I wondered where you'd run off too. Too bad it wasn't someplace more interesting than Sunset Valley, though that could be a nice vacation spot in real life.
I've been doing a bit of remodeling too. I put my sim into a little starter house in Union Cove and immediately started moving walls around. I know...but it's what I do. When I'm done with it, it won't even be the same house so I'll save it and move it elsewhere. Still testing UC and so far, so good.
I tend to build up, as you know, but I have never done the gardening or inventing careers, but you have a great point. It makes perfect sense to do that.