How a house becomes a home.

Sideboard
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

In the past 8 years I have moved seven times. Seven. I guess I was restless. I started with my first ever apartment in Bedford Hills NY with who would end up my fiancee` at the time. Then to White Plains, NY then to a house that we bought together after getting married. Sadly, divorce split us up and I moved again to a new apartment--a tiny studio back in Bedford. And then back to the house in Carmel while waiting to sell it. And then back to a third apartment in Bedford. And now...here. My home.

I didn't realize how unsettled I had become and how much of an emotional toll that kind of wandering took on me. With so much moving I didn't amass many possessions. I didn't like holding onto anything for too long because I knew what a strain it would be to pack it up.

But now I feel settled. And in my new home where I've lived for two years I have a few items that have travelled with me from the beginning. Like this little sideboard. My mom found it at a tag sale, much worse for the wear. She brought it home and she and my dad worked to refinish it, strip and polish the hardwear and give it a fresh coat of paint inside and out. I think it may have cost $10.

It is one of my favorite things.