tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post2159925342580705803..comments2024-03-27T06:41:26.551-07:00Comments on The Gardener's Cottage: financial mistakes and our last cottage the gardener's cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-29675581130728398702012-11-09T16:46:32.644-08:002012-11-09T16:46:32.644-08:00Janet:
Your readers who have downsized to smaller ...Janet:<br />Your readers who have downsized to smaller homes, have you thought about show casing their homes? It might be fun to see other small homes and what they look like. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-31418252533824131642012-10-23T16:33:18.506-07:002012-10-23T16:33:18.506-07:00Hi Janet. I really enjoyed reading this post beca...Hi Janet. I really enjoyed reading this post because it speaks to me. I'll take a small space over a large one any day. We've put off buying a house mostly because we don't want to stretch ourselves and we are quite happy as a family of four in a two bedroom. Like you, I like having a smaller space to clean. <br /><br />All that said, your last cottage really was cute! But I love your new place even more.<br />CamilleThe Vintique Objecthttp://thevintiqueobject.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-36137070743440469822012-10-23T13:20:00.885-07:002012-10-23T13:20:00.885-07:00hi paula!
we have one full bath (bathtub/shower/t...hi paula!<br /><br />we have one full bath (bathtub/shower/toilet/sink) and one 1/4 bath (toilet/sink).<br />they are both inside. the 1/4 bath is in the laundry room.<br /><br />i think any annoying noise that i cannot control or get away from eventually bothers me still.:)<br />the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-76949892258667109522012-10-23T06:20:07.366-07:002012-10-23T06:20:07.366-07:00Hi Janet! What a "behind the scenes"-pos...Hi Janet! What a "behind the scenes"-posting! <br />May I ask if you have 2 bathrooms in your cottage today? It seems to be a small house, where is the 2nd bathroom? In the basement? <br /><br />And I am not sure if I understand you correctly: does bathroom mean with a toilett or just a shower and sink?! (I am not sure if you have the same bathroom in mind as I have)<br /><br />Did you change ever since? Do neightbour's voices still annoy you? <br /><br />We live in a very small apartment. The only thing I don't like is that you hear every door being opened and closed, no matter how careful you open is, since the distances in the apartment are so small. You have to love your partner to accept that you wake up as soon as the partner leaves the bed in the morning. :-)<br /><br />kind regards, Paula from ViennaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-73696746556863980342012-10-22T19:14:42.033-07:002012-10-22T19:14:42.033-07:00I would try fantasizing about the loud neighbors m...I would try fantasizing about the loud neighbors moving! ;-) <br /><br />J.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-55143102157959825372012-10-18T21:56:43.328-07:002012-10-18T21:56:43.328-07:00Love this story!Love this story!Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-27170979670864013562012-10-16T18:31:03.582-07:002012-10-16T18:31:03.582-07:00Sounds like this is a common problem. We also dow...Sounds like this is a common problem. We also downsized at the beginning of this year and I was so proud of us for being able to make the shift from 3500 sq. ft to under 800. However, after a few months it became increasingly clear that we way over-shot the mark. We were tripping over each other and everything. Luckily we rented the suite we were living in so our loss was not too great. Actually I think we sort of lucked out because we sold our house at the high point and after we realized our mistake things had cooled off a bit and we were able to buy a house at a very reasonable price. Of course we are putting our own mark on the place and are now seeing the end of the renovation tunnel. My best advise for anyone wishing to downsize is to rent a smaller space for a while and see if it really suits your needs before buying. <br />Renovations underway at www.pinkrosecottageknits@blogspot.caThe Knitting Instincthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-91024675898271647302012-10-15T18:51:18.423-07:002012-10-15T18:51:18.423-07:00Hi Janet,
Your story resonates and is quite timel...Hi Janet,<br /><br />Your story resonates and is quite timely. I am in the process of looking for a new house for reasons similar to the ones you mentioned. The house is great, but the location is not. We decided to move into it because we already owned the building (former law office) and were wanting to get some of our renovation dollars back in the resale once the market was back on track. It hasn't been a financial disaster, but I have felt heartsick due to the lack of yard, traffic noise, streetlights. The realtor's credo rings true-- location, location, location. As an office, it is ideal; as a residence, it is not. Thanks for the honesty, courage, time, and diligence you show your readers. You are a gem.