Despite the title of this blog, This post has nothing to do with the Wizard of Oz. :giggler Instead, it’s about me taking an impromptu trip back to California and what I discovered in the process.
Most of you know that four months ago, back in July, me, my husband, and two daughters moved to Oregon where Don had accepted a new job offer. We left behind the house we’d lived in for 18 years, the state we were born and raised in, and all of our family and friends to start a new journey in Oregon, with just the four of us. Since the real estate market has been so bad and we weren’t able to sell our house, we went ahead and rented it out, using a property management company to keep an eye on things. By the time we moved in July, we had a tenant who signed a one year lease — so we breathed a sigh of relief that we wouldn’t have to worry about the house for at least another year.
Well, the beginning of October we were informed by the property management company that our new tenant was breaking her lease and moving out of the house at the end of October. :angryred So, after discussing things with Don, we both agreed that it would be a good idea for me to head down to California and check on the house once the tenant moved out and make sure that everything was okay before we started the process of getting a new tenant in there.
So, last weekend (Halloween weekend X2), I flew back down to California on that Friday and stayed through that Monday — just a quick 4 day weekend to check on things and visit whatever family and friends that I could. Friday I stayed with my mom and dad, and spent the night at their house. I went and ate lunch at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, then saw a movie with my mom, The Secret Life of Bees, and topped the evening off with another favorite — an In ‘n Out hamburger. If you’ve ever had an In ‘n Out hamburger, you know that they are the absolute BEST ever, and can only be found in about three states, and Oregon isn’t one of them. 
Saturday morning I had breakfast with my parents, then off I went to check out our house that the tenant had vacated. What greeted me was a MESS — the previous tenant decided to leave all the junk behind that she didn’t want to take with her, and didn’t bother cleaning up the house one bit. UGH. From there, I met one of my girlfriends that I’ve known from high school at my favorite Japanese restaurant, Kabuki’s :tinitime:, another place that they don’t have in Oregon. After lunch Julie and I did some shopping until it was time for me to leave to see my other good friend, Laurie. That night I went to a Halloween party with Laurie and surprised everyone there, because they didn’t know I was in town. Tons of fun was had, and it was so great to see and visit all my friends again. :hug2:
I spent the night at Laurie’s and Sunday morning we headed out for a Starbucks and a much needed pedicure. It was just like old times, with us laughing and having such fun together. I’ve missed her so much! From there, I had to head back to our house and make a list of all the things I needed the property management company to take care of for us — and the list was a long one. 
Once that was done, it was back to my parents, then off to dinner with my in-laws since it was my Mother-In-Law’s birthday. Again, it was so nice to see family and the time went by WAY too quickly.
By Monday morning, I was exhausted from my mini-vacation, LOL. Laurie came to my parents and picked me up (my mother cried when I left :sosad:) so we could go and have lunch before she dropped me off at the airport. We managed to squeeze in a little bit of shopping at the Beverly Center, too — I’ve really missed having a shopping buddy!!!!
I touched back down in Portland, Oregon, by 6:30 Monday night. Don was there to pick me up, and as I walked into the house we’re living in and the girls and Sandie (our dog) greeted me, I realized a few things, mainly that There’s No Place Like Home. And while California was where I’d lived all my life and where all my friends and family are, here in Oregon, with Don and the girls, is our HOME. Going back to California for that short time made me realize how much I love it here in Oregon, for so many reasons, and this is where we were meant to be. It’s a revelation that feels good and right, and while I know I’ll continue to miss my family and friends, this Denison family is HOME here in Oregon. 
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Wow sounds like you need a mini vaca from your mini vaca!!
When I married 11 years ago and moved here to the Albany area, I was very homesick- until the first trip back home alone. Once i got there, I couldn’t wait to get back here- to home.
I know my daughter doesn’t feel the same way- she hates NY but I am hoping when she heads out to Hollywierd on Jan 1, that she realizes it isn’t the place that matters, but who is there that makes it home. I know that home won’t be the same once she leaves!!
