Have made a huge decision

17 years ago

Today, with a hurricane impending, and no one to help me even board up the windows or cut the trees away from the house, I made a huge decision. I'm starting next week selling everything I own, giving away the rest, and taking what I can get for this house, and walking away. It's just too stressful worrying about where the next month's money will come from anymore. My health is too bad to keep this up any longer.

I'm even going to dig up all my best plants and sell them as well. I can't see leaving them here to die, because what is the chance I'll find a buyer other than an investor, who will actually take care of them?

So the end of an era...my gardening era. I'll probably go back to growing African Violets or something, or maybe nothing at all. I'm getting really burnt out on gardening after 50 years of it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (21)

susan_on
17 years ago
Oh, that really is a big decision. Where do you think you'll go to?

My dad is in a similar position...he is thinking of selling too.
lilliepad
17 years ago
Sometimes I feel like doing the same thing.DH retired the first of the year and we have talked about selling everything,buying a small motor home and doing some traveling.We have a son in NM and a DD in OK and 2 children here.We could go from OK to Nm and park in their driveway for free for several months a year then back here for a few months.Sounds like a plan to me! Just the thought of getting rid of 48 years worth of "stuff" is mind boggling though!LOL
Related Discussions
I think I have made an Executive decision this morning
Q
Comments (8)
I don't think I'd want to set cups in storage boxes without drainage holes and wouldn't want to ruin mine by punching holes in them. Why not set them in a cardboard box, cut down if necessary, work out drainage in the bottom, and cover with plastic? If the cardboard starts to fall apart, use another one. Or come up with an innovation of your own. I start a lot of my seeds in the spring outside in deli containers, drainage holes cut in bottom and vented at the top. As soon as they sprout, take the lids off and mist. Some I'm going to mix my pro mix which I think has fungicide with potting soil. Anyway, I only do the carryout containers for things I'm going to transplant into cell packs, slice up and plop on top of soil in plastic cups to grow on a bit, then plant with my bulb planter. Or you could plant HOS in a shallow depression in the ground scooped out. I suppose you could WS those but soil might be too shallow and you'd have to move faster when they sprout. The bulk of my winter sowing, I use gallon milk jugs like they say on the WS forum, I don't want to cut mine with the oven door method but cut almost in two leaving a hinge at the base of the handle, then tape, using packing tape from now on as duct tape too hard to pull off. Also going to use half gallon jugs and tape or tie them together in groups of four (for stability) for seeds I want to sow more sparsely. When it's safe enough, I open them up and peg the jug tops to the ground thru the opening at the top with pieces of bamboo until I'm ready to plant them, can hold a lot of stuff for most of the summer and still be ok. They say to get the jugs off the ground so they drain better, haven't tried that. I also punch at least 1/4" drainage holes in my gallon jugs w/a woodburning tool (it smells so may have to go outside or basement), 12 per jug, 3 per section.
...See More
Huge decision to make-need help..
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks Fairyprincess We live in Canada, on Vancouver Island, the most moderate climate in the country,, its called the west coast, or as many will joke--the "wet coast"--lol Solar is not really in my budget, nor very practiscibale in this climate "too much cloud and too much rain." And as I have an acre of forest and rhodos, some Douglas Firs as high as 120 feet, not too much sun. but beautiful nonetheless. A paridise in the summer heat. but solar, no, not likely. Cant bring myself to cut down those majestic giants. no way Unlike some people I burn firewood, cause its renewable, and a natural thing to do. fires in nature have been in exestince for eons. I`m really hoping that puting the grates in the floor will greatly improve the heat rising to our living room, and make the rec room not so stiffling!! Should tell you , that even though it is more expensive, we do burn bio=fuel. about a $1.12 per litre. its a 20/80mix Well, there is no easy solution to this, just have to think it out some more, not in a hurry, (this old boiler has served us well for many years) its forty years old.
...See More
I might have made a huge mistake.
Q
Comments (9)
I can't comment from personal experience, but maybe this will help...I took a pressing class once and the instructor recommended pressing open when possible. She said that in the past there was the concern of bearding (I think that's what it is called when the batting comes through) if you stitch in the ditch and the top has been pressed open, but she said that today's battings are much better quality and this isn't usually an issue anymore.
...See More
Decision made to build. Hire the Architect first or buy the land
Q
Comments (6)
If you have a fixed idea of what the house has to look like then having the assistance of an architect in looking at land makes sense. Placing the house on the lot and adapting the plan to the unique properties of the lot is one of the most critical roles the architect fills, so if the house is relatively fixed then you need to find a lot that works. Most folks find the location and land then adapt the house to fit, but it's not a rule that you have to do it that way; most of the time it's just easier than finding the perfect location for a pre-designed house. An architect should certainly be able to show you different ways your design ideas could be adapted to different kinds of lots in the event the perfect site isn't just sitting there for you. Then there are those that obliterate the land to fit their house... Have fun!
...See More
linn_z
17 years ago
That is a huge decision, but with your health and the stress involved I can see why you would make that choice. Your peace of mind is most important.
Linda Wayman
17 years ago
Junkyardgirl, will you be moving to an apartment or assisted living home? Maybe a mobile home or condo? I can understand your frustration and feeling of helplessness with no one to help you tend to things. I know how difficult it is. I read your " my page " and noticed what you wrote about growing flowers. I'm sorry you are going to have to give up something you obviously love. I wish I was close enough to help you board up those windows. I hope you have the best of luck with selling everything and with your move.
Hugs to you.
Linda
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
17 years ago
OMG! I don't blame you one little bit. I have way to much stuff to take care of myself.

