It past by and I didn't even realize it. I was planning to realize it, but I missed. At the time of this writing it has been 1 year and 6 days since I closed on my first house. I still go back and forth every day if I made the right decision.

On a "head" side, I know purchasing this place was the right long-term financial decision. It set me on a path to have my house paid off by the time I am 55 - and that's a great thing - for me and my future family. Even despite the softening housing market, in the long term, it will be a positive financial move.

Also...I have been surprised how fun it has been to fix and install things around the house. Strangely enough, it has been really affirming.

Also...I have enjoyed that it has become a hang out hub for the few single friends I have up in the "Soccer-Mom Capital" of Alpharetta.

But on the other hand, the "heart" side, I have to admit I feel a bit trapped. Which is illustrated in a couple of ways.

The past seven years I have averaged 24,581 miles of flying when traveling or doing missions. This year I flew only a third of that: 8,312. I know some might not understand - and that's ok - but not traveling the way I have in the past has really made me feel claustrophobic.

Also...I bought the place knowing that Alpharetta was "older" than Buckhead/Midtown/Virginia Highlands, but it wasn't really until this past trip to see Michael were I realized what a difference living in the "younger" part of town can make.

Also...I am not planning on switching jobs. I love my job. But since purchasing this home, I do admit the complications that come with taking a job that is offered outside of Atlanta make that idea incredibly unattractive; no matter how good the job is. I sort of resent that feeling.

On the "let's smack Andy across the face side," I do know that there are literally billions of people around the world who would love to have the good graces to be able to purchase a home, and that I should consider myself fortunate (which I do). But that still doesn't help the back-and-forth in my head a year later.

You'll want to check back on the post starting Monday. I found some archived Post Secret's that I have never seen before, and everyday I am going to post a Secret on the blog that I personally relate to.

Some will be funny, some will be profound - but all will probably be telling as to why I am a bit nuts. To give you a little tease, I thought this one was somewhat relevant to the above post.