Happy 2nd Birthday Chez Terrace!

I have been waiting all week to write this post. Two years ago today I went to the real estate agents office and signed the papers on my very first home. Before I signed the papers they reminded me that under the tax credit, I need to keep the home as my primary residence for 3 years. I thought, wow, 3 years.. that's a long time. I remember walking out of the building with the key in my hand and thinking, "what am I doing? Did I just do the right thing? I just signed a debt for more money then I've seen in my life time so far and that has a due date longer then I've been on this earth.. OMG!"

Two years has gone by in the blink of an eye. Reflecting back on the past two years this house has been quite an experience. From being a landlord.. to projects around the home.. everything has been my responsibility. That has been both exciting and scary. Its hard sometimes when something goes wrong and you have to figure out how to fix it or have it fixed all on your own. But, doing it alone, I've learned a lot and figured out that I need to give myself more credit as most of my projects and decorating expeditions have turned out pretty well!

Its funny, two years ago if someone would have asked me to make a prediction about how things would be two years down the road, I wouldn't have said anything close to this. Back then, I never thought about friends leaving, people getting engaged, or the fact that I ever could be here alone. Back then, I had a tight group of friends, who had a great time every weekend.. and I really didn't foresee that ending. But time changes things, and unfortunately the care free days of spending every weekend partying with my friends are getting fewer as the days go by. People are just going in different directions. Its sad, but necessary I guess.

Before Sara moved out, I called my mom everyday and asked her "Mom, do you think I did the right thing buying my house?" I guess I thought that if I didn't buy it, then I wouldn't be faced with being alone here. She told me over and over she thought I made the right choice, but I still didn't believe her really. Sometimes though, something happens that puts everything into perspective. This week I spent time at Joe's apartment. It is a really nice apartment and very expensive, but its just not a home. Taking a shower, is like standing in a monsoon. The AC doesn't work well. The dishwasher is midget sized. All of the things that I have started to take for granted in my home had become so apparent.

This revelation made me very content with my choice to buy the house, and where I am in my life right now. I wouldn't say that I love living here alone, but I haven't hated it as much as I thought that I would and Joe has been very supportive. Decorating and managing my own house has brought me so much joy over the last two years and I wouldn't change it. Above all, should I ever find myself in a position later in life to have to take care of a house alone, I will be armed with confidence because of this experience.

On a side note, I have been trying to fill the holes around the house where Sara's stuff used to be. I went to the Manayunk Arts Festival that was on Main Street this weekend. Here are some pictures of my new found art: (The first two I put going up the stairs, the second 2 are in the den at the top of the stairs)
View of down town Philly
Love Park
Manayunk Bike Race
So True ! And that is me on the bike! hahah!