Single Women Homeowners

I've written about my home before. It is my home in the truest sense of the word and I am so thankful that I have it - mortgage and all.

Yet, sometimes I feel totally overwhelmed by owning a single family home. There is always something to do and always something in need of fixing or replacing. Not only because of its age (over 118), but because that is the way it is with houses. Plus, being an active gardner, I have a lot of extra yard work to do in the warm months. While I enjoy gardening, it adds expense and consumes a lot of my time.

My friend, Martha, owns a charming bungalow in a lovely neighborhood in Milwaukee. She bought it probably around 8 years ago and has done wonderful remodeling jobs, including a stunning gourmet kitchen and updating the two full bathrooms. Now, after investing tons of money into her house, she has put it on the market. Enough, she said. She is buying a new condo (currently under construction) and leaving yard work, snow shoveling, constant repairs and worries behind.

While I am sad at the thought of Martha selling her beautiful home, I understand her reasoning.

It is hard being a woman and owning a home. I know women who can do almost anything around the house. Hang doors, lay down a brick patio, fix plumbing, install windows, etc. Hats off to them and more power to them. I'm not one of them. I'm just not a "handy" person. I can hang a picture, paint a wall and I know the difference between a Phillips and flat screw driver, but thats about it.

Currently, while the wind howls and snow is in the forecast, I still have a window a/c unit in my bedroom. It is far too heavy to move myself and my guy friend, David, hasn't had the time to come over and move it out for me. Neither has my nephew. So, I'm stuck right now. There are a couple of other things I need done - simple things that require more strength to do then I have. I told David, more like pleaded with David, that these things will take less than 20 minutes of his time. Hopefully, this Saturday it will all be done and once again he will have my forever thanks.

Maybe I should start a support group for clutzy, single women home owners like me. We could start a new business called, "Borrow a Guy to Do My House Stuff." Maybe buying a new condo isn't such a bad idea.

Naw.

I love my home. So do my dogs. It may be a money pit, but it is my money pit.