Haha! Well, while you were away, in September, DH and I happened to find a tiny cabin in VT, 30 minutes from my kids who live in Burlington. My BIL's house was in the process of selling, and we paid off our substantial IRS debt with the lion's share of DH's proceeds and used the rest as a down payment on this house. A questionable financial decision, but it fulfills a lifelong dream for both DH and I to have a place by the water (he and I both enjoyed summers with our aunties at beach cottages). And it gives us a home base near 3 of our kids. And we have always LOVED Vermont--we took summer vacations up here for 20 years.
Part B of our plan is to confirm that we enjoy life in VT and then sell our house in NJ, which has a market value of twice as much as our home, so that would enable us to pay off the mortgage on this little house and put a little cash in the bank. Or put all the cash in the bank. Depending on the best strategy at that time.