The Mystery of the Garage

For years and years and years, I lived in a little basement apartment.  I was okay with the home I had made for myself, but oh how I missed the opportunity to be outside!  Now that I have a house with an actual yard, I am overcome with joy.  The ability to be outside in the yard fills me with such happiness that I don't even mind mowing. 

But I've noticed a trend in my neighborhood.  These people with yards much nicer than mine spend all their time in their garages!  They open the doors, pull out the lawn chairs and sit in their garages.  One neighbor actually has a recliner and a couch in their garage for family gatherings.  I just don't get it!

I tried to rationalize this lifestyle.  Was it too hot outside?  No, it was a lovely 75 degrees yesterday.  Were they worried about damaging their prestine yards?  They have decks and patios and even driveways.  Do they enjoy watching the cars go by?  I live at the end of a cul-de-sac.  I can count the number of cars driving by in a day on a single hand.  I just don't get it!

If anyone out there can shed some light on this subject, I would sure appreciate it.  In the meantime, I'll be out cleaning the garage.  (If this sitting in the garage thing becomes a neighborhood rule, I'm going to need to do some decluttering!)

How I Spent My Spring Break--Day 2

I know you have been waiting in eager anticipation to see what Day 2 had in store.  Today was the day I tackled Mount Laundry!

Living alone with an extra bedroom is a very dangerous thing.  I have found that the guest room doubles as a laundry holding tank.  The clothes seem to go straight from the dryer to the daybed where it remains behind a closed door until
 a.) I need to wear the item
 b.) company comes over
 c.) I just can't take it anymore!

Today was Option C.  I relocated the mountain from the guest room to the dining room table where it could no longer be denied. 

Now, bear in mind that these were only the items that had been neglected for previous days/weeks.  As I was folding, I was also doing three more loads.  Each time I would get everything folded, more clothes came to take their place.

It was a daunting task, but I kept at it.  At last, it was all folded.  Then came the next challenge--putting it all away.  The temptation to take the folded items back to the guest room was strong, but I held my ground.  I would find the proper place for each and every item.  No shortcuts today.  I even rearranged some closets and drawers as I went.

Finally, I was left with an empty dining room table and an empty guest room.  Ahhhh...another successful day. 

How I Spent My Spring Break--Day 1

Spring Break has arrived.  Most people I know have abandoned town in search of more exotic and interesting locations.  Due to the fact that I'm broke, I'll be spending an adventurous week in my little house on the hill. 

Today's adventure involved the front yard.  I decided it was time to pull up the landscape ties.  It was a rather spontanous decision.  Something about the sun being out and the promises of temperatures near 80.

While the decision was spontaneous, you can see that it was also necessary.  The pieces of wood were falling part.

Once I got everything up, I had to put something else down.  It was off to the home improvement store.  (I would end up there four times today.)  Now, my mother has always told me,  "It's okay to spend money if it's going to improve your quality of life--just don't go overboard."   I kept these words in mind as I purchased 48 feet of metal edging.  I also bought a rubber mallet.  (Dad will be so disappointed he missed an opportunity to buy a tool for his daughter!)

I have no previous experience at completing such a project, but I was determined.  I even created a new arc that was not included in the previous design.

When all was said and done, I had a better looking area, but more importantly, I had a sense of accomplishment.  That special sense of accomplishment that comes from trying something you've never done before.  It wasn't a big task and it's far from perfect, but it's better than when I woke up this morning.  And I did it all by myself.



The next challenge will be to decide what to actually do with the area.  Do I leave the rock or switch it to a nice dark mulch?  Wood mulch or rubber mulch?  Flowers in the ground or contain planting?  Suggestions (and donations) are welcome. 

Colorful Endings

I walked into my bedroom the other evening to but away some laundry and was greeted by these beautiful colors in the sky. 



The Heart of a Home

I had always heard that the kitchen is the heart of a home.  Having lived in a basement apartment for more than 10 years, I had trouble believing this.  My kitchen was so small that there was barely room for me let alone a guest.  And then I moved into a house with this kitchen:

Suddenly, I had so much room I didn't know what to do.  But it all became clear one snow day last winter.  School had been cancelled and I realized I finally had room to bake cookies with my three nieces and my nephew.  Much to my amazement, it was the first time any of them had made cookies that didn't come in a plastic wrapper.  We mixed and scooped and baked several sheets full of cookies.  When they were done, we all gathered around the counter with our milk and cookies as I listened to the chatter of things that are important to kids between the ages of three and nine.

I knew moving into a house was going to be a big change for me, but changes like these are the ones that tend to sneak up on me.  They are the ones involve turning my house into a home.



House Warming

One of the features I love about my house is the little wood stove.  It's tucked away in the corner of my dining room waiting patiently to fill my house with warmth this winter.  Sitting near it is a little stool.  My grandfather made it when he returned from World War II.  It was used in his house by my mother and her four sisters.  They would sit on it by their woodstove during their days on the farm.  It is now my favorite spot during the winter.

When I moved into my house, a friend of mine filled my woodshed as a house warming gift.  I couldn't think of a better or more appropriate house warming gift.  It went a long way to warm my house and make it feel more like a cozy home.

So, imagine my surprise when his truck showed up in my driveway filled with wood again this year!

Advice for the First Time Homeowner

As a single gal with a less than substantial income, owning my own home was something I never thought would happen.  I had made peace with a life of renting apartments and dealing with the sounds of the always heavy steppers who would live upstairs.  Sure, I may never get through a night without hearing the sound of my neighbors from above flushing the toilet, but at least the smells of their food could possibly help me decide what to have for dinner.

But all that changed.  A year ago, the stars all alligned and I bought my own house.  Having reached the first anniversary of home ownership, I would like to share a few lessons I have learned along the way.

1.  Be careful who you take house shopping.  Furnaces should be functional, not cute.  Anyone who confuses these terms should not be considered the voice of reason.

2.  Expect the unexpected on moving day.  My entire family backed out of the move.  It was me, a friend and two trucks. 

3.  Live in the house before making big changes.  Sure, that paint color may not be ideal and the guest bath may be hideous, but those other expenses like lawn mowers and new garbage disposals are going to add up quick.  The paint color may grow on you and you can avoid the guest bathroom.

4.  Be prepared to do battle.  Many of the servicemen who have come to repair or look at things in my house seem to think the female brain is not equipped to comprehend certain types of information.  I have taken them on and won every time (so far!).  If all else fails, play the "Just let me call my husband" card.  For some reason, the information become so much less complicated.

5.  Do not let your house become a dumping ground.  In the interest of "helping" you, your friends and family will offer you all of the "treasures" from their homes.  You know, the same "treasures" they have tried to get rid of for years.  Stay strong and take only what you really want.

6.  Do not wait to have people over to your home.  Sure, I would love to painted the walls and scraped the popcorn ceiling before having people over, but those experiences with the people I care about are what makes a house a home.  Besides, you never know who will volunteer to help you.

So, there you have it.  My short list of advice to the first time home owner.  When all is said and done, may you be as happy in your home as I have been in mine.