hello to the forum members

[Jane]

Mr. Glenn,
My daughter is single and likes it that way for the time being. She is unable to come home for the holidays. I just thinking if you and your wife were closer you might say "HI" to her. Of course Mom and Dad will having just as hard time with out her.
Well, you are to far away. Continue to read the forum as you will find us pretty freindly.
Army Mom

[michael_glenn]

In comparison to the job in the army is a trip by car to Wiesbaden just a very small job.
You could give her my email address and than we can find out together, how we handle a "just-say-hello-meeting" in the northern part or middle part of germany during her holidays.
She is every time welcome, if she like that too, there is no problem from me or my family*this includes also my dog *, but it could be that he wants to sleep in her bed, if she stay by us for a couple of days!

mike

[Terrell]

...other questions are answered by mysellf!

My forty year long meeting in germany must have an end.
The difference between german and us-mentality is for me not longer easily to ignore .
Germany changed his face and his behaviour complete the last 20 years ago, I know exactly what I write down here on board.
And the regular holidays in CA are to not enough for my mental wellness.
I love california, espacially the weather, hermosa beach and san pedro and my CA-familymembers and friends are really friendly to me,my wife and my kids, ...but nobody with normal income can pay there the prices for houses as second residence or seasonal living.
The crime rate is unbelieveable high in L.A. and overcrowded is not the right word in the summertime.

It would be a big wrong to put up for sale my wifes business and to give up my own small one.

It seems to me, it is better to start with a little second residence and build up to the first residence.

...but where is the right place for this project?

Well greetings Michael Glenn. Exactly. Starting with a second residence is just what my mate Lynne (Indy on this forum) and I have done in the past month. You're on the right path I believe. Lynne is a full time university student here in Wichita (an hour and a half drive from Howard), and I work at a largish software development firm. We rent our home here in Wichita. We're not rich. Found a fantastic property in Howard and took the plunge. It's going to be a wonderful place to 'second home' until we have it tuned the way we wish and 'retire' from city dwelling to there. It means a lot of work, driving, budgeting, prodding deadlines, and of course worrying about the homestead while away for the drudgery of the week. But. It's a step in the right direction we're sure. You'd be surprised to learn I found and bought the 'castle' through Ebay. I could have been knocked over with a featherduster at that turn of events, but such is the Harmony of life. We spent our first night Friday last, and although I remember only wee bits here and there (totalled by a reaction to a flu injection I'm certain), it was nice to begin the journey in earnest.

Something else you might consider an intriguing possibility in spreading your wings and experiencing your envisioned new locale would be to either 'home exchange' with, or be 'hosted' by the locals (and of course reciprocate). It would be a great way to meet your neighbors, make friends for life, and it could be a great opportunity to stick your toes in the water a bit, explore some, look at the real estate situation and check out your options.  I would, for one, (and probably my sweetie too - I'll ask her...lol) be tickled to explore an option such as that somewhere down the timeline a bit.

Remember this about the jobs, well okay, the businesses . . .    We can all be replaced
Interesting thread going here and I'm most happy to make your acquaintance and am looking forward to future communiques.

Cheers, Terrell