10 years ago...

Ten years ago today, my husband and I moved into our very first home. We started looking in May for a home in Central PA during the height of housing boom when houses were being purchased insanely quick.

My aim was a home with land. I didn't want to look out my window and wave to my neighbor as they were getting out of the shower. I also wanted a deck/patio, but I was more concerned about the land.

We looked at many houses that were lovely. We had high hopes for an A-frame house because it just looked so darn cool! Sadly, it was in poor condition, 25 feet from a river, and we couldn't enter the front door due to a huge bees nest!

We looked at a place in a development that the sellers had not only their property, but the land next to it. I was intimidated by this one because they had an amazing flower garden going. I have a black thumb. It would such a waste for me.

There was one house we really wanted to look at because it had a single lane bowling alley! Sadly, it was under contract by the time we went out to look at houses. This was very sad.

We finally decided on a house in a semi-rural area. It was the least expensive house we looked at, had 1.76 acres of land, 2,100 square feet, and an amazing fire place.

It has been an adventure these last 10 years. We had our bedroom roof leak six months after purchase, we had to replace the furnace, do termite work, and put in an in-door French drain and a second sump pump in the basement. It was a rough first couple of years, but things have seemed to calm down (knock on wood!).

And now, after 10 years, we are getting ready to put that deck on! This makes me happy. I can't wait to have it completed and sit down to relax with friends.

Oh goodness. we look so young!

Where do you live? Are you a home owner or have to chosen the rent path?


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Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday peeps! It's here again! 

What am I thankful for this week? I'm going completely basic this week. I am ever so thankful for my house. Yes. I know. Totally basic. But, this winter and the last wacky weather week has made me appreciate having somewhere warm to lay my head at night.

I admit, my bedroom does not have heat or air conditioning, but we're ok with this. We have adjusted (heated mattress pad/electric blanket in winter & fan in summer) and other than this year, we never had to worry about the lack. This year, I spent Jan. through early April sleeping on the sofa in the living room because it was just too darn cold!

But, you know what? WHO CARES???? I have a house. I have a place to put my crap. I have a place to rest my head - bed or otherwise. I have a place to eat. I have a place to house my adorable furbabies. I have a place to go when I need to get away. I have a place I can decorate and make my own.

I am lucky. There are many people who have no home at all. There are many people who want to own a home, but cannot. There are many people who would love to know where they are putting their head down at night.

So today I am thankful for my home. I am a lucky person to have the lovely place that I have. What are you thankful for today?

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