tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post2504210630052218483..comments2024-02-23T02:02:35.985-05:00Comments on Mudpies and Magnolias: Sell or stay?Maggie Toussainthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-1167232938820294682012-06-25T10:37:01.132-04:002012-06-25T10:37:01.132-04:00Hi Maggie- wow - this sounds like me! Now my kids ...Hi Maggie- wow - this sounds like me! Now my kids don't like to come overnight because there's not enough space!Judi Flemingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-78614693774548559642012-05-21T10:11:14.266-04:002012-05-21T10:11:14.266-04:00Maggie, we upsized on our last move because after ...Maggie, we upsized on our last move because after tin can military housing we wanted space for company and a nice yard to play in. Now hubby says we'll have to move to something smaller when the kids move out. Um, no. I want room for grandkids to come stay! That was part of the plan in the first place. ;-) When you live away from so much family, that needs to be part of the plan.<br /><br />You might rent your current place until the market goes back up and take advantage of the low market to buy now. Of course that can be a heck of a hassle if you get the wrong renters. We've done that. Ugh!<br /><br />Good luck!LK Hunsakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10706929624587891992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-65301777522021452422012-05-20T11:10:36.617-04:002012-05-20T11:10:36.617-04:00Maggie,
I hear you and sympathize! *Hugs* I...Maggie,<br /> I hear you and sympathize! *Hugs* I'm on move #33 and am renting. Oh yeah, you know what that means. I say find a home 'perfect' for you and your husband and a guest, two at the most. You'll find like writing, less is more. :) The best to you in your decision. *Hugs*Diana Cosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16417576796848731002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-17210390222735680572012-05-18T09:39:13.252-04:002012-05-18T09:39:13.252-04:00Oh, Maggie! I have been on this road. We sold the ...Oh, Maggie! I have been on this road. We sold the big house and bought a condo. We loved the convenience, but felt claustrophobic within a month. And there was no place to throw a party--and we love parties. And we have a huge family and there was no place to put them. We landed in a subdivision--something we swore we'd never do. But the house was big enough and the yard not too big.<br /><br />Good luck!Susan M. Boyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10549813433043863815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-46788872731930038552012-05-16T14:27:56.078-04:002012-05-16T14:27:56.078-04:00Hi Monya,
I love the way you've got sleeping ...Hi Monya,<br /><br />I love the way you've got sleeping nooks all over your place. That's the way to do it all right. A dual purpose room sounds like a great addition idea.<br /><br />I could easily see a guest room space also be the exercise room, or the can't get rid of this yet because the person that gave it to us is still alive room, or something similar.<br /><br />I've had several people recommend that grandkids grow up and then the downsizing cycle starts all over again. I really need to think this one out a bit longer.<br /><br />Thank you, Monya, and everyone else who commented. I certainly have a variety of ideas to choose from. Have a good week, friends.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-76054264801487683072012-05-16T07:54:01.235-04:002012-05-16T07:54:01.235-04:00Maggie - lots of people here in Australia face the...Maggie - lots of people here in Australia face the same problems, with the added difficulty that housing here in expensive. Hubby and I are in our early seventies, live in a house we built ourselves between 1998 and 2001. While we built we lived in the shed he'd put up first in the backyard (1/4 acre is the normal rural-town suburb size.) We made half the shed into a comfortable flat (apartment) and it's still there if any of the kids want to stay over. <br /><br />We have four married children, thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two married sons each live a half-hour drive away, eldest son a two-hour drive away and daughter a 2 1/2 hour drive away. When they call in nowadays they tend to do so on a day-trip basis, and we ourselves haven't become too decrepit to drive further than the half-hour trips for some time. It's been a while since any grandies stayed over since they're all now older, between 12 and 29, and the great-grandies (offspring of 29 year old and her hubby) are fortunately another one of the half-hour drives.<br /><br />Sorry to chat so long about the family, what I'm getting at is the fact that kids grow, circumstances change, and the space one needs for guests ebbs and flows. As you've noticed! Your first commitment, if you don't mind me voicing an opinion, is that you think of yourselves and your own comfort first. I personally would not move. Here in Oz what happens in your type of circumstance, depending on budget of course, is one adds a room that does double duty as a study with a sofa-bed and other dual-purpose furniture. Our house is quite small, but in the days when the kids stayed over, one trundle bed in the spare room, a sofa-bed in the lounge (living) room and a folding bunk or two, kept in the shed and set up on my study floor for the night, proved adequate. <br /><br />Don't know if I've been any help, but I hope there's a positive idea hidden in there somewhere! Best of luck with whatever you decide.Monya Claytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10457892085239476067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-14000605429576314602012-05-15T21:15:28.536-04:002012-05-15T21:15:28.536-04:00Hi Keely,
