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.