The charm of suburbia
Well, if you can call where we live "suburbia," that is. We are right in the middle of the city limits, but that is by choice. We wanted to be within walking distance (literally) of grocery stores, pharmacies, and the like, just so we could walk if we had to (or just wanted to because we could). I consider this "suburbia" because of the neighborhood atmosphere which surrounds us.
What do we love about where we live? We love being able to walk outside and hear thousands of birds, early spring birds, chortling among all of the 100-year-old trees which surround our home. Sure beats our last home's surroundings....sand, sand, sand, maybe one pine tree, and no birds (just termites....and the "scratch, scratch" sounds do not compare in the least to a bird's sweet voice).
We love having an enclosed area in which to go on walks....strolling with our child in his pram, random neighbors lifting a hat or waving with the hand not holding a garden hose....cars that pass by whose occupants give you the four-fingered-wave while grasping the steering wheel, leaving you wondering what house they pulled out of, and do I know them??
We adore the old character and charm of these older homes, most of which are impeccably taken care of and preserved, lawns perfectly maintained, with grass so lush and green (even in winter) that it appears as if you could lie down and sink so far down you could bed there for the night. Also wonderful are the variety of household pets, cats mainly, who wander to and fro from home to home. We have adopted three or four of them ourselves, and we contribute to their chubbiness with the bit of food we place outdoors in little ceramic bowls. I have even named these clever critters....once you name them, you get attached.
But most of all, we appreciate how close neighbors and friends are, how easy it is to borrow and lend items from our attic, garage, or kitchen cabinets. How wonderful it is to accept a dinner invitation and then just walk on foot to the doorstep of your friends. How you can call on them on a second's notice to watch your cats while out of town, or even babysit. How exciting is is, too, of how a future stay-at-home-mom's group is in the works, a place where we can congregate, strengthen, encourage, and let our children play together.
Nope, I would not trade this life for anything. Even the Atlanta apartment dreams I had while in college cannot compare to this. I had my eyes fixed on something that my heart would not wholly embrace....replacing lawn for pavement, neighbors for security gates. I am happy and content. I would not change a thing.
What do we love about where we live? We love being able to walk outside and hear thousands of birds, early spring birds, chortling among all of the 100-year-old trees which surround our home. Sure beats our last home's surroundings....sand, sand, sand, maybe one pine tree, and no birds (just termites....and the "scratch, scratch" sounds do not compare in the least to a bird's sweet voice).
We love having an enclosed area in which to go on walks....strolling with our child in his pram, random neighbors lifting a hat or waving with the hand not holding a garden hose....cars that pass by whose occupants give you the four-fingered-wave while grasping the steering wheel, leaving you wondering what house they pulled out of, and do I know them??
We adore the old character and charm of these older homes, most of which are impeccably taken care of and preserved, lawns perfectly maintained, with grass so lush and green (even in winter) that it appears as if you could lie down and sink so far down you could bed there for the night. Also wonderful are the variety of household pets, cats mainly, who wander to and fro from home to home. We have adopted three or four of them ourselves, and we contribute to their chubbiness with the bit of food we place outdoors in little ceramic bowls. I have even named these clever critters....once you name them, you get attached.
But most of all, we appreciate how close neighbors and friends are, how easy it is to borrow and lend items from our attic, garage, or kitchen cabinets. How wonderful it is to accept a dinner invitation and then just walk on foot to the doorstep of your friends. How you can call on them on a second's notice to watch your cats while out of town, or even babysit. How exciting is is, too, of how a future stay-at-home-mom's group is in the works, a place where we can congregate, strengthen, encourage, and let our children play together.
Nope, I would not trade this life for anything. Even the Atlanta apartment dreams I had while in college cannot compare to this. I had my eyes fixed on something that my heart would not wholly embrace....replacing lawn for pavement, neighbors for security gates. I am happy and content. I would not change a thing.
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