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Jul 15, 2011 8:07 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
Becca, I'll respond to your post over here.
I also like moving! I always thought that we wouldn't live anywhere longer than 6 years and we've been here almost 30. I'm so bored with it. I want new places to explore, a new life. All the places that we can get to and back here within a day...we've BEEN there. Jer will ask if I want to go somewhere and I don't because all the places I want to go are far, far away. Plus, it's that transition time of life and I'm just seriously looking at so much change. This 'letting go' of things takes a gradual getting used to.

I also have 'Golden Showers' rose. It was given to me and was the impetus for adding yellow to my plantings. It was a spark, really livened things up. The first thing yellow that I had...
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
Avatar for rebeccag
Jul 15, 2011 9:25 PM CST
Name: Rebecca Gardner
Gold Beach, Oregon (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 2
Well that is a beautiful rose, I am searching and searching for a place for it.

I would like a new house. I would like to pack up the essentials and move into a totally empty house, and I would like to do it alone. Oops, thats not going well. Kinda a standstill, I am eagerly waiting the next outburst because I am prepared to make it the last. And I think he knows it, hes being very, very careful.

We now have showers in the forecast for a few days, it really is going to do it, the ocean is flat as a lake and the air is still.

I just now came in, I did not get all I wanted done but I did get a lot done and I guess that has to be good enough.

I was on zillow looking at places near my house. I live in an expensive area. There is a 2 story right across from me that is for sale for $650. The picture does not look bad but the house needs to be torn down and it does have a very nice view but on the other side there is a couple run down mobile homes. That is about the only affordable one, but not really as the house is really crappy.

Then for the fun of it, I looked at my house in Santa Clara and the value of it is near 1 million. Then I looked my house in Sunnyvale I lived in for 10 years and its in foreclosure. One end of the spectrum to the other.
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Jul 15, 2011 10:02 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
Don't know if we'll move, don't know when, but it will definitely be North. I'm pretty darn tired of not enough rain...and it would be so boring to think I'd stay here til I die...lol.
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
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Jul 16, 2011 12:16 AM CST
Name: Liz
Santa Rosa, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Dog Lover Hummingbirder Roses
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Sherry, Thanks for setting up a chat thread! I was intrigued by your "off the grid" comment. At a younger time in my life, that would have been an appealing goal, but I can't imagine having the energy or stamina for it as I age. We bought our house seven years ago & demo'ing & re-doing our landscaping was a big adventure, but I can see that taking care of a big yard (by SF Bay Area standards) on a hill would be challenge as I age - as it is, I have a lot of near misses - ie. falls - that could be more serious in the future. Observing our elderly Mom's being able to continue life as usual, due in large part to the closeness of conveniences, medical facilities & friends has been an education, when we compare it to areas that I thought might appeal to me for retirement - ie. we have close friends in Nevada City, who have to take their parents to Davis for more sophisticated medical needs - that becomes a major inconvenience when daily doctors visits are required. Also, when referring the my DH's life in the Santa Cruz mountains after the earthquake, I think of the fact that there was no water for months after the earthquake - they trucked in water & showers for the residents a few times a week. I'll be curious to see where you end up, because you've spoken of moving every summer since I started following DG/Cubits threads...

Rebecca, house prices are really amazing in the Bay Area. As you mentioned, both ends of the spectrum. We always said that our kids would never be able to buy a house in CA, but it just might be possible today. Of course, the flip side of that is that our retirement equity has diminished as well. Sigh... Sounds like your life may be taking a new direction - hope things go whichever way you want. Looking forward to hearing some Mishka & Uncle stories in the future!

Liz
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Jul 16, 2011 12:16 AM CST
Name: AnjL/Annmarie Leslie
Olympic Penninsula, WA (Zone 8a)
Tiny home+huge yard=happy heart!
Charter ATP Member I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Miniature Gardening Bulbs Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America
Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Pacific Northwest Irises Hostas Garden Art Region: California
aw, see you all need to move to my area Smiling plenty of rain, plenty of snow, and unfortunately for me...plenty of hot summer days Sad Whistling

Although I do have to say that I moved in 1996, then again in 2004, then in 2006 and then again last year.... I hope to NEVER ever move ever again Hilarious! We did do a lot of simplifying when we moved this last time though. Got rid of a lot of stuff (including kids Whistling ) and downsized to 1100 sq ft. My garden area shrank significantly, but it is so easy to take care of it all now! Thumbs up

I do miss my roses though...
All the coffee in Columbia will never make me a morning person!
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Jul 16, 2011 12:27 AM CST
Name: Liz
Santa Rosa, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Dog Lover Hummingbirder Roses
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Annmarie,

