Home...Multipurpose...

Much thinking has gone on these past few months as I have tried to turn my apartment in a home! And, yes...it has taken me a while! (Since May 5th when I moved in) And, no...I'm not quite finished.

See my home has to be multipurpose...It must serve the following needs:

1) A place to live and feel safe and secure. My apartment does that - it is big enough that I don't feel crowded yet not so big that I feel overwhelmed. It is in a very safe and secure neighborhood...as a matter of fact it is in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Claremont...and my building is nice.

2) A place where I can be creative. Yes! It meets those requirements too. I have a nice area set up as my sewing center. It is in front of a huge window and I get plenty of natural light for daytime piecing and quilting. My knitting corner is right next to it. I have a wonderful recliner in which I can sit and watch tv and knit. I also share the recliner with a certain feline...namely Killian.


3) My kitchen is also a place where I can be creative and try not only new foods but new recipes. That is something that is important to me since food is one of my loves...and I am fortunate that at 61 years of age I still weigh around 130 pounds and rarely watch what I eat. New recipes are tried at least once a week...after all there has to be a reason to have all the cookbooks that are in my kitchen...and the reason is to use them.

4) My home must be my vacation retreat. Don't think I could ever be one of those people who has a vacation home - not that it has not crossed my mind. But the idea of having two places to be and have "stuff" just boggles my mind.

My vacation needs are simple...a place to relax. A place to read. A place to dream. A place to treat myself to long luxurious bathes and relaxing skin treatments. A place to get out and see new and exciting things. A place to learn about the world around me.

My home meets the needs to relax, read, dream.

My bath room can be turned into a spa anytime I wish and I have enough items to create a spa feeling.

My home is situated in an area that is close enough for me to visit four other states (Vermont (the closest), Massachussetts (less than 2 hours), Maine, and New York (both about 2 hours away) ). Therefore, I can see new places and learn about the world around me. This also meets the needs of getting out in the outdoors with so many places to hike, walk around, investigate, and even stay at for a day or two. Plus there are spas in the area when I can go and get a massage if I feel so inclined.

And, if getting in the car and driving for a little while doesn't meet that need there is the free library (don't you just love the way New England has free libraries as opposed to public libraries???) where all manner of books and videos can be found. Plus, don't forget Public Television which has great programs on it (more on that at a later date)...

Now there is only the fact that I have about ten boxes that need to be unpacked; an altar to set up; a closet to arrange; and then it will be done! So here we go!