Every house that Jeremy and I have owned has been older and in need of a lot of renovation. Each one has taken a little bit longer than the last to “finish,” with most of the work getting done once it’s time to move and therefore, get ready to sell. This time around, a good chunk on the work was done before we moved in. However, the rest of it (and there is still quite a bit) is progressing very slowly. When things are in upheaval like this, I tend to put off decorating. We have lived here for a year and a half and the only thing that I have hung up on the wall is a calendar. I didn’t put anything on the built in shelves in the living room for the longest time because they still need another coat of paint. I finally just decided that I would rather have to remove all of my books from the shelves when it came time to paint than keep them sitting in boxes any longer. These kind of things make a house feel more like a home. It bothers me that I don’t have pictures on the walls. It bothers me that I have a guest bathroom that has unfinished walls (read: wallpaper removed and haven’t gotten around to repairing and painting said walls), peeling vinyl flooring, and no toilet paper holder. Okay, that last thing is mostly a life-with-a-toddler thing (We used to have one, I just have no idea where the thing even is right now), but still… The point is, all of this adds up to me not opening up my home to friends and family because I want all of these things done first. It drives Jeremy crazy. In all honesty, it drives me crazy too.

So, all of this to say that my one little word for this year is “open.” This goes beyond opening up my home to others regardless of the state it’s in, but that is a huge part of it. I have always loved hosting friends and family in my home. I used to be a part of an epic dinner exchange when I lived in Dallas. I’ve never lived in another place with such an emphasis on eating out All. The. Time. My circle of friends decided to take turns hosting each other in our homes and cooking instead. I miss that. I miss crowding around the table and playing nertz and other fun games with friends. So, this year, I’m going to be open to hosting in my not-so-perfect home. Who wants to come over first? I promise not to say, “Sorry the house is such a mess,” or point out the boards coming up in the kitchen under the sink. As long as you do the same for me. Invite me into your not-so-perfect life and don’t apologize for the mess. Deal?

As I mentioned before, “open” applies to more than just opening my home. I’m open to choosing one little word. This isn’t the first year I have heard about this concept, but it’s the first year I am participating. I’m open to new ideas, challenges and opportunities. I’m open to meeting new people and even being set up on a blind “mom date.” Yes, that happened. And when I read the Facebook message, instead of pretending that I didn’t see it, I responded (gasp!). I’m not going to lie, I was still tempted to just pretend I forgot all about it and let it be forgotten by all parties involved, but I am proud to say that I did not do that. As nervous and hesitant as I am about making new friends, I realize that it is something I need (and want!) to be open to. I’m open to taking a health-related step that I have been putting off for two and a half years. I’m open to putting myself out there. I’m open to taking the first step.

Open heart.
Open mind.
Open book.
Open road.
Open.
Wide open.

Bring it on!