Took it easy yesterday;…

Took it easy yesterday; lounged around the house, mostly, eating Daniel and Anne's yummy food. Did walk to the farmer's market, which is three times as big as the one in Wicker Park. (Also about three times as far to walk to, but that's good for me, right?) And in the afternoon, got a bit restless and ended up visiting both Two Fish Art Glass and Ten Thousand Villages. I didn't find anything I wanted to buy yet, but I think Anne and I are going to sign up for a stained glass class, five Tuesday evenings, starting in August. (Lori, Simone -- want to join us?) Stained glass is seriously expensive to buy, and whichever house we get, I suspect I'll want to add some stained glass at some point. So time to learn how to make it! :-) I've done a bit of it out of a book, but I think a class will be very helpful in learning how to get more professional results.

Today, Daniel's family went off to the city for breakfast and the Old Town Art Fair -- see, you don't have to abandon the city entirely if you move to Oak Park! Kevin made yummy chilaquiles for breakfast, and has now taken Kavi for a walk to go get me tea. This afternoon, we have five houses to look at (most of them second looks), and then I think we make a decision on what we want to offer on. The original Elmwood house may still be a possibility (complicated), but now we're not sure that's actually our first choice. Hopefully this afternoon will bring clarity.

Here's an aesthetic question for you. Assuming you like old wood and the like, would you rather:

a) buy an old house with a bunch of old built-in bookshelves and the like, lots of character

or

b) buy a different old house without much in the way of built-ins, etc. for much cheaper, giving you plenty of money for both furnishings and for adding built-in bookshelves, etc. that are exactly the size/shape/style you like best

There are other factors in play, but that's one that I'm kind of surprised to find myself torn on. Thoughts?