HGTV and Me : A love story
I stared at the phone smiling as I read the text message. It was one of my girlfriends, apologizing for having to cancel our Friday night plans last minute. I immediately replied assuring her that while I was a bit bummed, I completely understood [insert sad face emoji here]. No worries love.
The moment I hit send … the introvert in me laughed out loud and danced around my bedroom. I didn’t really want to go anyway. Rejoice for canceled plans.
While I enjoy a good concert and cocktail as much as the next girl, there are times when the last thing I want to do is go out … anywhere.
I’m not sure when it happened exactly, but I know it was sometime after turning thirty. I found myself wanting to spend spend more time at home cooking, reading, writing and watching HGTV.
I no longer felt the desire to be at every event or party or to tear the club up (as the kids say). By no means am I knocking folks who still enjoy the scene … but I realize I don’t want to “hang out” like that anymore. I have no problem sliding through a birthday party, cook-out or any other get together … just not all the time. Living in the DMV (D.C., Maryland and Virginia for the uninitiated), there’s never a shortage of things to do, especially if you’re into art, music or culture.
The places I go to now are truly the ones that I want to be at and when I’m ready to go home … I leave. No song or dance. I just get up and leave because I am a grown azz woman with car keys and a Metro card at her disposal.
I enjoy my apartment and the feeling that I get when I walk through the door after a long day. To throw my keys on the table and strip down to my socks and underwear is euphoric.
I’m in a place now where I want to build a home and fill it with good food, family (only the ones that act right though) close friends, spirit-filled conversations and beautiful things. I want sweet potato pies baking in the oven and a pot of greens on the stove, as I sip a soothing cup of Chai tea and admire my Property Brothers approved backsplash. If it’s God’s will … add in children and a husband as well.
I want a space where I can surround myself with all the things I love mainly my books and music. I want a library with built-in shelves (because I’m fancy) to hold all my records, books and magazines and pink and orange throw pillows all over the room.
I think in some small way … when I watch HGTV it reminds me of the future I envision for myself. I’m thankful for my little apartment no doubt, but I know I’m not meant to stay here forever. Not to mention I’m thisclose to murdering my upstairs neighbors.
Real estate in the DMV is so ridiculously priced, especially when I know how much house $300,000 could buy back home. So I’m taking my time in purchasing a place that I can you know actually afford. Being house poor ain’t the move beloved.
So … if you don’t see me out and about, you already know where I am. Viva La HGTV!
