want any part of it anymore that could possibly come your way.

A recently renovated 3 BR/1 BA brick ranch style home, circa 1966, in Aiken, SC is my subject for this post. This is no ordinary renovated brick ranch home. This is one of my childhood homes and it is still owned/maintained by my parents, but not for much longer. They had been debating selling the old place after renting it to tenants for years. They've recently renovated it on their own with the goal of selling it. They are both recently retired and just wanted out of the landlord biz so they could enjoy their golden years together (on the beach) without having to worry about their rental property (tenants can be quite frustrating at times).

Who could blame them!