First, I decided that I was “at that age” – time to plant roots. Then, I started collecting toonies ($2 coins) and putting out to the universe that I needed to earn more money. Next, I started working a lot and saving more. Then it became summertime, and I started looking at houses.

Found an agent who took me to see no fewer than 30 houses. Then, I gave up – frustrated, dejected.

Then, the agent called and said “look at this last one, please” and I hummed and hawed but eventually I did look at it. And it was filthy and run down, but I knew it was the house for me. So I signed a thousand forms and two months later I moved in.

That night I cried myself to sleep, questioning my decision and the enormous commitment I’d made.

The next morning, the sun shone. And after months, years, of hard work and living in renovation dust, with more yet to come, I am so, so, so grateful every day for my wonderful cozy little piece of this earth on, under and around which I feel so home.