Morning Silver!!
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G’mornin’, ev!
A toast of my 
mug to you, Janelle. You’ve realized something that many people never do. Kirsten is right. Home is where the heart is, and my heart is with my family.
Luckily, my family is headed out for class and court so I can
like mad! I’m so behind. :hairpull
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Wow, definitely a busy vaca. But it’s so good to hear that you had a nice time, despite the messy ex- tenant. I’ve had to deal with previous messy people like that, and it just gets to me that they don’t show any respect. I remember coming back to a house I grew up in, to find it looking like a dump and a shanty. The people after us had so mistreated it and it made me sad. Some of my fondest memories were in that house, and to see such a happy place in such a state, I cried. Unfortunately that happens. But you are right, when you walk into a place where your loved ones are, it’s where the heart is, the love is, and you can feel it always. That is definitely home.
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Janelle, I’m so glad you’re feeling like Oregon is home now. That’s great. It sounds like you had a great mini vacation. You were busy! There’s truly no place like home. :jiveturkey:
Cher
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What a wonderful revelation you made. Good for you!!!!
Janelle!!!!
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Janelle….we’re lucky to have you. I understand. Now, when people ask me where home is, it’s here, not where I grew up.
I understand needing a vacay from your vacay….I just got back from SFO and I am tired (and illin’ a little). I am trying to figure out how to relax this week with such a crazy week.
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shewww…I’m tired just reading about all that! :giggler I’d say you definitely made the most of your time. I hate to hear that the tenant left your house in such a state.
Our oldest has struggled with the whole “home” issue. He moved out of our house (the house he grew up in) when he turned 18. We sold the house and moved to our current house (which is actually supposed to be temporary, until we can build the “dream” house) and he feels like he doesn’t really have a “home” to go back to now. I guess in his case it’s not the people that makes a home because we’re all right here!
Get some rest!!
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Wow I couldn’t believe the woman who broke the lease, leaving your house such a mess. Some people have no respect.
I’m glad you got to spend time with friends and family, and that you realize that where you are now is where home is. That’s an amazing thing to realize. Hugs to you and your family.
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I know what you mean, Janelle. I’m from San Diego, though we moved to Austin three years ago. I went back a few months ago and though I had a fabulous time that included both an In-N-Out burger and a Rubio’s fish taco, I was glad to get home to my husband and kids. Home really is Austin now, though I miss my friends and family terribly when I’m away.
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Janelle, I am so dismayed that your tenant would do such a thing! How utterly inconsiderate and RUDE. I just don’t understand people who do that.
And yes, I agree with you. All the crazy ups and downs with our housing situation in the past few years, home is definitely where those you love reside!
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Aww… great post, Janelle–I’m glad you had a chance to visit, and that the visit reminded you where your heart is :wink: And ditto what Leslie said–I can’t believe that a tenant would be so unbelievably lame!!
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Janelle, you can have the property management company put all the cleaning charges and any damages to your house on the resident’s credit. I work for a property management company and we run into this type of situation all the time. Sorry you had such a bad experience with your first tenant.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time in California. I love to visit my hometown, but Nashville it home to me now.
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It’s snooze time for me after reading al that !
Pat Cochran
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Janelle, what a whirlwind weekend! I’m glad you are enjoying Oregon so much and realizing it is home. It is a wonderful state! When I first moved to California & went back “home” to visit I would run myself ragged trying to see everyone until I realized I was spending very little time with my mom & dad. I learned after a few such visits to say come see me, you know where I am. It was a lesson in who my friends were!! I figured I drove 425 miles they could drive across town and were always welcome at my folks. The people that cared are still friends & we stay in touch. Being a native Oregonian I love going back for visits but I’ve been in this part of Clalifornia so long it has been home a long time.
:givethaks :fourturks Home is where the heart is! :yumturk
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P.S. I am sorry your tenant left such a mess. Why someone would do that is beyond me. I hope the next one will take very good care of your house and not leave a mess behind.
