Re: Do you enjoy your home?

Winter Holiday · ‎06-15-2016

I have to say I love my home. I love to decorate for just about all holidays. I like to bring festivity and warmth to it. I like to make my guests feel welcomed and relaxed. I too sometimes think that the people who are never home really don't want to be there. Maybe its because they don't put any effort into making it warm or don't really know how to.

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

Initially, yes. Then we discovered that a large amount of the work that was done to the house was sub-par; the owner paid top-dollar for the work but that wasn't what was delivered. We found that the new windows were a bait and switch (top dollar paid and cheap windows installed instead). The list goes on and one. Despite having a home inspection (he did a great job), many things really aren't discovered until you've lived in the home a few months.

In addition, MAJOR changes (zoning and development) have occured which will make our area not a desired place to live and we're dealing with a new airplane route that has planes flying over our houses 24/7. The worst part is that everyone is finding out that the value of our homes is going down and well... we're stuck.

We've decided to turn this home into a rental and are now looking to relocate. I'm so sick of home ownership issues that renting for the rest of my life is starting to look better and better.

To me, as long as I have my family, it's good. I don't give a bleep about the "house" we live in (now or future) as long as everyone in it is happy and healthy. Do I wish I had a lovely home that is decorated and cozy and everything I dreamed of? Yes, but sometimes wishes don't come true and you simply have to accept what you have.

It is, a my Daddy once said "a place to hang ones' hat".

tarsmom · ‎03-21-2010

Me/hubs are 61. We bought this house when my son was 10 and we were 37. We planned to stay here until my son graduated from high school - well, we're still here and he's 35 and lives out of state. The house is too big and too much to keep clean with both of us working 45+ hours a week and many Saturdays. We are just waiting to retire so we can move south. We have no family here and let's face it, why do we live where we do? Because of our families, mostly. On the plus side, I feel very safe in my home. It's a two story and honestly, while that was ok when our son was young, give me back my ranch!

We really only use the family room, and bedroom, bathrooms and 3 season porch in the summer. I have a big living room that no one goes into. Actually, I thought about that when we bought the house (we used to use a computer in that room, but now we both have laptops).

I don't know if any younger ladies read these posts, but I hope this helps someone! Funny how one year turns into 24!

We really need to update the kitchen but I figure at this point, let someone else do it!

Bubbles219 · ‎03-12-2010

My exact sentiments ~ could not have said it better! My husband and I have owned four homes in our thirty plus years together. The first one was a two family home that had ugly brown and gold carpeting, funky 60's wallpaper on the kitchen walls ~ but I loved it as much as the home we are in now which we built eleven years ago. There is no place I would rather be than home. While I love to go on vacation, it is always so very nice to get back home again. When our sons were children, we would be out for one reason or another, and after some point, they would always ask "Can we go home now?" It still makes me smile to know that home means as much to them as it does to me.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Yes, I do. We had a day off so started our spring cleaning (in a snowstorm, no less). I can see some items that need attention, but nothing so pressing that we can't wait.

Catiele · ‎08-20-2012

We love our house. Did some updating this winter. Downstairs bath room -----so glad it's done. Had to rifle through boxes to get toothbrush and toothpaste and just everything. DH is doing the foyer tiles that are loose. Then done. We will be outside. The house is in the country. We both love that. May be too big but we love it. I feel blessed to be here. Over fourty years now.

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

@Mominohio

I love my home and wish I could pick it up & move it back with me to NJ where my ❤ is (couldn't afford taxes, etc. & I'd never pay those exuberant rents) . Then again, I love to travel and the cost of living here allows me to just go!

Our home is very comfortable & I enjoy being home - I worked outside the home 35 years while raising my boys working swing shifts. Interestingly, I think I was much more "organized".

My home is perfect layout for the 2 of us, and big enough for company. I do miss having extra closets BUT then I'd just have more stuff!! Of course, I'm always doing some type of improvement or re-arranging, organizing something....

Monday's are my "cleaning" day if that's what to call it, (we're not messy but my cats are!). Yes, there are days I just stay home and putter but mostly I do any errands, appts, etc. early am so I can have my afternoons free.

When the weather is nice I go to pool or beach...I really am a nite person in fact, I could be lazy all day & it's like my internal clock at 10:00 pm I get surge of energy!

I can tell by your posts and pics you so enjoy your home -- it's cozy, warm and so welcoming!🏡

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@151949 wrote:
This OP has the very wonderful joy of being a SAHM -- most woman have a job full time, have to take multiple kids to all their events , may also have a parent that needs their attention etc etc.
Not everyone has a life that allows them the pleasure of staying at home "enjoying their home."

