Home is where the heart is!

That's a good one, I've tried the 1812 overture but it's just not long enough. There used to be a saying, 'a son's a son 'til he takes a wife but a daughter's a daughter the rest of her life', any idea what I may have done that was so bad in a previous life that it merited having to cope with three daughters in this one?

LOL. As you know, I have corresponded with two of your three daughters and they are delightful. Personally I think that you have been blessed and you have done a first class job with them. Good job that they are in relationships and that I don't have son. If he brought any of them home I would be a happy man. My own daughter is a wonder too. She has mastered the art of twisting her dad around her little finger. "Daddy, you know that I love you, have you got any money?" Works every time.

"They never leave" so my mother tells me when I visit. That said, she has just phoned to ask me when I am going over next. It's a self inflicted wound therefore. But we wouldn't have it any other way. You have my complete sympathy about your neighbours. When we lived in a flat in London our bedroom was over the flat below's lounge. The lad that lived there would come home late and always seemed to play "Wild Thing". I loathe that song now as it always reminds me of broken nights that were broken anyway by our daughter. Perhaps you could find something jolly, Wagner perhaps, turn your stereo right up and go out for the night. I think that the Ring Cycle is is only 13 hours long. They might get the message then.

no..no...not the builders. The builders were here when my older son was around 3 years old...and that was fine then because I had it all planned out....one room at a time. But with a toddler and a 7 year old with a fractured leg....AND a husband trying to HELP (see how I focus on the 'help' part), I find it hard to be comfortable anywhere. I'm just waiting for the toddler to be another year older...and hopefully I will be able to banish my husband to his 'comfort zone' and I'll be able to get my home and my sanity back! Sometimes, I think my workplace is better. My toddler's with his teacher and I'm enjoying myseilf with my set of kids. I have to brace myself to stop thinking when I enter my home...which is hard when I have so many things to do. I find the whole place cluttered and I don't know if I need to start cooking or cleaning up first.

You didn't say but I presume that you have the builders in. We had 4 months of that last year. My home didn't feel quite so cosy then I must admit. I too get told to sit and not get in he way because my wife wants to do whatever it is that she does. Naturally it is only polite to agree to her request. LOL. She got me ironing this morning, so it's not all ease!

I understand now. LOL. I too am a "helpful" husband. I am forever being led to the lounge and told to sit down out from under my wife's feet!! I hope that your son's leg gets better soon.

No kidding it seems to go too fast sometimes.

Haha. Yes I remember those days. But have you noticed that one minute you are at the school gate and only what seems a minute later you are back picking them up.

I think that is so right. I you are with the ones that you love then everything else is secondary. If you like where you live too, that's a great bonus.

That's true. Thank you very much.

That must be hard, but think of the future in your new house. And a tub!! If you could hear my daughter and the subject of tubs. I said that we might get one last year and she was in heaven. In the end wed decided to build a new kitchen instead. She likes it, but it clearly doesn't have quite the effect that she was looking for! How long until you move. Bet you are excited.

We close on our house within the month. We were supposed to close on the 7th, but the lender needed more time. People weren't kidding when they said that anything can happen when you are buying a home. I can't wait!

I think that we all need to learn to take up hobbies and pastimes rather than just expecting it to be provided Steph. Sounds like fun there.

To answer your question my home is a safe place where I can go and let my hair down and just be myself totally. And my husband makes it a better place to go to and relax.

That's lovely and so true. I love to have my family all together. Then I really feel that I am home.

I am sure that your SO appreciates the haven that you help create for him. I bet his days are very challenging at times. It is lovely to sit in the heart of your home and feel that warmth though isn't it?

A precious little bundle of Nova - wow, thank you, darling. How sweet is that?! The only thing that's missing from my joy about my home is the fact that we don't own it. There's nothing I'd love more than to own our own home, but this is certainly the next best thing. When you're 59, we'll throw a huge celebration, light some rockets, drink champagne, and whoop and holler! And think of it, p1ke, you'll just be 9 years better than you are today, and believe me, that's saying something!!!

