Houseiversary

As of today, I’ve been living in my house for five years! Quite a milestone considering everything that’s happened in that time. I love my house and am thankful for it every day. I wouldn’t have bought a house on my own if I’d never been married – I would have been too intimidated by the upkeep and mortgage payments. But thanks to God, my stable job, and the constant assistance of my dad and a posse of local repairmen, my house and I are doing all right. :) Being a single female homeowner is challenging and a little scary, but it’s also empowering, even if I need a lot of help. Hopefully I’ll need less help as I learn from experience, and as fewer things break.

My house is truly my sanctuary. About six months ago, I had a flash of inspiration and decided to name my house “The Cloister.” I like the idea of a sanctuary of beauty, rest, and contemplation, which is also a place of community. I think the name has a lot of positive connotations. I even painted a small plaque to hang outside the door. But I can’t figure out how to hang it, and I’m chicken that most people would misunderstand the name – or that I’d somehow be declaring nunhood over myself. I don’t want to be a nun, and men are totally welcome at The Cloister.

Anyway, I know I’m very blessed.