Well, friends, today’s post is gonna be a weird one. REALLY weird.
Often people ask me if my daughters take after me – that is, do they love to decorate? The answer is an emphatic NO. In fact, being in the design business is probably the absolute last thing either of them would ever choose to do. There’s a lot of eye-rolling in my house when I rearrange furniture or come home with (yet another) vintage chair.
As you likely know, I’m pretty obsessed with residential architecture and historic homes. My older daughter actually has quite an obsession, too, but she prefers her historic buildings to be dilapidated and abandoned.
I’m just gonna let her tell you the story from her viewpoint, because I’m afraid you would think I’ve lost my marbles if you hear it from me. But trust me on this one – Momma did good this time! Audrey, you can take it from here:
My name is Audrey, and I turned 17 years old a few weeks ago. For my past birthdays, Mom has always thrown fun themed parties. My sister and I always had the best, most unique parties at our house. They were always based on something unique we liked, but not like an obvious theme that most other kids had. We’ve always been a little anti-mainstream as a family. No Disney princess parties around here. Some of my favorites have been my Mystery Birthday Party,
and, of course, my Little House on the Prairie Party
These parties were awesome when I was young, but now that I am 17, themed parties just aren’t very cool anymore. You get that, right?
A few weeks before my birthday, Mom told me that rather than a party or a big present, I was going to have a “birthday experience” this year. I had no idea what she was talking about, and she wouldn’t give me any more details. As the day of the “experience” came closer, I was feeling more and more nervous that she was going to make me do something embarrassing or something that I wouldn’t want anyway. What was she planning???
My friend, Millie, and her mom came to my house on the fateful day. Mom told me to go put on a dress I wore to a formal (what???), then she insisted on doing my hair and makeup. I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup, and she put all this dark, heavy eye makeup on me. Millie’s mom, Melanie, is a professional photographer and brought her camera to our house, so I wasn’t sure what to think. Was she gonna make me dance or something humiliating? Was this a photoshoot? A zombie photoshoot? So now I’m getting bummed because I’m not a huge “photoshoot” kind of girl, and Mom knows it.
After getting ready, we got in the car and mom started driving. I had to close my eyes for the last half mile to our destination. When I opened my eyes, we were parked in front of a building I had never seen before. Then Mom explained how she had arranged to get us a guided tour of an abandoned hospital. Wait, what???
operation room in abandoned hospital
Let me explain. When I was younger, I loved history and going to historic places. Now, that love has evolved into an interest in abandoned places. I just think that it’s so fascinating that buildings and possessions are just left behind, and I love to learn about the history. So yes, I know that this was a super weird birthday present, but an abandoned hospital tour was PERFECT for me. And you know how kids are doing senior pictures in front of old barns and on railroad tracks? Well, I may be the only girl having hers done in an abandoned hospital!
The first floor was brighter and less decayed than the rest of the building. It had been used in more recent years for afterschool tutoring. This peeling yellow paint was so awesome:
Each room was full of decay: peeling paint, dirt, mold, you name it. Mom and Melanie took lots of pictures of the rooms and of Millie and me. Here I am in one of Melanie’s prop chairs, right in the middle of the operating room, white subway tile and all. The floor and windowsills are full of plaster pieces that have dropped from the ceiling over the years. Of course, Mom went on and on about how the subway tile still looks great!
This machine was next to the operating room and was used to sanitize medical instruments. It still looks to be in great shape, even though it’s from the 1930s.
The second floor included examination areas separated by glass partitions.
She didn’t want to do it, but I made my mom take this creepy photo:
She freaked out over this awesome turquoise wall color, too, but in a good way.
I have no idea what to say about this photo, except that I LOVE IT. We seem so happy and oblivious to our deplorable living conditions!
Another room, another decaying scene.
This was taken in the attic level of the building, which had narrow dormer rooms that probably held hospital beds. Beadboard on the walls and ceilings on this entire level. Don’t we look like we are on a subway train?
The creepiest level of the abandoned hospital was definitely the basement. A raccoon is said to live down here, and the evidence is here on on the stairs. Ewww. Luckily, it hadn’t come out of hibernation yet and we got out without catching rabies.
