Home Tour 2010

If you have talked with me at any point in the last few weeks, you will already know that I volunteered our home to be on the 2010 Nashville Downtown Partnership Live It Up Home Tour. They came and checked out the place- liked what they saw and many headaches and arguments with Kyle later, close to 350 people trudged through our private quarters! So, I'm happy to report my friends, it has come and gone and today... AHHHHhhhhh.... I breathe!

The aforementioned headaches came about because there was much we wanted to do to get the house ready. I had a wish list a few pages long. But time and money were both snickering behind our backs. They just were not on our side. There were several minor repairs that needed to happen before the tour- and while they got done- they did not get done until 8:00pm the night before. I don't know why we insist on doing things so last minute- it drives me crazy but most of the time, it's how I work best. I do, however, acknowledge that I had a little help.

                                  

The best thing to come out of participating in the tour was discovering again my love and appreciation for our home and the city where it dwells. I've made no secret of the raging tug of war I face regarding our decision to live downtown. And after we were broken into, I was ready to pack up and move the next day. And while moving wasn't immediently feasible, I spent the next several months daydreaming of all the serenity, security and comfort the suburbs would surely bring us. I became very detached from our current homestead- even declaring a few times that buying this condo was one of the biggest mistakes we ever made. While I still struggle a little with our past break-in and Tyson's school situation- I now remember why we are here- and why it makes sense for us.

So we made our repairs- we did a little painting (although the heavily-despised giant mustard yellow wall had to stay for now), added a few peices of art and other decorative accessories. And I have to say- the place looks great. It feels like Home. I walk outside and smell the city air and once again- feel comforted and alive. Although the suburbs will surely call to us again- and at some point an answer of 'yes' will be our reply; right now- this is our home. This is where our hearts beat- where our family grows and where our lives are lived. It's a great place to be!

The day of the tour was pretty amazing. With the kids away at Ruth and Gary's, Kyle and I left the house in the hands of a couple of volunteers and went to lunch. In celebration of our completed home project and our still in-tact marriage, we decided to enjoy a few fruity drinks and devour some really big shrimp.

                                                   

                                          

                                         

Then Katie and Gary, Jason and Sarah, and Damon and Trisha met up with us to see the other homes featured on the tour. I believe we all agreed that the penthouse located on the 30th floor of The Viridian was our favorite.

                                        

                                         

                                         

                                         

                                          

           

And our second favorite home on the tour? OURS.