awww honey. You're too sweet! So you live in the beautiful Blue Ridge
Mountain area. I love that section of the country too. Went thru it when
going up to DC to pick up Squire one year a few times and the drive thru the
"Ridge" was breath taking. The valleys that lay between those ridges was
inspiring to me........this is one of the hardest things I've had to decide
since having to come to terms with moving HERE believe it or not. Everyone
is supportative of whatever I decide. There are huge obstacles in the way,
of which selling this house is one......we're having serious problems with
the IRS again and I'm almost on the edge of sheer panic attacks regarding
THAT, and just leaving a place where I've more than put roots down is hard.
I finally got both my son's in the same area.........something that some
would question. I am a very family type person and when my youngest was in
Louisiana for those 7 years, and unable to visit like he wanted to and we
were denied visits by his wife to see our grand daughters, it was hard on me
then. I finally got him up here when he settled his marriage problems and
divorced. He's now back in Tennessee, we moved the oldest son back from
Iowa, and despite that he's currently living with us temporarily until he
gets on his feet, just having both my son's closer is a comfort to me.

Not to mention that I've settled here comfortably despite that I "garden on
a steep slope" and may never clear the woods adequately.

On the UP side. I have in pots all over the place and have had for years,
cactus and succulents that I've always adored. I have one Cereus cactus
that resides in a pot that it and the pot weigh close to 200 pounds. It
would finally be "home" were we to relocate, as the other prickly babies I
have would love as well. Leaving the massive amounts of plants would be
hard, but hardest of all would be having to leave the plants that I am
endeared to. The dragon lilies. (The blue Enigma might make it there, not
sure) The Frakartii asters I adore and love. The various assorted shrubs
that bloom for me, and my hellebores. If I were to make a list of things I
just COULDN'T leave behind it would have about 25 or 40 plants on the list,
within reason. But if Squire did apply for the job and got it, it would be
a no brainer.

Another pull at my heart is WNCW that I listen to 24-7. But it's online so
that wouldn't be a problem g my music is as much a part of me as my blood
and mind.

I guess with this huge windfall blowing in, the crap with the IRS lately and
this morning, the possibility of the mortgage lender embezzling the $13,000
that was supposed to go to the IRS for the Offer in Compromise........well
that's enough for now. I have a huge plateful of problems that need
resolving. Thanks for your kindness and comforting words. I will keep you
abreast of the situation as it resolves itself.
madgardener up on the ridge, back in fairy holler, where the fall rains have
moved in and the air smells like damp leaves overlooking English Mountain in
Eastern Tennessee, zone 7, Sunset zone 36
"Callen Molenda" wrote in message
...
Hi Mad - I'm in an area similar to yours (Central VA, zone 7). My
brother and cousin have both moved to Albuquerque recently, one for
school and the other for career reasons. They both liked it, were able
to find real estate cheaper than around here (but where isn't it cheaper
than Albemarle County!!!!), but they did find the landscape hard to get
used to. As you know, we have the Blue Ridge mountains and abundant
greenery, and it's a little dry and shrubby for their liking. But the
culture is great, the artists' communities are great, the skiing is
phenomenal, my cousin's kids love it, etc, etc etc. You will find it
quite different from Tennessee, though, so if you can't imagine living
anywhere else....

On the other hand, it would be another reason for me to get my *ss in
gear and get down to Albuquerque for a visit. g

Callen in VA