Heading back to sunny Cali

   Well, the time has come to go back to my new Cali home.... I have decided it is okay to have 2 "homes". After all a lot of people have 2 homes. We are feeling quite special that we can keep our lifelong Midwest friends and have an entire group of new friends in CA. I have to say it has been great spending time with forever friends in WI. I wish I could have seen more peeps but next trip maybe. I am longing for CA since I left my husband there and soon we will have a real home there. I miss my CA friends also.   It is difficult to feel like it is home while living in temporary housing.
   The Garners have scattered.... 2 in CA, 1 in NE, and 2 remain in WI. Good thing for airplanes! We feel okay with this move because the kids are doing well and all will be gainfully employed soon ( except me :). One  "scenic tour" with Marilyn, lunch with those special children  and off to the airport and home. So long Wisconsin land of my birth!

Door is back open!!!

Well you have all seen this house before! So I boarded the plane Monday for my 6:45 Am flight back to my Wisconsin home.... I had finally resigned myself to the fact that we would be house hunting once again.  One of my favorite double cousins, Marilyn picked me up at MKE airport and delivered me to a very quiet, lonely townhome. Tristan had moved out while we were gone to start his Architectural career in Lincoln,NE. My wonderful daughter in law came over to help me prepare for the movers.  My phone rings and it is our realtor who proceeded to tell me that the sellers changed their mind and would sell the house to us for our original offer! Apparently they found a house that they wanted and knew another buyer would not be along anytime soon. Tuesday brought the news that they had signed the offer and we were up and running again! Yeah!! I now began to proceed with the move with enthusiasm!

My "no pack zone"( closet, office, and hanging out zone) for the next  2 days. Anything that wasn't in this room was going to get packed! Day 1 involved 2 guys who packed non stop for 9 hours.

Day 2 involved 4 guys there for 12 hours! A 53 ft truck that had one small load headed for San Francisco already on board. I have never seen so many things taken apart and wrapped in so much paper, moving pads, saran wrap, etc.

That truck was packed to the ceiling- every square inch was filled.  It rumbled away at 8:30 PM headed to CA. After finishing the cleaning I moved into the lovely guest suite at another double cousin's house ( Joyce and Anders). I had always joked that I wish I could stay there some day. Well that some day had arrived :)

   So now I am socializing and enjoying the beautiful snowfall. A photo especially for all my CA friends who had 78 degrees and sunny today. Luckily I remembered to put my boots in the "no pack" zone!

Well that door slammed shut....

Our hosts for the evening- Keith and Jane

 That door slammed shut quite decisively.... the appraisal on the house we were in the process of purchasing came in very low. Since the seller couldn't come down in price enough and we weren't interested in paying well above appraised value the deal is dead. It was very disappointing and I had a good sulk for a few days but I am now being adult about this.... Seems like it could be a very difficult market out here. Now while I am in Wisconsin getting the move done Dave will be frantically finding us a place to rent.
  On the brighter side we have had a very full social life this weekend! Golf for Dave on Thursday and Saturday! Thursday night supper out with Dave and Lynae (friends for YEARS) and Brook and Jeannie ( new friends). Friday night this lovely couple who have roots in WI and IL hosted a potluck to welcome us to CA. A wonderful evening was had by all and we know even more people now. We are so blessed to have such welcoming friends in our new area.

Ross and Marilyn, Karissa

Brad and Gena

John and Julie

Ann and Joel

Corey and Kim

Jeannie and Brook, Jane and Keith

While Dave golfed on Sat in San Clemente I lunched with my friend Terri (sorry no photo). Then I headed over some foothills on the Ortega Hwy. Very twisting and scenic route! Ladie's craft afternoon and supper in Murieta.

The stunning view of Lake Elsinore

Bill and Sherry- the wonderful couple whose house we go to on Sunday morning. Once again we stayed for lunch- calamari stir fry. They have welcomed us with open arms and open hearts.

After gospel meeting we had supper at Brook and Jeannie's. Lynae, Meredith, Jeannie, and Marissa.

Lions and tigers and bears -oh my!

Well I used my brand new annual zoo pass for the first time today. And I rode the "Coaster" down the coast to get to the zoo. My "daughter for the day" Jacinda joined me further down the track. Then a bus ride and we were there. Not too bad for 2 directionally challenged people! The San Diego Zoo is a beautiful place with a multitude of animals, great scenery, winding paths, hills and a large variety of places to eat- I have never had pad thai at a zoo before! Also outdoor escalators! A really fun way to spend a day....

My view from the coaster

This fellow was in the same enclosure with his best friend- an arctic wolf.

Yoga or pilates??

Meditating?

Definitely needs some moisturizing lotion

Young giraffe

Jacinda hanging with the gorillas!

Now that is the life!

Not the best end of the panda...apparently it was nap time

Going up the canyon

A large rambling place

Chewing on a carrot

Thought of the kids and their polar bear plunge into Lake Micchigan

Taking the "Skyfari" back to the entrance

I believe we have a house!

   If all goes well we will become true California residents in about 30 days when we sign our $$$ away on a mortgage! We first saw this house last Monday and put our offer on it last Wednesday. Then there was a counter, a counter and a counter... then we said "we yield". So through the amazing process of online document signing ( I had no idea there was such a thing) we begin the rest of the process. We haven't bought a house in 21 years! The house is on .6 acres which gives us elbow room but not so much that we need to hire a gardner ( that would be me).
  The house is in excellent shape and truly appears to be "move in" ready. As long as there are no termites already residing there. Yes, in CA termite inspection is a must! Also landscaped already although I will need to plant more new and exciting plants!
  We will be living in Fallbrook which is a beautiful more rural area away from the hustle and bustle. It is known for all it's nurseries, citrus and avocados. We have made some wonderful friends up there and can't wait to pay them back for their hospitality once we move in.

Back patio

Retreat off Master bedroom with shared fireplace

Master bedroom with patio access

Master bath

Living room

Kitchen/dinette

Dining room obviously

Front entry

Family room off kitchen-shares a fireplace with living room

  I have to admit that other than missing all our wonderful family and friends back in the Midwest I am loving CA! Of course being "retired" could have a lot to do with it too. Dave is definitely NOT retired. Business is really good which is great for job security.

Best $10 Day Ever!

Our tourist destination today was Torrey Pines State Park. Only a $10 charge to hike our heart's content and revel in the beauty. Today was a perfectly clear day and just right for hiking.  The trees you see are Torrey Pines which only grow here and on one island off the coast.

Razor Point

Really good looking guy I get to spend every day with in our cozy apartment. And that is going better than expected- a lot of togetherness!

Yucca Point

Looking north

Way up high- see how small the people look...

Looking south

A late lunch at Joe's Crab House in Pacific Beach right on the boardwalk.

Crystal Pier

You can rent these cute little houses right on the pier

Giving me the evil eye!

Dave's next car- a Lotus

Creative way to make some cash

Not sure what this guy's story is!