One of the things I have been working on in the last 7 months is really trying to turn my apartment into “home.” As soon as I type that out it seems contrived and hokey. It is one of those sentences that makes me think, what does that mean?, when I read it elsewhere.

I guess what I mean is that when I come home I want to think, “Aaah, I’m here.” I want to be immediately comfortable. I want to see something that gives me a tickle of thrill. Frankly, I am a bit of a homebody. Oh, sure, I enjoy having gone out and about once I’ve convinced myself to have done it, but I like to be at home too. I especially like it when I look around and see things that augment my mood.

While I have been working on it for a while, I have decided in the last few weeks to focus more directly on it.

I have focused most heavily on Alex’s room. I want him to love his room. I want him to feel special when he goes in there.  I think that I have had success in this area. He spends a lot of time in his room these days. There are a couple more things I want to do in there, but the basic room has taken shape.

The living area is getting better, but is not where I want it, yet. I have some ideas that I am unsure how to implement. And then there are the things that are just a matter of doing them. The kitchen is what it is. My bedroom has a way to go. But I am glad to say that the bookshelf is in much better condition. Speaking of condition, I have to do something about the closets.

I’m also trying to turn the hallway into sort of exhibit space for Alex’s art. While I am not the parent who is preciously preserving every bit of it, I want him to feel good about what he has up there. I have added some things I’ve done so that he can see his stuff right up there with mine. I smile every time I walk past an owl he drew.

I turned this lamp into something I could better live with with the assistance of a can of spray paint. I was made to show ID and promise not to huff it.

Step by step, day by day, I’m getting there.