I used to work full time, raising a kid, doing all the outdoor work on a 5 acre yard and large garden and fruit orchard. I remember the first five years here, and all the time we lived in our old home (during which time I worked full time plus had an office cleaning service and a paper route on the weekends) when I was gone every day with some responsibility, that even then, when I was home, I loved being here. I still loved to clean, and cook and entertain, and just be in my home, enjoying the locations(s) and the things in them.

You don't have to spend all day, every day, inside your home to enjoy it. Even if you only get to be there a couple of hours a day, or a couple of days per week if you travel for your work or pleasure, you have the option to just see it as a layover till you go about your life again in a few hours, or you can see it as a haven that you create and relish in spending time there.

And honestly neither is wrong, just different people see the building in which they reside in different ways. Not really any reason to be snarky about "a life that allows..."

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@SahmIam wrote:
Initially, yes. Then we discovered that a large amount of the work that was done to the house was sub-par; the owner paid top-dollar for the work but that wasn't what was delivered. We found that the new windows were a bait and switch (top dollar paid and cheap windows installed instead). The list goes on and one. Despite having a home inspection (he did a great job), many things really aren't discovered until you've lived in the home a few months.

In addition, MAJOR changes (zoning and development) have occured which will make our area not a desired place to live and we're dealing with a new airplane route that has planes flying over our houses 24/7. The worst part is that everyone is finding out that the value of our homes is going down and well... we're stuck.

We've decided to turn this home into a rental and are now looking to relocate. I'm so sick of home ownership issues that renting for the rest of my life is starting to look better and better.

To me, as long as I have my family, it's good. I don't give a bleep about the "house" we live in (now or future) as long as everyone in it is happy and healthy. Do I wish I had a lovely home that is decorated and cozy and everything I dreamed of? Yes, but sometimes wishes don't come true and you simply have to accept what you have.

It is, a my Daddy once said "a place to hang ones' hat".

@SahmIam I so feel your pain about the disappointment after finding so many things substandard in your house. We faced the same thing here shortly after purchase (we had what we thought was a very thorough home inspection too!). It has cost us a lot of money over the years, but we knew going in that this is what happens with homeowning, and it indeed isn't for everyone. I get the development changes that make you home no longer desirable too. Our last house had a quiet little church next door, best neighbor ever.....till they rented out the facilities to a day care center, and we had 60 screaming kids outside our door every day, and the traffic coming and going. It was a real motivator to sell and relocate.

I have friends that want no part of the trials and tribulations of owning their house, but prefer to create their home in a rented space with someone else responsible for the big stuff. I get it, and the freedom it provides is definitely a plus!

I considered even my very first third floor walk up apartment my 'home' and took joy in creating it. A home never has to be owned or expensive or full of fine (or even 'nice') furnishings. It's more about the atmosphere created. My first house was filled with furniture and decor and linens from thrift stores, but I still thought it was fun to do, pretty, welcoming and loved to be there.

Hope you moving will take some of the stress off and you can create more of what you are looking for in your next home.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Mominohio wrote:
@151949 wrote:
This OP has the very wonderful joy of being a SAHM -- most woman have a job full time, have to take multiple kids to all their events , may also have a parent that needs their attention etc etc.
Not everyone has a life that allows them the pleasure of staying at home "enjoying their home."

I used to work full time, raising a kid, doing all the outdoor work on a 5 acre yard and large garden and fruit orchard. I remember the first five years here, and all the time we lived in our old home (during which time I worked full time plus had an office cleaning service and a paper route on the weekends) when I was gone every day with some responsibility, that even then, when I was home, I loved being here. I still loved to clean, and cook and entertain, and just be in my home, enjoying the locations(s) and the things in them.

You don't have to spend all day, every day, inside your home to enjoy it. Even if you only get to be there a couple of hours a day, or a couple of days per week if you travel for your work or pleasure, you have the option to just see it as a layover till you go about your life again in a few hours, or you can see it as a haven that you create and relish in spending time there.

And honestly neither is wrong, just different people see the building in which they reside in different ways. Not really any reason to be snarky about "a life that allows..."

You said so much that has been true for more than 40 years of my life! Coming home is like putting on your favorite pj's, and sometimes like the best party, and sometimes like the most serene place in the world. . . no matter how much time you spend there. Home is waiting to comfort, energize and renew you!