Six Years Ago Today

Six years ago today I closed on my house. It was terrifying and exhilerating, all at the same time. Many things were going on in my life at the time and making such a huge decision seemed overwhelming. But, at the same time, so much had happened in the months preceeding this, that it seemed like just another step.

I've been very happy as a homeowner. I've done a lot to the house, although not much in the past year. Generally I've taken photographs every Dec. 19 to illustrate my progress, but it hasn't changed much in the last year. Maybe next year there will be reason to take a lot of photos.

This is one I took this summer. The hardwood didn't look this way when I bought the house - it had dried on glue from various carpet installations. This was under the powder blue carpet that was accented with grease stains where a previous resident had worked on his motorcycle in the dining room.

The question I always want answered is why the dining room. I know of four such cases, in addition to mine, of people working on motorcycles in the dining room. It's just not one of the uses for a dining room that jumps immediately to mind for me, but it obviously is for others.

I've always wanted a big old two story house. The feel of a house that's been loved by others is special. I don't need perfection. I need history. The idea of settling in where others have loved, lived and laughed and adding my own energy appeals to me. This house suits me for this time in my life.