Jessica's Rose Garden

[Pema]

Happy birthday, Jessica Rose! Congratulations on another successful orbit!

I wish you a wonderful day filled with whatever you choose.

[Lori Dee]

Happy Birthday, Jessica!

I hope you have something special planned for your special day. Do something that you haven't done for a while, like NOT driving. 

[Sarah B]

Hi Jessica

Just another day, I hope all your wishes came true for this special day.

I hope you get a lot of presents for your birthday.

What type of cake are you eating and are you going to blow out all those candles?

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Jessica_Rose

[davina61]

Hoping you have a truly wonderful day, Happy  Birthday my dear XX

[Jessica_Rose]

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes!

We drove to my dad's house Thursday evening and began searching for personal items, documents, and photos which we should retrieve. There were also a few small corner tables Susan wanted. After loading everything Friday morning we went home, ate lunch, issued a rather large wire transfer, then took our other car back to my dad's house.

The wire transfer was to cover the 'cash to close' for our new home. The title company said it usually takes 2 - 3 hours to get confirmation. I waited, and waited, and waited. At 5:00pm I called the title company, they didn't have confirmation of the transfer. I called at 5:30pm, still no confirmation. I called at 6:00pm, the person at the title company asked for the tracking number of the transfer. After about thirty minutes, she called back. There had been some recent updates to the process used for wire transfers, and the two banks involved in the transfer were the two banks having the most trouble with the change! However, she was finally able to verify that the transfer was successful.

We had several visitors at my dad's old house on Saturday and Sunday. The last of the old cars was hauled away. Someone else filled a small trailer with assorted car parts, and another frequent visitor bought a few more pieces of pottery. We didn't collect much money over the weekend, which confirmed my decision to make it the last weekend of never-ending garage sale.

Sunday afternoon, the new owner and his wife visited. We talked for a few hours, and I showed them around. I tried to give them as much history as I could. I gave them my set of keys to the house. After they left, Susan and I made another pass for photos and documents, then loaded our luggage and said 'goodbye'. As we pulled out of the driveway, I locked the gate for the last time. I've been able to call that place 'home' for forty seven years, but now it's home to someone else. Time to move on.

I didn't get a chance to celebrate my birthday yesterday, but I was able to close down my dad's old house. I still won't have much 'free' time though. About an hour ago, Susan and I signed the documents to purchase our new home. I expect we'll be moving in late September. It will be great to live near our friends in Colorado once more.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Lori Dee]

You are definitely busy! Once you get settled in here, things will calm down a bit.

You'll need to adapt to our afternoon siesta tradition. 

[Jessica_Rose]

Susan made a birthday cake for me on Monday, and it was delicious! We've been busy all week, taking items to a storage facility and setting aside items to donate. I didn't realize how much 'stuff' we have accumulated, and adding 'stuff' from my dad's house made it worse. We definitely need to start clearing out some of it.

We invited some friends to have supper at our house last Thursday. Susan made chicken and egg noodles, along with crescent rolls and green beans. We also enjoyed a bottle of wine that we brought from Colorado. For dessert, everyone opted for cheesecake. After the meal and lots of small talk, I told them that Susan and I were moving back to Colorado, and that we had already bought a house there. I explained that we loved our house, and our neighbors, but we were worried about the direction politics had taken and how it was affecting us. Even though they don't know the whole story, they understood our decision.

While I do have concerns about moving, I know it's the right decision for us. While I don't look forward to all of the work involved in moving, I do look forward to living in a state where the laws are not stacked against us. We're debating as to when we should put our house on the market. Before, or after we move? We may be able to move in as early as the first week of September, but the timing and logistics are difficult to pin down right now. There are too many questions without answers. Hopefully, I'll start getting some of those answers this week.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Lori Dee]

We may be able to move in as early as the first week of September, but the timing and logistics are difficult to pin down right now. There are too many questions without answers. Hopefully, I'll start getting some of those answers this week.

I know the anxiety of moving too well. I hate moving. The hardest part is saying goodbye to the old place (plus family and friends), and the uncertainty of the new location. I have been surprised by the acceptance I have felt here. I have learned that one of my next-door neighbors is LGBTQ, and I saw a woman in our community wearing a rainbow hat.

