Into the Closet

Two days after we moved into our condo one of the closet doors fell off. Coupled with the fact that due to space issues (I warned Adam of these space issues before we bought) our dresser had to go into the closet to fit in our bedroom, we decided to take off the closet doors and come up with a new solution. Well, that was two years ago.

This past Monday I couldn't take it anymore. I told Adam I wanted a closet. I was tired of living like a college kid in a VERY expensive dorm. We had already decided that the only solution was to get new bedroom furniture as a chest of drawers was all we could accommodate. So, off we went to some furniture stores. Luckily it didn't take long for us to find the one we wanted. Once that was done, I then told Adam I wanted to go out and purchase closet doors the next day and have them installed ASAP. Oh, and while I was at it, I wanted to repaint our bedroom. Luckily, my husband loves to redecorate. We plan to stain the closet doors to match our new furniture that arrives in a few week. I feel almost grown up now. 

The Title Says It All

From my very first blog I never matched the title of a post to the actual subject of it. I though of it as my way to be different. Often, I used titles I made up or funny things I had heard that day.

If you've noticed the last few titles have matched the subject material I'm writing about. I decided to go more mainstream and stop using random things for titles. It is my sincere hope that doesn't upset you, my five faithful readers.

Home

For many years when I would tell anyone I was going back to Ohio to see my family I would refer to it as "going home." Apparently, it didn't matter that I hadn't lived there for years and that my home was now in another state. It was always referred to as "home."

This past weekend I made an impromptu visit to Ohio and was hit with the feeling that it was no longer a familiar place to me. So many things have changed over the years that it felt somewhat foreign to me. Driving around one afternoon I found myself mixing memories with questions. "Was that intersection always a stop light?" "Has that house always been there?" "When did the traffic flow around the town square change?" It certainly was a mix of emotions for me as I saw the small towns I grew up near grow into bigger towns while still trying to maintain that small town feel.

Taking off for Chicago I looked out the window and thought "It's not my home anymore but it'll always hold a special place in my heart."

Appearances of Illusion

Do you ever look at someone and think "They can't be that happy all the time?" "I bet it's all an act" you tell yourself. Yes, I realize there are people in this world that are generally very happy and only see the glass as half full...I say good for them.

However, many people try to fit in with a society that values beauty and fame quite highly. Often times, being yourself is not enough, no matter how happy you really are. They create the illusion of happiness because they have a need to appear as perfect or happy to the outside world to gain acceptance. They may have many personal problems but refuse to put on anything but a happy face.

Finally, there are the people who others think of one way but are actually quite the opposite. Recently a friend of mine made the comment that I was good with my money. While this is true as of recently, I didn't used to be smart with it at all. Because I never really talked about my financial woes with anyone but my closest friends this friend automatically assumed I was Suze Orman. Without even trying part of myself was made into an illusion.

Whatever the reason for one to create their illusion, if it makes them happy and doesn't harm anyone else, I say go for it.

Simple Math

In yesterday's blog I mentioned how I've been down about home ownership lately. This is actually an understatement. What I actually feel is regret and dread. I mentioned the other night to some friends how I feel like it's been the biggest regret of my life. I knew going into the process that owning a home isn't easy and that it's a constant work in progress with many ups and downs over the course of your ownership. Property tax increases, various building associated extras, the possibility of having to replace our furnace, and the needed repairs around the condo are all adding up to my feeling of dread.

I've made up my mind (without consulting Adam) that as soon as our mortgage permits I want to put it on the market. Unfortunately that isn't for three more years. Thankfully I think Adam agrees with me on this. As gun ho as he was to buy I think he's realizing how much it entails and how much he'd rather rent if we decide to stay in Chicago (that's another blog for another time.) So, I've told myself that for the next three years I must make the best of our home. While I'm unhappy with owning I am not unhappy with our home itself. We are comfortable here and I'll make the most of the time I live here.

Knocked Down

After what seems like months of planning, wrong sizes, transportation issues, and scheduling issues we finally have completed a small remodel of our guest bathroom. We didn't do much but I feel like it's a whole new room. Aside from painting it's our first room remodel and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I've been somewhat down lately about home ownership and this helps me out of that funk, slightly.

I'm The Same Boy I Used To Be

A and I have a friend who's had a rough time of it lately. They've been actively searching for work for a while now with no luck but have only let it get them down as of recently. I want them to know that I admire their tenacity and strength. They have their faith and a great support system of family and friends and I'm thankful for that. A and I are always here for you.

Running has made it's way back into my life recently. This time around it's morphing from only a form of exercise to that plus a way to release my tensions. I've always run with music but this time I'm not and it hasn't bothered me or in my usual case, bored me. I have a goal that I'll keep to myself for now but I can say that I'm well on my way to accomplishing it.

After three weeks off it was back to work last week. So far I'm managing to maintain a calm head and not let the summer travelers get to me. I've made the switch back to my morning flights and it's made a world of difference. A.m.'s are where this stewardess belongs. Coffee or tea?

When we brought Lucy and Ali home from the shelter Lucy couldn't get enough of us and Ali wanted nothing to do with us. My how times have changed. Ali is the lover and Lucy has become the loner.  She will not let us anywhere near her except at night and then she'll sleep between one of our legs. I wish she was as loving as she used to be but I understand that cats have such differing dispositions and just let her be in the hope that one day she'll turn back into a lover again.

I dread the start of the upcoming Presidential Primary season. The way they all campaign and bash each other, on both sides, makes me not want to vote at all. I can't stand to watch or read any political news. It's disheartening but sadly at least in my opinion, a sign of what a horrible state this country is in.