When I’m at home, I like to cozy up with a fluffy blanket and a hot tea—even in the summertime; I keep my air cold. I’ll sit there for an hour or more, just gazing out my window at the birds flitting about in the bushes my dad put in for me last year. There’s such sense of safety and of belonging on this side of my living room window.

And, you know, I’m proud of my windows. I chose them as a gift to myself last year and I’m rather pleased with them. When my mother passed away nearly two years ago, she left me with a lifetime of “advice memories” bouncing around in my mind. One of the things she always said is that, “one should never underestimate the happiness that comes from choosing something for herself.” Mom was right.

I chose these vinyl windows from R&M Quality Windows & Doors not far from here in Livermore, where I live. It t was a “big girl” moment for me to choose a replacement feature for my home without my mom’s guidance, even though I’m well into my forties. I suppose “big girl” moments show up at all times in our lives, huh? Well, I had never owned a home that needed fixing-up before; I do now.

This home is a work in progress and I have a few projects behind me. My favorite and most memorable is that first one—choosing these new vinyl windows of mine. They are deep mahogany, like the windows my grandfather had in his cabin. They aren’t real wood, but they sure look like it. Because it can be so warm here for the majority of the year, I chose double-paned glass with argon gas, to insulate the indoors better (remember, I like my air conditioning chilly!). Here in the living room, I replaced the small square windows with a massive picture window and flanking casements the frame the view of my spacious front yard; the outdoors here in Livermore is too pretty to be hidden away by obtrusive windows and too much wall space.

I look around and I see my mother. I see her influence in everything. She was absolutely right about the happiness that comes from making something my own. This little house wasn’t much when I bought it. But, it’s coming to life with choices I’m making every few months. The lighting is better. I’ve replaced fixtures and repainted every wall. These windows look as though they were made for this home and they complement the mid-century modern furniture I’ve collected from flea markets and cleaned up to make mine.

I am proud of the money I’ve saved looking for rare finds and re-purposing pieces others thought were trash! Most of all, I am proud of making this place my home and saving money along the way. Thank you, R & M Quality Windows & Doors; my first big-girl purchase was money well spent.

For details, you can check Livermore, CA vinyl windows.

R & M Quality Windows & Doors / 5588 Central Ave. #A Newark, CA 94560 / (510) 796.0100