Here’s something weird – see these yellow windows and doorframes? The door and window of my bedroom are nearly the same, just not quite so bright a yellow.
Here’s the bottom of a wicked elevator shaft:
I found this jar of oil in the storage room next to it:
I googled “oil for Allen Bradley Relays” when we got home. Apparently, Allen Bradley Relays are part of the mechanics of elevators. Boom – mystery solved by Google.
This room appears to be where they did dental work. Yikes.
And then there was THIS room. With the old windows, exposed pipes, and peeling paint, it was a perfect setting for a horror movie. Check out this super cool vintage x-ray machine! There has obviously been a lot of water damage in this room, and it’s likely we inhaled a lot of deadly black mold. Pretty sure it was worth it for this shot that could totally be the cover of my first album:
Check out all the urinals and stuff on the table:
Let me give you a taste of what it was REALLY like in this creepy room with this video we took:
[jwplatform I17xe76K]
After exploring the abandoned hospital, we got to check out the old steam plant that kept the hospital and the surrounding buildings heated:
When we got home, I had one more surprise waiting for me. Mom and my little sister made an abandoned house cake for me! Not one of the prettiest cakes I have had, but my new favorite. Here’s a picture of the cake right after they finished it:
By the time I got home, the house was falling apart, just like a real abandoned house! Dad had to prop it up with kebob skewers to keep it up until our neighbors could come over and eat it with us (it’s a tradition).
And eventually, the cake just couldn’t take it anymore! Watch this quick video:
[jwplatform BbcX31lG]
An appropriate ending to an abandon house cake, don’t you think so? I’m so thankful to have a mom who knows me so well!
Great idea, Mom! (sorry, I couldn’t resist)
Very cool! You guys got some great pictures! Happy birthday!
Thank you so much, Jennifer! It was so fun watching her reactions 🙂
I love this so much – doing a birthday the way the honoree really would get a kick out of and letting that be the guide for everything. 🙂 So fun – and quite a story to tell!
Thank you, Elayne – I hope this will be one that she remembers for a long time to come!
Great post and love a mom who knows her daughter so well!!!
Thanks so much, Francie! It’s important to me to embrace my children’s differences – definitely wasn’t a a something imparted to me, so maybe that’s why I’m sensitive to it . . .
Wow! Great! What a thoughtful surprise and what a unique set of photos to remember the day!
Oya, I’m thinking about having the photos bound in a photo book of some sort, but I’ve never done that before. I used to do scrapbooks when they were young, but I guess those have gone the way of the dinosaur!
Avid scrapbooker here! They haven’t faded away into oblivion completely, just evolved. As for making a book, check out adoramapix.com or Artifact uprising. And if you want a totally new way of scrapping, check out Becky Higgins and Project Life. You have lots of beautiful photos to work with! And as a teacher of high school seniors, I can honestly say this is the most unique senior photo shoot I’ve ever seen! 🙂
Wow, thanks so much for that online scrapbook/photo book information, Laura! I will definitely check that out 🙂
I’ve been very happy with both my Mixbook and Shutterfly books. They’re fun and easy to make online and they look beautiful.
Wow!! What an awesome Mom to know her daughter so well and an equally awesome daughter who appreciated all her Mom’s work to organize this!
I love it! Ingenious! What amazing memories and stories you will all have to tell, like forever!!!
Aww, thanks Lynne – I hope so!
Love hearing from Audrey!! My favorite was, “Mom went on and on about how the subway tile still looks great.” LOL!!!
I totally did!!! It was in perfect shape – I don’t think one tile had fallen off that wall!
LOL!! I loved that too Dana!! so Kristie!
So sweet that you took the time and energy to plan and execute something for your child that was “her” and not “you”. A good lesson for all of us. She’s such a fine young lady to express her gratitude through a blog post with all those photos. What a great memory.
I’m just glad she enjoyed it as much as she did! That was the nerve-wracking part. Waiting and wondering if she would react how I hoped she would! She was none too thrilled when I put all that eyeliner on her . . .
