Come Visit a Beautiful Victorian Home

When my kids were small, I tried to think of a way to make some extra money. Their father was home for two weeks, and away at work for two weeks. He was a merchant seaman on an oil boat in Lewes, Delaware. Our relationship was strained, and I wanted to find something I could do for the two weeks he was home, and then, be off the two weeks he was away. A “normal” nine to five daily job for me was not feasible, besides, what did I know how to do? What would people need? Could I run errands for people who worked? Grocery shopping? Laundry? They could drop off their smelly clothes, and pick them up, clean and fresh as a summer’s breeze. Would I really want to reach into a bag of dirty clothes, and pull out someone’s underwear? I didn’t want to take kids in, my three were quite debilitating on their own! Ironing? I hated ironing, and wasn’t so good at it, but it was a thought. Of course, burning someone’s favorite pants suit never entered my mind. I placed an ad in the local paper for ironing. Hey, what could it hurt? If nobody answered, I’d be no worse off. I guess I forgot about the dry cleaners in town.

As the bills piled up, I was becoming more and more frustrated. One day, I got “the” call. Only the woman wasn’t looking for anyone to iron. She was interested in someone to clean her house, which was right up my alley. Everyone told me I was a clean freak, and I was good at it. Thorough, careful, not afraid to put my whole body into the job at hand. I could do that. We set up an appointment to meet at her home the next day. After we met, I had the job. She would work with my schedule. I would clean the two weeks my husband was home, and skip the other two.

Perfect.

Built in 1829, her home was a beautiful Victorian, with one hundred and fifty years of memories. And one or two hundred and fifty year old spirits floating around. She gave me the whole tour, while I looked around in wonderment. White laced curtains adorned every window. Oak pocket doors in the dining room and living room, with large beveled glass windows. A huge porch that started in the front, and wrapped around the side.