Making Myself at Home

"Honey, I'm HOME!"

What a great feeling, to pull up to a place of my own, and to know that I am home. It's not big, and it's not fancy, but it's MINE, and I love it. This is the place that has become my refuge from life's storms, and I am so grateful for it.

Back in February of 2008, my little house wasn't much to look at, and I have to admit, I didn't have much in the way of a vision for it. I just needed a place to land after my divorce, and it provided that. It took some serious "DE-CLUTTERING," as I pared down belongings from two homes in preparation for my move into my LITTLE COTTAGE. With the inspiration of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Facebook group, the daunting task was accomplished right around Easter. We painted and re-carpeted, and moved in.

2008

There has been a great transformation taking place, in my home and in my heart. As my house has gone through this process, I have been changing, too. I'm not the woman I once was. I'm stronger; I'm happier; I am coming to understand my value and worth. I would no longer be content to live in a house that looked like this one once did. 

My house is a metaphor for my life. It took an investment in time, money, and work, but it has been worth it. At times it was uncomfortable, but the lessons learned were worth the discomfort. The differences in this little building, and in me, are noticeable. I'm making myself at home, literally and figuratively.

This time around, it's different. When we moved to Joseph last April, I was very happy with the inside of the house, but the outside, let's face it, was kind of "ghetto." Bridger remarked that he had never seen a house with such a sharp contrast between the outside and the inside. It was true; the inside was cozy and happy; the outside looked drab and dreary.

Enter MacGill Contruction Company in Marysvale. Those guys whipped the inside into shape so I could get moved in as soon as possible, and then this last week, they did their magic on the outside, and made my house a home.

It's amazing what a new sidewalk, front door, and siding can do for a house. My son and I have a cheerful little place of our own, and it makes me smile with contentment to be here.

My house and myself; we're works in progress. Feeling comfortable in my little cottage, and in my own skin, is the best part of this whole process. There is more work to do on both of us, and I know it will all be worth it. Making a house into a home was not a small undertaking. Loving myself enough to become the woman I was meant to be has not been easy, but I'm grateful for all I have learned lately. Life is good, and it just keeps getting better.