Thursday, January 2, 2014

Home Is Where Your Recliner Is

Mom raised us to make our beds – every day. It’s one of those habits I have never been able to break and Mom would be so pleased. The only thing I’ve altered, and only in the last few years, is the elimination of a bedspread. When I made the bed this morning I noticed the dents. You know, those body specific ones you leave from sleeping in the same spot for months on end. One shaped like me. One shaped like him. It made me smile because those dents are something that tells me “this is home.”

And then, of course, that got me thinking about all the other things that make my home mine (ours). Like our mismatched recliners. Mine is a girly peach color with the original arm guards and head thingy in place. His is a manly gray with toast crumbs in the creases. We love them. If we’re away from home for a length of time, one of us will raise an eyebrow and say, “I hear my recliner calling.” The other one chuckles. We know what that means. Time to heed the call.

I fold my bath towels just so. Lengthwise twice and widthwise twice. Makes a nice, easy to stack towel bundle. The way I do it in my home. Another “mom” thing that I’ve kept up. Kind of bugs me when others have some deviant, strange towel configuration, but, hey, I’m a tolerant person. I would never try to force my towel folding method on anyone. Really. I’m not kidding. Fold your towels your own crazy way. I promise I won’t dis you to the neighbors.

I like curtains. I know the current fashion is to let the window be the star and some of them are gorgeous. But the hominess of curtains has more appeal to me than beautiful bareness and I have them at every window, even the ones that face the woods. Can’t be too careful about peeping Tom squirrels.

My upstairs bathroom is my “changing room.” That’s where I change from Ugly Duckling to Swan every morning. Each piece of essential equipment is right where I want it, too. And I can pull the medicine cabinet mirror open and put my nose right up against it. Not like when you travel and the hotel mirror is so far away that a nearsighted swan like me has to stand on tiptoe just to sweep on the eyeliner. Sheesh. What are these hotel designers thinking, anyway? Yeah, the huge marble vanity is nice, but please. A really snarly swan could go all Alec Baldwin on those designers if they don’t wise up. Put in a makeup mirror already.

If I’m coming home from a meeting at night I can count on the road light to lead me in. It’s at the end of our long gravel driveway. Hubby usually turns it on for me and it’s a very welcome beacon. Then, when I swing open the back door and my own home greets me, a kind of peace settles in. The creaky wood floors, the lingering aroma of whatever I made for supper, the oranges in the basket on the kitchen counter, and the good book waiting for me after I put on my jammies all say, "so glad you're back," and I just love it.   


How about you? What peculiar things make your home your home? I’d really like to know. Unless it's some weird towel thing, that is. 


Image: Free Digital Photos 

12 comments:

  1. I grew up with wallpaper, even helped my mom paper once. So to feel at home my living room and dining room are papered. And there's no place like home. Marion

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    1. I love wallpaper, too, Marion. The choices are infinite, aren't they? So glad you stopped by!

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  2. There is no place like home; I agree! I always make my bed - it just looks so messy when you leave it undone - according to my Mom's instructions way back when. I think I fold my towels like she did too. :) She also told my sisters and I to chew with our mouths closed and to pick up our feet (and not scuff) when we walked.

    Happy New Year!

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    1. I wonder if your mom knew my mom? =0) Bed making doesn't seem like such a priority anymore. Hmmm. The young are too busy, I guess. Happy New Year to you and yours, Karen.

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  3. Yep, a made bed and no dishes in the sink... that's something I remember from my Mom. Though on lazy days I don't put the bedspread on and I might leave the breakfast dishes until after lunch. But I do fold my towels just like you do which makes me relieved as I wouldn't want you to find out otherwise. :o)

    I do love coming home after being out. It feels safe and good and my dear cat is always ready for my lap. No matter how humble, there's no place like home.

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    1. Cindy, you crack me up. But it's nice to know you graduating
      Towels in the top ten like I did. =0) Happy New Year!

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  4. Jennifer Brown BanksJanuary 3, 2014 at 8:18 AM

    I'm blessed to love so many things at my humble abode. For one, I don't allow much hassle in my castle. :-) I dig the peacefulness. I also love the feel of soft carpet beneath my feet; although the trend seems to be for hardwood floors these days. I guess I prefer many old fashioned things and themes. :-) And I almost always make my bed.

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    1. Jen, I had you pegged for a bed maker from the get-go. I like carpet, too. Hides the dust bunnies! Happy New Year!

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  5. Sue, you have one of the most happy, comfortable homes in the world. Your personality is in every corner. Keep my bedroom free, I am hoping to be there in May. Your sister, Shari

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    1. The bedroom is yours! Can't wait to see you! Big sloppy smooch.

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  6. I, too, make the bed every day. And thinking of those 'dents,' that's definitely a blessing to be written in the gratitude journal. It has me thinking of the neighbors two doors down who lost husband/father just before Thanksgiving. That 'dent' is empty now.

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    1. Oh, Rhonda. Our neighbor lady died suddenly at the end of last year. She was 80 something, but still, another empty "dent." Stuff like that happens. Hope our heavenly home has big comfy beds!

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