First Post – 2019 Activity – Idyll Thyme Homestead

Idyll Thyme Homestead started becoming a reality over 2 years ago. It occurred to us that the house next door would be perfect for what we wanted to do. We approached the owners in November 2018. They were thrilled that we were interested in purchasing their home. We had lived beside them for almost 20 years and had developed a bond with them. They were ready to pack up and retire to the South, so our offer made it easier for them.

*We closed on May 28, 2019. Here is what it looked like then.*

We did a lot of research, planning, and designing in 2019. Many years before, we had reached out to Ken Newman, the owner of Pecan Grove, the senior residence in Texas. We had a keen interest in starting an assisted living, so we had many questions for him. He answered all of our questions and was very helpful. When we approached him again in 2019, he welcomed us to come and see Pecan Grove.

*During our visit to Pecan Grove, Texas in September 2019. Ken and Kathy Newman were wonderful hosts.*

*Salena Newman, manager, talking with Eric at Pecan Grove. Salena was very helpful in answering questions and showing us around.*

*Dominique and Mimi Mille were also very helpful and encouraging to us at Pecan Grove. This lovely couple lives in their own home nearby and work at the senior residence.*

Meanwhile, at convention in Haiti in December 2018, we had met the owner, Glenn Spunaugle, of Redbud Canyon, the assisted living facility in Oklahoma. We shared our plans with him there, and he extended an invitation for us to visit his facility any time. We decided that we did not want to embark on this adventure without first seeing how these other facilities worked. After all, one has over 10 years of experience, and the other over 20 years. We spent time at both places in September 2019. We were treated royally and welcomed so warmly by owners, staff, and residents. We loved both places very much and gained a wealth of knowledge. We felt encouraged to continue our plans.

*Glenn Spunaugle and Eric in front of Glenn’s home. Glenn and Shirley Spunaugle were also very welcoming to us.*

*Eric in the back of Redbud Canyon by their lovely pond.*

In the Fall of 2019, we did some renovation work:

Replaced all the old windows in the house. A thanks to Sherm DeLyser, one of our friends in the area, for removing the old trim from the windows and plywood in the attic
Installed some drains and barriers to divert water from seeping in between the stones in the original stone wall portion of the foundation
Put a new well in to replace the original water supply, which was from a spring in the hillside, going into a cistern in the basement
Power source was switched to an underground line on the other side of the house, and the amperage was increased from 100 to 200
Put conduit in for a propane whole house on-demand generator
Septic system was completely replaced
Plumbing was upgraded to new and larger piping

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First Post – 2019 Activity

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