Adventures in Homeownership

We have had a busy time lately, keeping up with all the little things that come with owning a home.  Or, really, just living in our own place, because some of this we would have to deal with even if we rented!  Last year at this time, we discovered that we needed a new air conditioner (the old one was original to the house, 1984) and heater, an adventure that put our home warranty to the test and our wallets as well.  I've documented on this blog the home improvement projects Randy has undertaken (next up:  kitchen improvements and finishing the master bathroom).  And of course there are the day-to-day tasks (cleaning, scrubbing, airing out).  It seems to me, though, that the problems that arise from time to time do so in clumps.  We've been blessedly free of issues for awhile, and then....

Just today, the garage door opener, which is about 17 years old, decided to crap out on us.  The quick fix is re-lubricating the chain, and the long-term fix will likely be replacing it.  Since it didn't come with a clicker (who knows), this could be an improvement.

While Randy was tinkering with the garage door opener tonight, I went out to the front porch to sweep all the dirt and grass clippings from the recent storm and Randy's edging/mowing today.  I made my way to the railing only to find carpenter ants all over it, and up the side of the house to the fence, and across to the neighbor's tree and yard.  Randy sprayed some quick-fix Spectricide, but closer inspection and some research made us decide we'll have to call an exterminator.  No way to know for sure on our own whether the ants have a colony in our house or someplace else, and either way, their presence is not at all comforting.  Hey, maybe when the exterminator comes, he can do something about the birds that took up residence in the attic???

Of course, these things occurred after a good, restful weekend, right at the tail end on Sunday evening.  Right before a busy work week for both of us, and a week out from a trip out of town.

All of it is more than worth it, of course.  We're thankful for the opportunity to be stewards of our own home, and for the ability to afford such a thing in this economy (or really, at all).  I admit, though, that owning a home has also been a test of our patience (with each other, with ourselves) and of our fortitude at times!