Despite trying to live in the now, I’ve been suffering from a serious case of fomo over the last month.

Rentals on Airbnb have been climbing, so my ability to visit the cottage on a whim has disappeared. It’s a great problem to have, but I’ve resorted to blocking a weekend each month or two, to make sure I have a chance to go myself.

But it’s spring now, and I didn’t account for how much I’d want to experience the flowers at their peak…or the blooming redbuds, crab apples, and dogwoods with my own eyes. My friend who helps me clean the cottage between guests has been kind enough to send me pics. But photos aren’t the same, and it’s making me long to be there that much more.

So, I stole a few days this week in between guests with my son to try my hand at morel hunting and to catch the last of the spring blooms. No dice on the morels, I’m afraid. But we did find some beautiful wildflowers and realized that there is always something special to see and discover at this place without having to look very hard.

I missed the peak blooms and my fomo is still unrelenting, but I’m thrilled that my guests got to enjoy all the bursts of spring this lovely place contains.

And next year, I will find a way not to miss out.

I like to think that as I approach middle-age that I am wiser, more confident, and more in touch with my sense of self. (As an aside, what is middle-age these days? Have I already passed it? Is it 40? 50?…. I digress.) But as a part of this process with the cottage, I’ve begun to realize how much I still crave positive reinforcement – both personally and professionally. Am I alone, or do many of you reading still really want that gold star, deep down?

It’s kind of scary opening up my new home to strangers, but the chance to wow them has been an exciting part of this process. I’ve mentioned how jazzed I become every time I get a new booking, but I’ve recently realized that I get even more pumped as their stays ends and the time to read the reviews begins. The comments and ratings have been overwhelmingly positive so far, and it’s rewarding to know that the love and attention we’ve put into this space has given others joy.

But what does this need for positive reinforcement say about me? I would be the WORST public figure – I don’t think I could handle the critics.

So now you know my secret – I’m compelled to deliver perfection and despite moments of confidence, I’m really beholden to exceeding the expectations of others.

[Sigh…]

Probably something to talk about in therapy. LOL. But until my issues are addressed, our guests should continue to be the beneficiaries.

To those who have stayed, thank you for your thoughtful reviews. To those who haven’t, I can’t wait to impress you. Please be kind. 🙂

The cottage is finished. Well… maybe it will never be finished. But it’s finished enough that we had our first few guests. I still can’t believe it, but our second reservation included a proposal! (She said, ‘yes.’)

Dates in 2019 are now available on Airbnb, and we have reservations already scheduled through May. While this is more of a passion project than a business venture, it’s still exciting every time we get a new reservation. I’m sure it’ll become old hat soon, but for now, each person who takes a risk on us is my new favorite person. 😉

Sipping some wine and enjoying the holiday decorations, I’m realizing I light up more than this Christmas tree with each new reservation, because I can’t wait to share this magical place with others.

Congratulations to the happy couple. So excited we could be a part of such a special memory for you.

 

 

 

The heavy lifting of this experience has been rewarding, seeing the results of our efforts take shape. But the final stretch is all about the finishing touches and ensuring we are making our guests feel at home. This is the phase where we are making sure that you experience the magic of the Shawnee and this beautiful property. But to do that – we have to educate ourselves by experiencing it first. How lucky are we???

I never gave much thought to the guidebooks at the Airbnbs I’ve visited, but I wish I could go back in time and soak in all the details the hosts so lovingly shared with us again. To write a good guidebook, you need to know the property and the area intimately. That means we HAVE to get to know this place intimately. While I’ve visited this area for many years, I’ve never lived here, and that’s different, isn’t it? I can’t share the hidden treasures with others, if I haven’t experienced them myself.

In the first month or so of owning this cottage, we couldn’t make time for exploration. But now that we’re so close to being able to list the cottage, our punch list is reducing in size and our time to explore is expanding. We’re starting to make ourselves at home – at Mandolin Grove and in the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail area.

Last weekend, my son and I went exploring after our to-do-list was completed. We visited the Rootbeer Saloon in Alto Pass (holy taxidermy, batman!,) antique malls (we learned a sordid story about a former proprietor – scandal!,) several area orchards (some open and some disappointingly closed for the season – make note, Google,) and a few wineries and restaurants (The Blue Boar is definitely a destination – with a waterfall and tree swing, firepits, and indoor gaming. what???) All of these experiences are not only enriching our time at the cottage, but they are helping us inform our guests with meaningful and heartfelt recommendations that are free of bias and kickbacks.

This weekend, we have pressing chores that are causing us to miss “friendsgiving” with our dear friends. But I wonder if we will have time after that’s done to have a new adventure? What new/old backroads will we explore? How many deer will we see in the field as we sip our coffee or wine? What will the melting snow look like? Will we hear the coyote again in the dark?

I seriously can’t wait.

But I can’t wait for you to can’t wait either….

 

 

As of last Wednesday, this beauty is officially mine.

I walked around after I closed, with so much excitement. Then, we spent the weekend painting and not making nearly as much progress as we had hoped. That one-coat guarantee is a bunch of bunk.

Despite all the hard work and sweat labor, I literally can’t wait to go back this weekend and finish the job we started.

When I arrived, I found these beautiful flowers from the seller, Cheryl, waiting for me. What a lovely woman. She’s a force! The bouquet came from her walk around the cottage, and I can’t wait to be able to explore the property with the love and attention to the small, beautiful things the way Cheryl did.

She and her family called the property “Beachwood.” While I have “Mandolin Grove” in my heart and my dreams, I decided to keep calling the house “Beachwood Cottage” in her honor. So, “Beachwood Cottage at Mandolin Grove” will be the name henceforth! 🙂 And as I build on and add more places to stay and explore on the property, there will be new names to add to the collection. “The Yurt at Mandolin Grove,” perhaps?  So much to dream about….

And dreaming is exactly what you’re supposed to do at this place. It’s in the air.

As Cheryl says, “Beachwood is a state of mind.”

I couldn’t agree more.