I find myself on this rainy Sunday morning contemplating just how different my life is now compared to what it was like two years ago.  I’m realizing that change has always been a common thread in my life.  From the time I was born to when I moved into my first apartment at the age of 23, I lived in five houses. Now that I look back, that seems like a lot. On average, I moved every four years throughout my childhood. That is a lot. And maybe all of those transitions early on have shaped my propensity for change.

Speaking of change, this weekend my sister and her fiancé moved in to my house. They made a lovely little studio apartment for themselves out of my finished basement. It’s quite nice, actually. They have plenty of room and a full bathroom all to themselves. I’m happy to have them here.  The house feels full again, and I like that. They are getting married next year, so moving in for them was about saving money and downsizing their life a bit as they prepare to start their new journey together.  And for me, it’s a way to lighten my load, as well as a way to bond and connect and share with my sister.  It’s really groovy. Abby and I are both excited about all that lies ahead. There will be some fun memories created over the course of the next year, no doubt.

Abby thinks that our lives are now somewhat reminiscent of one of her favorite TV shows, “Full House.”  My sister Julie works in TV news, and her fiancé, Jonas, while he doesn’t play in a band, nor does he have rock star hair (sorry, Jonas) his name begins with a “J.” So,  Abby’s inclined to see him as her own version of “Uncle Jessie.”  Hell, we even have the Golden Retriever.  Wait! Does this make me the female version of Bob Saget?  Oh dear…

Ok…so we’re not quite the 90’s beloved Tanner family…but we are one fun-loving, happy family sharing the same roof.  There’s lots of perks that come with this arrangement. For example, my sister has the coolest kitchen gadgets. She has this toaster thingie that makes breakfast sandwiches. And she has a tiny contraption that aerates wine. Oh…and she stocked my liquor cabinet with things like Hendricks gin. Yeah, this is gonna be a good year.

When I purchased this house 7 years ago I had so many dreams and expectations surrounding this home. But that has all changed, and my life now looks nothing like I thought it would when I first called this place home. The old dreams have been replaced with more pragmatic ones. And, oddly enough, I’m perfectly happy with that.

Something else I realized during my Sunday morning coffee contemplation is that I have way more pride in this home than I ever did before. I woke super early on Saturday morning to spend a few hours doing yard work: pulling weeds, mowing, trimming. It felt so rewarding to stand back at gaze at my lovely yard (while stretching my sore back). I take pride in knowing that I’m supporting me and my daughter with my own efforts, my own hard work, and my own money. There’s something really empowering about all of that. Look at that, a woman getting shit done without ever once flashing her woman card. I really should get one of those, by the way. Where do you find them? Are they in the tampon section of the grocery store? Because if there was ever a use for a woman card, it would be to purchase cotton devices that you jam into your body every month. Cause, you know…it’s a privilege.

*ends rant*

It’s a gross understatement to suggest that I’ve grown a lot these past few years (previous rant aside). I’m not the same person I was when I bought this place…not even close. I am stronger, smarter, and more confident than I’ve ever been. And I see myself and my place in the world so differently now.  I’m a Mom, a sister, a friend….but above all, and probably most importantly, is that I’m really, truly me. I like this polished up version of myself. I mean, I’m no Bob Sagat, but I think I’ve done just fine building a very full house of my own.  I like my life. No, I love my life. I wouldn’t change it…not for all the money in the world. Not even for a visit from the real Uncle Jessie.