Gayle
wendylynders
17 years ago
I can imagine it would be hard to do on your own. I certainly don't blame you one bit!

Here is a link that might be useful: Our journey with autism
caflowerluver
17 years ago
I can understand where you are coming from about being fed up with the whole thing. Sometimes I just get so tired maintaining what I have on 2.5 acres, let alone growing new things, that I dream of a small backyard. My 90 YO Mom lives along the FL coast, but stopped worrying years ago. She has become very philosophical about the whole thing. If a hurricane is going to hit her house then it will hit her house, nothing she can do about it. She says that about tornados too. She spends half the year in FL and half in IL. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Clare
marilyn_c
17 years ago
I can appreciate where you are coming from. I wonder how much longer I can live here. I am alone most of the time, and I have so much to take care of and so much that needs to be done to fix the house, etc. However, I am afraid if I quit, then I will go down hill in a hurry. Too, I love this place so much...I don't think I would be happy anywhere else.

Don't make any sudden decisions. Think everything through.
Hope you make the decision that is right for you.
rosebudms
17 years ago
I just talked to my friend who lives alone on the west coast near Tampa. She is on the water and is planning to evacuate to a relative who lives more inland. Same sort of thing, needs someone to help get the shutters fastened and the lawn mower up on blocks in case the tide rolls in. A lot of work for one person who isn't so young anymore.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide, and good wishes for your safety in this storm.
kathi_mdgd
17 years ago
I also understand where you are coming from!!

I'm starting my battle this week with breast cancer,i know it's invasive,just don't know how,until they get in there thursday.I'm trying to stay positive,but this last week i've been trying to get all the weeding done in the upper flower beds.Then today i've been here in my sewing room trying to get it in order,as i don't know when i'll be able to get back in here again either.Hopefully it won't be too long.
DH will keep up with things as best he can,and i appreciate that.

I wish you the best,whatever you decide to do.
Kathi
ont_gal
17 years ago
and remember this much..living on your own and giving up everything you have became familiar with,isnt all its cracked up to be.
petaloid
17 years ago
You sound depressed and upset. Like Marilyn said, please don't make any sudden decisions.

I would suggest you consider getting a property manager to rent out your house if you move, rather than selling it. The values are low now, and six or eight months could make an increase in the price you'd get.

A property manager would make sure the renters paid every month and the plants got watered (my neighbor did that and it's working out well.)

If you do move, say, to an apartment, please find one with a patio or balcony where you can have plants. We know that gardening is in your blood!
jannie
17 years ago
It's a big decision all right. As long as you gave it a lot of thought and you compared the pros and cons, I support you 100%. I've been gardening since I was three, when a neighbor gave me a bunch of rooted violets. I tell people I could never, ever move, because 1. I couldn't pack up all my clutter and 2. I could never leave my plants, including some of those original violets!
glenda_al
17 years ago
Mighty special thoughts to you!
vannie
17 years ago
I have a cousin that did that and it was so liberating for her. Good decision.
williamsburgjane
17 years ago
Like the others have said, take your time deciding what you want to do. I wish you all the best with whatever decision you make.
OklaMoni
17 years ago
Only decision I ever regretted was when I said " I never". I decided not to use that phrase again.

But, I can also understand your thoughts. Which ever direction you go to from here, my best wishes go with you.

Moni
okwriter
17 years ago
You're never too old to start a new chapter in life...I hope this one holds good things for you.
fran1523
17 years ago
Best of luck with your decision. I am in much the same position. A house that needs a lot of attention and 3/4 of an acre of land that needs constant maintenance...sometimes I just want to walk away from it.
kayjones
17 years ago
Good luck, my Friend!

I had an aquaintenance who, after her husband died last year, did the same thing. She sold their home and she now lives in a very nice RV and travels all over the USA. She has two big german shepherd dogs who travel with her - she stays in RV parks and at her kids' places - she said it was the best thing she EVER did!

I say "JUST DO IT"!!! My best wishes are coming your way. Hugs, Jo
susanjf_gw
17 years ago
you know was just thinking...with your talent, and your choice of where to go, why not check around and see if you can't find a community garden that you could have your own plot, or help or mentor someone?

i'd contact senior centers, the state, or city/county and find out. even mobile home parks have small (ok micro mini) plots you can keep...

i'm sure there are all sorts of computer sites where you could answer questions...

bottom line? don't give up! as the ladies suggested, it's a new chapter!

Have made a huge decision

Comments (21)

susan_on

lilliepad

Related Discussions

linn_z

Linda Wayman

Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle

wendylynders

caflowerluver

marilyn_c

rosebudms

kathi_mdgd

ont_gal

petaloid

jannie

glenda_al

vannie

williamsburgjane

OklaMoni

okwriter

fran1523

kayjones

susanjf_gw

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US