I love your tale of the two parents. Th...Hi Keely,<br /><br />I love your tale of the two parents. That's one of the reasons I was crazy enough to post this crossroads-situation online - other folks have to have dealt with this successfully. I shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel.<br /><br />Our strategy for downsizing in 2005 was so that we wouldn't be stuck in a huge place with a huge yard. We did that. And it suited our needs, until the grandkids came along.<br /><br />I like your idea of planning an exit strategy. One of the thoughts in the back of my mind is that when the house gets too huge, it would become a fallback place to live for my girlfriends, like a Golden Girls gathering spot. Not that we want anything to happen to our husbands, but in general, women tend to outlive men.<br /><br />But who's to say that will happen? The truth is everyone has to draw a line in the sand and make a decision. Is having the care and maintenance of a slightly larger place worth the trade-off of having more for the grandkids to do when they visit? It seems to be.<br /><br />Now I just have to figure out how to do it without losing my mind or going in debt up to my eyeballs.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-86021206588366418432012-05-15T21:07:32.197-04:002012-05-15T21:07:32.197-04:00Linda,
That sounds very doable. We're so clos...Linda,<br /><br />That sounds very doable. We're so close to the water table here on the coast that basements would be underwater, but a second story or a garage-top apartment might be just the thing I need.<br /><br />Thank you for stopping by Mudpies.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-26345764802476715582012-05-15T21:06:13.823-04:002012-05-15T21:06:13.823-04:00I didn't consider grandchildren or amenities w...I didn't consider grandchildren or amenities when we built here seven years ago, Steph. Now I wish I had thought things through a bit more carefully. <br /><br />I'm getting really great suggestions from everyone. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-1158245908210863422012-05-15T21:03:35.861-04:002012-05-15T21:03:35.861-04:00this is an excellent suggestion! Thanksthis is an excellent suggestion! ThanksMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-28806753088567217052012-05-15T21:03:15.533-04:002012-05-15T21:03:15.533-04:00Keena,
Your reply made me smile. Your family soun...Keena,<br /><br />Your reply made me smile. Your family sounds very special. Be sure and hug them a lot.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-19450184510798283622012-05-15T21:02:29.955-04:002012-05-15T21:02:29.955-04:00You have the perfect set-up for your situation, Ja...You have the perfect set-up for your situation, Jacqueline. My kids live very far away and usually come to visit for four or more days. Not too bad now, but as the little tykes get bigger, that's 4 more bodies to consider.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-47438703780755436672012-05-15T21:00:16.699-04:002012-05-15T21:00:16.699-04:00Shhh. Don't tell my husband. That's his dr...Shhh. Don't tell my husband. That's his dream - to go mobile and be off the grid. I don't mind being mobile, as long as we can park at a motel at night.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-22915363761370327652012-05-15T20:59:24.136-04:002012-05-15T20:59:24.136-04:00I like my neighborhood, Sue, but the one I'm l...I like my neighborhood, Sue, but the one I'm looking at comes with amenities that would be great for kids, ie pool, tennis courts, bike paths.<br /><br />I wouldn't mind building this house again with a couple of extra rooms and another bathroom. But cost is a huge consideration for us.<br /><br />If only folks would rush to buy all my books...Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-68490586712084907572012-05-15T17:37:01.059-04:002012-05-15T17:37:01.059-04:00I say make more money from your writing so you can...I say make more money from your writing so you can put the kids up in a nearby hotel. LOL! <br /><br />I have a tale of two parents when it comes to housing. My dad and stepmom watched as his parents outstayed their ability to care for a two story house. The lesson? Downsize to a one level condo and put the kids and grandkids in the study or a hotel. Now, my mom and her partner just added on to their place to take care of aging parents. Parents died, and now they have more house than they need right when they too are growing older and beginning to wish for less upkeep. <br /><br />I think maybe my advice (you did ask!) is that if you do decide to add on or move to a larger place, come up with an exit plan. Both sets of my grandparents put off downsizing past the point where they could do it themselves. You aren't there yet (at all!), but the day will come. Better to be aware of its impending arrival and plan accordingly. Your kids will thank you.<br /><br />Okay, off the soapbox!Keely Thrallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05656529091898492453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-50591861610016080792012-05-15T14:11:47.775-04:002012-05-15T14:11:47.775-04:00Maggie,
