Ellen Living

It’s Open Mic Niteover at Successul Blog at 7pm Chicago time and the topic is the Joys of Being Home and so I thought I would write a little post about being at home and why I love my home.

When you come to visit you wouldn’t be very impressed with the outside of my home.  It’s contained in a 6 story, brick apartment building on a major route.  After I buzz you in I have you take the elevator up to the 5th floor and walk down a long hallway reminiscent of a hotel until you reach my door.  I greet you and have you come in and see my square box of an apartment.  It is nicely carpeted, artwork and photos adorn the walls and a mish mash of furniture and electronics scattered throughout. 

Knick knacks, mostly from my mother and my oldest sister Susan cover the standing baker’s rack from my parents.  The dining room table, too large for the room but also passed down to me from my folks, may be covered with unopened mail and magazines.  I have you come in and sit down on my sofa that is positioned just so that I can see my wide screen television and have just the right audio from my surround sound system.

That’s when I point out to you that most of the artwork was created by my sister Libby who is a wonderful illustrator and graphic designer.  Then I run into my office, the second bedroom of my apartment, and grab out my photo albums to show you pictures of family, friends and my travels.  I don’t really want you to go into my office because it currently houses 2 working computers, 2 broken ones for parts to be salvaged from to fix my friend’s computer, overflowing bookshelves with my favorite books and boxes of old software programs and lastly, paper, lots of paper.  Enough paper that I could start a recycling plant!

I keep you sidelined from my bedroom as well because I’ve never been one to make my bed.  It’s only me here, and my cat Jack, so who am I to make the bed for?  Oh, company, that’s right.  Give me a minute and I’ll pull up the blankets.  Come see.  More artwork by Libby, more knick knacks, my antique Chinese Wedding Chest that I put my clothes in and two walk in closets.  Yes, I need all that the closet space.  A little clutter never hurt anyone.

My bed is nice and comfy.  It needs to be since I spend a fair amount of time there when I don’t feel well with the fibromyalgia.  I have my little television there and plenty of pillows on the bed.  I love my bedroom because it has more photos of family and friends and some of my treasured gifts I have gotten over the years.  My cat loves the bedroom too.  You noticed that when we walked towards the room he almost knocked you over to get there first and jump on the bed.  It’s his favorite place to get patted.

We walk back to the dining/living room past my kitchen that is just right sized for one person.  I don’t have to move in order to get items out of the fridge and cabinets to cook in the microwave or stove.  In fact, my kitchen and bathroom are so small I don’t even have a mop, it’s easier to use a wet cloth on my knees.

The view from my balcony is quite nice, overlooking a large field with a pond beyond.  Even though cars race by the front of the building, out back is peaceful enough for deer to be seen and geese to land by the dozens (not so peaceful when the geese are around).  We sit out on the balcony and have some iced tea and talk of times to come.

Home is where I am lord and master.  It’s mine and has more than I need.  Do you need a book to read or movie to watch? I have plenty to offer.  When you visit my home you never leave empty handed, something my mother taught me.  I can even give you a broken computer if you want…

Well, I guess our visit is over. I am so glad you came.  Please come again soon.

ellen