<br /><br />xo,<br />AnneAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14733262674768127741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-26780151383615055362012-10-15T17:17:41.306-07:002012-10-15T17:17:41.306-07:00Have been reading (and loving) your blog for ages ...Have been reading (and loving) your blog for ages but this is the first time I have commented Janet. We bought our first house 9 years ago after looking for 9 months with 2 small children in tow and ended up with a lovely house but one that needed major renovation (with only one teeny tiny bathroom). Even though we had looked for ages we still ended up buying "not the right house" but were too proud, and tired, to turn around and sell it. So now 9 years on we are almost at the end of the second year of renovating and I still ask my husband every now and then if he has bonded with the house yet, and the answer is still no. I wish we had had the courage to admit we had made a mistake and sell it years ago.Lynnenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-66096651649868963522012-10-15T12:04:09.819-07:002012-10-15T12:04:09.819-07:00Wow! Thanks, Janet. Always learning something ne...Wow! Thanks, Janet. Always learning something new from you. all my best, PattyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-70044921679449961972012-10-15T11:49:03.214-07:002012-10-15T11:49:03.214-07:00wow! this post is so timely for me. We remodedled ...wow! this post is so timely for me. We remodedled our home (total gut job) 3 years ago and I love all 1,100 sq ft of it .... everything is perfect except the neighborhood. Nobody takes care/pride in their house/yard. It's frustrating to live by neighbors who use their front yards to store spare mattresses. And I often find myself wondering if we made a mistake to remodel this place because it's SO small. But reading some of these comments is making me stop and rethink my desire to move. Maybe having a less than perfect street is okay when the neighborhood is as peaceful & quiet as it is. And maybe I really haven't downscaled as much as I could to make this space work for us. Maybe my restless spirit has nothing at all to do with my home & neighborhood ... lots for me to think about here. <br /><br />I love your blog for this very reason...it always makes me ponder. ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-16128858644979396452012-10-15T11:36:58.597-07:002012-10-15T11:36:58.597-07:00if you saw an ad on my blog re measure w, it came ...if you saw an ad on my blog re measure w, it came "with" you. i don't choose my ads that you see. the ads follow the reader. because this issue is important to you and you have obviously read about it and clicked on sites re the measure, the ad is following you wherever you go. <br /><br /><br />for instance, if i'm looking at a dress at j.crew, that exact dress from j.crew will follow me around the internet wherever i go. it's kinda scary that google is following us all so closely but that is the way it is.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-28743135240962577122012-10-15T11:05:22.623-07:002012-10-15T11:05:22.623-07:00Hi Janet, I love your blog but was suprised to see...Hi Janet, I love your blog but was suprised to see a "Vote Yes on Measure W" plug. Both you and your husband seem to love the great outdoors with your camping, hiking, skiing, etc. Did you know that the Vote Yes on Measure W ad that appears on your blog is actually paid for by Chevron and Pac Sun homes who want to develop that wild parcel of land to build almost 800 homes on the largest,last remaining parcel of land in North Orange County? This has been a very controversial issue and the ad that you have, as well as very expensive written material that has been sent to all residents of Fullerton, falsely shows parks, wildlife, trails, when in fact, just a small portion of the land will be preserved and the rest will be typical upscale tract housing packed in and replacing beautiful open areas that can never return to their natural state, once developed. Those of us who want that land preserved as open, natural space will vote NO on Measure W. I urge you to look into the issue on your own and make sure you are not being swayed by what I believe is false advertising by the supporters of Measure W. Thanks for your wonderful writing. I will continue to be a fan regardless of your position on W. Regards, Patty psfhome92835@yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-15569221001771845152012-10-15T05:13:57.937-07:002012-10-15T05:13:57.937-07:00Hi Janet, I'm so glad you shared this story. ...Hi Janet, I'm so glad you shared this story. I'm in a "peri-menopausal jump out of my skin" state of mind right now. Love to know how to get through it without selling the house :) Julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://monkeygrasshill.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-23618856099965954002012-10-14T19:15:50.218-07:002012-10-14T19:15:50.218-07:00I think you can survive with only one bath - yes, ...I think you can survive with only one bath - yes, but it is definitely nicer to have 2 full baths. Better for resale, too.shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11231859755559008915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-13889096389857092972012-10-14T10:49:30.723-07:002012-10-14T10:49:30.723-07:00i think that is a good idea if you can make it wor...i think that is a good idea if you can make it work. that was impossible for us to do in the first cottage.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-15152358568104601292012-10-14T10:36:18.945-07:002012-10-14T10:36:18.945-07:00i am getting ready to buy a cottage- not much smal...i am getting ready to buy a cottage- not much smaller where i am now but cuter- only one bath which needs to be totally redone- i am trying to decide how i can split up the toilet from the actual shower space - seems like this could be more flexible- then as i live there and maybe enlarge the house add another bath-<br /><br />john in ncjohn in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00744568260244466960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-68012958975047065522012-10-14T07:43:41.271-07:002012-10-14T07:43:41.271-07:00What a fascinating and honest post, my dear Juanit...What a fascinating and honest post, my dear Juanita. That house was a beauty and I can totally understand you falling for it. I love how you backed away and admitted your mistakes instead of holding on and making yourself ill and unhappy for longer than necessary. What doesn't kill us can only makes us stronger. xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-53804880720301482262012-10-14T07:40:42.080-07:002012-10-14T07:40:42.080-07:00I just