What makes a house a home?

Have you ever wondered what exactly makes a house a home?   You can have a big house, small house apartment, trailer, or a tent, it does matter,  you can turn it into a home.  Within the last few months my house has been transformed in to a home, it is a great relaxing place.  I do not have to go far to be able to relax.  Each room has a theme and I have a big man cave.  Every room has a touch of me.  I have painted, upgraded and redone a lot of the house. It does not get much better than that.  Only drawback is it takes money.  The lady at Lowes checkout knows me by name now.  I have enjoyed doing it.   I can understand why it cost so much for people to come in and do things such as paint.  One example was it was going to cost me close to $500.00 dollars to add chair rail in my dining room, I read a book, brought the material and my final cost was $45.00.  I tell you when you do it yourself you can look around with pride. I have learned a little carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, I can paint, build things and yes I can even follow directions.  I wake up sore and some days it is hard to move but is it worth it? You bet it is. It is fun trying to find things unique in every room.  I have three birds, two dogs; music going all the time, the home is full of life.   I have three rooms left to do, may take me a few years but it will get done.  I am really enjoying transforming this house into a home.  My kids do not like all the changes but as the saying goes, nothing last forever or nothing stays the same.   My hot tub works, my pool is getting ready to open, my dogs have not beaten me up lately, and yes life is good.  Until next time, I have upgrades to do!!!