In the local news, a city councilman was up for censure because he repeatedly misgendered an employee at the public library. The vote was tied, so the measure did not pass. However, the mayor of Pueblo issued a strongly worded statement condemning this kind of conduct.

https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/2025/07/18/pueblo-mayor-2-city-councilors-want-roger-gomez-censured-heres-why/85262485007/

It is truly a breath of fresh air here, and once you get settled in, you will be able to relax. If you need help unloading, I am just a phone call away. 

[ChrissyRyan]

When you move, you do have an excellent opportunity to purge and donate unneeded items.

Chrissy

[Jessica_Rose]

It's unfortunate that there are so many people who will go out of their way to show their ignorance towards people they do not understand. I think they are simply trying to compensate for the poor choices they have made by attempting to tear down those who have triumphed over their own demons.

We are trying to purge some things now. Movers will pack just about anything, including a full trash can. Everything we dispose of before we move will reduce our costs, in addition to reducing the amount of unpacking we will need to do upon arrival.

A few weeks ago, we started moving a few things to a storage facility. Christmas decorations, winter clothes, extra audio-visual equipment, puzzles, and so forth, in anticipation of listing our house. The real estate agent visited last week and said that in our area, it's easier to sell an empty house. Now the plan is to list our house after we move out. A few days ago, I started bringing everything back from storage. It only took 18 trips to retrieve everything! It's now stacked neatly in our garage, hopefully the movers will appreciate the assist.

A representative from the moving company will be at our house on Monday to provide an estimate. Hopefully, we will have a moving date by the end of the week. I have already contacted the utility companies serving our new house, so our water, gas, and electric service will not be interrupted. There is only one company in the area that provides a fiber internet connection, and the house is currently connected to cable. I'll need to find out where the irrigation lines are routed before getting fiber installed.

I'm planning a trip to Colorado Springs later this week, and Lori agreed to let me store a few things at her place. We have some items the movers can't or won't pack, so I want to start moving them closer to our new home as soon as possible. Once we have a moving date, I can make more definite plans.

Love always -- Jess

[Jessica_Rose]

My trip to Colorado went well. I got to Lori's house around 8:15am on Friday, and she helped me unload a few things for temporary storage. She is also now taking care of several additional houseplants. Hopefully they don't make too much noise.

I was chatting with Lori a bit too long, so I was a few minutes late for my hair 10:00am appointment in Colorado Springs. Once Amy finished with me, I went to my hotel and checked in. After bringing in my luggage, it was time to visit Kris for some electrolysis. Kris worked on me for nearly four hours, and most of that time was spent in areas very few people will ever see. When she was finished I went to Subway for dinner, then back to my hotel for the evening.

Saturday morning, I put my luggage back into the car, then did a little shopping until it was time to meet Kris again. We only had about an hour for electrolysis, then it was time to meet up for lunch. In addition to the usual group, Kris, Brenda, @Rayna  , and myself, @Lori Dee   was able to join us. It always great to have a meal with friends!

We talked until around 2:00pm, when it was time for me to leave. I went down to our new house so I could meet the sellers. They were really nice. I mentioned how beautiful the house was, and that I didn't intend to make any major changes. After talking for a while, they said Susan and I were the kind of people they had hoped to sell to. People who appreciate the land and who will take care of it. I told them that I felt more like a curator than an owner, because I really loved the house. We talked for nearly an hour, but then I realized it was time for me to leave. I had mentioned about bringing more plants next weekend, and they said it would be fine to bring them to the house. Yea! I know Lori doesn't mind taking care of them, but I don't want to impose.

I arrived in Amarillo around 10:00pm, and it only took a few minutes for me to fall asleep. I was on the road again about 7:30am, and arrived home at 4:30pm. I'll be making another trip this next weekend, with more houseplants.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Jessica_Rose]

I'm heading back to Colorado this afternoon. I have a dozen houseplants (amaryllis, Christmas cactus, desert rose, arrowhead ivy, night blooming cereus, and a few others) in our little SUV, and they're doing a great job blocking the view out of my rear window. Although the previous owners of our new house will be there for a few more days, they said it would be fine to bring some plants to the house. I plan another visit next weekend, with more plants. We should be getting the keys then.

