Can you look past the trees for the forest?
So much of what we read or view about our homes is all about improvement. From organizing, to decorating to adding on, moving up and filling it with the latest things, such as granite countertops and high definition televisions.
All of that advice is great and interesting, of course. I am a huge fan of home improvement shows, house flipping shows, design shows, etc. I blog about decorating, design and home improvement here in the Home Blog, and I read as much as I can about these subjects.
But once in a while, I think we all need to just step back for a bit and appreciate our homes for the way they are right now, despite the flaws they may have. Just as our loved ones, flaws can sometimes make our home unique and more lovable. Okay, so I may not like my stuck-in-the-60s kitchen with its inadequate lighting, but I have grown to love it and the sense of warmth that emanates from it every day as we cook.
Our home is far from perfect. There is so much we would like to do to make it into the place we dream about. Today, I looked past the old drafty windows to appreciate the wooded backyard, to see the gentle deer roaming through the leaves.
We are having an unseasonably warm spell here in our little are of Pennsylvania, with temperatures sitting comfortably in the 60s. While the little ones are napping, I’ve decided to sit the laptop in the dining room, open the windows and listen to the babble of the creek and the singing of the winter birds. Tomorrow I can plan out our kitchen floor, make a note of the table leg that needs to be fixed, of the curtains that need to be hung, and the closet that needs to be painted. This afternoon, I can finish taking down the Christmas tree and organizing the boxes in the attic. Right now, I just want to look around and make peace with my home.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
Related Articles:
Home Repair and Maintenance Tips