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
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 :-D.
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.
[...] On homeownership. - tiffany b. brown (tags: toread atlanta) [...]
Congratulations! Hopefully we’ll get to see some pictures soon. I bet it’s rough learning how to cut grass with a push mower. I hope your doing either early in the morning or later in the evening. My face is peeling from a bout I had with the lawn this past weekend.
Congrats on the acquisition. On the yard work, you might want to explore the wonderful world of outsourcing. Neighborhood kids can mitigate this hassle tremendously.
@Rashid: I’d agree, except that I moved into a neighborhood that’s light on the young’uns. There is however, a neighborhood…erm, “beer aficionado”/ lawn mower who charges $10 as long as you provide the mower.
Hi Tiffany,
Been following the trial and tribulations of Tiffany B. Brown for about two years from a distance. Just wanted you to know you have a friend and a fan … and an emphathiser. Best of luck.
Eric Hobart
Thanks Eric! Nice to “meet” you :-).
I applaud your use of the push mower! I bet that beer afficionado would charge extra for that, though! Have fun decorating your new home!