I have dental and vision appointments next week, and we plan to visit my dad's old house on Tuesday. The movers begin packing next Thursday.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[ChrissyRyan]

You have so many plants Jess.  Are you a "flower girl"?

[Jessica_Rose]

You have so many plants Jess.  Are you a "flower girl"?

I think a home without plants just looks too sterile. Susan says the plants are all hers, and she takes care of them. I would never ask her to give one away just because it's difficult to move. Several of them can bloom, which occasionally adds a nice floral scent and some extra color inside our home.

I plan to stop for the night just west of Oklahoma City. I should only be on the road for 5.5 - 6 hours today. Hopefully, I'll arrive after the heavy afternoon traffic. There are no strong storms along my route right now, along with forecast highs in the low 90's.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[ChrissyRyan]

I think a home without plants just looks too sterile. Susan says the plants are all hers, and she takes care of them. I would never ask her to give one away just because it's difficult to move. Several of them can bloom, which occasionally adds a nice floral scent and some extra color inside our home.

I plan to stop for the night just west of Oklahoma City. I should only be on the road for 5.5 - 6 hours today. Hopefully, I'll arrive after the heavy afternoon traffic. There are no strong storms along my route right now, along with forecast highs in the low 90's.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

I hope your travels go well for you today Jess.  Tomorrow too.

Christine

[Jessica_Rose]

Thanks, Christine!

My travels went well, and I am back home now. Round trip, plus a few errands, was about 1950 miles. I took most of the new plants to our new house, after a slight detour at Lori's place. When I called the previous owners, no one answered. After Lori helped me unload all of the plants at her place, the previous owners called! They said it would be fine to bring some plants, so Lori and I loaded the big ones, and several others, back into the car.

The previous owners were busy cleaning the house when I arrived. They helped me carry the plants inside. I can't say enough good things about the previous owners. They have been telling me stories about the house, showing me where everything is, asking if I want any of the decorative items -- even bedspreads! I've bought several homes through the years, but I've never encountered sellers as nice as these. The home is beautiful, and I love how they had it decorated. Whenever I think about the house, I shake my head. It's way out of the ballpark I'm used to playing in. I can't believe it's now ours.

I have another trip to Colorado planned for next weekend. More plants, and a few other items. I'll be getting the keys this time, and I plan to start stocking the refrigerator. I'll also be leaving my car there. I'll fly home, and Lori offered to take me to the airport. Another friend in Arkansas will drive me back to our old house.  At the end of next week, we'll be on the road to our new home.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[ChrissyRyan]

Thanks, Christine!

My travels went well, and I am back home now. Round trip, plus a few errands, was about 1950 miles. I took most of the new plants to our new house, after a slight detour at Lori's place. When I called the previous owners, no one answered. After Lori helped me unload all of the plants at her place, the previous owners called! They said it would be fine to bring some plants, so Lori and I loaded the big ones, and several others, back into the car.

The previous owners were busy cleaning the house when I arrived. They helped me carry the plants inside. I can't say enough good things about the previous owners. They have been telling me stories about the house, showing me where everything is, asking if I want any of the decorative items -- even bedspreads! I've bought several homes through the years, but I've never encountered sellers as nice as these. The home is beautiful, and I love how they had it decorated. Whenever I think about the house, I shake my head. It's way out of the ballpark I'm used to playing in. I can't believe it's now ours.

I have another trip to Colorado planned for next weekend. More plants, and a few other items. I'll be getting the keys this time, and I plan to start stocking the refrigerator. I'll also be leaving my car there. I'll fly home, and Lori offered to take me to the airport. Another friend in Arkansas will drive me back to our old house.  At the end of next week, we'll be on the road to our new home.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Jess,


Sounds good and exciting!



Christine

[Lori Dee]

Jess,

You have been so busy driving and doing stuff for so many months now, when you get settled in, you will get bored with nothing to do. You might even start waking up thinking you need to drive somewhere for some unknown reason. 

You might need to take up gold mining. I know someone who can show you the ropes. 

[Jessica_Rose]

I wouldn't mind helping a friend find some new prospecting locations. Even just finding pretty rocks can be fun. I'm sure I'll find something other than cross-country drives to keep me busy for a while, like unpacking! Maybe we'll finally unpack that box that has been following us around for forty years...

Love always -- Jessica Rose