:jumpleaf Just because it is fall!!
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You were very busy. I always end up feeling like I need a vacation from my vacation when I get home. Good luck with your old house in California.
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Sorry to hear about your tenant situation. As a former property manager I can tell you that kind of situation happens a lot and always sucks! Glad you’re feeling at home in Oregon. It’s beautiful there but, of course, not as beautiful as here in Vancouver LOL
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Home is always where the heart is!
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Another thing that surprised me is that I thought I’d be more emotional walking back into the house we’d lived in for 18 years. I really thought I’d missed the house — but I really didn’t. It didn’t feel like home anymore, because it’s NOT the home I live in with my family. Like they say, everything is replaceable — including a house. :wink:
As for the tenant leaving the place a mess — my father, who has had many rentals over the years, told me when Don and I decided to rent the house that whoever rents the place won’t take care of the house as well as we did. To them, it’s a rental, and it doesn’t matter to THEM what they do to the place, inside or out. Dad was definitely right about that!
So, after this experience with our first tenant, Don and I have come to the mindset that this is a rental house, and no longer our home. Yes, we own the place, but there are no longer any emotional attachments to the place (okay, maybe a little, considering all the memories we had of 18 years of living there! :giggler). We just have to think of this as a business deal and learn to deal with the crap that sometimes comes with being a landlord.
By the way, we’re currently renting here in Oregon, until we figure out what we want to do house-wise. And I have to say, I’d leave this house as spotless as we received it. I can’t imagine leaving it any other way!
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Wendy…are you in Vancouver WA or BC? We might be neighbors!
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Donna M.- where are you in CA? Not anywhere near Burbank are you??
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My sentiments exactly. Home is where my family is. :flower4you:
I am so glad that you feel like Oregon is your home now.
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ev, Are you living in Burbank? I grew up there, &, now, live in N. Hollywood on the border of Burbank.
Janelle, Sorry your house was left in the condition it was, but, really glad you are enjoying OR.
Patricia
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Patricia- no I am not there, but my daughter is moving there in January to go to college!! :yikes: We will be flying in on the 1st and I am staying until the 6th.
where is north hollywood in relation to tarzana/burbank area? I have never been there.
And I need directions to an In and Out burger joint!!
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ev, Where is your daughter going to school? Hope it works out well for her.
I’m assuming you/your daughter are flying into Bob Hope Airport (“BHA”), which is 5 mins. from my home. I am just on the border of Burbank (top of my street is the dividing line, but, No. Hollywood is part of L.A. City, not a separate city as is Burbank). Tarzana is quite a distance from Burbank (would guess about 12 mi.), at the West end of the San Fernando Valley, while Burbank is at the East end. The SFV is huge, mostly suburbs of City of L.A., but, also with separate, individual cities such as Burbank, City of San Fernando, etc.
One In & Out Burger (which, as others have mentioned, has just about the best burger in town & costs less than $2) is in No. Hollywood on Lankershim Blvd. almost at corner of Oxnard St. From BHA, drive as follows: turn R on Hollywood Way [main street by BHA--take only front entry exit] to Victory Blvd.; turn R (west) on Victory to Lankershim; turn L for about 1/2 mi. Look for Oxnard St. & drive 1 or 2 blocks further; restaurant on L. Can eat on outside tables/chairs or take out–no inside restaurant. There’s another one in Glendale with inside eating, & I can give you directions for that, if you wish. This chain is not over-populated & are not everywhere as is McDonalds, for instance.
If you need any more info, you are welcome to send me an e-mail. Just leave a note here. BTW, Jan. can be any type weather, but, probably, around 70 deg., daytime. Do bring jacket for nighttime.
Hope this helps.
Patricia
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Patricia- It does help a lot!! Thank you so much!!
She will be attending Columbia College Hollywood. Going in as a Jr. We are coming in to BHA on the 1st of Jan. I am leaving on the 6th.
My email is Bookwyrm217@aol.com. Drop me a line!!
ev