Being a homeowner is wonderful in many ways. You can decorate the house the way you want it and landscape the way you want it. You also don't have to worry about where your money goes each month, because you put it into your house.
I had mentioned the saga of getting estimates for work done on our house. Now that it's done, I'll give more details. We had our front door replaced because it wasn't closing very well -- you had to push it hard and hold it to throw the deadbolt. So, we purchased a very nice and secure fiberglass door and had it installed by someone that had done work for us before.
This morning we went to Lowe's to buy stain, wood putty and other assorted things to stain the interior side of the door. Following Joel in Lowe's is like going with me to the yarn store. You're going to be there a while. Of course there are things I like to look at in Lowe's too. But when the foot is still aching from the surgery... it's not so much fun. I did wear sneakers this visit, in order to hold up a while longer.
But while you put a lot of money into your house, it is worth it. We had most of our siding replaced last summer and had the whole house painted. Looking around the neighborhood, I'm so glad we did. Some neighbors have replaced their siding, but some have not and they really need to before another winter comes. This afternoon I fixed a roast for a friend who had surgery and her husband. When I used the disposal, I was reminded that we replaced the wimpy disposal that died with a new, more efficient and powerful model. And when I rinsed out the sink, I used the wonderful new faucet with the extender hose and spray/stream options that was installed a few months ago.
So it is a money pit. But it's worth it. So far.
Owenership?
I'm trying to keep up on maintenance so my house doesn't become the negative example. I can pretty much give up on the front yard this year after the city tore up the front yard to work on the water lines.
Posted by: Dominique | Saturday, 26 March 2005 at 08:00 PM
I did correct my typo, but as long as we owe on our mortgage, I think owenership is probabably appropriate.
Look at that front yard as an opportunity now... maybe...
Posted by: lauragayle | Saturday, 26 March 2005 at 08:05 PM
And now there's that funny leak in the basement that seems to be coming from the upstairs tub? toilet?
Posted by: Rustee | Sunday, 27 March 2005 at 01:54 PM
Errrgh. Not good. It could be an opportunity to replace your toilet. Check out a recent Wired article. How about a Toto Neorest 600 for $5000?
Posted by: lauragayle | Sunday, 27 March 2005 at 08:10 PM