We had a busy day of basketball this past Saturday. After the kids’ basketball games, we immediately hit the road to drive 2-3 hours to attend a men’s basketball game at Stretch’s alma mater. We met 3 other families there: another alum, their shared sponsor family while at school, and family friends. We enjoyed the game (our team won!) and time with friends. Afterwards, we all went out to dinner. There were other kids there so ours weren’t bored and had a great time, too; allowing the adults to catch up and have a good time.
But it all made for a late evening and a long day. We still had to drive the 2+ hours back home. We staggered home late in the evening and I was SO happy to be home. We had considered staying overnight at a hotel and decided against it. And despite the long day, I’m glad we made that decision. It was wonderful to be back in our space and in our own beds.
Then it occurred to me: Home, regardless of how temporary it might be, is still home for us. We’ve all seen the signs that read, “Home is where the (insert branch of military) sends us,” usually followed by a list of duty stations. I have one in my home. My next door neighbor and at least one other neighbor in our stairwell have versions of it as well.
Many of us speed through the unpacking process (okay, some more than others), trying to make our new homes feel like “home” as soon as possible after that moving truck delivers all our worldly belongings. I usually try to get my kitchen and the kids’ rooms “done” first so that I can start cooking again because eating out is getting old and so that the kids will feel “at home” quickly.
We know we’ll be moving this summer. We have no idea where on earth (literally) we’re going. But I’m already thinking of strategies to be sure our new home will feel like “home” as quickly as possible. What are some of the things you do to make a house your home?
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For me it's getting my bedroom put together. The rest of the house quickly follows but if I can have my usual place to sleep I'm happy. I was also a military brat and I can remember feeling that once the curtains that I knew from our last assignment were up, then I was home. I was also able to tell where we lived cause, as you know, every house looked the same.
Instead of the "home is where the …" sign, we have a growing gallery of scenic portraits of the places we've lived. It reminds of the things I love about each locale.
As of this last move I am painting every house the same colors. I have my stack of paint chips from Lowes and I am just going to re-do it at each home. It'll make things easier with decorating, too.
We start to feel at home when all the tchotchkes we've collected in various travels are up. There's nothing like a green mosque alarm clock on the wall and a poster of Saddam in the dining room to make a person feel at home.
At least for us: mileage may vary on that one. :)
UPDATE: I've been thinking about this, and I've figured it out. I feel like I'm home when I know half the people I see at the commissary/grocery store, and I've hooked into a volunteer position, and all my kids have settled into activities. For me, it isn't the house. It is the people and the doing that makes a place a home for me. Love that you've got me thinking!
Wall shelves. The ones that can be taken apart and not wrecked during shipping. It makes it so easy to get pictures and souveniers up on the walls. Or if storage space is limited we use them for nessecities. I have two in my bathroom since we don't have a medicine cabinet and only a pedestle sink. I also have two in my bedroom for a dresser since we couldn't fit ours in the bedroom.