I read about your life in Fremont (as a lurker) and saw your wonderful & rapid garden transformation. Your move to the Sierras does sound like a big change, but I see simplification as a goal for us many of us, in the future. I'm just getting into roses, (we fenced our backyard, so the deer don't get them), so I can imagine how much you miss them!
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Jul 16, 2011 12:34 AM CST
Name: AnjL/Annmarie Leslie
Olympic Penninsula, WA (Zone 8a)
Tiny home+huge yard=happy heart!
Charter ATP Member I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Miniature Gardening Bulbs Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America
Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Pacific Northwest Irises Hostas Garden Art Region: California
Deer are the reason why I dont have them here Sad well, that and the fact that we are not allowed to put up fences. I would like to put some in pots on our deck...once we build the new deck Hilarious!

I also miss our veggie garden, hoping to grow veggies in pots on the deck too...someday Whistling
All the coffee in Columbia will never make me a morning person!
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Jul 16, 2011 12:46 AM CST
Name: Liz
Santa Rosa, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Dog Lover Hummingbirder Roses
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
I'm in the process of transferring some of my favorite shrub roses to pots, so I can take them with me, whenever we move. And truthfully, my tomatoes did better in pots (before we built the beds), than they've done in the ground the past few years. One of my close friends grows lots of produce & he has all of his tomatoes in earth boxes - they're about 8 feet tall!
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Jul 16, 2011 12:50 AM CST
Name: AnjL/Annmarie Leslie
Olympic Penninsula, WA (Zone 8a)
Tiny home+huge yard=happy heart!
Charter ATP Member I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Miniature Gardening Bulbs Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America
Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Pacific Northwest Irises Hostas Garden Art Region: California
I do have one mater plant in a pot for this year. I met a lady up here who is a master gardener, she tried to give me more than one, but I figured I better keep just one until I have more deck space Whistling
All of my Brugs are in pots too, so I'm being picky for now, but once that lower deck is built.... look out containers here I come!
All the coffee in Columbia will never make me a morning person!
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Jul 16, 2011 7:25 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
lol, liz......My dentist says we've been talking about moving for 20 years...it's true. I didn't want to leave my job until I got my retirement out of it and I didn't want to switch jobs as I was only 7 minutes from work here in a small town. I retired 6 or so years ago (I tend to not keep track of numbers of years), so that's not an excuse any longer. My Mom died about 7 years ago and my Dad 1 1/2 years ago, so there's not that reason any longer. Though it would be smarter, I don't think I want to base where I live in my coming years on how close I am to medical care. What's holding us up mainly now is our son who will most likely always live with us and he does have a job here...that would be a problem in many areas that we'd choose to move to. We will make many choices that we would not have made 6-7 years ago. I'm taking a much clearer look now at what I require in my life and how much I want to take care of. I will no longer feel the need to take all the plants with me, either. I've been lugging pots and bif tubs of plants around with me for years. I don't feel the need to do that any longer...
Gold Country is too hot in the summers for me and too far from the ocean. My BIL and SIL live in Sonora. We talk a lot more about moving during the summers here...lol...it will get back up into the 90's this week and that's far too hot for us.
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
Avatar for rebeccag
Jul 16, 2011 7:52 AM CST
Name: Rebecca Gardner
Gold Beach, Oregon (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 2
Well I was happy this morning, woke up to WET. Its not a good strong rain, but its a stead drizzle and all is soaked.

I would have a very, very hard time living away from the ocean. When it gets to the criteria, not many places I can live. No snow or ice, no high temps, no heavy traffic. Enough land to not see other people or hear them. The worst things about it here is the medical situation, Medford is really the only place to go and its almost 3 hours and on a road that is 2 lanes, very curvy and often closed in winter. And the second thing is its very hard to get out of here. Again, to Medford for the airport or Arcata. We are a long way from anything. But then. if we did not have these 2 issues, more than likely we would have too many people.

I like the Santa Rosa area, its a little warm for me and too far from the ocean but I like the towns and being close to great shopping and medical centers. The nurserys are awesome and I can just drive around for hours enjoying the gardens people have.

It seems that now is the wrong time to sell but the right time to buy. If one had the money to invest and could get something, then wait and hope real estate came back, one could do well, perhaps. Not an issue for me, I have property and NO money.

I was so surprised Jlo and Mark Anthony split, they put on a good show in public.
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Jul 16, 2011 9:06 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
Those are the same criteria that I have......
True, it doesn't help that our property value has dropped by half...although, according to zillow when I checked last night, their 'zestimate' has us up by a couple hundred thou again instead of down. Still, ya gotta take their info with a grain of salt. I don't know where they get their info, but they have our house listed as having 1 bedroom and 5 baths...lol.
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
Avatar for rebeccag
Jul 16, 2011 10:07 AM CST
Name: Rebecca Gardner
Gold Beach, Oregon (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 2
For one bedroom, 5 baths, now thats a person that has hygene at a much higher level than most.