read recently that is the #1 reason people ...I just read recently that is the #1 reason people move. These neighbors have barking dogs as well, however that is not as much of a problem as it once was. Between speaking to them (waste of time) I ended up calling the authorities on numerous occasions regarding the party noise/dog issue. Luckily, I have another neighbor that got involved too, so all in all things have been a little better, at least for now. Thanks for your concern... :)LRS4AMANDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312878555775487787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-37614497694411189812012-10-14T07:12:21.765-07:002012-10-14T07:12:21.765-07:00Thank you for this post. It is very timely for me ...Thank you for this post. It is very timely for me now, as we are looking to move. As I read your experience, I hear warning bells. My life could be a perfect storm too: I moved 75 miles to marry my husband, leaving my beautiful old house unsold in a terribly depressed town. We've spent 1 1/2 years sprucing up my house, then his, trying to prepare both for sale. We've had many delays with this one, and now we will have to wait till spring (thanks to midwest winters) to sell. We're both working fulltime to pay for improvements. And though you and I are the same age (my birthday is this month, yours in December if I recall), I'm STILL peri-menopausal. Add to that, aging parents and adult children. So yes, I feel as though I'm about to jump out of my skin too. <br /><br />Your post reminds me to step back and breathe, trusting that "everything happens for a reason," as a good friend always says. I will look at these delays as time to make a wiser choice about our next home. My heart says "house" and my brain says "condo," so we can be free of exterior maintenance, but maybe that's not the right decision. We have a lot to think about. Contentment is what I crave.<br /><br />p.s. The cottage is cute, but your Gardener's Cottage is still my favorite.Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18260779350702317107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-1983318458151150292012-10-14T05:01:58.389-07:002012-10-14T05:01:58.389-07:00Janet, this post is conscious-raising, lots of int...Janet, this post is conscious-raising, lots of introspection. Most of your readers are, by nature, nest builders and think it notable so many have shared very similar experiences and lessons. I've come to the same conclusions others have expressed here about what life brings and think you hit it when you used the word "content." It is huge progress when we can stop fighting with reality and accept what is. I have learned everything that comes is expansion.Lumen Dropshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319443868793769424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-15140846729465903962012-10-14T00:20:25.269-07:002012-10-14T00:20:25.269-07:00love your last home too, but it is very stressful ...love your last home too, but it is very stressful living somewhere that hurst your heart and makes you anxious.<br /><br />love the blog and your honesty xFaux Fuchsiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17317677066408030053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-23417232322117158682012-10-13T19:47:22.358-07:002012-10-13T19:47:22.358-07:00so i guess there are no mistakes, just lessons. :)...so i guess there are no mistakes, just lessons. :) i know when you are going through it though it does feel like mistakes and that you are a failure. time has taught me to be kinder to myself. and as for my or your journey not being a straight line, yes the bumps are what we learn from and we should try to be more accepting of them. i know i try harder to embrace all the different aspects of my life now. it isn't easy but life is simpler for me when i do.<br /><br />if you have seen my kitchen then you have seen all my storage. i don't have a lot of pots and pans and utensils. i have the basics and believe me i had a lot of kitchen equipment before i moved here. i've just pared it down to the essentials.<br /><br />i still look at catalogs and lots of gorgeous blogs that are all about shopping. the fun now for me is to duplicate some of my favorite looks with thrift store finds. i find it much more challenging and fun. but i'm also finding that i'm just content sticking to my look and that is ok too.<br /><br />i wish i could offer more tips for selling on ebay. name brands sell the best. anything with a j. crew label sells automatically. but everything i've ever put on ebay has sold. you just have to take good pics and describe it well and then price it well. it's very time consuming but it's been a great way to make extra money.<br /><br />xothe gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-29556008832710991672012-10-13T19:36:04.999-07:002012-10-13T19:36:04.999-07:00Prolonged exposure to noise can make people very s...Prolonged exposure to noise can make people very sick and is one of the most frequently cited reasons for moving. See:<br /><br />The Florida League of Conservation Voters: Noise Pollution Drives Sprawl<br />http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080624/COLUMNIST13/806240707<br /><br />The Deleterious Impact of Projecting Noise into the Home Environment<br />http://www.barkingdogs.net/exposeindex.shtmlKaren Orrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09907709262786866418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-79923724710309549232012-10-13T19:06:07.111-07:002012-10-13T19:06:07.111-07:00Yes, that does make sense. Having a vision of what...Yes, that does make sense. Having a vision of what I want to achieve will help if I also remember to only keep what I love(not what both me and my fantasy self-with this whole other life-loves :) <br />Thank you for your answer. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com