Monday, March 19, 2012

A House Called 'Home'

A year ago, the dude and I were in the lawyer's office signing our names a hundred and fifty two times. We were in the process of buying our very first house, where I was hoping to be able to rest my bones and finally have a place to once more call home. We got the keys and went out for a drink with our realtor (who we have remained friends with) to celebrate and came over to just sit in our big empty house and take it all in before the moving process started.


It was unreal, I don't think I grasped the fact that this wasn't just a temporary space where we'd be packing up and moving away in a few months or a year's time, like our two apartments had been, for six months. I still have boxes packed away in the closets and have only just started to hang things on the wall maybe a month or two ago. But slowly, surely, I've come to call this house that we moved into a year ago 'Home.' A word I haven't used to describe a building and not a state since my parents divorced 12 years ago. Things became my dad's house (where I had grown up), my mom's house, Joe's parent's house, the apartment. I didn't really feel rooted anywhere.

I used to say I would pack all my shit and like a gypsy roam the country side and exotic places with just a backpack of art supplies, my camera and my clothes. Now, when Joe mentions his job may want him to live somewhere else for a few months or asks how I'd feel about relocating I glare at him like he just threatened to burn our house down. Which understandably shocks him because it's a surprising change in reaction from our apartment and vastly different than how I feel about living in the South in general. (I'm sorry South Carolina, I just can't get past some things and people.) My reply to him is ask me again in five years, should I get knocked up or when we figure out how to magically relocate our house and yard to somewhere we like more.


Thank you, wee cottage for letting me take my time to warm up to you. For letting me love you and giving me a refuge in your walls and in the yard from the grouchiness, stupidity and ignorance that seem to pervade my working life (and the occasional trip to the store). Thank you for giving me a home in which to feel safe and comfortable and to share my laughter and my tears with loved ones. Also, thanks for not holding the fact that I haven't even made it halfway through my list of renovation projects over my head - soon there will be fresh paint and honest to gods real tile and you'll feel rejuvenated and awesome. Just you wait.

12 comments:

  1. It's been a YEAR already?? Wow, time flies. It's good to have roots and a place of one's own! Don't fret, you will get things done as you can.

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  2. I love it! Now I'm inspired to do some much needed Spring Cleaning!
    uniwitch.wordpress.com

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  3. wow! And what a gorgeous home it is too!

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  4. I'm so happy you found a piece of land of your own. I can't wait to have a home as well. There's so many place I felt at home as a kid... And now there is none.

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  5. To have a home is to win life's lotto. Congrats my darling ones....and happy home anniversary. I had so much passion when it came to our first home. It for me was also safe haven and a small slice of nirvana.
    Oma Linda

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  6. What a beautiful home you have! No worries about those boxes... I have been in my home for a long time and I still have a few boxes myself LOL Congrats!!!

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  7. I remember being so happy for you last year - and I'm still happy for you now! A HOME is a wonderful thing, and the best place to keep your broom - lol. Being a gypsy is fun, but having a 'base-camp' is better!

    Congrats on your one year Home-versary!

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  8. A lovely Home it is! So full of happiness and joy. The quaint little house is very happy that you and Joe chose to call it "Home". :0)
    Projects take time. I have found that when I first move into a place, I have all sorts of ideas for renovations, then as time goes by those ideas change to suit the needs.
    While I have enjoyed moving around and experience different ways of life and different cultures in this big country, it is good to have roots. Something, or rather some place, I am still searching for.
    A very Happy Spring to you and yours! :0)

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  9. Hi Danni! I just wanted to leave you a quick comment to a) compliment you on your cozy cottage and b) tell you that I understand what you mean about living in the South. I grew up in Asheville, NC and spent my high school years in Charlotte. Asheville is obviously an incredibly liberal town with like minded folks. The rest of the south however; can be a little stifling. There are things done and said down there that baffle me...AND THOSE ARE MY PEOPLE! LOL...I get it. Just wanted to say that. I totally get it. :O)

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  10. I had a similar experience with homes. We moved something like 10 times before I hit junior high. So the idea of having a home, my own space, was so novel. And I also had a hard time getting used to the fact that this is my place and I can do whatever I want. Amazing!! I'm glad you have found your place. :)

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  11. Congratulations a year late. I know the feeling of owning your first home. We have been in our present home since 2006 and still haven't completed all the projects we planned on when we first moved in. Owing a home it seems like you always have something you are planning on doing. ;)

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  12. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, your house has become a home. Translation, it breathes with you. A great feeling ain't it?

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