There's a very precious little bundle of Nova to be protected. So the security is no less than I would expect. I love home. Yet when I was younger I wold have sooner been traveling. It's probably to do with the fact that we chose it (actually I chose it), we bought it and it really is ours (or will be when I am 59). The city is beautiful and right now I cannot envisage living anywhere else. If only the weather were kinder. Can't have everything. LOL.

That sounds beautiful Hatley. Living in a garden that you don't have to dig must be heavenly. He says stiffly, trying to straighten up!

You are so right. Your family is the most important thing and home is wherever they are. Mind you, I'm in trouble. I said that I'd do some ironing and I've not started yet!

lol me too although as im the only person to do the ironing in this house il let myself off!! My partner has the girls at his mums for a few hours today so im making the most of the quiet!

That's good to hear Wendy. I can't describe it, but it is the sense of belonging and that your are correctly centred, safe and secure. I was never happier than when I was traveling. But now, I am quite content to sit here with my memories and the odd excursion.

You're a couple of years younger than me and I think that people were more likely to go wandering in those days. Now young people get a gap year from college go somewhere, come home and turn into accountants. Nothing wrong with that but hey......... I love the idea of running off to the carnival. But not now. I too wouldn't want that constant packing and unpacking. But you must have seen some sights and learnt some new tricks along the way. Lovely story Wendy. Thank you.

I left home when I was 15. It was 1976. I hitchhiked all around the country. It was a memorable adventure for sure. Then I tried to settle down. I started in my hometown in nothern Wisconsin. In 1985 I moved to Michigan. I then had an ex-husband and three little kids. But I still had the wander-lust. The longest we stayed in one house or appartment was about three years. When my daughter turned 18 she left with her boyfriend to join a carnival. She came home in the spring to give birth to her first child. My youngest son who was just 16 went with her when she returned to the carnival. Sort of like a nanny. Two months later my oldest son, who was 17, and I joined them. My oldest son met his wife out on the road. They have been together for over 7 years now. I spent almost 4 years on the road. But moving every week takes it's toll. So, please, don't get me wrong. I loved the time I traveled. I will treasure those memories forever. But it is nice to have an honest, dependable man in my life and a stable home. I have had a lot of experiences in my life. This is the first time that I have experienced this.

I am pleased that you feel so safe now. Not doing so must be exhausting. p1kef1sh Towers might sound lovely, but what with all the work that we've had to do to the West Wing, and now the stables need re building. Too too much. LOL.

but as lord of the manor you just sit there and watch it all dont you lOL

I shout encouragement to the staff too. Got to keep them inspired. Now where's my bullwhip. LOL

That's it exactly. Where you feel safe and at ease.

That makes complete sense to me. Thank you Skinnychick

I do so identify with the Ellie. When I go off on trips I hate to say goodbye to home and I cannot wait to see it again on my return. Just turning into the road can fill me with joy. I hide in the bathroom too. It's where I catch up with my wife's women's magazines. Just read the Christmas edition of Red. I have had one or two ideas for discussions from it.

Getting home is so important. I think that some of those care home type places should be looked at closely as they do treat people, especially more mature people like they are small children. Where is the dignity. People that normally function very well without the nannying that goes on are treated like they have never made a decision for themselves in their lives. Glad you are back in familiar territory.

Firstly I hope that your son does well. They've just announced the winner of the men's race. I'd love to run, but would need oxygen at about 100 yards, an ambulance at 250 yards and an undertaker at 500 yards! The older that I get, the more I appreciate my home. I don't sit weeping for it when I am away, although I think of it often.. But I cannot wait to come home. I used to travel a lot overseas and I would always be happy to holiday at home. Of course, the girls were at home all year and would want to go abroad. It's a democracy in our house. They always win. I know my place! Enjoy your day. I have got ironing. Whoopee.

Home really is where your loved ones are. Everything else is a support act I feel.