Tammi's World

Home Sweet Home

I've been thinking lately. Just what exactly makes a house a home to me. At first I thought that would be a pretty easy answer. And on the surface, it is. But when you spend as much time as I do with nothin' but open road in front of you, not many thoughts just stay "on the surface".

So as I tend to do, I've been chewin' this over. And over. And over.

I know I need more room. Yes, I'm fully aware I live alone. But what I loved most about the house in Orlando and the townhouse in Tampa was the open space. I have BIG furniture. I'm a big girl, and I don't want to feel like I'm going to break something if I plop down on it. Plus, I bought things to last. But I'm so tired of feeling crowded. I want space - open space.

But I really need more room so I can fill it. Fill it with people. What makes me most happy is having people over. I absolultely cannot wait to move so I can have folks over for dinner and movies. Conversation flowing through my home, laughter bouncing off the walls. The sound of childrens feet as they run through the house. The smell of a meal I planned Just For Them.

And Football Sunday. Ohhhhh how I missed the Football Sunday's this year.

That is when I realized THAT is the most important part of a house to me. The ability to entertain. Comfortably.

And I need to feel safe. Well, I have that here in THE Valley. I don't think I've ever felt as safe and secure as I do here. That's a big part of why I don't want to leave. Trust me, that feeling is not easy to come by anymore.

I've added a new requirement. I have to feel settled. I want to be able to unpack ALL of the boxes. Make my home MINE. Not worry that I'll have to uproot everything again in a year. Now I full realize that nothing is a "sure" thing, but I want as many assurances as I can get.

I want a big kitchen. Where I can cook my little heart out. I want room for folks to sit/stand around. The kitchen is the heart of a home, at least for me. I don't need the newest appliances - had those. They're nice, but I don't need 'em. I just want room. For food. And people.

I need a house that gets lots of light. I need the sunshine and I'll tell you, The Belfry doesn't get much sunlight. At all. And I've missed that more than I can tell you.

That, and having a home that is warm and welcoming. Little touches - candles here and there, photos that bring a smile to your face with the memories, flowers in the hall, colors that soothe.

Yeah, in case you couldn't tell, I'm getting the itch. My year is just about up and I'm praying I can get into something else the first of June. I still have to talk with that guy about the house I fell in love with last spring. I'll have that conversation in a couple of weeks. And my sweet landlady is helping me look. It was made very clear that this was only temporary, and while she'd like me to stay, she more than understands. That helps.

I'm just ready. As much work as it's going to be, and as much money as it'll set me back, I need to do this. For my sanity.

But I also couldn't help but wonder......what about you? What makes a house a HOME for you?

Posted by Tammi at March 14, 2007 05:42 AM | TrackBack