Friday, June 30, 2006

The Queen De-Throned

Extra Crispy.

And I'm not talking about Colonel Sander's special recipe chicken, folks. I'm speaking of my shoulders, back and thighs after a few hours at the pool without sunblock yesterday. I wanted to even out my farmer tan and get some color on my legs. I thought it would be fine. Okay, it wasn't really one of my brightest moments. But after the tenderness subsides and the pink fades, it should make a nice tan.

Knowing my luck, it will probably peel and leave me looking like a leper. With a farmer tan.

A friend invited us to her brand new house in a brand new housing addition with a brand new, shiny pool. It was perfectly lovely...minus the sunburn. This pool sits in the middle of the addition, beside the clubhouse, surrounded by large, beautiful, brick homes. As I lounged in the water and enjoyed the sensation of a warm sun on wet skin, I decided against Europe for my summer home. Something tropical would be delicious. Maui? Mexico? Brazil? I'll have to give it some thought.

While we were there we got a tour of their new house. Now, we haven't shopped houses in some time. We've been in this house for almost eight years. So, I can't even begin to tell you what their house was worth. I can only say I have no point of reference, because I've never even considered thinking about buying a house like that. It was gorgeous.

For the most part, I am a content person. I don't spend a lot of time wishing I had this or that. And I wasn't even envious of her house, per say. If I had the opportunity to build a new house, it isn't what I would have built. But what I did envy was the "newness" of it. The new smell. The freshly painted walls that didn't have nine layers of other peoples' color choices underneath. The pristine carpet that would leave those nice little "tracks" after you vacuum it. The wooden floors with nary a scratch. No stubborn dirt in the corners left by previous owners. No unfinished projects dragging down the feel. And all that open space.

I'll admit it. I was a little disenchanted when I came home to my teeny, tiny little house with unfinished projects galore. I had gorgeous pictures of my children taken in November, but haven't hung them up in the living room because I haven't finished painting. Baby doesn't even look the same! What's wrong with me?

A very wise friend made a statement about losing weight the other day. "Obviously it doesn't bother me that bad or I would do something about it," she said. "I just make different choices."

There was a time I really cared about the state of my home. Not just about tidiness, but more about the look. The feel. The "ambiance", if you will. I used to put work into making it pretty and homey. But three children later, I've made different choices. I've let it fall by the wayside. I'd like to think more important things are foremost in my mind. But the question remains, "What do people feel when they walk into my house?"

I'm not sure if it's conviction or jealousy that spurs me on, but I'm on a mission to put some hudspa back into my home. Or at least, my living room. Don't worry. I won't be locking my children in a room with a TV and neglecting their needs. Actually, that TV thing isn't a bad idea. But I am going to find a way to get some things finished around here. If for no other reason than to relinquish my title as the "Queen of All Things Unfinished".

Time to make different choices.

Look for updates.

8 comments:

LiteratureLover said...

I think as women, our houses are always "unfinished". We have so many dreams for it and yet not enough time to finish those dreams. So I know what you mean about being envious of all the "new".

For the record though, your home is always homey to me, unfinished projects and all. I love it!

the lizness said...

Sometimes though even the most beautiful houses don't feel like home, or the owners are not very hospitable. I'd rather visit a friend any day with a hospitable spirit in her home than House Beautiful. That's true ambiance.

great post. good luck with the sunburn! try banana boat after sun lotion.

yerdoingitwrong said...

Aloe is a beautiful thing for a burn, too. I did the same thing last weekend and it's turning into a nice tan. =) Good for you on deciding to press forward and work on your home. I don't know about you, but when I finally finish a project I feel SO good. But, it's easier for me. I don't have 3 kids. Just one grumpy cat!

Michelle- This One's for the Girls said...

This post was very inspiring to me today. Just thought you ought to know.

Andreia Huff said...

Someone somewhere told me that a woman's job was to bring beauty to the world. At the time I thought it was a bunch of bunk but you know, it kinda makes sense. I applaud you on your efforts!

I would suggest Brasil for sure...and even if you don’t like soccer, you can hang out on a beach like these

Greg and Farrell Clark said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
janjanmom said...

Give that new house some time and it will look more like ours!!

I applaud you finishing some projects, I am right there with you!! Today I am finishing trim in my bathroom and painting the ceiling. Then that room is finished!! A project FINISHED!! Mine are as numerous as yours. Let your kids watch movies and then they can share your victories!! It's a lesson-finishing things when we don't want to but must.

thebarefootpoet said...

Hey, I haven't spent a lot of time in your home, (here's hoping for tomorrow night, come on hubby, bail on work!) but if it "feels" like being in you or your husbands presence, then you've got a wonderful, beautiful, warm home. I would say that dealing with unfinished projects is a healthy thing, something ALL of us, especially me, should do. So go for it. But I would also say that if you don't feel some drive inside to "work" on your home, if it just isn't a priority, then be at peace! It's the flesh and blood inside that makes a home beautiful, not the brick and mortar and wood. To me, that's what makes my sister's home so beautiful (ok, so it is new and all, but seriously), and why I believe I would find yours equally as beautiful.