I am sick. I tried to ignore it but it did not go away. Head is stuffy, throat is sore, and swollen, head is pounding and the sure clue I am sick. No desire to eat and only one cup of coffee. Yep, I am sick. Got a call, someone wants to come and buy some dogwoods. Oh, sure, don't come yesterday when its dry, come today so I can go out and get all wet. But if they have money, I have a new rain poncho.

I am thinking if I take a hot shower it will all go away. Ignoring it did not work, the shower may be the trick. I really cannot be sick, just cannot.
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Jul 16, 2011 11:00 AM CST
Name: Susie
Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a)
Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Southwest Gardening Roses
Birds Hummingbirder Garden Art Dog Lover Daylilies Region: United States of America
I posted on the PCGardening forum after Sherry's post about Sebastopol that "yes, love anything north of Jenner or Bodega Bay and up to Mendocino and west side of coastal mountains.

I very reluctantly moved with Charles Schwab in 1993 from Menlo Park to Phoenix. I had owned 5 different houses on the Peninsula prior but due to 1st divorce sold last house and moved into apartment (in 1993, $1400 a month when we moved to AZ). We sold my mom's house on Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park 2010 after many price reductions over two years time.

I was able to retire and pay off my house in Phoenix. BUT, I'll never see a good rain again!!! Yea, we get good monsoons, up to 4 inches in 1/2 hr once Sad , winds, heat, freezes.... we get the gamut. It's OK. I pretended I died! Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing
“Don't give up too quickly"... unknown, I heard it somewhere.
~ All Things Plants, SOUTHWEST GARDENING ~Cubits.org ENERGY & POWER
Last edited by Aguane Jul 16, 2011 1:21 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 16, 2011 1:18 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
We all gotta do what we gotta do and sometimes we find that we can put up wtih things that we didn't think we would be able to. Usually something to be lost and something to be gained in every transaction....
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
Image
Jul 16, 2011 2:05 PM CST
Name: AnjL/Annmarie Leslie
Olympic Penninsula, WA (Zone 8a)
Tiny home+huge yard=happy heart!
Charter ATP Member I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Miniature Gardening Bulbs Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America
Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Pacific Northwest Irises Hostas Garden Art Region: California
Sherry your BIL & SIL are about 25 mins downhill from me Smiling too hot for me down there though! We went down the hill today to buy some carpeting and lumber. It was 80* at 10am yuck! I do miss the ocean, but thats only 2 1/2 hrs away so when I do go visit it its a REAL treat Hilarious!
All the coffee in Columbia will never make me a morning person!
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Jul 16, 2011 3:06 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
Well, the real good news is that you can go to Yosemite and Tahoe quite often. They've been in Sonora for quite awhile but are not happy with it or the people. They were in Coarsegold before that and Angwin before Coarsegold.
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
Last edited by wcgypsy Nov 27, 2015 1:34 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 16, 2011 3:15 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
Wht's 25 min uphill? Calaveras...Twain Harte...Angel's Camp.....Where I got the worst case of Poison Oak the world has ever seen...lol..
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
Last edited by wcgypsy Jul 16, 2011 3:21 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 16, 2011 3:25 PM CST
Name: Susie
Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a)
Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Southwest Gardening Roses
Birds Hummingbirder Garden Art Dog Lover Daylilies Region: United States of America
Long ago my brother's fiance (now deceased) lived in Coarsegold. I liked that area. I like most of the Gold Country but the dryness and threat of fires prevents me from ever wanting to live in that area. I'm a little claustrophobic that way. Could never live in Kentfield or Berkeley Hills. Remember that horrible fire in Mid-eighties? Yikes.
“Don't give up too quickly"... unknown, I heard it somewhere.
~ All Things Plants, SOUTHWEST GARDENING ~Cubits.org ENERGY & POWER
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Jul 16, 2011 4:38 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
Uh, well...we've had our share of fires here and it's one of the reasons I want to leave and will take that into consideration in deciding where we move to.The month of October has been ruined for me now...worst month for our fires here. Our main problem is that something like 94-97% of the fires are caused by humans. We now have a built-in fire safe and personal fire hydrant on our property. And cat carriers kept at the ready at all times for 7 cats...not fun to evacuate with that many cats, I can tell you...I've talked to quite a few people around here who would like smaller vehicles, but need to keep one large enough to evacuate their animals. I never used to worry about fires at all.
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....

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