I love this. When my daughter was little, she didn’t fit the typical mold. She hated wearing girly dresses and was very shy. I look back at photos of her at a birthday party I threw her where I invited a large group of kids and made her wear a party dress. She looked absolutely miserable. Eventually I caught on that she had her own unique personality and wasn’t going to cooperate with my delusions of grandeur. Instead of going to play groups, she preferred running outside with a close friend discovering the nectar of honeysuckle and watching our cat have his way with a mouse in the yard (gross!). She’s now a beautiful confident young woman and a Doctor of Physical Therapy at a prestigious hospital (speaking of hospitals)… and very stylish to boot (who knew?). Although it wasn’t easy at first, I’m glad I learned let go and to embrace her individuality… no regrets!
Thank you for that encouragement and for your personal story about your daughter, Loroy! I often hear people use the term “mini-me” when referring to their kids. I want my girls to know I see them for themselves and not a reflection of me – although it’s an easy default as a mom to do that. I *think* I’m doing better as they get older . . .
She will not forget this birthday! Love it!
So cool that you would do this for your daughter.
Kristie, You are one awesome mom!!! It’s a gift to be able to spot that spark in your kids and lead them down the path to ignite it! When I was growing up, that really wasn’t something anyone took notice of. My mom with her limited funds and resources, encouraged me and my love of fashion, fabrics and design. I am so pleased to see you are helping your kids find out how to be the best of who they are. I will keep watch for Audrey. She has great things in her future! Blessing to you all!
Way to let go and celebrate, Mom and Audrey! Just hope she washed her hands before eating that cake…lol…
Oh, no joke!!! And the bottom of the dress was pretty much toast, but it was worth it 😉
So you knocked it outta the park with this one friend:) I knew you would! Everyone reading this can see all the effort that went into this, but the most important take away will be for Audrey. Knowing that her mama loves her that much, to create such a personal experience for her, will be part of the memory locked in her heart forever. It’s so very easy for any of us to give our money to make something happen, but giving our time? well, that’s a lot harder- but SO much more valuable- a fact many parents miss these days. You are an incredible mother- and the memories you have created for your girls are a testment to that. ♥
She may not like decorating but it’s obvious creativity runs in the family! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kristie,
Happy Birthday to Audrey! She is so well-written and such a beautiful young woman. What an unforgettable surprise you planned for her! Love the idea to photograph her in that gorgeous gown in contrast to the decaying hospital. You are such a cool Mom!!
That was really cool. I can only imagine trying to clean something like that building! Happy belated Birthday Audrey!
That is so cool, fun, and wonderfully creepy!! What a great idea! Thank you so much for writing the blog and sharing that unusual experience with us!
Great originality 🙂 Thanks for sharing that with us.
That is awesome! Not my kind of thing, but very cool for Audrey. I like historic buildings too, just a bit older and less…creepy. 🙂
Me, too, Molly! 😉
So cool! Thanks for letting Audrey tell us about it! 🙂
What a great birthday and what a great mom!
Thank you, Lydia!!
What a nice blog post!! Happy belated Birthday Audrey!! You are very lucky to have a Mom that really understands you, no matter if you liked princesses or not. Just to have her support all the way, it’s great.
Empowering and a lot lessons for me to learn and use for good with my two girls.
Thanks Kristie, too.
Thank you for saying so, Veronica!
Audrey, You are not right! 😉 And you are beautiful. My whole crew loves you! Glad that you are so settled in yourself and can appreciate things that many might consider peculiar and creepy. I’m so very thankful for you and your family! Glad that you have a mom that is tuned in to who you are!
Lezlie – We love you, too and appreciate your interest, support, and friendship you give to Audrey!!!
You are constantly teaching us great things, Kristie! You & your daughter are blessed with one another– fabulous experience & teaches Audrey how to be a Mom later on!
I keep wondering why some historical society doesn’t raise funds to transform that whole mess into a unique museum?!!!
Happy Birthday Audrey!??
Three words — Best. Mom. Ever. ?
oh did you see that great sink and totally great light fixtures with many other cool items.i love that big machine to clean medical tools. #takemethere
Jeannie,
Believe me, I noticed all the cool stuff – lighting, sinks, woodwork, oh!!!
Awesomeness!!!
I love that kind of stuff, too! I got to tour the old prison right before it closed and that was an experience. Death row was very creepy. Loved reading this! Good job and happy birthday, Audrey!
Wow, this must have been awesome!! How on earth did you come up with this idea, Kristie?