finito.

It's Thursday! When did that happen??

I say this because WE CLOSED ON OUR HOUSE ON MONDAY morning and I just realized I didn't even mention it here yet!! It was definitely not my intention to withhold that information all week. After all we've been through with it, you'd think I would be standing up on the roof shouting, "We're homeowners! It's OURS! Yaaaaaay!"

It was a quiet affair. We met at the bank and signed the papers, then he went off to work and I came home to Sadie and a pee puddle. For all of the lead up to and waiting for we did, the day felt pretty normal. I'd expected to feel different when it was a done deal, but I didn't. I still don't. No Cloud 9 moment for me. Maybe it hasn't sunk in yet??

A friend of mine said, "Wait until you make that first mortgage payment. Then it'll hit you." I don't think I believe that, though. We've been paying rent for ten years. I'm used to making monthly payments on our living arrangements, so I don't think mailing off a check is going to bring about any epiphanies.

No, I think the slide into homeownership mentality is going to be gradual. Little realizations here and there, like when we decide we want to paint a room or pull up a rug, and don't have to ask (and be denied) permission. Or, when we don't mow our lawn for another week because it really doesn't need to be done and there is no one out there all but measuring the blades of grass with a ruler because she has some sort of complex about the length grass should be. (Not kidding about that.)

Now that I think about it, I do feel something:  relief. Relief in knowing those days of answering to someone else about our home are over. That, quite possibly, may be the best feeling of all.

You know what? This feeling of peace and the huge smile on my face make me think it may have hit me just now :)