Hi Everyone,
Thanks for thinking of me.
Actually, a few days ago I did write up a long post, and, unfortunately, I must have hit preview, but didn't hit "submit," so the whole thing vanished and I didn't have time to go back in!
This weekend is Easter and my daughter, who has been a pill lately, is coming to visit for a day and a half – she is hooked at the hip to her boyfriend. I have to learn to cut the umbilical cord, because it is just still difficult for me to let her go, even though I purposely raised her to be independent….
So, I got the outside window sills done, and the screen doors replaced. I still have some painting left, but not on the order of what it was. I have to admit, I got two email updates from Zillow again, and again, it started with "House at…..decre…." and I deleted it. I cannot bear to see that again.
I thought I could get the house on the market by April 18th, but that is now unrealistic. Now that I have done all the painting, screen repairs, etc., I have to also do the yard and all the inside "junk." I am borrowing a friend's shredder for all those extra papers. I am also taking this afternoon off to get some things done, and will take a trip to Salvation Army to pick up some wicker baskets to put my "stuff" into on the shelves so it doesn't look like piles of things. Then I have to go to the Dollar Store and get Easter stuff (see, I do live on that strict cheapo budget).
I am worried about getting a rental here after I, hopefully, sell. I need to get something from this place, and if there is another round of foreclosures on the way (so I hear), then I need to get out now. I hate this precarious situation. If I didn't owe a huge mortgage, I could relax and ride it out, unfortunately, each time my house plummets in price, it's the equity that is falling….and it is financially impossible to stay here in retirement….so I really have no choice. Plus, my retirement funds will still be very low (I was not a planner for retirement when I was younger) and now I have to pay the price of living in a sub-standard place, probably.
However, since Chico is out, so far (because the speculator vultures are swooping in and buying up the houses in my price range) – I am keeping my fingers in both pieces of the California and New Mexico pie – I am feeling better toward Las Cruces. In fact, it almost feels "right."
I have an acquaintance in Las Cruces, I have a friend in TorC, and, of course, Dancingearth is in Santa Fe! Plus, I think Nancythereader is considering Las Cruces, and also a friend of mine in NYC is considering it. And…if Anomoly comes back there, then we will have an established support system – even if we are dispersed around the town, it won't matter, because it's a small town, and the roads are good, and there isn't snow (or even rain to speak of)! We could have our own "phone tree" and also regular get-togethers.
Plus, the community is already established for retirees, so there are options available.
Dancing Peppers could have a booth at the Farmers' Market and sell things there, too! It could work!
As for the northwest….since I lived in Seattle for five years, I do not believe I could ever retire there. If they took away the rain and incessant clouds, THEN I'd consider it! It is a beautiful area, but that constant drizzle, rain, dark clouds, gloom….I honestly did not believe the things I heard about it before I moved there….they weren't exaggerating….
So, the next two weeks will probably mean me taking more time off to clear clutter, toss, toss, toss, and get the house ready to show. I am exhausted, but I know the only way I will have an idea of what is happening in the market is to put the house on the market. Wish me good luck.
I think that our
Dancing Peppers Women's Cooperative" would work great with a home base in New Mexico – AND have the drop-ships from other women around the country. With a website, some free PR (articles, etc. – even Youtube), we might get a venture going.
Well, I only have an hour left here at work, so….I'd better go work!!! "Hello" to all, and thank you for the good wishes!!