On homeownership.

I bought a house at the end of last month. I finally moved in this weekend. In doing so, I (mostly) severed my two-and-a-half year relationship.

It feels weird. I haven’t lived by myself in quite some time. I’m alternating between sadness and anger about my relationship’s end. But it’s tempered by the fact that I have so friggin’ much to do to turn my house into a home.

Take, for example, yardwork. I am fighting a battle with crabgrass, mimosa bushes, an assortment of vines, and some other random, fast-growing green stuff. There’s a small patch of something I’m praying is not poison ivy.

Keep in mind, I had never, ever mowed a lawn until about two weeks ago. Now I have to get out there once or twice a week. And I’m doing it with my environmentally-friendly, (wo)manually-powered push reel mower, thank you very much.

I’m also battling critters. With the house vacant between contract and closing, spiders took over the inside and crickets took over outside. I don’t do bugs, man. And yet, here they are. I’ve made a deal with them though: stay outside and you won’t die — unless you’re living in a wasp nest in my carport. Daddy long legs get a pass.

My house has, shall we say, quirky wiring. For example, the light switch for my living room light is half-way down the hall. My ceiling fan and light are on the same dimmer switch. If I dim the lights, I also slow down the fan.

I also have a wonderful, built-in security system. The front door sticks so bad that I damn near have to kick it in to open it when it’s unlocked. Plus most of the windows are painted shut.

Despite all of this, owning a house has been a groovy experience. But then it’s only been two weeks. I’m sure I’ll be cussing about it in six months … Although, by then, the crabgrass will be dead .

Home & Garden link round-up

• Organic weed control
• Unsticking painted-shut windows
• Reset a loose brick
• 62 Little Known Uses Of Vinegar
• The 15 tools every homeowner should own

And if you’re in the mood to give, I’m in the mood to receive. Check out my Amazon wish list.