So glad I went my own way. My house is my fortress. I love opening up all the blinds and shades in the morning, and shutting and locking everything down at night. I have an abundance of room here, despite not many possessions. I pay less mortgage for this place than the rent on most nearby 1 bedrooms. Sometimes I just lay on the carpet in one of the empty rooms and I just laugh, thinking about all the local single mothers toting around 1-4+ bad decisions who would kill to get out of their parents basement and have what I have, and they’re not getting it. No crayons allowed here. Everything is just the way I want it, or will be the way I want to make it. I almost can’t get used to the peace and tranquility and it’s been more than two years.