It was a year ago that I came across a real estate listing for my house on the Internet. The princess tower, ample garage space and a children’s playground horse on a spring were enough to make me an interested buyer.My sister was kind enough to attend an open house and send David and me the video she shot while at the open house. We fell in love with the place! It was our perfect home.In July, David made his way from Fort Worth, Texas, to see the big ol’ house in Hills and immediately began making the arrangements to purchase.Now, a year later and in our 10th month of ownership, the trials and tribulations of owning a house are really coming into focus.To be honest, it seems first-time home buyers have more trials during that first year.When buying a home, you get to fill out more paperwork than you do for any other event in your life. But none of the paperwork includes an instruction manual for what to do when you get into your new home.I propose that all houses sold should come with a book of instructions.A simple guide would be all that was necessary, just something explaining the process of winterization, how to check your furnace, plumbing, air conditioning and the exact workings of the breaker box.For me, owning my first home has made me feel so stupid. I have no idea how to use these appliances, let alone stay on top of their necessary maintenance.When purchasing my home, I was warned by several people that I must plan on investing one percent of the buying price to yearly maintenance. I figured that one percent maintenance would include paint for the walls, tile for the bathroom, carpet for the basement and new antiques to fill the rooms.Boy, was I mistaken!After only three months in Hills the harsh reality of where that money really has to go set in…… when the furnace motor went out and I realized the price of fuel oil.Because Tuesday marked the first day of summer, I decided it would be OK to turn on the air conditioner that is so conveniently attached to the side of my house. But to my begrudging surprise, another giant appliance that I don’t know how to use was no longer functioning.It would just be easier if I had a manual to follow — something pointing me in the right direction. With helpful hints such as, there are two ways for ceiling fans to spin. Fan owners must change that direction depending on how they want the air circulated.I am still not sure if mine are running the correct way, but until Father’s Day (when my father enlightened me as to the workings of ceiling fans) I had no idea it even mattered.I really don’t mean to complain, but sometimes it is easy to overlook the wonderful surprises owning a home brings when there are so many costly catastrophes.For instance, last week when the plumber replaced a broken pipe, the roses started to bloom.In purchasing the house we became the owners of giant, very well-established rose bushes. I like to think of them as an add-on bonus. But their blooming was heavily overshadowed by the quarter of an inch of water in my basement.Home ownership is the fulfillment of the American Dream and the traditional starting point for American families to accumulate wealth. Home ownership provides shelter and security to families and fosters involvement in community life as well as participation in democratic institutions. But, man! Homeownership can sure be a pain in my butt.Story ideas or comments can be emailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.