The Final 21 ~ 30 Truths & Angelino Heights

Greetings Sweet Friends...

How would you like to go back in time with me to the 1880's, when Los Angeles' very 1st suburban tract was built? With the on slaught of Midwesterner's arriving daily fresh off the train to settle in Los Angeles, they flocked to our city's first suburb, 'Angelino Heights'.

I have lived in So Cal my entire life & yet had no idea this amazing area existed until my sweet sister Sara accidentally came upon it after going to an open house in Echo Park...what a FIND! The entire 1300 Block of Carroll Avenue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Here's one of the original maps of the tract as it was 1st conceived. Built on a hill high above LA, this location was attractive to home builders & buyers alike who desired both a pleasant view and the peace and quiet of suburban living.

Angelino Heights boasts the largest concentration of Queen Anne and Eastlake style Victorian homes in the city, most of which are on Kellam and Carroll Avenues. Most homes here do not have garages, because, of course, in the 1880s people did not have cars, but carriage houses can be seen on some of the properties.

Walking down these streets, remembering back to the Age of Innocence, really was such a delight! Even though theses gorgeous Victorian's are in various states of renovation, they all shine as bright as diamonds in the Los Angeles sun. 

So, enjoy the view while I finish my FINAL 10 Truths... ;)

Day 21: (Scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you got into a fight a couple of hours before. What do you do?

Not waste a second & as quickly as possible, get to her side & help support her & her family in anyway I can. Is there another answer here?

Day 22: Something you wish you hadn't done in your life.

This is a very private & hard question for me, probably the hardest so far. Choices we make when we are young, are often not the same choices we would make today. But then I think about how my WHOLE life would be different had different choices been made. I would most likely not have the beautiful daughter I have today & without her, I would not have the joy of my life, Kai. Judge me or accept me,

I believe in pro-choice. 

Day 23: Something you wish you had done in your life.

I have had a GRAND life!! I have done more & gone more places then I could have ever imagined as a child. But I guess, looking back, I wish I had enjoyed & participated more in high school. I wish I had gone to dances & proms & assembly's & football games, joined a few clubs, tried out for a few sports. You never get those years back & to have not enjoyed it to the fullest seems such a shame now!

Day 24: Make a playlist to someone and explain why you chose those songs.

I Hope You Dance by LeAnne Womack

The Climb by Miley Cirus

My Wish by Rascal Flats

Beautiful by Christine Aguilera

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

Live Like You Were Dying by Tim MacGraw

Don't Fade Away by Wille Nelson

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

For Everyman by Jackson Browne

I send these songs of inspiration out to anyone feeling lost or alone. Music can lift you up & bring hope when you think there is none...these are some of my favorites!

Day 25: The reason you believe you're still alive today.

Pure & simple LUCK my friends!!! ;)

Day 26: Have you ever thought about giving up on life?

I think most people have had that thought at some point on their journey through life, don't you? It's the follow through that is so incredibly tragic. I remember in high school, after my Mother had died, feeling so small & scared & alone. It was dark one night when my Father & I were driving to some insignificant location. I told him I didn't understand the purpose of life, that life hurt & was hard & could be so heartbreaking. He quietly said, "Your right Susie, life isn't easy, but it's definitely better then the alternative." That stuck! 

Day 27: What's the best thing you've got going for you right now?

My AGE! The wisdom that comes with being my AGE. The grace I feel in allowing myself to Age. The lack of concern of external opinion that Age can give you. The clarity of what's important & what's not that AGE can teach. The Ageless Wisdom of TRULY knowing that...life is short. Grab it up in both hands, tell the people you love, everyday that you love them & if you really want to do something, do it NOW. Sometimes, there are no tomorrows. 

Day 28: What would you do if you got pregnant (or got someone pregnant) right now?

Well 1st, since I don't have periods anymore, I'd consider it an immaculate conception...lol! Then, I'd have a baby & be a very tired ole Mama!!

Day 29: Something you hope to change about yourself.

Nothing, I'm perfect!! LOL No, not really, I'm not perfect. But you know what...that's ok now. Time can teach us acceptance & the beauty in imperfection...

It can allow us to see the little nuances that make each of us who we are as Amazing & Splendid...

Tarnished & Tattered & Shabby & Chic, are now cool & awesome...

Chipped paint & rust is better then brand new...

Repurposed & restored absolutely ROCKS...

What an AWESOME time to be on This Ride!! 

Day 30: A letter to yourself.

I will let Rascal Flats write that letter for me..

MY WISH

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

And each road leads you where you want to go,

And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,

All the ones who love you, in the place you left,

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,

And you help somebody every chance you get,

My, you find God's grace, in every mistake,

And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

This, is my wish.

I know, I'm corny huh?

I want to thank Miss Linda from Ye Olde Crones Gazette for sharing her 30 TRUTHS with me. She not only gave me the chance to get to know her a little better, but also allowed me the opportunity to share my own TRUTHS with you.

{This house was used in Michael Jackson's video 'Thriller', how cool is that? It's the scene when his girlfriend is running up the steps into the abandoned house.}

Sooooo...how did you like these AMAZING Victorian's??

To imagine these beauties sitting on a hill overlooking what is now Downtown Los Angeles, is hard to believe...

And yet, here they stand...

& have stood...

for more then 100 YEARS!

If you venture to Los Angeles & LOVE Victorian's as I do, take some extra time for this beyond fabulous walking tour of 'Angelino Heights'...it is soooo well worth it! You can also go to the Los Angeles Conservancy for information on guided tours, which would give you all the wonderful history of these beautiful houses.

Thanks for coming along with me Sweet Hearts, not only on this tour, but on my tour called LIFE. It's always an ADVENTURE & I'm so happy to be sharing it with you!!

XOXO

vintagesusie