Hopefully I am not prying but I would like to know how each of you came to have a passion for kit houses, what you do for "real" work and do you or have you ever owned or lived in a kit home?

I'll go first!

How did I come to have a passion for kit homes? Don't really know. I grew up in a 1920s center-hallway brick two-story Colonial and I remember seeing my mother walk around the house saying, "I'm so blessed to have such a beautiful home." She always loved her home. That was (and is) a powerful and happy memory.

I remember being a wee kid (not in school yet, three or four) and studying the electrical outlet in the wall and thinking, "I wonder what it looks like *inside* the wall?"

As a teen, I'd ride my three-speed Sears bicycle through the 1920s-built neighborhoods, studying the different styles of architecture. I still know all those houses like the back of my hand.

Over the course of my life, I've worked as a Realtor (three years), landlord/investor (15 years in hell) and during that time, I rehabbed a bunch of old houses - so I finally learned what's in those walls. And in 1996, my (then) husband and I bought a 1904 Victorian Home and I devoted my life to restoring it to original condition. Six years later, I was done and the following week, my marriage ended and I moved into a crappy little apartment. Life's a funny thing!

For the last 11 years, I've been a freelance writer, writing for everything you can imagine. I've written for those magazines that have double-digit circulation and pay you in contributor copies and I've written for national publications, too. For three years, I worked for the St. Louis Post Dispatch as a stringer (nice word for freelance reporter). I kept writing more and more about old houses and my editor said, "Rose, enough about the historic homes of Illinios. Go write about those problems they're having with the sewer lines at city hall!!"

That's when I started freelancing for magazines. They pay better, too. Then I started writing for a website devoted to old houses. THey asked me to write about the Sears Homes in Carlinville, IL. I wrote that one article and was in love. It was a few months later that I met Dale. He outbid me for about the 3,295th time on a Sears Modern Homes catalog on eBay. I sent him an email and asked for a copy of the catalog. He responded and we started talking. That was in late 2000 or early 2001 and we've been friends ever since. (He really is one of the smartest and kindest people I've ever known.)

We didn't meet in person until we'd emailed back and forth for about 18 months. A few weeks after my divorce, he drove down to St. Louis to meet me. Brave soul, he was. I was still a mess from the divorce. He made me laugh until I turned colors and nearly tinkled in his SUV. He's a stitch.

All things old and historical fascinate me. I have a passion for history and Sears Homes (and kit homes in general) are a lovely merging of all the best parts of American history.

(BTW, did you want a short answer or a long answer? )

For "real" work, I do lectures and sell books and do some consulting work (helping communities find their Sears Homes. I continue to do freelance writing as well. Sears Homes are my vocation and I am blessed (although not rich!) to do the work that makes my heart sing.

No, I don't live in a Sears Home but I wish I did.

Now it's Dale's turn.

Rose Thornton.

Thanks Rose, nice to have some perspective on you.

i truely admire people who can dedicate themselves to something they are passionate about.

so many of us who do mundane things for a living (i work for the local sewage agency) wish we had more time to devote to our true interest. i always tell people my real job is designer/craftsman but i work to pay the bills.

congratulations to those who provide the fuel (books, catalogs and inspiration) so we can feed our needs to do something meaningful.

Thanks, Don. You've no idea how timely your kind words are. This has been a challenging month and I'm so grateful for your thoughtful comments. They made my day.

Rose

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Rose,for you, a hand crafted heart, Happy Valentines Day, you are much appreciated and highly regarded here.
Thank you.
Wabash

OOPS, it looks like a heart before I post it.

Rose, i sincerely hope things improve for you.

as illustrated in another posting about the possible demise of parts of the rose valley community, our historic fabric is unravelling.

you and others who pursue these issues help educate and open peoples eyes and minds to the importance of diversity and richness in our lives.

i know it may not be lucrative and sometimes seems futile, but i think what you do does help. i am talking with the local historic preservation office to try to develop some programs on local bungalows. i encourge others to get involved in local preservation efforts.

good luck in all you do.