7.30.2013

Some After Vacation Thoughts

There must be something in the air in California. When I go there I feel at home. It is where I want to be. I see myself living there long term. The main area we visited was Santa Barbara. I love the atmosphere, scenery, being near the ocean, all the bike lanes and the open-mindedness that the locals have. I still need to visit some other major cities and states before really deciding 100% where I'd like to stay long term. Heck, part of me dreams of moving overseas somewhere. For now though we are stuck in Wyoming. It was a bit depressing to come back home after being somewhere we didn't want to leave. Here are a few photos I took around Santa Barbara....

Palm Trees SB
I love the building that this Starbucks was in..
Open Air bikes
Bike shop in Santa Barbara
Open Air bikes

After visiting California and dreaming of living in a place like Santa Barbara, it left me feeling like I need to make some changes in my current life. One thing I realized was how stressful my job is and what silliness it is to put myself through it day after day. I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet. I'm hoping things will calm down and I can stay there the next few years. Things could be worse, but life is too short for nonsense! :) For now I try to put a smile on my face and carry on.

AfterlightBad Hair Day
Ponytail because of bad hair day. // After ponytail: Complete craziness!!

After being somewhere with high humidity and having a week full of bad hairs days, I'm sick of dying it. I miss having normal healthy hair. It's been probably ten years since I had "normal" natural hair. I just had my hair cut to "clean it up" a little bit. Also, my hair is apparently wavy when I let it dry on its on. I currently blow dry it and straighten it daily. Frankly it's gotten old and I'm ready to simplify my daily hair routine. Any advise on how to style wavy hair? Help! I am planning to dye my hair a darker blonde so that I can start letting it grow out. I will miss my platinum blonde, but it will simplify my life. That is exactly what I am seeking!

Open Air bikes

Back to my thoughts on Santa Barbara: I want to live there. How though? We actually straight out asked someone how they afford it. The response we got was, "Move here, then worry about it." The gentleman who told us this also said that he had to run up some credit card debt while he was out of work for a few months. Well since I don't believe in credit cards, that won't work for me. Moving to a place that has a very high cost of living may seem out of reach for us, but I believe if there is a will there is a way. I am perfectly happy with living in an RV, on a houseboat or renting a piece of land for a tiny house on a trailer to sit on! My new slogan is, "Mortgage free is the way to be."

Open Air bikesOpen Air bikes
Cute houseboat and tiny house I found for sale on tiny house listings.com!

On a positive note, Cody and I may be able to get out to California with the Air Force. We would be an hour from Santa Barbara, which would be affordable and better then being 1200 miles away from the ocean like we are now. If we are plan things out right and save money, I think our dream of living in California can and WILL come true.

What do you think of California?
I find people either love it or hate it.

I am currently working on getting all of my photos organized from our vacation. I will be sharing our whale watching experience, our trip to the Grand Canyon, cute photos of Muffins and Chloe at the beach and many other things. Stay tuned! You can view all my posts about California by clicking HERE.

14 comments:

  1. I would love to visit California someday! Also, that tiny house is just perfect! x

    Melissa
    http://wildflwrchild.blogspot.com

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    1. Isn't that house so cute? It actually doesn't have the interior finished yet. I think it would be a blast to buy it and then put in all the walls and fixtures!!! I'm sure you would like California.

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  2. I (somewhat) like California but my biggest concern moving there is the San Andreas fault line and major earthquakes. Your pictures are stunning though! And Cali is extremely vegan friendly, which I'm sure you discovered or already knew ;)

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    1. Yes, it is vegan friendly. :) We didn't get a chance to look for a vegan place to eat. I just get sucked in by the beauty the state has to offer. I'm a sucker for nature and perfect weather! Hahaha thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Well, since you asked...I lived in Southern California for 29 years. I'm from the North San Diego County area. It was (and still is) very nice, but it became SO crowded, and SO expensive. I visit from time to time and it saddens me that it costs so much to live there if you plan to buy a house or property...which is why I can never move back. Like you, I want to live a simpler life, and having a huge mortgage is so scary (in case I ever lost my job) and unappealing. But yes, it is very nice to live on the California coast, that's why so many people want to live there, and drive up the prices! There are some lovely areas in Northern California (inland, closer to Yosemite) that you might consider?

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    1. Thanks for your advise! I know you are exactly right. The entire time we were in Santa Barbara I kept thinking about how unfair it is that the cost is so high!!! :( I know tons of people who dislike California, but apparently more people LOVE it! Hahaha. I will try to get close to Santa Barbara or the coast elsewhere. :)

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  4. It sounds like your trip away gave you a lot to think about. I hope you are ok and that work is not too crazy for you. Buy the way. Your hair looks adorable messy and in a ponytail. :)

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    1. Work has been a little better, but I don't know how long I will "deal" with it. Hahaha I wish I could cut my hair short the way you did. I just don't know how to manage my crazy thick hair anymore. Eventually I'll figure it out!

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  5. California is one of the main places that I want to visit, and I really see myself living there despite never even setting foot in the place, weird right? I hope it isn't just because I've conjured up some wonderful image of it in my head, but every time I see photos I'm even more sure that's where I want to be!

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    1. There is something special about it! Most people I know either hate it or love it! I of course love it! Hahaha :)

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  6. I just moved to the East Bay area of San Francisco and I'm on the fence. I do enjoy that the weather is predictable where I am (currently somewhere between 75 and 85 during the day and 50 and 65 at night, every day for the last month), but I'm sad that I won't see snow without a drive. When I can't take it anymore, I'll head to Tahoe for a weekend. The payroll taxes and rent costs are also waaay out there.

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    1. If you love snow then that's not a great area for you! Hahaha I bet Tahoe is beautiful though! :) I think where you are would be too much population for me. Yes the cost I suppose is based off demand. I figure for me if its meant to work out I will find a way to make it work.

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  7. I've only been to Disneyland, and that was the happiest place on earth! ;o) I'd love to go to San Francisco one day.

    I know what you mean about having to go back to a place that doesn't feel like home, because I feel like that often when I get back to London after a holiday or staying in Canada. I know some people will probably find this crazy, because it's a dream city to live in, but I just don't feel it's right for me sometimes. But I'm not actually sure where I would want to live.

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    1. Lots of people love the city I live in, but it's just not a good fit for me. I don't think it's crazy that you don't want to live in London. If you don't feel at home then it's not the right place for you. Traveling really makes you view all places differently. I can't wait to keep discovering new places!

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