I don't want your Tom. Just a Tom. And not necessarily a "Tom". Just a Tom-like, man-thing that I could call home.

Yes, that. I also would enjoy being a homeowner in the real estate sense.

I used to say I came from NM by way of NC. My identity as a New Mexican is really strong, which is funny since I haven't lived there in 13 years, and probably won't again.

Oddly, the idea of identifying as a Marylander or even a Baltimoron just seems ...well, like a lie.

(And the real estate thing is why I'm more jealous of Nora currently than, say, Lori -- you guys rent, right?)

From the day I moved here, Chicago has felt more like "home" than any other city I've lived in post-college. I don't think it's *there* yet, that deep-down, don't want to be anywhere else thing, but I think it will be eventually. But a not-Tom wouldn't go amiss.

I also would enjoy being a homeowner in the real estate sense.

I wonder if that would make where I live more homey. My parents have owned just the one place, but it's been such a fragmented inhabitation...

Plus, I live in LA, so it may just never happen.

Found out how much of my objective-based bonus I get. Not bad, but I really do need to do taxes before I start spending it in my head.

Assuming no bad tax news, save half of the net, spend half is sensible and adult right?

real estate inspires and inflames passions and jealousy, it's true.

'Home' was still my Mom's house for a long time, but since I got a grown-up career and started accumulating major appliances and major furniture items, it's been my apartment. And now I actually own a house that I like a great deal, despite quirks.

I have a thing that's almost like a sofa. It must mean I kinda like this town.

Though it is easy to move, since you can wrap it in plastic and roll it.

I am nothing if not commitment-shy.

Just before I was born, my parents bought a house on St. Marys St. When I was six, we moved into the house next door and my aunt/uncle bought our old house. So for the longest time, St. Marys St. was home. Then my parents sold the house and moved to New Mexico. I love it there, but NM is not my home.

When I say home, I guess I mean where ever Joe and I are living at the moment. I'd love to say home is where ever he is, but he's too often not there for it to be the case. Instead, I think home is where, Joe, Ellie, and the dogs are. Together, they all make it home.

eta: Just wanted to add, that I, also, say "I'm from MN, but I live in (where ever)." I think I'll always be a Minnesotan. I do wonder how moving around will affect Ellie. Will she have a strong identity with one place or another?

eta2: I have this thing on my wall that says "Home is where the Army sends you" and then it lists below all the palces we've lived together. I'm a bit behind as it only goes up to Colorado.

Like Nora, my home is wherever Jason and I are. I call the city we moved to when I was 10 and my mom still lives in my "hometown" (Shout out to Reston, VA, Yo) but I don't consider it my home.