I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Garden...we have been trying to sell our propery too. Almost did it a few times.  The problem is that we have too much land and nothing can be done with it as it is environmentally protected.

Speaking of mother...we are moving my Mom in with us in Feb.  One minute I am very nervous about the decision.  The next minute I am excited about it.  Dh is totally on board..so that is huge!

Pip - we'll see what happens.  My husband doesn't really expect this is going to go through, and I'm not too sure if that's because he doesn't want to get his hopes up, because he kinda doesn't really want to move (something like where I am at the moment), or because he's worked so hard on this house that he feels just DONE and is afraid they'll find something that he is going to need to do...

Kam - yes, I believe a lot of this is the fear of the unknown.  I get scared that we're making a bad decision, and am fully aware of the fact that my hubby wouldn't push me to move if I didn't want to, so feel fear that I'm making a decision that will impact us badly in the future.  Anyway, if it does sell, we'll move into an apartment until I'm ready to retire (currently planning for this fall, but haven't told anyone other than you lovely ladies yet).  One of the fears is that we didn't make as much money off the house as we had originally hoped we would because of the crash - so getting into something else and not having a mortgage will be more difficult - and with housing prices going up, us being out of the market and me planning to retire it means that there won't be any real ability to fix things if this turns out to be a not very good choice.  as you say - fear of the unknown....

GG - understand why you're scared. We're thinking of selling our house at some point in the next two or three years, too, so we can retire (for April-December) to Vermont and January-April (tba), but we're mixed.  The neighborhood here has gone down, and i don't feel all that safe.   I absolutely love Vermont.  Still, I raised both kids here.  I've lived here longer than I've lived anywhere.  When I enter this house, i feel at home.  

Wishing you luck - and that whatever happens, it turns out to be for the best.

GG - real estate timing issues - totally get that one.  Then there is the "this is home" aspect, though I know you are ready to get to a new climate.

Alexandria - oh what a cute picture.  Young things are so adaptable.  PBS, not too long ago, had the story of the abandoned fawn that made friends with the Great Dane, and consequently, the dog's owners. Interspecies friendships.....like us and our cats!

http://now.msn.com/pippin-abandoned-deer-and-kate-great-dane-are-friends

on the subject of deer - the other morning there was a lovely large doe quietly munching on our pussy willow.  That was the first time in the 14 years we've been here that we've seen a deer.  Coyote, possum and quail (though I think the feral cats killed all the quail, as I haven't seen any for a few years now) but never before a deer. 

love hate thing here too.  They are so beautiful and graceful - but they do eat all my hostas. They eat all sorts of flowers. I remember when it was such a treat to see a deer.  They were so rare.  Now they're like squirrels.  I have a herd of six or eight living in my side yard. it's funny.  There's so many here in Jersey, but i don't see that many in Vermont.  Maybe it's because Vermont still is mostly forest - or because if they poke their noses out of the forest in Vermont, they risk being eaten.

There are plants they don't care for. Esperanza has a yellow flower and is bushy. Lantana is not a favorite either along with Rosemary and sage. At least in Tx.



However they will sample darn near anything and damage you plantings. With the multi year drought here, they are nibbling on everything including my cactus.

"Hagel’s Confirmation Hearings Contentious and Partisan"

"The senate’s disrespectful treatment of a man wholly qualified to be Secretary of Defense is another sign that partisanship trumps patriotism"

"The contentious Senate hearing for Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel divided starkly along partisan lines, with Republicans attacking their former colleague with the pitchfork zeal of heretic hunters.

Hagel’s calm recitation of consensus catechism on issues ranging from Iran to Israel to nuclear weapons didn’t seem to make any impression on his conservative critics.

This was personal. John McCain repeatedly interrupted his “old friend” and fellow Vietnam Vet with palpable anger, his fury directed at Hagel’s opposition to the Iraq War and the 2007 troop surge. The core offense appeared to be Hagel’s contention that the invasion of Iraq was the worst foreign policy “disaster” since Vietnam – a parallel that infuriates McCain.

Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, a Republican, reinforced his reputation as possibly the worst U.S. Senator with bear-baiting questions like this: “Why do you think that the Iranian foreign ministry so strongly supports your nomination for Secretary of Defense?”.......................

....................................Today’s Hagel interrogation is just the latest sign of the persistent sickness in Washington that elevates partisanship over patriotism and tries to punish those who walk an independent path."

Full article:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/31/hagel-s-confirmation-hearings-contentious-and-partisan.html

I continue to have such negative feelings for John McCain.  First ---  well, first was quite some time ago, but the heavily accusatory attitiude and demeanor with HC and now Hagel.  Makes me think of someone, knowing full well that they missed the boat and hoping to hit on some redemption for it.  At the same time thinking -- Mr. McCain, just when did you realize that you knew it all and needed to share that gem with everyone.

Ok....I feel slightly better now.  I don't know it all for sure but I'd love to see the verbal beatings stop and these people get down to the real business at hand.

I think I will just go watch Blue's video again. 

Jackie

John McCain had luck on his side for years, and it helped his political career. Then in 2008 things did not go well for him and we all got to see what a small man he is. I hate to say that of someone who was a prisoner of war. The way in which he mistreated Susan Rice was shocking.

Momine, agreed. I am sure Ghesquiere's Balenciaga fans will be happy.

Hope everyone is have a good day. It's awfully damn cold out and the wind is blowing.  Oh well ... my dogs could care less, they still want to go for their walk.

Kam ... I love Colin .. he gives this old lady heart palpitations .. he's so cute!

hugs,

Bren

Gumby ... looking for the "like" button ... love your last sentence!

hugs,

Bren

Update: I passed my Pilates exam!! Now I can start charging to teach people! What a relief to have that behind me!!

Wahoo....way to go, super, swell, great and fantastic and a rousing congratulations.  I'm letting my breath out just about like you did I bet Anne, when you got the news.   

Waving hi to everyone else.  I'm pooped and going to find my recliner and melt into it for awhile.

Jackie

Wooo HOOOO, Anne!!! Congratulations!



L