Most of the people who are following this blog know who we are. Over time it may be discovered by others who we’ve never met and may never meet. So this is probably more for them, but don’t let that discourage anyone else.

We’re Brad & Mary. We are transplants in a small Northeastern Wisconsin town. Neither of us grew up here, Brad’s job lead us here, and this is where we raised our two boys.

Living in the country has always been on the wish list for both of us, but the circumstances just were never right. I’d like to say the stars aligned, but it was more like God shoved us in the direction an inch at a time.

When the house went on the market we were both out of the area in different directions. Brad was at a week long work conference and Mary was with the local Scout Troop at Summer Camp. Upon our return we were dealing with the death of Brad’s grandfather.

Our house was small, very small. Dealing with the estate lead to conversations about the future and when our sons were grown and had families of their own and returning for holidays. Should we move, should we add on, what direction should we take.

As we struggled with decisions two things happened.

First – we sold an investment. We hadn’t even been trying.

Secondly – the DOT took out a bridge and changed our route to work, church, etc. The easiest route took us right past the Lannon House.

We took a look. What could it hurt?

We had always thought about more acreage, but neither of us hunts or ATV’s so it wasn’t really a big deal. While the buildings needed TLC (and one to come down) they were picturesque of Wisconsin countryside. The house had been added on to sometime in the 50’s, but other than that it was stuck in time. Art Deco knob plates protected the wood from skeleton keys, the wood trim around the doors, windows, and floor was the same throughout. In a way it was frozen in time.

So what do we do? We hadn’t really been planning on buying a house. Brad’s brother chimes in with advice, and we make an offer. We counter, expecting to play a game of cat and mouse for a while, actually surprised that there isn’t another offer out there.

On the day the sale of the other investment was final our counter offer was accepted.

Ready or not, it was going to be ours.

So here we are. Owners. There are things we need to do, and more that we want to do. We aren’t setting out to restore the house to when it was built, but we want to preserve its character while we give it some updates. (The orange kitchen counters has to go.)

Mary is going to be doing most of the blogging, Brad will do most of the hands on work. That’s who we are and how we got here. Glad you are with us.