Over the past 12 months, we've covered a range of home-related topics, from the philosophical (home finances) to the practical (preventing accidents at home). As we wrap up the year with this two-part retrospective, here are six of my favorite things from the second half of 2023:
In July, after almost 30 days of non-stop travel, I rediscovered how much I loved being home. Doing simple tasks like feeding the dog, drying the dishes, and making the bed almost brought me to tears and reminded me how important small rituals are.
Lesson: It's easy to take everything for granted, so I've listed 21 reasons why I love being at home, from having an entire wardrobe to seeing a familiar view out the window and knowing there's no one else in the world. doesn't have the same thing. . to see
In August , lightning struck the cable connecting my house and my neighbor's house. My neighbor's house was damaged. They lost the air conditioner, three sets, internet, cable, water heater and smart lighting system, causing $40,000 in electrical damage. The bolts knocked out the air conditioner, wiring, sprinkler control unit and several light bulbs.
Lesson: proper surge protection can prevent all this damage. Many energy companies, including ours, offer this kind of coverage if you ask for it. "While you can't prevent lightning, you can catch the surge before it enters your home and damages your refrigerator," said Peter Jackson, an electrical engineer at Kennick. A company that manufactures surge protection systems for utility companies.
In September, I met a janitor on the street. "My clients are people who live in homes surrounded by furniture, who want less space, less maintenance and less stuff in exchange for more time and more freedom," says Kerry Kuhl, who helps clients decide what to do then we found a furniture market and sold it.
Lesson: Gatekeepers exist. People who thought furniture was getting in the way of their move now have one less excuse.
In October, a couple from Northfield, Minnesota reminded me of the good in the world. Bob Tucker and Karen Cherewatuk know they can't solve the entire housing crisis, but maybe they can help one deserving family. After immigrating to the US more than 20 years ago, Victor and Lorena Hernandez (whose names I've changed) worked hard, paid taxes, and their family of five lived in a dilapidated two-bedroom apartment.
Seeing a problem they could solve, Bob and Karen bought a 130-year-old abandoned, dilapidated farm in the American Midwest for $80,000. They then mobilized the community, offering donations and free labor to help renovate the three-bedroom home. The Hernandez family moved in last Labor Day and have been making monthly payments on their home. “This house is not a charity project,” Tucker said. "It was a support program."
Lesson: You may not be able to solve the big problems of our time, but you can make a difference by solving the small problems.
In November , I asked readers to stop littering their driveways who were tired of neighbors seeing yards filled with rusted tricycles, old dog houses, broken ladders, plastic slides and garden gnomes.
Lesson: While we pay a lot of attention to cleaning and decorating the inside of our homes, thoroughly cleaning and organizing our outdoor spaces can become even more important as more people see them. Keep it clean, tidy, attractive and useful.
I ate my words in December . Just 11 months ago, I swore on these pages that I didn't want a second home. I still have a strong case because I can barely manage my house. At the end of the year, my (hypocrite) husband and I bought an apartment on the beach. Maybe it failed, but we did it because we had friends there, it was only an hour away from our house, we could rent it out to cover the costs, and most importantly, the beach reminded me of my youth. I spent (or wasted) on the beaches of Southern California.
Lesson: When DC and I thought about whether we should do it, we decided we'd rather try and regret it than never ask. Sometimes in life, even if you're not sure, you have to chase your dreams. Here's how to make your dreams come true in 2024.
Marnie Jameson is the author of seven books, including Right Size Today to Create a Better Life Tomorrow (January 2). Contact him at www.marnijameson.com.