Same problem here. Need something smaller...Maggie,<br />Same problem here. Need something smaller but what to do when the kids come home from college? I've been thinking about a one level ranch home with basement rooms for guests. My parents did this and it works great when we visit.Linda Engmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364352733424072078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-18803709202540317762012-05-15T12:13:50.630-04:002012-05-15T12:13:50.630-04:00Maggie, I can honestly tell you I wish my MIL had ...Maggie, I can honestly tell you I wish my MIL had a bigger house. She lives in a condo. There are enough occasions that the boys have to stay over and they're squished like sardines. She can't have family holidays at her condo because it's so small, yet she really wants to stay and just spent a ton refurishbing the inside. She does lament her place is too small, but she's staying.<br /><br />I throw this out there - think of the memories your grandchildren might retain when they come over. I have wonderful memories of staying at both my grandparents houses but in all honesty, they were homes. What offsets my boys staying with my MIL is that they have a community pool the boys like to swim in. <br /><br />If it is do-able you might consider the upgrade. You don't have to get a ranch home, but something a little bigger might be perfect for you and the grandkids.<br /><br />StephStephanie Burkhart https://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-46009256180804452162012-05-15T11:45:53.389-04:002012-05-15T11:45:53.389-04:00Consider consulting a contractor/architect about p...Consider consulting a contractor/architect about possibly modifying your present home.Margaret Fielandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12639464925210908450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-67831653324491578922012-05-15T08:46:14.312-04:002012-05-15T08:46:14.312-04:00I prefer smaller homes/apartment, so quarters are ...I prefer smaller homes/apartment, so quarters are always tight when the family visits. Although, I always find it kinda sweet to see the nieces and nephews sprawled out on the floor in blow-up mattresses, my brother in the pull-out couch, etc.. Being squished for short periods of time reminds me of how much I love these people.Keena Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-6296662374069216792012-05-15T08:25:22.535-04:002012-05-15T08:25:22.535-04:00We downsized from house to two bedroom co-op apart...We downsized from house to two bedroom co-op apartment. I still miss my house but this is much easier on my husband as far as maintenance. Our grown children live in the same state, one an hour away, the other half that. So they visit us, and we visit them. Nobody needs to stay over.<br /><br />Jacqueline Seewald<br />DEATH LEGACY--request it at your local libraryJacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-36453731500854855842012-05-15T08:03:42.597-04:002012-05-15T08:03:42.597-04:00Buy a mobile home and use it for guests when they ...Buy a mobile home and use it for guests when they are there, and for yourselves when you get the itch to travel. Easy peasy LOL Good luck making a decision. I know I'm no help at all lolAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765458764192796911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-44730611798574379002012-05-15T03:46:28.764-04:002012-05-15T03:46:28.764-04:00Hi Maggie, you say your home is the perfect size f...Hi Maggie, you say your home is the perfect size for you, do you like the neighbourhood, would you even consider moving if it wasn't for the kids visiting? If the answer to these questions is yes and no then I think you have your answer about whether to downsize. Probably better to consider alternatives such as an extra room, or using a motel. Hope this helps.Sue Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18068163331037548390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-45485659747567542462012-05-14T20:43:12.296-04:002012-05-14T20:43:12.296-04:00Caroline,
Our current home is the perfect size f...Caroline, <br /><br />Our current home is the perfect size for us, but you can't really start a sewing project and expect to eat dinner on the same table. Many things in our home are multipurpose, and you have to put stuff away or you trip over it. That took a bit of adjustment on both of our parts initially, but we've got the hang of it now. This is the right size house for me to take care of. OOps gotta run...Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-33891137477756522592012-05-14T20:40:05.715-04:002012-05-14T20:40:05.715-04:00Celia,
I love your neighbors "grandkids camp...Celia,<br /><br />I love your neighbors "grandkids camp" idea. So creative and organized. We live in town, though our town is probably more rural than most countrysides. I don't think camping would work here, but I could ship them off to Aunt Ginny's. She has a large yard.<br /><br />I didn't expect to solve this problem in a day, and we'll continue to visit our "dream" neighborhood. Maybe someone will want to dump their property. You just never know.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-75222710029479677652012-05-14T20:36:14.252-04:002012-05-14T20:36:14.252-04:00Hi Merrillee,
We've had the thought to become...Hi Merrillee,<br /><br />We've had the thought to become nomads as well. However, our kids didn't help by settling down so far apart - we'd have to have three places. Not going to happen on our budget.<br /><br />But the pull of those grandkids is strong. Like you, I'm hating the miles between us and them.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.com